Health Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine

The Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Faculty of Health Sciences. The programme trains medical scholars to conduct advanced research on medical sciences, clinical medicine, and translational research, contributing to medical knowledge and healthcare improvement in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced medical research methods, clinical epidemiology, translational medicine, molecular medicine, and specialised medical research topics. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent clinical and laboratory research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to medical science.

Kenya faces significant health challenges including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and maternal health issues requiring medical research. The programme addresses national health priorities under Vision 2030 and the Kenya Health Policy Framework by training physician-scientists who can bridge clinical practice and research, translating discoveries into improved patient care.

Teaching methods include lectures, clinical research at Kenyatta National Hospital, laboratory research, seminars, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to UoN's medical research facilities at the KNH campus and collaborate with KEMRI and international medical research institutions.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, medical researchers, physician-scientists, clinical research directors, and medical consultants in universities, KEMRI, teaching hospitals, and international medical research organisations.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master of Medicine (MMed) or MSc in medical sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in medical science and translational research.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 428,000
Private, up to: Ksh 400,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 5 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Medical Research Methods
Clinical Epidemiology
Translational Medicine
Molecular Medicine
Biostatistics
Research Ethics
Thesis Research
Clinical Trials
Medical Statistics
Evidence-Based Medicine

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Medical Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced research methods for medical science including study design, clinical trials, and translational research methodology
Clinical Epidemiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Epidemiological methods applied to clinical research including disease causation, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment evaluation
Translational Medicine and Research
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Principles of translating laboratory discoveries into clinical applications including biomarker development and therapeutic innovation
Molecular Medicine
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of disease, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Molecular Medicine and Genomics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Molecular and genomic approaches to understanding disease mechanisms and developing precision medicine interventions
Health Systems Research
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods for evaluating health systems and policy, covering clinical principles, evidence-based practice, and contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and research.
Clinical Trials Design and Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Design, conduct, and management of clinical trials including randomised controlled trials, ethical considerations, and regulatory requirements
Biostatistics for Medical Research
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Statistical methods for designing and analysing medical research studies, including probability theory, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and statistical software applications for doctoral.
Research Ethics and Good Clinical Practice
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects including informed consent, IRB review, and good clinical practice
Advanced Clinical Medicine
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Specialised clinical topics relevant to the student's research area, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Biostatistics and Medical Statistics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical methods for medical research including survival analysis, regression models, and clinical trial statistics
Medical Ethics and Research Integrity
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Ethical principles in medical research and responsible conduct of research, examining ethical principles, professional conduct, regulatory frameworks, and their application in research and practice.

Specialisations

Health Education Research
Specialization in Health Education Research, preparing graduates for careers such as health-educator.
Clinical Psychology Research
Specialization in Clinical Psychology Research, preparing graduates for careers such as clinical-psychologist.
Biomedical Research
Specialization in Biomedical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as biomedical-scientist.
Medical Practice and Research
Specialization in Medical Practice and Research, preparing graduates for careers such as medical-doctor-general-practitioner.
Public Health Research
Specialization in Public Health Research, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-specialist.
Academic Research in Medicine
Specialization in Academic Research in Medicine, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research
Research in maternal and reproductive health
Medical Education Research
Research in medical pedagogy and health professions education
Internal Medicine Research
Research in internal medicine and non-communicable diseases
Clinical Research
Design and conduct of clinical trials and observational studies

A day as a student

A typical day combines clinical research at KNH with laboratory work, data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend medical research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with KEMRI and international research collaborators.

The trade offs

In its favour

Direct contribution to Kenya's medical knowledge base and healthcare improvement
High demand for physician-scientists who bridge research and clinical practice
Flexible specialisation options across clinical disciplines
Opportunities for international collaboration through WHO and DAAD

Against it

Requires significant time investment of 3-5 years
Limited funding opportunities for doctoral medical research in Kenya
Balancing clinical practice with research demands strong time management
Primarily offered at University of Nairobi, limiting institutional choice

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public367k to 428k

367k at Kenyatta University428k at University of Nairobi

Private200k to 400k

200k at Mount Kenya University400k at Aga Khan 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 428K/yr (healthsciences.uonbi.ac.ke). KU 367K/yr (ku.ac.ke). MKU & AKU unverified

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, WHO/TDR research grants, DAAD scholarships, and NRF research grants for medical research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
WHO/TDR Research Grant
Grant
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant

Scholarships

5 recorded

DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
WHO/TDR Career Development Fellowship
FellowshipKenyan
Researchers from low- and middle-income countries working on tropical diseases
UoN Doctoral Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Doctoral students at UoN with outstanding academic records
NACOSTI Research Grant
Grant
Researchers conducting science and technology research in Kenya

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
MMed or MSc in Medical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or related health field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) or Bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

5 components

Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark
Research Seminars
Coursework20% of the mark
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Coursework Examinations
Written exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering coursework modules

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Medical graduates must be registered with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) for clinical practice.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council
ProfessionalRequired
Regulatory body for medical practice in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body for university programme accreditation in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

University Lecturer (Medicine)
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 300,000
Teaches medicine and conducts research in university medical schools
Medical Research Scientist
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conducts medical research at KEMRI, KAVI, or international research institutions
Clinical Research Director
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 350,000
Leads clinical research programmes at hospitals, research institutions, or pharmaceutical companies
Physician-Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 400,000
Combines clinical practice with medical research at teaching hospitals and research institutions
Clinical Research Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 220,000
Coordinating clinical trials and research studies
University Lecturer in Medicine
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 280,000
Teaching and research position in a university medical school
Health Policy Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 300,000
Advising government on health policy based on research evidence
Medical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conducting medical research at research institutions

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, medical researchers, physician-scientists, and clinical research directors in universities, KEMRI, teaching hospitals, and international medical research organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A PhD in Medicine is the same as an MMed
A PhD in Medicine focuses on medical research and producing original scientific knowledge, while an MMed focuses on clinical specialisation and patient care. A PhD trains physician-scientists who bridge research and clinical practice.
A PhD in Medicine has limited career prospects compared to clinical practice
Physician-scientists are in high demand at universities, KEMRI, and international research organisations, with opportunities to lead research programmes while maintaining clinical practice.
Medical research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya faces unique health challenges including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and maternal health issues requiring locally relevant medical research to inform clinical practice and policy.
A PhD in Medicine is only for medical doctors
While many candidates are medical doctors, the programme also accepts graduates with MSc degrees in medical sciences, biomedical sciences, or related health fields for research-focused careers.

Related courses

Doctor of philosophy in epidemiology