Health Sciences

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.

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.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 428,000
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, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 10 students
Award: PhD

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 favour

High demand for global health expertise after COVID-19 highlighted health system gaps
Access to WHO, AMREF, UNHCR and CDC
Access to KEMRI research facilities and international health networks
Diverse career paths in academia, WHO, Global Fund, and international NGOs

Against it

Requires interdisciplinary health and international relations knowledge
Field research in humanitarian settings can be challenging
Field research in multiple countries or regions can be logistically complex
Competitive 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

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

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

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered in collaboration with KEMRI Graduate School.

Accredited by

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

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

Industry links

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.

Related courses

Doctor of philosophy in epidemiology