MASTER OF ARTS IN HISTORY

Overview

History as a discipline allows students to understand how both past major and
minor events have contributed to the transformation of the society that we live in
today. In understanding and exploring human history candidates are able to
envisage that although human race has made huge steps in improvement of living
standards and technological advancement, many social structures and behaviors
remain the same. Exploring the past enables us to understand our present and see
whether the direction we are heading to is the one that we desire. History allows
us to learn from all our previous errors in order to improve our present and shape
our future.

Rationale

The course is designed to equip students with historical knowledge and provide
them with necessary skills that can be applied in daily life. The students acquire
problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, advanced research writing skills,
cultural awareness, strong communication abilities, interpretation of written and
visual materials and understanding and analyzing the cause of events and actions.

Objectives

The following objectives are achieved in pursuance of the course.
 To enable students to widen their scope of historical knowledge.
 To enable students to become high-level professionals in teaching
and research in history at various levels.
 To enable students to be aware and appreciate the importance and
value of the participation and contribution of women in development
through time.
 To provide an opportunity for interested students to pursue studies in
Women in History
 To enable students to acquire in-depth knowledge of the rise and
multifaceted development of Islam in Africa and the world.
 To provide an understanding of the need to integrate Islamic cultures
into National and International development programs.

Schedule of intakes

Program intake is once every year in September with the course duration
taking two Academic Years.

Application information

 The common regulations governing the Master of Arts Degree minimum
application qualification shall apply.
 A candidate must have the following minimum Qualifications

i. Bachelor's degree from the University of Nairobi with at least a Lower Second Class or equivalent qualifications from institutions recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.
ii. A Pass Bachelor’s degree plus a Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant field.

Mode of delivery

The programme is offered under three modules; full-time, part-time and through
open distance and e-learning. This will involve face to face and online lecture
sessions, written instructional study materials, and mediated technical learning
materials.

Examination Regulations

Final University of Nairobi examinations shall be given at the end of every semester in each taught course unit; and each final examination shall be in the form of a three-hour written examination paper.

Where a semester-long project paper is required, work on the project paper shall be started and completed during the final semester of the postgraduate diploma programme. The project paper shall be graded as though it were 2 taught course units without coursework; and consequently the paper shall contribute 100% of the marks awarded in those course units.

To be awarded the postgraduate diploma, a candidate must pass all specialized, core and elective course units taken, as well as the Project Paper where applicable.

All examinations shall be governed by the following rules:

i)      Each course unit shall be graded over 100.

ii)     The written final examination shall account for 60% of all the marks in   each course unit, while continuous assessment tests shall account for 40%; but the Project Paper or “Independent research” paper shall be graded over 100%, as there shall be no continuous assessment test associated with them.

iii)    In every course unit taken, the pass mark shall be 50%, which shall be arrived at by adding the overall continuous coursework grade obtained in that course to the final end-of-semester grade.

iv)    A candidate who fails in any examination in a specialized, core, or elective course unit taken at the end of a semester may re-sit that examination when it is next given during scheduled end-of-semester examinations, and should he/she once again fail, may re-sit the examination one more time when it is next scheduled as part of the University’s regular end-of-semester examinations calendar, provided that he/she shall pay such fees as may be prescribed by the University in respect of such examination. There shall be no special or supplementary examinations between or during semesters.

v)     A candidate who fails in any examination in an elective course unit may, at his/her own discretion, register in an alternative elective course unit, in lieu of re-sitting an examination in which he/she failed once or more than once; provided that he/she shall pay such registration and other fees as may be prescribed by the University in respect of such examination.

In the event that a candidate re-sits the final examination in any course unit, the final grade shall be based entirely on the marks obtained in the final written examination, which shall be graded over 100 marks; and the continuous coursework marks pertaining to that course unit shall not be considered.

Each candidate’s cumulative performance in the course of the postgraduate diploma programme, as well as his/her overall performance shall be summarized in an average score over 100, and a letter reflecting current University practice.

A student who, for good cause supported with authenticated documentary evidence, fails to sit or complete an end-of-semester examination may be allowed to sit for the paper(s) concerned when the examination is next scheduled, without paying additional fees.

Regulation I:

A candidate must satisfy such prescribed University of Nairobi requirements as are not varied by the Faculty of Arts regulations specified below.

Regulation II:

Subject to Regulation 1, the minimum qualification for admission to the M.A. degree programme shall be a BA. lower second class honours degree, or equivalent, relevant to the courses offered in the department in which the applicant wishes to register, and obtained from a university recognised by University of Nairobi Senate; provided that each applicant shall be required to produce original or certified copies of relevant transcripts, diplomas, degree certificates and any other certificates or documents deemed necessary to support the application.

Subject to approval by the department(s) concerned, a student enrolled in any other programme at the University of Nairobi may register for and attend lectures and be examined of his/her choice whenever these are taught, provided also that he/she shall apply through the official channels, and pay specified fees and any other stipulated charges for the selected course units.  At the end of the semester or academic year the student shall receive an official University transcript certifying his/her performance in the course units(s) concerned.

Subject to the approval of the department(s) concerned, a student enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme at any other university recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate, may register for, attend lectures and be examined in one or more course units of his/her choice whenever these are taught in the parallel programme, provided that he/she shall apply through the official channels, and pay the stipulated fees for the selected course unit(s) as well as other specified charges.  At the end of the semester or academic year the student shall receive an official University transcript certifying his/her performance in the course unit(s) concerned.

Registration for course units by continuing students shall take place before the end of the preceding semester. Where these regulations are silent on any aspect of University admission, existing University of Nairobi regulations shall apply.

Contacts of support persons

Chairman
Department of History & Archeology
P.O Box 30197-00100, Nairobi
Email: dept-historyarch@uonbi.ac.ke  
Tel: 020-4918229

Attachment opportunities

A master of Arts degree in History equips one with research skills and knowledge
that prepares individuals for a variety of careers, from teaching to working in
archives, museums, libraries, and more.

Career prospects/opportunities

Candidates have a wide range of opportunities in the teaching profession as teachers,
historians, archivists, political scientists, and archaeologists. The course opens up
opportunities in tourism, journalism, Archaeological survey, and museums as well as
working with government agencies and international organizations. Historical
knowledge gives individuals a foundation to pursue other studies in law and
education.

TUITION                                         21,000.00  
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)                                            1,000.00  
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)                                            6,500.00  
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)                                            7,000.00  
CAUTION - (ONCE)                                            5,000.00  
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)                                             5,000.00  
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)                                            2,000.00  
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                                            2,250.00  
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)                                            1,000.00  
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)                                            1,000.00  
THESIS EXAMINATION                                         30,000.00  
     Semester totals 
Sem1  2 units                          73,750.00
   3 units                          95,750.00
   4 units                        117,750.00
     Semester totals 
Sem2 ,3,5 or 6  1 unit                          24,250.00
   2 units                          46,250.00
   3 units                          68,250.00
   4 units                          90,250.00
     Semester totals 
Sem4, 7, or 10  1 unit                          46,750.00
   2 units                          68,750.00
   3 units                          90,750.00
   4 units                        112,750.00
Project =4units    
Project in sems 4 or 7                         142,750.00
Other sems                         120,250.00
     
SUMMARY OF TOTAL FEES    
Sem1  4 units                        117,750.00
Sem2  4 units                          90,250.00
Sem3  4 units                          90,250.00
Sem4  PROJECT                        142,750.00
Totals            441,000.00