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Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Education

The Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Education is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, and at the University of Nairobi. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on religious education, theology, comparative religion, and the role of religion in education and society, contributing to religious literacy and ethical education in Kenya and globally.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 320,000
Ksh 960,000 to Ksh 1,600,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 310,200
Ksh 930,600 to Ksh 1,551,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 320,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 960,000 to Ksh 1,600,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 310,200 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 3-5 years, full-time, part-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 religious education theory, theology, comparative religion, religious ethics, curriculum studies, and research methodology. The programme is by thesis only at KU, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to religious education.

Kenya is a multi-religious society where religious education plays a key role in moral formation, social cohesion, and national values. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can develop religious education curricula, promote interfaith understanding, and inform education policy.

Teaching methods include seminars, theological and educational text analysis, curriculum research, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to KU's Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and UoN's Faculty of Education, and collaborate with KICD, the Kenya Catholic Secretariat, the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims, and interfaith organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, religious educators, curriculum developers, theology researchers, and interfaith dialogue specialists in universities, theological colleges, KICD, and faith-based organisations.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in religious studies, religious education, theology, or related humanities fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in religious education.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Religious Education Theory
  • Theology
  • Comparative Religion
  • Religious Ethics
  • Curriculum Studies
  • Research Methodology
  • African Traditional Religion
  • Thesis Research
  • Biblical Studies
  • Islamic Studies

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Advanced Religious Education Theory

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Theories of religious education including pedagogical approaches, curriculum theory, and the aims of religious education in pluralistic societies

  • Advanced Religious Education Theory and Practice

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Religious education, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Theology and Religious Traditions

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Theological foundations of Christianity, Islam, and African traditional religions in the Kenyan context

  • Philosophy of Religious Education

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Philosophy, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.

  • Comparative Religion

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Comparative study of world religions including beliefs, practices, and social expressions in Kenya and Africa

  • Comparative Religion and Education

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Comparative religion, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.

  • Religious Ethics and Moral Education

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Religious ethics including moral reasoning, virtue ethics, and the role of religion in moral and civic education

  • Curriculum Development in Religious Education

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Curriculum, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.

  • Curriculum Studies and Religious Education

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Curriculum development for religious education including content selection, pedagogy, and assessment in Kenyan schools

  • Moral and Values Education

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Moral education, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.

  • African Traditional Religion and Culture

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Study of African traditional religions, indigenous knowledge, and their role in education and social values

  • Research Methods in Religious Education

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research methods, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.

Specialisations

  • Curriculum Development

    Specialization in Curriculum Development, preparing graduates for careers such as curriculum-developer.

  • Chaplaincy and Pastoral Work

    Specialization in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Work, preparing graduates for careers such as chaplain.

  • Religious Studies Instruction

    Specialization in Religious Studies Instruction, preparing graduates for careers such as religious-studies-instructor.

  • Religious Communications

    Specialization in Religious Communications, preparing graduates for careers such as religious-communications-officer.

  • Academic Research in Education

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

  • Religious Education Practice

    Specialization in Religious Education Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as religious-educator-theology-teacher.

  • Interfaith Education

    Research on interfaith education

  • Christian Education

    Research on Christian education

  • Moral Education

    Research on moral education

  • Islamic Education

    Research on Islamic education

A day as a student

A typical day combines reading religious and educational texts with curriculum analysis, seminar discussions, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend theology and education research seminars, present findings at colloquia, and engage with KICD and faith-based organisations for curriculum research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Access to KICD and faith-based organisationsResearch funding for humanities and religious studies is limited
Relatively affordable tuition at KES 244,800 per yearFunding for religious education research is limited
Research contributes to values educationReligious education can be sensitive in diverse contexts
Strong links with KICD, faith-based organisations, and interfaith bodiesAcademic positions may require publications and research grants

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses
Public180k to 320k
180k at Moi University320k at University of Nairobi
Private170k to 310k
170k at Kenya Methodist University310k at Kabarak 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 320K/yr; KU 244,800/yr (mawese.com). Moi 180K unverified. KeMU 170K; Kabarak 310K/yr.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and World Council of Churches fellowships for religious education research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • World Council of Churches Fellowship

    Fellowship

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • DAAD Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

  • 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

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 DegreeMA or MEd in Religious Studies, Religious Education, Theology, or related humanities field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor's degree in Education, Theology, Religious Studies, or related field
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 5 institutions
January 20275 institutions

Including Africa Nazarene University, Kenya Methodist University, Kenya Highlands Evangelical University.

May 20275 institutions

Including Africa Nazarene University, Kenya Methodist University, Kenya Highlands Evangelical University.

September 20275 institutions

Including Africa Nazarene University, Kenya Methodist University, Kenya Highlands Evangelical University.

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

  • Seminars and Essays

    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).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

7 roles

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in education faculties

  • Interfaith Education Coordinator

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Interfaith at faith-based organisations

  • Religious Education Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Research on religious education

  • University Lecturer (Religious Studies)

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Teaches religious education and conducts research in university humanities and education departments

  • Religious Studies Instructor

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Teaches and researches religion at colleges, universities, or interfaith organisations

  • Curriculum Developer

    High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Develops religious education curriculum at KICD or faith-based educational institutions

  • Religious Educator / Theology Teacher

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Teaches religion and theology in universities, theological colleges, and secondary schools

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, religious educators, curriculum developers, and theology researchers in universities, theological colleges, KICD, and faith-based organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Religious education is just about teaching Bible or Quran

    Religious education encompasses theology, comparative religion, ethics, curriculum theory, and the study of religion in society, requiring academic research training.

  • A PhD in religious education only leads to church work

    Graduates work in universities, KICD, curriculum development, interfaith organisations, and research, not only in religious institutions.

  • Religious education is not relevant in a secular education system

    Religious education contributes to moral and civic education, interfaith understanding, and national values in Kenya's pluralistic society.

  • Religious education is the same as theology

    Religious education focuses on teaching and learning about religion in educational settings, while theology is the systematic study of religious beliefs and doctrines.

Further reading

Read next