Current List of National Defence University (NDU) Courses

Complete List of courses (programmes) offered at the National Defence University (NDU), Kenya for the year intake.

The National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) is a strategic institution in Kenya, dedicated to providing higher education, research and training in defence, security and related strategic studies. Its mandate encompasses preparing both military and civilian leaders to address evolving national and regional security challenges.

The National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) stands out in East Africa as a specialised provider of defence, security and strategic education. Its comprehensive portfolio, ranging from engineering and health-science diplomas to doctoral-level crisis-management programmes offers significant opportunities for both military and civilian professionals. When selecting a programme, applicants should match the course to their career trajectory, verify eligibility and accreditation, and consider the wider strategic value of the learning environment.

List of Courses National Defence University (NDU) Kenya

NDU-K offers a range of academic programmes spanning undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma levels. These programmes are tailored to the needs of defence and security professionals, though some are open to civilian applicants and other government agencies.

Sample Programmes Offered

Here are some of the programmes on offer:

PhD in Crisis and Disaster Management
Master of Arts in National Security & Strategy
Postgraduate Diploma in National Security and Strategy.
Master of Arts in Crisis Response & Disaster Management.
Bachelor of Science in Defence and Security Studies
Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Military Health
Diplomas in technical engineering and ICT fields (such as aeronautical engineering, automotive engineering, and ICT) via the “Defence Forces Technical College” component.

Programmes in Development / Coming Soon

The university also notes plans to launch further advanced programmes, for example:

PhD in National Security & Strategy
Master of Arts in Gender and Peace Support Studies
Master of Science in Information Technology for Defence Sciences
Master of Science in Weapon Engineering, etc.

Unique Features & Focus Areas

Multi-disciplinary and strategic orientation: The programmes are not solely military tactics; they cover national security from multi-agency perspectives, crisis & disaster management, strategic studies, engineering, health sciences, technical trades, and more.
Senior leadership emphasis: Especially at the level of the National Defence College component, the focus is on equipping senior officers and equivalent civil servants with analytic and strategic skills to handle national security issues.
Regional/international dimension: The institution admits participants from allied countries and engages with international defence and peace-support frameworks, which adds to its appeal and depth.
Integration of civilian and military education: The civil service and ministries are included among the target participants, especially for certain programmes, thus fostering a “whole-of-government” security mindset rather than purely military.

Who Can Enrol?

While many programmes are geared toward military officers and defence personnel, some programmes explicitly highlight that non-military applicants (from ministries, departments and agencies) may apply, particularly for the peace-support / international programmes. Potential applicants should check the specific intake criteria for each programme (which may vary by college/component).

Value Proposition

High relevance in a changing security landscape: From terrorism, cyber-threats, disaster response and regional instability, the security challenges are broadening. The institution is positioned to address these.
Opportunity for leadership and strategy development: Especially for those aiming to move into high-level security, defence or policy roles, the advanced programmes offer the analytical grounding needed.
Technical and engineering options: The inclusion of engineering, ICT, health sciences and technical diplomas broadens the scope beyond pure strategy to the practical and technological aspects of defence.
Networking and regional influence: Participants benefit from interaction with international colleagues, diverse peer groups, and strategic partnerships.

Considerations for Applicants

Applicants should check which programmes are open to civilians and which are restricted to military/defence personnel, as eligibility may differ.
Ensure you understand the entry requirements, prerequisites, accreditation status, and whether the programme is full-time or modular.
Be aware of the focus and orientation of the programme (e.g., strategic studies vs technical engineering) and align it with your career goals.
Consider the location and campus of the particular college component (some are in Nairobi, some elsewhere) and any associated logistical or security requirements.
Understand the accreditation: some programmes are new/upcoming, so verifying certification and recognition is important.

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