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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.

Duration
3 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 244,800
Ksh 734,400 total
Private tuition
Ksh 212,050
Ksh 636,150 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 244,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 734,400 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 212,050 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, 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 Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

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.

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 favourAgainst it
Highest academic qualification for literary scholarship and university teachingCareer opportunities outside academia are limited
Kenya's rich literary tradition creates research opportunitiesSmall cohort with limited peer interaction
Rich African literary tradition provides diverse research topicsJob market for specialised academic positions is concentrated in few universities
Contributes to cultural preservation and critical discourse in KenyaRequires 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

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 DegreeMaster's degree in Literature, English, or related humanities discipline from a recognised university
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work
ProposalResearch proposal acceptable to the departmental postgraduate committee

When it next starts

Taught at 5 institutions
January 20275 institutions

Including Chuka University, Maseno University, University of Nairobi.

May 20275 institutions

Including Chuka University, Maseno University, University of Nairobi.

September 20275 institutions

Including Chuka University, Maseno University, University of Nairobi.

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

  • 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).

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

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.

Further reading

Read next