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Doctor of Philosophy in International Health

The Doctor of Philosophy in International Health is a postgraduate research programme offered at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in collaboration with the KEMRI Graduate School. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on global health challenges, health systems, and international health policy, contributing to health equity and development in Kenya, Africa, and beyond.

Duration
3 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 428,000
Ksh 1,284,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 400,000
Ksh 1,200,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 428,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,284,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 400,000 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 1 institution.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students engage with global health theory, health systems research, epidemiology, health policy analysis, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent field research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to international health knowledge.

Kenya faces complex health challenges including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, health workforce shortages, and health system inequalities. The programme addresses these challenges under Vision 2030 and the Kenya Health Policy Framework by training researchers who can inform health policy, strengthen health systems, and address global health inequities.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, field research, and supervised thesis work at JKUAT and KEMRI. The programme is delivered over three academic years with coursework, research, and thesis components. Students have access to KEMRI research facilities and international health networks.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, global health researchers, health policy advisors, public health consultants, and programme directors in universities, KEMRI, WHO, Ministry of Health, and international health organisations. The programme provides advanced expertise for leadership roles in global health research and policy.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master’s degree in global health, international health, public health, or epidemiology who are committed to advancing knowledge in global health and health equity.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Global Health Theory
  • Health Systems Research
  • Epidemiology
  • Health Policy Analysis
  • Research Methodology
  • International Health Law
  • Health Economics
  • Thesis Research
  • Biostatistics
  • Health Programme Evaluation

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Global Health Theory and Practice

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Theoretical frameworks for understanding global health challenges, health transitions, and international health architecture

  • International Health Theory and Practice

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    International health theory, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.

  • Health Systems Research

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Methods for analysing and comparing health systems, health financing, and health workforce in different countries

  • Global Health Governance and Diplomacy

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Health governance, covering clinical principles, evidence-based practice, and contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and research.

  • Advanced Epidemiology

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Epidemiological methods for studying disease distribution and determinants in global health contexts

  • Comparative Health Systems Analysis

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Comparative health systems, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional practice.

  • Health Policy Analysis

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Frameworks for analysing health policy processes, implementation, and impact in low- and middle-income countries

  • Humanitarian Health and Emergency Response

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Humanitarian health, covering clinical principles, evidence-based practice, and contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and research.

  • International Health Law and Governance

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    International legal frameworks, global health governance, and regulatory mechanisms for health

  • Refugee and Migration Health

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Refugee health, covering clinical principles, evidence-based practice, and contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and research.

  • Health Economics and Financing

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Economic analysis of health systems, health financing mechanisms, and cost-effectiveness analysis

  • Research Methods in International Health

    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.

Specialisations

  • Health Policy Analysis

    Specialization in Health Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as health-policy-analyst.

  • Public Health Practice

    Specialization in Public Health Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-specialist.

  • Biostatistics Research

    Specialization in Biostatistics Research, preparing graduates for careers such as biostatistician.

  • Public Health Programme Management

    Specialization in Public Health Programme Management, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-program-officer-junior.

  • Health Data Analysis

    Specialization in Health Data Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-data-analyst-junior.

  • Epidemiology Research

    Specialization in Epidemiology Research, preparing graduates for careers such as epidemiologist.

  • Humanitarian Health

    Research on humanitarian health

  • Health Diplomacy

    Research on global health governance

  • Refugee Health

    Research on refugee and migration health

  • Comparative Health Systems

    Research on comparative health systems

A day as a student

A typical day combines coursework in global health theory with research activities including policy analysis, field data collection, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend seminars at KEMRI, present research at departmental colloquia, and engage with international health networks.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
High demand for global health expertise after COVID-19 highlighted health system gapsRequires interdisciplinary health and international relations knowledge
Access to WHO, AMREF, UNHCR and CDCField research in humanitarian settings can be challenging
Access to KEMRI research facilities and international health networksField research in multiple countries or regions can be logistically complex
Diverse career paths in academia, WHO, Global Fund, and international NGOsCompetitive job market for senior international health positions

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
Public241k to 428k
241k at JKUAT428k at University of Nairobi
Private200k to 400k
200k 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

JKUAT 241K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). UoN 428K/yr (proxy). MKU 200K/yr. AKU unverif.

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

5 recorded

  • DAAD Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

  • NIH Fogarty International Grant

    Grant

    International health researchers

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • WHO/TDR Career Development Fellowship

    FellowshipKenyan

    Researchers from low- and middle-income countries working on tropical diseases

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 DegreeMSc in Global Health, International Health, Public Health, Epidemiology, or related health field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor's degree in a health-related field
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

May 20271 institution

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

September 20271 institution

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

How you are assessed

5 components

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before faculty panel

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Thesis Examination

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Coursework Assignments

    Coursework20% of the mark

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework30% 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). The programme is offered in collaboration with KEMRI Graduate School.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

  • Public Health Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 220,000

    Provides expertise on health systems, programme design, and evaluation to governments and NGOs

  • Global Health Researcher

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Conducts research on global health challenges at KEMRI, WHO, or international research institutions

  • University Lecturer (Global Health)

    High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Teaches global health and conducts research in university public health departments

  • Health Policy Advisor

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Advises government and international organisations on evidence-based health policy

  • Humanitarian Health Specialist

    High demandKsh 190,000 to Ksh 480,000

    Humanitarian health at UNHCR and NGOs

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Teaching and research in health schools

  • International Health Researcher

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Research at WHO and AMREF

  • Health Diplomat

    Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Health diplomacy at Ministry

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, global health researchers, health policy advisors, and programme directors in universities, KEMRI, WHO, Ministry of Health, and international health organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • International health is the same as public health

    International health focuses on global health challenges, cross-border health issues, health systems comparison, and international health policy, complementing public health with a global perspective.

  • A PhD in international health has limited career prospects in Kenya

    Graduates work in universities, KEMRI, WHO, Global Fund, Ministry of Health, and international NGOs, with strong demand for global health expertise after COVID-19.

  • International health research is not relevant to Kenya

    Kenya's health challenges are interconnected with global health issues including pandemics, climate change, and health system strengthening, requiring international health research expertise.

  • Global health is only about infectious diseases

    International health addresses infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, health systems, health financing, and health equity across countries.

Further reading

Read next