Health Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology is a postgraduate research programme offered at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and the University of Nairobi (UoN). The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on disease distribution, determinants, and control in populations, contributing to public health knowledge and practice in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced epidemiological methods, biostatistics, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and research design. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent field or laboratory research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to epidemiological science.

Kenya faces significant disease burdens from infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, and emerging health threats. The programme addresses national health priorities under Vision 2030 and the Kenya Health Policy Framework by training researchers who can inform disease control strategies, health policy, and public health practice.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions, field epidemiology practice, and supervised thesis research. At JKUAT, the programme is delivered over three years with semester fees of KES 162,500. UoN offers the programme through its School of Public Health with a tuition fee of KES 432,000 per year.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, research scientists, epidemiologists, public health consultants, and policy advisors in universities, research institutions, KEMRI, WHO, CDC, and government health agencies. The programme provides advanced expertise for leadership roles in epidemiological research and public health.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master’s degree in epidemiology, public health, biostatistics, or related health sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in disease prevention and control.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 464,000
Private, up to: Ksh 325,000
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: 10 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Epidemiology
Biostatistics
Disease Surveillance
Outbreak Investigation
Research Methodology
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Spatial Epidemiology
Thesis Research
Public Health Policy

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Epidemiological Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of epidemiological study designs, causal inference, and bias analysis
Advanced Biostatistics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Statistical methods for epidemiological research including survival analysis, regression models, and spatial statistics
Disease Surveillance Systems
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Design and evaluation of public health surveillance systems for infectious and non-communicable diseases
Outbreak Investigation and Response
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Methods for investigating disease outbreaks, field epidemiology, and emergency response coordination
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Epidemiology of major infectious diseases in Kenya including malaria, HIV, TB, and emerging infections
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Epidemiology of non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer in African populations
Research Methods in Epidemiology
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.
Spatial and Environmental Epidemiology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Geographic information systems and spatial analysis for disease mapping and environmental risk assessment
Departmental Seminars
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research presentations and peer review of doctoral work, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in.
Research Methodology and Ethics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, ethical considerations, and regulatory requirements for epidemiological research in Kenya
Thesis Research
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Doctoral thesis research and dissertation writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.
Thesis Proposal Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Development and defence of a doctoral research proposal on an epidemiological topic

Specialisations

Health Policy and Planning
Specialization in Health Policy and Planning, preparing graduates for careers such as health-policy-analyst.
Public Health Practice
Specialization in Public Health Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-specialist.
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Specialization in Infectious Disease Epidemiology, preparing graduates for careers such as epidemiologist.
Health Data Analysis
Specialization in Health Data Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-data-analyst-junior.
Clinical Research
Specialization in Clinical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as clinical-research-coordinator.
Biostatistical Research
Specialization in Biostatistical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as biostatistician.
Pharmacoepidemiology
Research on pharmacoepidemiology
Field Epidemiology
Research on field epidemiology and outbreak response
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Research on non-communicable disease epidemiology

A day as a student

A typical day combines coursework in advanced epidemiological methods with data analysis using statistical software, field visits to surveillance sites, and thesis research writing. Students attend seminars on current disease outbreaks and present research findings at departmental colloquia.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's disease burden creates strong demand for epidemiology expertise
Opportunities at KEMRI, WHO, CDC, and Ministry of Health
Directly contributes to disease control and public health in Kenya
Competitive funding available from WHO/TDR, DAAD, and NRF

Against it

Requires strong quantitative and statistical skills
Requires strong statistical and analytical skills
Ethical clearance for health research can be complex
Field research in disease-endemic areas may involve health risks

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

Public325k to 464k

325k at JKUAT464k at University of Nairobi

Private260k to 325k

260k at Mount Kenya University325k at Private universities

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 464K/yr (medmicrobiology.uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT & MKU unverified

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and WHO/TDR career development fellowships for tropical disease research.

Funding options

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

Scholarships

5 recorded

WHO/TDR Career Development Fellowship
FellowshipKenyan
Researchers from low- and middle-income countries working on tropical diseases
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
WHO Research Grant
Grant
Public health researchers
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
CDC Research Grant
Grant
Epidemiology and public health researchers

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
MSc in Epidemiology, Public Health, Biostatistics, or related health science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in a health-related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

5 components

Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, epidemiological analysis projects and seminar presentations
Coursework Assignments
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates may also collaborate with KEMRI and international health organisations.

Accredited by

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

Epidemiologist (Senior)
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Leads disease surveillance and outbreak response at Ministry of Health or international health agencies
Health Policy Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advises government and international organisations on evidence-based health policy
Research Scientist (Epidemiology)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts epidemiological research at KEMRI, CDC, WHO, or international research institutions
University Lecturer (Epidemiology)
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches epidemiology and conducts research in university public health departments
Public Health Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 220,000
Provides epidemiological expertise to government, NGOs, and international health organisations
Epidemiology Researcher
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Research at KEMRI and CDC Kenya
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in public health departments
Disease Surveillance Officer
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Surveillance at Ministry of Health

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, research scientists, epidemiologists, public health consultants, and policy advisors in universities, KEMRI, WHO, CDC, and government health agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Epidemiology is only about infectious diseases
Epidemiology covers infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, injuries, maternal and child health, and environmental health, requiring diverse research skills.
A PhD in epidemiology is only for medical doctors
The programme accepts graduates with Master's degrees in public health, biostatistics, epidemiology, or related health sciences, not only medical doctors.
Epidemiology research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya faces significant disease burdens requiring epidemiological expertise for outbreak response, disease surveillance, and health policy development.
There are no career opportunities for epidemiology PhDs in Kenya
There is high demand for epidemiologists at KEMRI, Ministry of Health, WHO, CDC, universities, and NGOs, particularly after COVID-19 highlighted the need for disease surveillance expertise.

Related courses

Master of science in tropical and infectious diseases