Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science and Technology
The Doctor of Philosophy in Food Science and Technology is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on food processing, preservation, safety, quality, and product development, contributing to food security, nutrition, and the food industry in Kenya and globally.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 464,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,392,000 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 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 Forensic DNA Scientist, at 15 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students engage with advanced food chemistry, food microbiology, food processing engineering, food safety, product development, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory and pilot-scale research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to food science and technology.
Kenya's food industry is growing rapidly with increasing demand for safe, nutritious, and shelf-stable food products for domestic and export markets. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 and the Food and Nutrition Security Strategy by training researchers who can develop innovative food processing technologies, improve food safety, and contribute to value addition in the agricultural sector.
Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions on food analysis and processing, pilot plant research, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to UoN's food science laboratories and pilot processing facilities and collaborate with KEMRI, KEBS, and the food industry.
Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, food science researchers, food technologists, food safety specialists, and quality assurance managers in universities, KEBS, KEMRI, food companies, and international food organisations.
This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in food science, food technology, nutrition, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in food science and technology.
What you study
10 subjects- Food Chemistry
- Food Microbiology
- Food Processing Engineering
- Food Safety and Quality
- Product Development
- Research Methodology
- Food Analysis
- Thesis Research
- Biostatistics
- Food Regulations and Standards
Modules
12 in the programmeAdvanced Food Chemistry and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced food chemistry including food composition, chemical reactions in foods, additives, and analytical methods for food quality
Food Microbiology and Safety
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced food microbiology including foodborne pathogens, fermentation, preservation, and food safety management systems
Food Processing Engineering and Unit Operations
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Food processing, covering engineering principles, design methodologies, and their application in solving complex technical problems.
Food Processing Engineering
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced food processing including thermal processing, drying, freezing, extrusion, and novel processing technologies
Food Microbiology and Safety Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Food microbiology, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.
Food Product Development and Innovation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Systematic approach to food product development including formulation, sensory evaluation, shelf-life testing, and commercialisation
Food Quality Assurance and Control
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Quality management systems including HACCP, ISO 22000, statistical quality control, and food safety regulations in Kenya
Food Biotechnology and Fermentation Technology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Food biotechnology, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Food Regulations and International Standards
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Food regulatory frameworks including KEBS standards, Codex Alimentarius, FDA regulations, and export market requirements
Research Methods in Food Science and Technology
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 food science research
Departmental Seminars
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research presentations and peer review, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in the field.
Specialisations
Food Science Research
Specialization in Food Science Research, preparing graduates for careers such as food-scientist.
Nutrition and Dietetics Research
Specialization in Nutrition and Dietetics Research, preparing graduates for careers such as nutritionist-dietitian.
Academic Research in Science
Specialization in Academic Research in Science, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Food Technology Practice
Specialization in Food Technology Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as food-technologist.
Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Specialization in Food Safety and Quality Assurance, preparing graduates for careers such as food-safety-and-quality-assurance-manager.
Biomedical Research
Specialization in Biomedical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as biomedical-scientist.
Food Microbiology and Safety
Research on food safety
Food Processing Engineering
Research on food processing
Post-harvest Technology
Research on post-harvest technology
Food Biotechnology
Research on food biotechnology
A day as a student
A typical day combines laboratory work on food analysis and processing with pilot plant experiments, data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend food science seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with KEBS and food companies for industry research.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Strong institutional links with KEBS, KIRDI, and food companies | UoN PhD is expensive (KSh 1,432,000 total) |
| Research contributes to food security and value addition | Food safety compliance adds regulatory complexity |
| Contributes to food security and value addition in Kenya's agricultural sector | Laboratory and pilot plant research requires significant resources |
| Opportunities for international collaboration through FAO and IUFoST | Food industry in Kenya faces challenges including limited processing infrastructure |
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 464K (foodtech.uonbi.ac.ke), KU 367K/yr. MKU 150K, KeMU 168K/yr.
Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and FAO research fellowships for food science research.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
FAO Research Fellowship
Fellowship
Scholarships
5 recordedNRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
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 Chuka University, Maseno University.
Including Chuka University, Maseno University.
Including Chuka University, Maseno University.
How you are assessed
5 componentsThesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, laboratory projects and seminar presentations
Laboratory and Pilot Plant Reports
Coursework20% of the mark
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% 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
Kenya Bureau of Standards
Professional
Regulates food standards and quality 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
8 rolesFood Safety and Quality Assurance Manager
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages food safety and quality systems at KEBS, food companies, or regulatory bodies
Food Technologist
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Develops food products and processes at food companies and processing firms
University Lecturer (Food Science)
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches food science and conducts research in university food science departments
Food Scientist
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts food science research at research institutions, KIRDI, or international organisations
University Professor
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaching and research in food science departments
Food Quality Director
High demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000
Quality management at food companies
Food Technology Researcher
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Research at KIRDI and research institutes
Food Processing Engineer
High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000
Processing at food manufacturing companies
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as university lecturers, food science researchers, food technologists, and food safety specialists in universities, KEBS, KEMRI, food companies, and international food organisations.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic DNA ScientistScience15Low exposure
- Neuromorphic Computing ResearcherScience15Low exposure
- Agricultural EntomologistScience17Low exposure
- Neurotechnology Research EngineerScience17Low exposure
- Phage Therapy ResearcherScience17Low exposure
- Applied GeochemistScience18Low exposure
- Computational ToxicologistScience18Low exposure
- Computational Toxicology SpecialistScience18Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Food science is just about cooking
Food science encompasses food chemistry, microbiology, processing engineering, safety, quality assurance, product development, and regulatory compliance, requiring rigorous scientific training.
A PhD in food science has limited career prospects
Kenya's growing food industry and export market creates high demand for food science researchers at universities, KEBS, food companies, and international organisations.
Food science research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya's Vision 2030 prioritises food security and value addition in agriculture, making food science research critical for developing safe, nutritious, and shelf-stable food products.
Food science is only for those who want to work in food factories
Graduates work in diverse settings including universities, regulatory bodies, research institutions, consulting firms, and international organisations, not only in food manufacturing.