Baccalaureate in Philosophy
An affiliate Institute to the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical Urbaniana University, offering integral philosophical formation rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition.
“Empowered by Wisdom, Grounded in Faith, Dedicated to Service.”
About the Consolata Institute of Philosophy
The Consolata Institute of Philosophy is a centre of excellence for philosophical formation in the Catholic tradition, serving students from across Africa and beyond. Founded by the Consolata Missionaries and approved by AMECEA in 1970, the Institute offers a Pontifical Baccalaureate in Philosophy through its affiliation with the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome — a globally recognised qualification preparing graduates for theology, ministry, academic research, and deeper engagement with the Church’s intellectual heritage.
Our Vision
To be a distinguished centre of philosophical formation in the Catholic tradition, producing scholars and mission agents who engage the world with wisdom, rigour, and an integrated Christian worldview.
Our Mission
Integral philosophical formation rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition — equipping students to think critically, engage culture authentically, and serve the Church and society with insight and integrity.
What Sets Us Apart
Three pillars define the Consolata Institute of Philosophy and set it apart as a centre of genuine formation rather than mere instruction.
Academic Excellence
Rigorous philosophical training aligned with Pontifical standards, equipping graduates for further study in theology, academia, or professional life.
Spiritual Integration
Philosophy and faith are never separated here. Formation of the whole person — mind, spirit, and character — is the heartbeat of our programme.
International and Intercultural Environment
Students from across Africa and beyond bring diverse cultural and intellectual perspectives, enriching classroom dialogue and preparing graduates for global mission.
Brief History
The Consolata Institute of Philosophy was established in 1970 following the directive of the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), which called for the founding of philosophical and theological institutes across the region to serve the growing Church in East Africa.
The Institute was founded by the Consolata Missionaries (IMC) who, in their characteristic spirit of mission and intellectual formation, created a centre committed not only to producing philosophically trained graduates, but to forming men of character equipped to serve the Church and society with wisdom and integrity.
Affiliation with Pontifical Urbaniana University
A landmark moment in the Institute’s history came in 1982, when it was officially affiliated with the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome — one of the most distinguished pontifical institutions in the Catholic world. This affiliation granted the Institute the authority to confer the Baccalaureate in Philosophy, a degree recognised throughout the Catholic Church and opening pathways to pontifical theological faculties worldwide.
Growth and Development
Through the 1970s and 1980s the Institute steadily developed its curriculum, library resources, and student community. The years 1997 and 1998 saw the completion of a new building complex, providing expanded lecture rooms, a dedicated library, student residences, and common spaces that have supported the growing student body into the present day.
Since its founding, the Institute has remained faithful to its original charism — offering rigorous philosophical formation within a community of faith, united by a commitment to the mission of the Church in Africa and the world. Today it stands as one of the few institutions in Eastern Africa conferring a Pontifical degree in Philosophy, a distinction that reflects both its academic rigour and its deep rootedness in the Catholic intellectual tradition.
For admissions and enquiries:
admissions@ciu.ac.keProgramme Objectives
The Baccalaureate in Philosophy is designed to achieve the following formation objectives across its full programme of study.
Philosophical Foundations
Provide a thorough grounding in the history of philosophy, from ancient Greek thought through medieval scholasticism to modern and contemporary movements.
Critical Reasoning
Develop rigorous critical thinking, logical analysis, and argumentation skills enabling graduates to engage complex intellectual questions with clarity and precision.
Ethics and Moral Philosophy
Form graduates in ethical reasoning and Catholic moral philosophy, equipping them to address moral questions in pastoral, professional, and public life.
Dialogue with Culture
Equip students to engage contemporary culture, science, and society from a philosophically and theologically informed perspective.
African Philosophy
Introduce students to African philosophical traditions and foster dialogue between Western, African, and other philosophical currents in a genuinely intercultural setting.
Preparation for Theology
Provide the philosophical preparation required for the study of theology at pontifical faculties, including systematic, fundamental, and moral theology.
Integral Human Formation
Foster the intellectual, spiritual, and human development of each student as an integrated whole — forming philosophers who are also men and women of character and faith.
Empowered by Wisdom · Grounded in Faith · Dedicated to Service
The Baccalaureate in Philosophy forms graduates who think rigorously, live faithfully, and serve the Church and society with wisdom and integrity.
Begin Your Philosophical Journey
Whether your calling is theological study, academic research, or service to the Church, the Baccalaureate in Philosophy lays a foundation of wisdom, faith, and rigour that will accompany you for life.