Doctor of Philosophy in Fish Science
The Doctor of Philosophy in Fish Science is a postgraduate research programme offered at Moi University through the School of Natural Resource Management and at Kisii University. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on fish biology, aquaculture, fisheries management, and aquatic ecosystem science, contributing to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development in Kenya and globally.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 392,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,176,000 to Ksh 1,960,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 168,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. 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 2 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 fish biology, aquaculture systems, fisheries management, aquatic ecology, fish nutrition, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory and field research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to fish science.
Kenya has significant fisheries resources including Lake Victoria, the Indian Ocean coast, and growing aquaculture potential, but faces challenges including overfishing, habitat degradation, and food security needs. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 and the Fisheries Policy by training researchers who can develop sustainable aquaculture technologies, improve fisheries management, and contribute to blue economy development.
Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions on fish biology and health, field research at lakes and aquaculture facilities, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to university aquatic science laboratories and collaborate with KMFRI, the State Department for Fisheries, and international fisheries research institutions.
Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, fish science researchers, aquaculture specialists, fisheries managers, and aquatic resource consultants in universities, KMFRI, the State Department for Fisheries, FAO, and private aquaculture companies.
This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic science, zoology, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in fish science and sustainable fisheries.
What you study
10 subjects- Fish Biology and Physiology
- Aquaculture Systems
- Fisheries Management
- Aquatic Ecology
- Fish Nutrition and Feed
- Research Methodology
- Fish Health and Diseases
- Thesis Research
- Biostatistics
- Aquatic Resource Conservation
Modules
12 in the programmeAdvanced Fish Biology and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of fish biology including physiology, reproduction, growth, adaptation, and taxonomy of African fish species
Advanced Fish Biology and Aquatic Ecology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fish biology, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Aquaculture Systems and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced aquaculture including pond, cage, and recirculating systems, hatchery management, and sustainable aquaculture practices
Aquaculture Production and Management Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Aquaculture, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.
Fisheries Management and Conservation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Fisheries management approaches including stock assessment, fisheries policy, co-management, and ecosystem-based fisheries management
Aquatic Ecology and Ecosystem Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Ecology of aquatic ecosystems including limnology, water quality, habitat assessment, and ecosystem health monitoring
Fish Health Management and Pathology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Fish health, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.
Fish Nutrition and Feed Technology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Fish nutrition including nutritional requirements, feed formulation, feed manufacturing, and alternative feed ingredients for aquaculture
Fisheries Population Dynamics and Stock Assessment
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Population dynamics, covering assessment design, evaluation methodologies, data-driven decision-making, and quality assurance processes.
Fish Health and Diseases
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Fish diseases including viral, bacterial, parasitic, and nutritional diseases, disease diagnosis, and health management in aquaculture
Research Methods in Fisheries Science
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methods, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.
Research Methodology and Biostatistics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research design, data analysis methods, and statistical techniques for fisheries and aquaculture research
Specialisations
Marine and Coastal Conservation
Specialization in Marine and Coastal Conservation, preparing graduates for careers such as marine-coastal-conservation-officer.
Marine Conservation
Specialization in Marine Conservation, preparing graduates for careers such as marine-conservation-officer-junior.
Agricultural Research Science
Specialization in Agricultural Research Science, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-research-scientist.
Marine Conservationist Practice
Specialization in Marine Conservationist Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as marine-conservationist.
Academic Research in Agriculture
Specialization in Academic Research in Agriculture, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Aquaculture Technology
Specialization in Aquaculture Technology, preparing graduates for careers such as aquaculture-technologist.
Fish Health Management
Research on fish diseases
Fish Processing Technology
Research on fish processing
Fish Genetics and Breeding
Research on fish genetics
Aquaculture Production
Research on aquaculture systems
A day as a student
A typical day combines laboratory work on fish biology and health with field research at lakes, rivers, or aquaculture facilities, data analysis on fisheries and aquaculture data, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend aquatic science seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with KMFRI and LVFO for collaborative research.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Contributes to Kenya's blue economy strategy and aquaculture development | Fieldwork at lakes and coast can be logistically challenging |
| Access to KMFRI, Kenya Fisheries Service and LVFO | Field research at lakes and coast can be logistically challenging |
| Growing aquaculture sector creates diverse career opportunities | Specialised aquaculture equipment is expensive |
| Opportunities for international collaboration through FAO and WorldFish | Research funding for fisheries is limited compared to other agricultural sciences |
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 392K (biology.uonbi.ac.ke), KU 367K/yr. MKU 150K, KeMU 168K. Moi unverified.
Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and WorldFish research fellowships for fish science research.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
WorldFish Research Fellowship
Fellowship
Scholarships
5 recordedNRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
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
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Kisii University, Moi University.
Including Kisii University, Moi University.
Including Kisii University, Moi University.
How you are assessed
5 componentsThesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Accreditation
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
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
7 rolesFish Science Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Conducts fisheries and aquaculture research at KMFRI, WorldFish, or international research institutions
University Lecturer (Fisheries)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches fish science and conducts research in university fisheries and aquatic science departments
Fisheries Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Manages fisheries resources at the State Department for Fisheries, LVFO, or county governments
Aquaculture Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Develops and manages aquaculture operations at private companies, NGOs, or government agencies
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in fisheries departments
Fisheries Researcher
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Research at KMFRI and research institutes
Fisheries Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Policy at Kenya Fisheries Service
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as university lecturers, fish science researchers, aquaculture specialists, and fisheries managers in universities, KMFRI, the State Department for Fisheries, FAO, WorldFish, and private aquaculture companies.
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
Fish science is just about catching fish
Fish science encompasses fish biology, aquaculture systems design, fisheries management, aquatic ecology, fish nutrition, fish health, and aquatic resource conservation, requiring multidisciplinary scientific training.
A PhD in fish science has limited career prospects
Kenya's blue economy strategy and growing aquaculture sector create demand for fish science researchers at universities, KMFRI, the State Department for Fisheries, FAO, and private aquaculture companies.
Fish science research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya's fisheries resources including Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean coast support millions of livelihoods, and aquaculture development is a national priority under the blue economy strategy.
Fish science is only for those who want to be fish farmers
Graduates work as researchers, university lecturers, fisheries managers, policy advisors, and consultants in diverse settings, not only as fish farmers.