Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies is a doctoral programme offered by Kenyan universities, designed to provide advanced training and research opportunities in philosophy and ethical studies. The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered through coursework, seminars, and independent research.

Students engage with ethical theory, logic, metaphysics, and philosophy of mind through a structured curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical applications. The programme emphasises critical reasoning, ethical analysis, and philosophical inquiry and prepares scholars to contribute original research to the discipline.

Kenya's ethical challenges in technology, governance, and society require philosophical expertise. The programme addresses national development priorities and aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030, which emphasises the need for highly trained professionals in philosophy and ethics. Graduates are equipped to tackle complex challenges facing the country and the East African region.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions where applicable, fieldwork, and supervised research. Students work closely with faculty supervisors to develop their research proposals, conduct original research, and produce a thesis or dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, ethics consultants, policy analysts, and researchers in universities, research institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private sector firms. The programme provides a strong foundation for academic careers and leadership roles in philosophy and ethics.

This programme is ideal for individuals with a strong academic background in philosophy or a related humanities field who are passionate about research and advancing knowledge in philosophy and ethical studies. It suits those who wish to contribute to policy development, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making in Kenya and beyond.

Duration: 3-4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 320,000
Private, up to: Ksh 310,200
Job market: High

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: 8 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Ethical Theory
Logic
Research Methods
Metaphysics
Epistemology
Philosophy of Mind
Political Philosophy
African Philosophy
Philosophy of Science
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Ethical Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of ethical theory, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Curriculum Theory and Models
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theoretical foundations of curriculum, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.
Logic
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of logic, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Curriculum Development and Implementation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Processes of curriculum development, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of research methods, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Curriculum Evaluation and Assessment
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Evaluation of curriculum effectiveness, covering assessment design, evaluation methodologies, data-driven decision-making, and quality assurance processes.
Metaphysics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of metaphysics, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Comparative Curriculum Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Comparative analysis of curricula, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Epistemology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of epistemology, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Competency-Based Curriculum
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Research on competency-based curriculum, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Philosophy of Mind
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of philosophy of mind, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Research Methods in Curriculum Studies
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research design and methodology, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.

Specialisations

Philosophy of Mind
Specialization in Philosophy of Mind, preparing graduates for careers such as applied-ai-ethicist.
Specialisation Methods
Specialization in Specialisation Methods, preparing graduates for careers such as bioethicist.
Epistemology
Specialization in Epistemology, preparing graduates for careers such as research-ethics-coordinator.
Metaphysics
Specialization in Metaphysics, preparing graduates for careers such as policy-analyst-social-policy.
Ethical Theory
Specialization in Ethical Theory, preparing graduates for careers such as philosopher.
Logic
Specialization in Logic, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Comparative Curriculum
Research on comparative curriculum studies
Curriculum Evaluation
Research on curriculum evaluation
Curriculum Development
Research on curriculum development processes
CBC Implementation
Research on competency-based curriculum implementation

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures and seminars with afternoon research activities, laboratory sessions, or fieldwork. Students engage with faculty supervisors, attend research seminars, review literature, and work on their thesis research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Advanced research skills open doors to academic and research careers in Kenya and internationally
Evening and weekend modes provide flexibility
Addresses real-world challenges relevant to Kenya's development priorities
Graduates are well-positioned for leadership roles in their respective sectors

Against it

Career opportunities outside education are limited
Limited funding for education research
Balancing research with teaching commitments
Job market for highly specialised roles may be concentrated in a few institutions

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public180k to 320k

180k at Moi University320k at University of Nairobi

Private250k to 310k

250k at Mount Kenya University310k at Kabarak 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

UoN 320K verified uonbi.ac.ke; Moi ~180K unverified; MKU 250K victormatara; Kabarak 310K kabarak.ac.ke

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships for African scholars, and university-specific research grants. Some programmes offer teaching assistantships that provide fee waivers and stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships
Scholarship
African Union Research Grants
Grant

Scholarships

5 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for postgraduate study in relevant fields
African Union Research Grant
Grant
Education researchers in Africa
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's degree in relevant field
Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent
Research proposal
Approved by prospective supervisor
KCSE or equivalent
C+ (Plus) minimum mean grade

How you are assessed

5 components

Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, curriculum research projects and seminar presentations
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Coursework Examinations
Coursework30% of the mark
Thesis Defence
Coursework100% of the mark
Research Seminars
Coursework20% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Professional body registration may be required depending on the field of specialisation.

Accredited by

Relevant Professional Body
Professional certification
Professional registration may be required depending on the field of specialisation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

University Lecturer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches and conducts research in a university department, contributing to knowledge generation and student mentorship.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides research-based policy advice to government, NGOs, and international organisations.
Program Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 190,000
Manages research and development programmes in NGOs, government agencies, or private sector organisations.
Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 240,000
Offers specialised expertise to organisations, drawing on advanced training and research experience.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000
Curriculum development at KICD
Curriculum Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000
Research at KICD and research organisations
Education Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000
Policy analysis at Ministry of Education
University Professor
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in education departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, research scientists, policy analysts, and consultants in universities, research institutions, government agencies, and private sector organisations across Kenya and the East African region.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R/SPSS
Statistical software
Curriculum research analysis.
Google Classroom
Learning management
Moodle
Learning management
Canva
Design
Microsoft 365
Productivity

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This doctoral programme is only for those who want to become university lecturers
Graduates pursue diverse careers including research, policy analysis, consulting, and leadership roles in government, NGOs, and private sector organisations across Kenya and internationally.
The programme is purely theoretical with no practical application
The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical research, fieldwork, and industry engagement, ensuring graduates can apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
Research in this field has limited relevance to Kenya's development
The programme directly addresses national development priorities under Vision 2030, with research topics often focused on local challenges and solutions relevant to the Kenyan context.
There are no funding opportunities for postgraduate students in this field
Multiple funding sources exist including HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, bilateral cooperation programmes, and university-specific research grants for qualifying students.