Doctor of Philosophy in Agroforestry
The Doctor of Philosophy in Agroforestry is a doctoral programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Environmental Studies and at South Eastern Kenya University. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in agroforestry systems, tree-crop interactions, sustainable land management and rural development, addressing Kenya's environmental conservation and agricultural sustainability needs.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 464,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,392,000 to Ksh 2,320,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 313,700 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Master's degree in Agroforestry, Forestry, Environmental Studies, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management or related field or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students engage with advanced topics in agroforestry systems, tree-crop interactions, soil conservation, carbon sequestration, rural development and research methodology. The curriculum emphasises original research on agroforestry relevant to Kenya's agricultural and environmental context.
Kenya's challenges with deforestation, soil degradation, climate change and food security require advanced agroforestry research. This creates demand for doctoral-level agroforestry expertise to support sustainable land management.
Teaching is delivered through coursework, field research, experimental trials and supervised thesis writing at university environmental studies departments and agroforestry research stations.
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, agroforestry researchers, environmental consultants and rural development specialists. They work in universities, research institutes, environmental agencies and international development organisations.
The programme is ideal for holders of master's degrees in agroforestry, forestry, environmental studies, agriculture, natural resource management or related fields who wish to advance to doctoral-level research in agroforestry, contributing to Kenya's environmental conservation through research on tree-crop systems, sustainable land management and rural development to support food security, climate resilience and sustainable natural resource use for Kenya's agricultural communities and environmental conservation efforts.
What you study
8 subjects- Agroforestry Systems
- Tree-Crop Interactions
- Soil Conservation
- Carbon Sequestration
- Rural Development
- Research Methods in Environmental Studies
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Thesis Research
Modules
10 in the programmeAgroforestry Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of agroforestry systems, covering silvicultural principles, forest management, and their application in sustainable resource use.
Tree-Crop Interactions
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Research on tree-crop interactions, covering agricultural principles, production technologies, and their application in sustainable farming systems.
Soil Conservation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Research on soil conservation in agroforestry, covering agricultural principles, production technologies, and their application in sustainable farming systems.
Carbon Sequestration
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Research on carbon sequestration, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Rural Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Research on rural development, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.
Research Methods in Environmental Studies
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methodology for environmental studies, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the.
Climate Change Adaptation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research on climate change adaptation, covering climate science principles, adaptation strategies, and their application in environmental policy.
Agroforestry Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research on agroforestry policy, analysing policy frameworks, implementation strategies, and their impact on practice within the Kenyan and broader African context.
Thesis Research
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Original doctoral research in agroforestry, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the discipline.
Research Seminars
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Presentation and discussion of agroforestry research, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in the.
Specialisations
Carbon Sequestration
Research on carbon sequestration
Soil Conservation
Research on soil conservation
Tree-Crop Interactions
Research on tree-crop interactions
Climate Change Adaptation
Research on climate change adaptation
Agroforestry Systems
Research on agroforestry systems
Rural Development
Research on rural development
A day as a student
A typical day involves morning coursework on agroforestry systems and tree-crop interactions, afternoon field research on experimental agroforestry plots, data analysis on soil conservation and carbon sequestration, and meetings with thesis supervisors on agroforestry research.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's environmental challenges create research opportunities | Field research in remote areas can be challenging |
| Access to KEFRI and ICRAF for research collaboration | Research funding for agroforestry can be limited |
| Direct contribution to sustainable land management | Career opportunities may be concentrated in research institutions |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 303 agriculture 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
UoN ~464K (Fac. Agri), Egerton 252K/yr. KeMU 168K, Kabarak 314K/yr.
HELB postgraduate loans are available. NACOSTI grants support environmental research. ICRAF may offer agroforestry research grants.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
NACOSTI Research Grant
ICRAF Research Grants
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens in postgraduate programmes
ICRAF Research Grant
Grant
Agroforestry researchers
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers in Kenya
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's and Master's degrees from recognised institutions; draft research proposal
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Maseno University, University of Embu, University of Eldoret.
Including Maseno University, University of Embu, University of Eldoret.
Including Maseno University, University of Embu, University of Eldoret.
How you are assessed
3 componentsField Research Project
Practical20% of the mark
Practical field research project
Thesis Defence
Thesis50% of the mark
Final oral defence of doctoral thesis
Coursework Examinations
Written exam30% of the mark
Written examinations on coursework
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body for university accreditation
This programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesAgroforestry Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Research on agroforestry systems
University Lecturer in Agroforestry
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 220,000
Teaching and research in university environmental departments
Rural Development Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Rural development with agroforestry focus
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 220,000
Consulting on environmental and agroforestry projects
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers in academia, agroforestry research, environmental consulting and rural development with moderate demand for agroforestry expertise in Kenya.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Aquaculture TechnologistAgriculture3Low exposure
- Climate-Resilient Seed BreederAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary Public OfficerAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary OfficerAgriculture7Low exposure
- Farm Insurance AssessorAgriculture11Low exposure
- Value Chain AnalystAgriculture12Low exposure
- Agricultural EconomistAgriculture13Low exposure
- Agroecological Farming SpecialistAgriculture13Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Agroforestry is just about planting trees on farms
The programme covers agroforestry systems, tree-crop interactions, soil conservation, carbon sequestration and rural development.
The programme has limited career prospects
Kenya's environmental conservation needs create demand for agroforestry expertise in research, government and NGOs.
Only forestry graduates can study this programme
The programme accepts holders of master's degrees in agroforestry, forestry, environmental studies, agriculture or related fields.
Agroforestry research is not scientifically rigorous
The programme involves experimental trials, data analysis and rigorous research methodology.
The programme is only for rural development
Agroforestry research also addresses climate change, carbon sequestration and environmental conservation.