Postgraduate Diploma in Law
The Postgraduate Diploma in Law is a programme that equips students with advanced knowledge of legal principles, practice and procedure in Kenyan and international law. Offered at Strathmore University through Strathmore Law School, the programme prepares professionals for legal practice and related careers.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 145,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 145,000 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1 year, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cybersecurity Data Lawyer, at 9 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers constitutional law, criminal law, contract law, tort law, commercial law, international law, legal research and writing, alternative dispute resolution, corporate law, property law, family law, legal ethics and professional practice. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in legal analysis and practice.
The programme responds to the need for trained legal professionals who can navigate complex legal issues in Kenya and internationally. It provides a comprehensive foundation for those seeking legal expertise for professional practice, policy work or corporate legal roles.
The programme is delivered through lectures, seminars, moot courts, legal research exercises, case analysis and guest lectures from practising advocates. Students gain practical experience through legal research projects and engagement with legal practitioners.
Graduates pursue careers as legal officers, corporate counsel, legal consultants, policy analysts, compliance officers and legal researchers in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies and NGOs. They can also progress to a Master of Laws (LLM) at Strathmore Law School.
Prospective students should have a background in law or a related field. The programme is suitable for professionals seeking to strengthen their legal expertise for practice or policy work.
What you study
6 subjects- Constitutional Law and Criminal Law
- Contract Law and Tort Law
- Commercial Law and Corporate Law
- International Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Property Law and Family Law
- Legal Research and Writing and Legal Ethics
Modules
6 in the programmeConstitutional Law and Criminal Law
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers constitutional law, constitutional principles, bill of rights, constitutional interpretation, criminal law, criminal liability, criminal defences and criminal procedure.
Contract Law and Tort Law
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers contract law, contract formation, contract remedies, tort law, negligence, tort liabilities, damages and tort remedies.
Commercial Law and Corporate Law
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Covers commercial law, commercial transactions, sale of goods, corporate law, company formation, corporate governance, company directors and corporate compliance.
International Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers international law, international treaties, international organisations, alternative dispute resolution, arbitration, mediation and negotiation.
Property Law and Family Law
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers property law, land law, property rights, land registration, family law, marriage, divorce, child custody and succession.
Legal Research and Writing and Legal Ethics
Year 1Semester 25 creditsCore
Covers legal research methods, legal writing, case analysis, legal citation, legal ethics, professional conduct, advocate-client relationship and legal professional responsibility.
Specialisations
Corporate Law
Focuses on corporate governance and commercial transactions for careers as corporate counsel.
International Law
Specialises in international law and treaties for careers in international organisations.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Focuses on arbitration and mediation for careers as ADR practitioners.
Compliance and Regulatory Law
Specialises in regulatory compliance for careers as compliance officers.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on constitutional law or commercial law, followed by a moot court session or a case analysis workshop. Afternoon sessions may include a legal research seminar, an alternative dispute resolution exercise, or guest lectures from practising advocates. Students also work on legal research papers and presentations.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| The programme is offered at Strathmore Law School, a highly regarded law school in Kenya. | The programme does not qualify graduates for admission to the bar without the ATP at Kenya School of Law. |
| Graduates can progress to a Master of Laws (LLM) at Strathmore Law School. | Strathmore University is a high-cost private institution. |
| Legal expertise is valuable across law firms, corporate sector, government and NGOs. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 12 law coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
KSL ATP 145K/yr (victormatara.com, mwafrikah.com). No university PGD Law found. Private: unverified.
Strathmore Law School offers partial scholarships (50% and 90%) for outstanding postgraduate applicants. Students can also access HELB loans for postgraduate study.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
2 recordedStrathmore Law School Partial Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 270,000Kenyan
Outstanding postgraduate applicants at Strathmore Law School
HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent qualification from a recognised university. Applicants with other degrees may be considered based on relevant experience.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Strathmore University, Mount Kenya University.
Including Strathmore University, Mount Kenya University.
Including Strathmore University, Mount Kenya University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment
Written examination40% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering constitutional law, criminal law, contract law, commercial law and international law.
Legal Research Assignments
Assignment30% of the mark
Assessment of legal research papers, case analyses, moot court performance, legal memoranda and group presentations.
Legal Research Project
Project30% of the mark
A supervised legal research project, assessed through a written research paper and oral defence.
Accreditation
Council of Legal Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE). The programme is offered at Strathmore University, Strathmore Law School.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesLegal Officer
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides legal advice, drafts legal documents, supports compliance and manages legal matters for organisations, government agencies and NGOs.
Corporate Counsel
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 400,000
Advises on corporate legal matters, manages contracts, ensures regulatory compliance and supports corporate governance in private companies.
Compliance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 300,000
Ensures organisational compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, develops compliance frameworks and manages regulatory reporting.
Legal Researcher
Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conducts legal research, analyses case law, supports legal arguments and produces legal research publications for law firms and research institutions.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as legal officers, corporate counsel, legal consultants, compliance officers and legal researchers in law firms, corporate legal departments and government agencies.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cybersecurity Data LawyerLaw9Low exposure
- In-House CounselLaw11Low exposure
- Commercial Mediation SpecialistLaw15Low exposure
- Data Privacy CounselLaw17Low exposure
- Clinical Trial BioethicistLaw18Low exposure
- Commercial Arbitration CounselLaw18Low exposure
- Constitutional Litigation CounselLaw18Low exposure
- Human Rights LawyerLaw18Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
A postgraduate diploma in law qualifies you to practise as an advocate.
A PGD in Law provides advanced legal knowledge but does not replace the Advocates Training Programme (ATP) at the Kenya School of Law required for admission to the bar.
Postgraduate law study is only for practising lawyers.
The programme is suitable for professionals in corporate compliance, policy, government, NGOs and academia who need legal expertise.
Law is only about litigation.
Law covers diverse areas including corporate law, commercial transactions, alternative dispute resolution, policy, compliance and legal research.
A PGD in Law is inferior to an LLM.
A PGD provides focused practical legal knowledge and can serve as a pathway to an LLM for those seeking further specialisation.