Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Management and Tourism Management
The Doctor of Philosophy in Hospitality Management and Tourism Management is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Hospitality and Tourism. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on hospitality and tourism management, including tourism economics, hospitality operations, sustainable tourism, and destination management, contributing to Kenya's tourism industry and economic development.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 244,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 734,400 to Ksh 1,224,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 288,000 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 5 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students engage with advanced hospitality management theory, tourism economics, sustainable tourism development, destination management, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent field and industry research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to hospitality and tourism management.
Tourism is a key pillar of Kenya's economy contributing significantly to GDP, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 which identifies tourism as a flagship sector by training researchers who can improve tourism competitiveness, sustainability, and hospitality service quality.
Teaching methods include lectures, industry case studies, field research at tourism destinations and hospitality establishments, data analysis, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to KU's hospitality and tourism facilities and collaborate with the Kenya Tourism Board, KWS, and tourism industry associations.
Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, hospitality and tourism researchers, tourism consultants, hospitality managers, and policy analysts in universities, the Kenya Tourism Board, hotels, tourism companies, and international tourism organisations.
This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in hospitality management, tourism management, business administration, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in hospitality and tourism management.
What you study
10 subjects- Hospitality Management Theory
- Tourism Economics
- Sustainable Tourism Development
- Destination Management
- Research Methodology
- Tourism Policy and Planning
- Thesis Research
- Hospitality Operations Management
- Statistics for Tourism
- Consumer Behaviour in Tourism
Modules
10 in the programmeAdvanced Hospitality Management Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced theories of hospitality management including service operations, quality management, and strategic management in hospitality
Tourism Economics and Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Economic analysis of tourism including tourism demand, economic impact, tourism GDP contribution, and tourism policy in Kenya
Sustainable Tourism Development
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Sustainable tourism including ecotourism, community-based tourism, environmental impacts, and sustainable tourism certifications
Destination Management and Marketing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Destination management including destination competitiveness, branding, marketing strategies, and destination governance
Hospitality Operations and Service Quality
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced hospitality operations including service design, quality management, technology in hospitality, and guest experience management
Consumer Behaviour in Tourism and Hospitality
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research on tourist and hospitality consumer behaviour including decision-making, satisfaction, loyalty, and experience design
Research Methodology and Statistics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods for hospitality and tourism research including survey design and data analysis
Tourism Policy and Planning
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Tourism policy and planning including national tourism strategies, regulatory frameworks, and tourism development planning in Kenya
Thesis Proposal Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Development and defence of a doctoral research proposal on a hospitality and tourism management topic
Thesis Research and Writing
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent doctoral research culminating in a thesis defended before internal and external examiners
Specialisations
Tourism and Hospitality Management
Specialization in Tourism and Hospitality Management, preparing graduates for careers such as tourism-hospitality.
Academic Research in Business
Specialization in Academic Research in Business, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.
Hotel Revenue Management
Specialization in Hotel Revenue Management, preparing graduates for careers such as hotel-revenue-manager.
Hospitality Management Practice
Specialization in Hospitality Management Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as hospitality-manager.
Adventure Tourism Management
Specialization in Adventure Tourism Management, preparing graduates for careers such as adventure-tourism-manager.
Tourism Policy Analysis
Specialization in Tourism Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as tourism-policy-analyst-junior.
A day as a student
A typical day combines industry research at tourism destinations and hospitality establishments with data analysis on tourism trends, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend hospitality and tourism research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with the Kenya Tourism Board and KWS for industry research.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Tourism is a key pillar of Kenya's economy with significant growth potential | Tourism is vulnerable to security, health, and economic crises |
| Relatively affordable tuition at KES 244,800 per year | Research funding for tourism studies is limited |
| Strong institutional links with Kenya Tourism Board, KWS, and KAHC | Industry research requires access to commercial data which can be restricted |
| Diverse career paths in academia, industry, government, and consulting | Tourism PhD is less established than business or economics PhDs in Kenya |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 91 hospitality & tourism 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
KU 244.8k, UoN unverified. Kabarak 288k, MKU 200k/yr (kabarak.ac.ke/kenyayote)
Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and UNWTO research fellowships for hospitality and tourism research.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
UNWTO Research Fellowship
Fellowship
Scholarships
3 recordedNRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study
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 5 institutionsIncluding Kisii University, Chuka University, Murang'a University of Technology.
Including Kisii University, Chuka University, Murang'a University of Technology.
Including Kisii University, Chuka University, Murang'a University of Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark
Industry Research Reports
Coursework20% of the mark
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all 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
4 rolesTourism Policy Analyst
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Analyses tourism policy for government and international organisations
Hospitality Manager
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages hotels, resorts, or hospitality establishments with advanced research-based management expertise
University Lecturer (Hospitality/Tourism)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches hospitality and tourism management and conducts research in university tourism departments
Tourism & Hospitality Management Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Advises tourism boards, hotels, and government on tourism strategy and hospitality management
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as university lecturers, hospitality and tourism researchers, tourism consultants, and hospitality managers in universities, the Kenya Tourism Board, hotels, tourism companies, and international tourism organisations.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
- Franchise Operations ManagerBusiness18Low exposure
- Infrastructure Finance SpecialistBusiness18Low exposure
- Intermodal Reefer TechnicianBusiness18Low exposure
- Climate Risk UnderwriterBusiness19Low exposure
- Coldchain Logistics ManagerBusiness19Low exposure
- Municipal Finance SpecialistBusiness19Low exposure
- Islamic Banking SpecialistBusiness20Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Hospitality and tourism management is just about running hotels
Hospitality and tourism management encompasses tourism economics, sustainable development, destination management, policy analysis, consumer behaviour, and strategic management, requiring rigorous academic training.
A PhD in hospitality and tourism management has limited career prospects
Tourism is a key pillar of Kenya's economy creating demand for researchers and managers at universities, the Kenya Tourism Board, hotels, and international tourism organisations.
Hospitality and tourism research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya's Vision 2030 identifies tourism as a flagship sector, and the industry faces challenges including sustainability, competition, and crisis management, making research critical for competitiveness.
Hospitality and tourism PhD is only for those who want to work in hotels
Graduates work as researchers, consultants, policy analysts, and educators in diverse settings including universities, government, and international organisations, not only in hotels.