Arts & Humanities

Doctor of Philosophy in Literature in English

The Doctor of Philosophy in Literature in English is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research in literary criticism, literary theory, comparative literature, and African literature, contributing to knowledge in literary studies and cultural scholarship in Kenya and beyond.

Students engage with advanced literary theory, postcolonial literature, African literature, comparative literary studies, and research methodology. The programme is delivered by thesis, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to literary scholarship.

Kenya has a rich literary tradition including writers such as Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Grace Ogot, and Margaret Ogola, and the programme addresses the need for scholarly engagement with African literary heritage. The programme supports national cultural objectives under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can contribute to literary scholarship, cultural preservation, and creative industries.

Teaching methods include supervised research, seminars, faculty consultations, and thesis writing. Candidates work closely with supervisors to develop proposals, conduct textual and field research, and write their dissertations. The programme is delivered full-time over a minimum of three years at Kenyatta University’s main campus.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, literary researchers, literary critics, editors, cultural consultants, and writers in universities, publishing houses, media organisations, and cultural institutions. The programme provides the highest academic qualification for careers in literary scholarship and cultural criticism.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master’s degree in literature, English, or related humanities disciplines who are committed to advancing knowledge in literary studies and African literature.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Private, up to: Ksh 212,050
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 5 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Literary Theory
Postcolonial Literature
African Literature
Comparative Literature
Research Methodology
Critical Theory
Diaspora Literature
Thesis Research
Academic Writing
Cultural Studies

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Literary Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Contemporary literary theories including poststructuralism, postcolonial theory, feminist criticism, and cultural studies
Literary Theory and Criticism
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Literary theory, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.
Postcolonial Literature and Theory
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Literary and theoretical engagement with postcolonial literature from Africa, Caribbean, and South Asia
African Literature and Oral Traditions
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
African literature, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
African Literature in English
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of African literary traditions, major authors, themes, and critical approaches to African literature
Comparative Literature Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Methodologies for comparative literary study across languages, cultures, and literary traditions
Comparative Literature and World Literature
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Comparative literature, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Research Methodology in Literary Studies
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methods for literary scholarship including textual analysis, archival research, and digital humanities
Cultural Studies and Popular Culture
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Cultural studies, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Diaspora and Transnational Literature
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Literature of African diaspora, transnational literary flows, and global Anglophone literature
Research Methods in Literary Studies
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.
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

Creative Writing and Authorship
Specialization in Creative Writing and Authorship, preparing graduates for careers such as playwright-screenwriter.
Cultural Anthropology of Literature
Specialization in Cultural Anthropology of Literature, preparing graduates for careers such as cultural-anthropologist.
Literary Criticism and Scholarship
Specialization in Literary Criticism and Scholarship, preparing graduates for careers such as literary-critic.
Academic Research in Humanities
Specialization in Academic Research in Humanities, preparing graduates for careers such as philosopher.
Publishing and Editorial Work
Specialization in Publishing and Editorial Work, preparing graduates for careers such as editor.
Literary Translation
Specialization in Literary Translation, preparing graduates for careers such as junior-literary-translator.
Postcolonial Literature
Research on postcolonial literature
Drama and Theatre
Research on drama and theatre
Cultural Studies
Research on cultural studies
African Literature
Research on African literature

A day as a student

A typical day involves independent research, reading literary texts and criticism, writing under supervisor guidance, and attending research seminars. Students present papers at departmental colloquia, engage with visiting scholars, and participate in literary events and conferences.

The trade offs

In its favour

Highest academic qualification for literary scholarship and university teaching
Kenya's rich literary tradition creates research opportunities
Rich African literary tradition provides diverse research topics
Contributes to cultural preservation and critical discourse in Kenya

Against it

Career opportunities outside academia are limited
Small cohort with limited peer interaction
Job market for specialised academic positions is concentrated in few universities
Requires self-motivation and discipline for thesis-only research

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public224k to 245k

224k at University of Nairobi245k at Kenyatta University

Private200k to 212k

200k at Mount Kenya University212k at Africa International 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 224K literature.uonbi.ac.ke. KU 245K ku.ac.ke. MKU 200K eduplace, AIU 212K victormatara

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and CODESRIA research fellowships for African literary scholarship.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
CODESRIA Research Grant
Grant

Scholarships

5 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
CODESRIA Research Grant
GrantKenyan
African researchers conducting social science or humanities research
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
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
Master's degree in Literature, English, or related humanities discipline from a recognised university
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work
Proposal
Research proposal acceptable to the departmental postgraduate committee

How you are assessed

5 components

Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, research papers and seminar presentations
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark
Proposal Defence
Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

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

7 roles

Editor (Publishing)
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000
Acquires, edits, and publishes literary works at publishing houses and media organisations
Literary Critic
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 120,000
Reviews and critiques literary works for publications, media, and cultural institutions
University Lecturer (Literature)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches literature and conducts research in university English and literary studies departments
Literary Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 140,000
Conducts literary research at research institutions, think tanks, or cultural organisations
Literature Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000
Research on literature
Cultural Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Consulting on cultural projects
University Professor
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in literature departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, literary researchers, literary critics, editors, and cultural consultants in universities, publishing houses, media organisations, and cultural institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A PhD in literature has no practical career application
Graduates work in academia, publishing, media, cultural institutions, and creative industries, applying critical analysis and communication skills to diverse professional contexts.
Literature research is not relevant to Kenya's development
Literary scholarship contributes to cultural identity, creative industries, critical thinking, and national discourse, supporting Kenya's cultural and intellectual development under Vision 2030.
A PhD in literature only leads to teaching
Graduates pursue careers as literary critics, editors, cultural consultants, writers, policy advisors on cultural matters, and administrators in cultural institutions.
African literature is not a serious academic field
African literature is a well-established field with significant scholarly output, international recognition, and growing importance in postcolonial and world literature studies.

Related courses

Master of arts in english language and linguistics