Arts & Humanities

Doctor of Philosophy in French Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy in French Studies is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the Department of Foreign Languages in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on French language, literature, culture, and Francophone studies, contributing to linguistic diversity, intercultural understanding, and diplomatic relations between Kenya and the Francophone world.

Students engage with advanced French linguistics, French and Francophone literature, translation studies, cultural studies, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent textual and field research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to French studies.

Kenya is surrounded by Francophone countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, and South Sudan, making French language expertise strategically important for regional integration, diplomacy, and trade. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can strengthen Kenya's engagement with Francophone Africa and the broader Francophone world.

Teaching methods include lectures, research seminars, textual analysis, translation practice, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to KU's foreign languages resources and collaborate with the French Embassy, Alliance Francaise, and Francophone institutions.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, French studies researchers, translators, interpreters, diplomatic officers, and international organisation staff in universities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, international organisations, and educational institutions.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in French, French studies, linguistics, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in French language and Francophone studies.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Private, up to: Ksh 212,050
Job market: Low

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: 4 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

French Linguistics
French and Francophone Literature
Translation Studies
Cultural Studies
Research Methodology
Francophone African Studies
Thesis Research
French Language Pedagogy
Comparative Literature
Discourse Analysis

Modules

10 in the programme

Advanced French Linguistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of French linguistics including phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and sociolinguistics of French
French and Francophone Literature
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of French and Francophone literature including African, Caribbean, and Canadian Francophone literary traditions
Translation Studies and Practice
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Translation theory and practice including literary translation, technical translation, and interpretation between French and English
Francophone African Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of Francophone African cultures, politics, and societies including literature, cinema, and cultural production in French-speaking Africa
Cultural Studies and Intercultural Communication
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Cultural studies approaches to French and Francophone cultures including intercultural communication, postcolonial theory, and cultural identity
French Language Pedagogy and Research
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research on French language teaching and learning including second language acquisition, curriculum design, and assessment for French
Research Methodology and Discourse Analysis
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods for humanities research including discourse analysis, narrative analysis, and qualitative research methods
Comparative Literature and Cultural Theory
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Comparative literature approaches including French and African literary traditions, intertextuality, and cross-cultural literary analysis
Thesis Proposal Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Development and defence of a doctoral research proposal on a French studies topic
Thesis Research and Writing
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent doctoral research culminating in a thesis defended before internal and external examiners

Specialisations

Language Teaching Research
Specialization in Language Teaching Research, preparing graduates for careers such as language-teacher.
Academic Research in Humanities
Specialization in Academic Research in Humanities, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Literary Translation
Specialization in Literary Translation, preparing graduates for careers such as junior-literary-translator.
Translation and Interpretation
Specialization in Translation and Interpretation, preparing graduates for careers such as translator-interpreter.
Diplomatic Service
Specialization in Diplomatic Service, preparing graduates for careers such as diplomat.
Linguistic Consultancy
Specialization in Linguistic Consultancy, preparing graduates for careers such as linguistic-consultant.

A day as a student

A typical day combines textual analysis of French and Francophone literature with linguistic research, translation practice, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend humanities research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with Alliance Francaise and the French Embassy for cultural research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's strategic position surrounded by Francophone countries creates unique relevance
Opportunities for international collaboration through French Embassy and AUF
Relatively affordable tuition at KES 244,800 per year
Diverse career paths in academia, diplomacy, translation, and international organisations

Against it

French studies is a niche field with limited positions in Kenya
Research funding for humanities is limited compared to STEM fields
Career advancement may require additional professional certifications
Demand for French expertise is concentrated in specific sectors

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public224k to 245k

224k at University of Nairobi245k at Kenyatta University

Private200k to 212k

200k at Mount Kenya University212k at Africa International 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 224K linguistics.uonbi.ac.ke. KU 245K ku.ac.ke. MKU 200K eduplace, AIU 212K victormatara

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, French Embassy scholarships, AUF research grants, and DAAD scholarships for French studies research.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
French Embassy Scholarship
Scholarship
AUF Research Grant
Grant
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship

Scholarships

3 recorded

French Embassy Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Kenyan students pursuing French studies at postgraduate level
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
AUF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at AUF member institutions working on Francophone studies

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
MA in French, French Studies, Linguistics, or related field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in French, Linguistics, or related humanities field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

4 components

Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Research Seminars
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Diplomat / Foreign Service Officer
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Serves in Kenya's foreign service with Francophone country expertise
Language Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 140,000
Teaches French at secondary schools, Alliance Francaise, or international schools
Translator and Interpreter
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides translation and interpretation services for international organisations, embassies, and businesses
University Lecturer (French)
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches French and conducts research in university language and literature departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, French studies researchers, translators, interpreters, and diplomatic officers in universities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

French studies is just about learning to speak French
French studies encompasses linguistics, literature, cultural studies, translation theory, Francophone African studies, and discourse analysis, requiring advanced academic training beyond language proficiency.
A PhD in French studies has limited career prospects
Kenya's strategic position surrounded by Francophone countries creates demand for French experts in diplomacy, international organisations, education, and regional trade.
French studies research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya borders five Francophone countries and is a member of the East African Community and IGAD, making French language and Francophone studies research strategically important for regional integration.
French studies is only for those who want to teach French
Graduates work as translators, interpreters, diplomatic officers, international organisation staff, and cultural consultants, not only as French teachers.

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Doctor of philosophy in english language education