Health Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Immunology is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on the immune system, host-pathogen interactions, vaccine development, and immunological diseases, contributing to biomedical knowledge and public health in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced immunology, molecular biology, immunopathology, vaccine immunology, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to immunological science.

Kenya faces significant infectious disease burdens including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and emerging pathogens. The programme addresses national health priorities by training immunologists who can contribute to vaccine development, diagnostic innovation, and understanding of host immune responses to infections prevalent in Kenya and the tropics.

Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions at the University of Nairobi Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (UNITID), KAVI Institute of Clinical Research, and supervised thesis research. Students train in well-equipped molecular and immunology laboratories at UNITID, Kenyatta National Hospital, and the National Public Health Laboratory.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, research scientists, immunologists, and biomedical researchers in universities, KEMRI, KAVI, international research institutions, and the biotechnology industry. The programme provides advanced expertise for leadership roles in immunological research and biomedical innovation.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master’s degree in immunology, medical microbiology, biochemistry, or related biomedical sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in immunology and infectious disease research.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 464,000
Private, up to: Ksh 400,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 8 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Immunology
Molecular Biology
Immunopathology
Vaccine Immunology
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Research Methodology
Immunodiagnostics
Cellular Immunology
Thesis Research
Biostatistics

Modules

10 in the programme

Advanced Cellular and Molecular Immunology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of immune cell function, signalling pathways, cytokine networks, and molecular mechanisms of immune responses
Immunopathology and Disease
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Role of immune system in disease pathogenesis including autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, immunodeficiency, and cancer immunology
Vaccine Immunology and Development
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Principles of vaccine design, immune correlates of protection, adjuvants, and vaccine evaluation in clinical trials
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Molecular mechanisms of pathogen evasion, host defence strategies, and immunopathogenesis of tropical infections
Advanced Research Methodology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, ethical considerations, and regulatory requirements for immunological research involving human and animal subjects
Immunodiagnostics and Laboratory Techniques
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced immunological techniques including ELISA, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and molecular diagnostics
Molecular Biology and Genomics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Molecular biology tools for immunology research including gene expression analysis, sequencing, and bioinformatics
Biostatistics for Biomedical Research
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Statistical methods for analysing immunological data, clinical trial design, and survival analysis
Thesis Proposal Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Development and defence of a doctoral research proposal on an immunology topic, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation.
Thesis Research and Writing
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent doctoral research culminating in a thesis defended before internal and external examiners

Specialisations

Medical Laboratory Science
Specialization in Medical Laboratory Science, preparing graduates for careers such as medical-laboratory-scientist.
Infectious Disease Immunology
Specialization in Infectious Disease Immunology, preparing graduates for careers such as immunologist.
Vaccine Research
Specialization in Vaccine Research, preparing graduates for careers such as research-scientist.
Parasitology Research
Specialization in Parasitology Research, preparing graduates for careers such as parasitologist.
Biomedical Research
Specialization in Biomedical Research, preparing graduates for careers such as biomedical-scientist.
Virology Research
Specialization in Virology Research, preparing graduates for careers such as virologist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines laboratory work on immune assays, cell culture, and molecular techniques with data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend research seminars at UNITID, present findings at departmental colloquia, and collaborate with clinical researchers at KNH.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for immunology expertise in Kenya's fight against infectious diseases
Access to world-class research facilities at UNITID and KAVI
Opportunities for international collaboration with WHO, CDC, and research networks
Contributes directly to vaccine development and public health solutions

Against it

Requires strong laboratory and molecular biology skills
Tuition fees are relatively high at KES 396,000 per year
Laboratory research can be expensive requiring external grant funding
Research timelines can be long and unpredictable

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public367k to 464k

367k at Kenyatta University464k at University of Nairobi

Private150k to 400k

150k at Mount Kenya University400k at Aga Khan 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 464K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). KU 367K/yr. MKU 150K/yr (mku.ac.ke). AKU unverified.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, WHO/TDR fellowships, and NRF research grants.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
WHO/TDR Research Grant
Grant
NRF Research Grant
Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
WHO/TDR Career Development Fellowship
FellowshipKenyan
Researchers from low- and middle-income countries working on tropical diseases
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

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
MSc in Immunology, Medical Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related biomedical science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in a biomedical or health-related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

4 components

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

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates collaborate with KEMRI and international health research institutions.

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

Research Scientist (Immunology)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts immunological research at KEMRI, KAVI, or international research institutions
Biomedical Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts biomedical research in immunology, infectious diseases, or vaccine development
Immunologist
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 220,000
Applies immunological expertise in research institutions, diagnostic laboratories, or biotechnology companies
University Lecturer (Immunology)
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Teaches immunology and conducts research in university medical or biomedical science departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, research scientists, immunologists, and biomedical researchers in universities, KEMRI, KAVI, and international research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Immunology is only about vaccines
Immunology encompasses host defence mechanisms, autoimmune diseases, allergy, transplant immunology, cancer immunology, and diagnostic development, in addition to vaccine research.
A PhD in immunology is only for medical doctors
The programme accepts graduates with Master's degrees in biomedical sciences, biochemistry, microbiology, or related fields, not only medical doctors.
Immunology research is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya's high burden of infectious diseases including HIV, TB, and malaria makes immunological research critical for vaccine development and understanding host responses.
There are no career opportunities for immunology PhDs in Kenya
There is strong demand at KEMRI, KAVI, universities, international research centres, and the growing biotechnology sector in Kenya.