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Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University through their respective departments of pharmacy and pharmacology. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on drug action, toxicology, molecular pharmacology, and clinical pharmacology, contributing to drug discovery and safe medicines use in Kenya and globally.

Duration
3 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 571,200
Ksh 1,713,600 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 571,200 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,713,600 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, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.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 advanced pharmacology, molecular mechanisms of drug action, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory and clinical research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to pharmacology.

Kenya's pharmaceutical sector is growing, but the country still relies heavily on imported medicines and faces challenges with drug safety, resistance, and access. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 and the Kenya Health Policy by training researchers who can develop new therapeutics, study drug safety, and inform rational medicines use.

Teaching methods include lectures, pharmacology laboratory sessions, molecular biology techniques, toxicology studies, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to UoN's Department of Pharmacy and KU's pharmacology facilities, and collaborate with KEMRI, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, pharmacology researchers, clinical pharmacists, toxicologists, and pharmaceutical scientists in universities, KEMRI, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory bodies.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in pharmacology, pharmacy, molecular pharmacology, or related biomedical sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in pharmacology.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Molecular Pharmacology
  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Pharmacodynamics
  • Drug Discovery
  • Research Methodology
  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Thesis Research
  • Biostatistics
  • Pharmacogenomics

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Advanced Molecular Pharmacology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Molecular mechanisms of drug action including receptors, signal transduction, and drug-receptor interactions

  • Advanced Pharmacology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced drug action study, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and dose-response relationships

  • Toxicology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Study of toxic effects, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.

  • Toxicology and Drug Safety

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Toxicology including mechanisms of toxicity, risk assessment, and drug safety monitoring

  • Pharmacokinetics

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Drug absorption and metabolism, covering pharmacological principles, drug development processes, and their application in therapeutic practice.

  • Drug Discovery and Development

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Drug discovery including target identification, lead optimisation, preclinical testing, and clinical trials

  • Molecular Pharmacology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Molecular basis of drug action, covering pharmacological principles, drug development processes, and their application in therapeutic practice.

  • Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Clinical pharmacology including rational prescribing, pharmacovigilance, and therapeutic drug monitoring

  • Pharmacogenomics and Personalised Medicine

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Pharmacogenomics including genetic factors affecting drug response and personalised medicine approaches

  • Ethnopharmacology

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Traditional medicine pharmacology, covering pharmacological principles, drug development processes, and their application in therapeutic practice.

  • Research Methodology and Biostatistics

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Research design, data analysis methods, and statistical techniques for pharmacology research

Specialisations

  • Hospital Pharmacy Practice

    Specialization in Hospital Pharmacy Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as hospital-pharmacist.

  • Pharmaceutical Science (Junior)

    Specialization in Pharmaceutical Science (Junior), preparing graduates for careers such as pharmaceutical-scientist-junior.

  • Clinical Pharmacology Practice

    Specialization in Clinical Pharmacology Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as clinical-pharmacist.

  • Academic Research in Pharmacy

    Specialization in Academic Research in Pharmacy, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.

  • Toxicology Research

    Specialization in Toxicology Research, preparing graduates for careers such as toxicologist.

  • Pharmaceutical Science Research

    Specialization in Pharmaceutical Science Research, preparing graduates for careers such as pharmaceutical-scientist.

  • Clinical Pharmacology

    Research on clinical drug effects

  • Molecular Pharmacology

    Research on molecular drug action

  • Toxicology

    Research on drug toxicity

  • Ethnopharmacology

    Research on traditional medicine

A day as a student

A typical day combines laboratory research on drug mechanisms and toxicity with data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend pharmacology research seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and collaborate with KEMRI and PPB on drug safety and efficacy research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
High demand for pharmacology expertise in Kenya's growing pharmaceutical sectorKU fees are high at KES 571,200 per year
Kenya's pharmaceutical industry creates demand for pharmacology expertiseFunding for pharmacology research can be competitive
Two public universities offer the programme with different fee pointsPharmacology research requires expensive laboratory reagents and equipment
Diverse career paths in academia, industry, regulation, and clinical researchCompetition for research funding and positions can be intense

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
Public428k to 571k
428k at University of Nairobi571k at Kenyatta University
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

UoN 428K, KU 571K/yr verified (pharmacy.uonbi.ac.ke, ku.ac.ke). MKU 200K. AKU unverified.

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

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • WHO/TDR Research Grant

    Grant

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • NRF Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • Wellcome Trust Research Grant

    Grant

    Health researchers in Africa

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 of Science in Pharmacology, Molecular Pharmacology, Master of Pharmacy, or related biomedical science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science, or related degree
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

May 20273 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

September 20273 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

How you are assessed

5 components

  • Oral Viva Voce

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework30% of the mark

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before faculty panel

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment20% of the mark

    Assignments, laboratory work and seminar presentations

  • Thesis

    Thesis60% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

Accreditation

  • Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB)

    Professional registrationRequired

    Professional registration required for pharmacy practice in Kenya

  • 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

  • Pharmacy and Poisons Board

    Professional

    National pharmacy regulatory body; registration required for clinical practice

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Professional registration with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) is required for pharmacy practice in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

  • University Lecturer (Pharmacology)

    High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 220,000

    Teaches pharmacology and conducts research in university pharmacy and medical schools

  • Clinical Pharmacist

    High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Provides clinical pharmacy services in hospitals and manages drug therapy

  • Toxicologist

    Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Assesses drug and chemical toxicity at regulatory agencies, KEBS, or research institutions

  • Pharmacology Researcher

    High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Conducts pharmacology research at KEMRI, universities, or pharmaceutical companies

  • Pharmaceutical Scientist

    Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Drug discovery and development

  • University Professor

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in pharmacology

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, pharmacology researchers, clinical pharmacists, toxicologists, and pharmaceutical scientists in universities, KEMRI, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory bodies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Pharmacology is just about knowing drug names

    Pharmacology involves molecular mechanisms of drug action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, toxicology, and drug discovery, requiring advanced biomedical training.

  • A PhD in pharmacology only leads to academic careers

    Graduates work in pharmaceutical industry, regulatory agencies, KEMRI, clinical research, and drug safety monitoring, not only in universities.

  • Pharmacology research is not relevant to Kenya

    Kenya faces challenges with drug resistance, counterfeit medicines, and tropical disease treatment, making pharmacology research critical for public health.

  • Pharmacology is the same as pharmacy

    Pharmacology is the science of drug action and research, while pharmacy is the profession focused on dispensing and medicines optimisation.

Further reading

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