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Doctor of Philosophy in History Education

The Doctor of Philosophy in History Education is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Education. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on history education, including history pedagogy, curriculum design, historical consciousness, and history teacher education, contributing to improved history teaching and learning in Kenya and globally.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 320,000
Ksh 960,000 to Ksh 1,600,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 310,200
Ksh 930,600 to Ksh 1,551,000 total
Job market
Low
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 320,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 960,000 to Ksh 1,600,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 310,200 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 3 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students engage with advanced history education theory, history pedagogy, curriculum studies, historical consciousness research, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent field and classroom research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to history education.

Kenya's education system is undergoing reforms including the CBC which emphasises competency-based history and social studies education, creating demand for history education researchers. The programme addresses national education priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can improve history curriculum design, teaching methods, and teacher education.

Teaching methods include lectures, research seminars, classroom-based research, curriculum analysis, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to KU's education and humanities resources and conduct research in secondary schools, teacher training colleges, and universities.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, history education researchers, curriculum developers, teacher educators, and education consultants in universities, KICD, the Ministry of Education, and international education organisations.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in history education, education, history, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in history education.

What you study

10 subjects
  • History Education Theory
  • History Pedagogy
  • Curriculum Design for History
  • Historical Consciousness
  • Research Methodology
  • History Teacher Education
  • Thesis Research
  • Assessment in History Education
  • Statistics for Education
  • Comparative History Education

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Advanced History Education Theory

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced theories of history education including historical thinking, disciplinary literacy, and history learning progressions

  • History Education Theory and Pedagogy

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Theory and pedagogy of history education, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.

  • History Pedagogy and Instructional Design

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Advanced pedagogy for history teaching including inquiry-based learning, source analysis, and historical argumentation in classrooms

  • History Curriculum Development and Design

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Curriculum development for history, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.

  • Curriculum Design for History Education

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Principles and practices of designing history curricula including CBC alignment, content selection, and curriculum evaluation

  • Historical Consciousness and Identity

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Research on historical consciousness including collective memory, national identity, and history education's role in citizenship formation

  • History Teacher Education and Professional Development

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Research on history teacher education including teacher knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and professional development

  • Heritage Education and Public History

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Heritage education, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.

  • Assessment in History Education

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Assessment methods for history education including formative assessment, historical thinking assessment, and examination design

  • Research Methods in History Education

    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.

  • Research Methodology and Statistics

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Quantitative and qualitative research methods for education research including classroom observation and action research

  • 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.

Specialisations

  • Public History Practice

    Specialization in Public History Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as public-historian.

  • Museum Education Research

    Specialization in Museum Education Research, preparing graduates for careers such as museum-education-officer.

  • Education Policy Analysis

    Specialization in Education Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as education-policy-analyst.

  • Academic Research in Education

    Specialization in Academic Research in Education, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.

  • Curriculum Development Research

    Specialization in Curriculum Development Research, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.

  • School Counselling Practice

    Specialization in School Counselling Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as school-counsellor.

  • Heritage Education

    Research on heritage education

  • History Pedagogy

    Research on history teaching and learning

  • History Curriculum

    Research on history curriculum development

  • History Teacher Education

    Research on history teacher education

A day as a student

A typical day combines classroom-based research on history teaching with curriculum analysis, data analysis from school-based studies, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend education research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with KICD and schools for field research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Relevant to Kenya's CBC reform which includes history and social studies educationEducation research requires school access and ethical approvals
Research contributes to education quality and national identityResearch funding for education is limited compared to STEM fields
Diverse career paths in academia, curriculum development, and teacher educationBalancing pedagogy and historical content is challenging
Opportunities for international collaboration through UNESCO and ISHDField research in schools requires coordination with multiple stakeholders

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses
Public245k to 320k
245k at Kenyatta University320k at University of Nairobi
Private170k to 310k
170k at Kenya Methodist University310k at Kabarak 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 320K/yr; KU 244,800/yr (mawese.com). KeMU 170K; Kabarak 310K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke).

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and UNESCO fellowships for history education research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • UNESCO Fellowship

    Fellowship

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • NRF 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

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • UNESCO Research Grant

    Grant

    Education researchers

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Subject requirements
Master's DegreeMEd in History Education, MA in History, or MA in Education from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor's degree in Education (History) or History
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.

May 20273 institutions

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.

September 20273 institutions

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.

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, curriculum projects and seminar presentations

  • Research Seminars

    Coursework20% of the mark

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework30% of the mark

  • Oral Viva Voce

    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

6 roles

  • University Lecturer (Education)

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Teaches history education and conducts research in university education departments

  • Teacher Educator

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Trains history teachers at teacher training colleges and universities

  • Curriculum Developer (History/Social Studies)

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Develops and evaluates history curriculum at KICD or educational publishers

  • History Education Researcher

    Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Conducts history education research at research institutions or international organisations

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in education departments

  • Curriculum Developer

    High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000

    Curriculum at KICD

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, history education researchers, curriculum developers, and teacher educators in universities, KICD, the Ministry of Education, and international education organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • History education is just about teaching dates and facts

    History education encompasses pedagogical theory, historical thinking, curriculum design, assessment, historical consciousness, and teacher education, requiring rigorous academic training.

  • A PhD in history education has limited career prospects

    Kenya's CBC reform and the need for quality history education create demand for researchers at universities, KICD, and the Ministry of Education.

  • History education research is not relevant to Kenya

    Kenya's education reforms including CBC require research on history curriculum, teaching methods, and historical consciousness to improve education quality and national identity.

  • History education is only for those who want to be history teachers

    Graduates work as researchers, curriculum developers, teacher educators, and education consultants, not only as classroom teachers.

Further reading

Read next