Arts & Humanities

Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Theology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Theology is a research-focused doctoral programme that produces scholars in biblical studies, exegesis, hermeneutics, and biblical theology. Students engage in critical analysis of biblical texts using historical-critical, literary, and contextual methods, contributing original research to the field of biblical scholarship.

The programme is offered at Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Tangaza University, St. Paul's University, and Africa International University, all private institutions accredited by the Commission for University Education. No public university in Kenya currently offers a PhD specifically in Biblical Theology, though related programmes in Religious Studies exist at public universities.

Students develop advanced skills in biblical languages (Hebrew and Greek), textual criticism, exegetical methods, biblical archaeology, and contextual hermeneutics. Research areas include Old Testament theology, New Testament theology, African biblical hermeneutics, and intertextual studies, with particular attention to African contextual readings of scripture.

Kenya's vibrant theological education sector, with numerous seminaries and theological colleges, creates demand for qualified biblical scholars. Graduates contribute to theological education, church leadership, biblical translation projects, and scholarly publications that engage African perspectives in biblical interpretation.

The programme typically involves coursework in biblical languages and research methods, followed by independent research and thesis writing. Duration is three to four years, with both full-time and part-time options available. Teaching formats include seminars, directed study, and tutorial supervision.

Graduates serve as university and seminary lecturers, church leaders, biblical translation consultants, theological authors, and researchers in religious institutions. The programme is ideal for those with a Master's degree in theology or biblical studies who seek to contribute original scholarly work.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 200,000
Private, up to: Ksh 210,000
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: PhD

What you study

6 subjects

Biblical Studies
Exegesis
Biblical Theology
Hermeneutics
Research Methods
Thesis Research

Modules

9 in the programme

Advanced Biblical Hebrew
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of Biblical Hebrew grammar, syntax, and textual analysis for exegesis of Old Testament texts, including reading of unpointed Hebrew manuscripts.
Field Attachment / Community Placement
Year 1Semester 16 creditsCore
Supervised placement with NGO, government agency or community organisation, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral.
Advanced New Testament Greek
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of Koine Greek grammar, syntax, and textual criticism for exegesis of New Testament texts, including analysis of variant readings.
Social Policy & Administration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Policy analysis, social welfare, public administration and social programme evaluation.
Biblical Hermeneutics and Exegesis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Critical examination of hermeneutical methods and exegetical approaches to biblical texts, including historical-critical, literary, and contextual African readings.
Research Project / Dissertation
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent social research project: design, fieldwork, analysis and report, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation.
African Biblical Interpretation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Exploration of African hermeneutical approaches to biblical texts, including inculturation hermeneutics, liberation readings, and postcolonial biblical interpretation.
Ethics & Professional Practice
Year 2Semester 22 creditsCore
Professional ethics, research ethics, social responsibility and ethical decision-making.
Doctoral Thesis in Biblical Theology
Year 3Semester 112 creditsCore
Independent doctoral research on a specialised topic in biblical theology, culminating in an original thesis contributing new knowledge to the field.

Specialisations

Sociology & Community Development
Social research, community organising, project management and social policy. Students learn to analyse social issues and drive community empowerment.
Psychology & Counselling
Human behaviour, mental health, counselling techniques and psychological assessment. Students gain skills for clinical, organisational and community roles.
Political Science & Public Administration
Governance, public policy, political theory and administration. Students learn to navigate government, NGOs and international organisations.
Economics & Development Studies
Microeconomics, macroeconomics, development theory and policy analysis. Students learn to address poverty, inequality and economic growth challenges.
Geography & GIS
Spatial analysis, geographic information systems, remote sensing and environmental planning. Students learn to map and analyse geographic data for decision-making.

A day as a student

A typical day blends lectures, practicals and group work, with attachment/internship in the field.

The trade offs

In its favour

Transferable skills across sectors.
Diverse career paths.

Against it

Competitive entry-level market.
Some paths need further specialisation.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public180k to 200k

180k at University of Nairobi200k at Kenyatta University

Private180k to 210k

180k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa210k at Tangaza University

Annual 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

Tangaza 210K tangaza.ac.ke. CUEA, UoN, KU unverified

HELB loans, county scholarships and university bursaries available.

Funding options

HELB Loan
Government Bursary
CDF Scholarship
Self-sponsored

Scholarships

5 recorded

HELB Humanities Loan
PartialKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizen; Humanities/social sciences; Financial need
Chevening Scholarships Kenya
FullKsh 5,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizen; Leadership potential; Postgraduate study in UK
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
FullKsh 6,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Leadership; Community service
County Government Bursary
PartialKsh 60,000Kenyan
Resident of county; Financial need

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

Alternative entry: A relevant Master's degree and a research proposal.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests for this programme.
Term Paper/Essay
Project20% of the mark
Term Paper/Essay for this programme.
End-of-Semester Exam
Exam50% of the mark
End-of-Semester Exam for this programme.

Accreditation

Accredited by CUE (Commission for University Education) and the relevant professional body.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Accredits university-level programmes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Animation Producer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Graduates can work as animation producer in Kenya's social sciences & humanities sector.
Backend Developer
High demandKsh 78,000 to Ksh 300,000
Graduates can work as backend developer in Kenya's social sciences & humanities sector.
Chaplain
Medium demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 180,000
Graduates can work as chaplain in Kenya's social sciences & humanities sector.
Public Administration & Civil Service
Medium demandKsh 72,000 to Ksh 300,000
Graduates can work as public administration & civil service in Kenya's social sciences & humanities sector.
Animation & Film Production
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Graduates can work as animation & film production in Kenya's social sciences & humanities sector.
Art Conservator
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 180,000
Graduates can work as art conservator in Kenya's social sciences & humanities sector.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find opportunities across social sciences & humanities in Kenya's public, private and entrepreneurship sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
SPSS
AnalyticsPrimary
Google Scholar
Research
NVivo
Analytics
Zotero
Research
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This course has limited career prospects.
Graduates find opportunities across the public service, private industry, entrepreneurship, and further academic study.
The course is too theoretical with no practical value.
Programmes incorporate practical training, internships, and industry attachment to ensure graduates are job-ready.
You must have a related background to enrol.
Most programmes accept students from diverse academic backgrounds, with bridging support where needed.
Graduates of this course earn very little.
Earnings grow steadily with experience, specialisation, and professional certification.