Environmental Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Renewable Energy Technology and Management

The Doctor of Philosophy in Renewable Energy Technology and Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in doctor of philosophy in renewable energy technology and management. The programme falls under the Business & Economics category and typically spans 3 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Drawing, Mechanics of Materials, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Electrical Principles. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Agricultural Mechanics, Electrical Installation, Electrical Systems, Electronics, Farm Machinery. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Microeconomics, Research Project, Industrial Attachment, Principles of Management, Financial Accounting. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Mechanical & Manufacturing, Electrical & Power, Civil & Structural. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Doctor of Philosophy in Renewable Energy Technology and Management pursue careers as Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Talent Acquisition Specialist. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 459,000
Private, up to: Ksh 313,700
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Drawing
Mechanics of Materials
Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Electrical Principles
Materials Science
Structural Analysis
Construction Technology
Surveying

Modules

10 in the programme

Principles of Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Management theory, planning, organising, leading, and controlling in modern organisations.
Financial Accounting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Double-entry bookkeeping, financial statements, accounting cycle, and IFRS basics.
Microeconomics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Supply and demand, consumer behaviour, market structures, and pricing theory, covering economic theories, analytical frameworks, and their application to policy and decision-making in the field.
Business Mathematics and Statistics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Calculus, algebra, optimisation, and statistical methods for business analysis, including probability theory, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and statistical software applications for.
Marketing Principles
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Marketing mix, consumer behaviour, market research, and marketing strategy, covering marketing theories, consumer behaviour analysis, and their application in strategic marketing.
Corporate Finance
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Time value of money, capital budgeting, risk analysis, and financial management.
Business Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Kenyan commercial law, contracts, company law, and regulatory frameworks, examining legal frameworks, regulatory regimes, and their practical implications for professional practice in Kenya.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategy formulation, competitive analysis, and organisational change management.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Supervised attachment at a business, financial institution, or corporate organisation.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent research project on a business or economics issue, requiring students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, conduct independent research, and present findings in a.

Specialisations

Mechanical & Manufacturing
Design, analysis and manufacturing of mechanical systems and machines. Students learn CAD/CAM, thermodynamics, materials science and production engineering.
Electrical & Power
Electrical circuits, power systems, electronics and control systems. Students gain skills in power generation, distribution and electrical machine design.
Civil & Structural
Structural design, construction materials, geotechnics and surveying. Students learn to design and supervise construction of buildings, roads and infrastructure.
Mechatronics & Robotics
Integration of mechanical, electronic and software systems. Students build automated systems, robots and smart devices for manufacturing and industry.
Water & Environmental Engineering
Water supply, sanitation, waste management and environmental monitoring. Students design systems for clean water, wastewater treatment and pollution control.

A day as a student

Students model geothermal reservoir development scenarios, analyse solar and wind resource data for project feasibility, design battery storage dispatch algorithms, evaluate renewable energy tariff structures, and engage with KenGen, EPRA, and renewable energy developers on applied energy transition research questions.

The trade offs

In its favour

Renewable energy is a globally booming field with Kenya well-positioned as a continental leader attracting research funding
Development finance institution analyst roles at AFDB and World Bank offer outstanding compensation and global career access
Combination of technical and policy competencies provides unique advisory value across energy sector stakeholders

Against it

Renewable energy policy advisory requires building credibility across both technical and regulatory communities
Development finance institution positions are highly competitive with candidates from global elite institutions
Technical renewable energy research requires access to field data and partnership with industry operators

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public170k to 459k

170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology459k at Kenyatta University

Private150k to 314k

150k at Mount Kenya University314k 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

KU PhD Renewable Energy ~459K/yr (ku.ac.ke). JKUAT ~170K. MKU 150K, Kabarak ~314K/yr

Scholarships available through HELB, corporate sponsorships from Kenya Power, KenGen, and engineering firms. The Engineers Board of Kenya also offers limited support for professional development.

Funding options

HELB loan
County bursary
University scholarship
Corporate sponsorship (e.g., Kenya Power, Kengen)

Scholarships

5 recorded

Safaricom Foundation Engineering Scholarship
FullKsh 1,500,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizen; B+ in KCSE with strong maths/physics; Engineering/tech programme
Kenya Engineers Board Bursary
PartialKsh 100,000Kenyan
Engineering student; EBK-registered institution; Academic merit
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizen; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
FullKsh 6,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizen; Academic excellence; Leadership; Community service
KCB Foundation Engineering Scholarship
FullKsh 1,500,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizen; B+ in KCSE; Engineering programme; Financial need

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

Alternative entry: A relevant Master's degree and a defensible research proposal; some programmes interview candidates.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Theory tests and quizzes.
Laboratory / Practical
Practical20% of the mark
Lab work and practical assignments.
Design Project
Project20% of the mark
Engineering design or build project.
End-of-Semester Examination
Exam40% of the mark
Theory examinations.

Accreditation

Engineering degrees are accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). TVET engineering diplomas are accredited by KNEC and TVETA.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Accredits all university-level programmes (Bachelor, Master, PhD) in Kenya.
Engineers Board of Kenya
Professional
Registration as Graduate/Professional Engineer required to practise.
National Construction Authority
Professional
Registration recommended for construction trades & technicians.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Finance
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 290,000
Advanced role for PhD graduates. Finances at this level typically lead teams, manage projects, or conduct research. Hiring trend: Growing.
Marketing
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Advanced role for PhD graduates. Marketings at this level typically lead teams, manage projects, or conduct research. Hiring trend: Growing.
Human Resource Management
Low demandKsh 115,000 to Ksh 280,000
Advanced role for PhD graduates. Human Resource Managements at this level typically lead teams, manage projects, or conduct research. Hiring trend: Stable.
Talent Acquisition Specialist
Low demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 270,000
Advanced role for PhD graduates. Talent Acquisition Specialists at this level typically lead teams, manage projects, or conduct research. Hiring trend: Growing.
Economic Data Scientist
Low demandKsh 105,000 to Ksh 260,000
Advanced role for PhD graduates. Economic Data Scientists at this level typically lead teams, manage projects, or conduct research. Hiring trend: Growing.

Graduate outcomes

PhD graduates work as renewable energy technology researchers at universities, as senior policy specialists at EPRA, as technical directors at renewable energy developers, and as green investment analysts at AFDB and World Bank.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

HOMER
Engineering
Moodle
Learning management
PVsyst
Engineering
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
RETScreen
Analytics
Microsoft Teams
Cloud
Google Scholar
ResearchPrimary
Microsoft PowerPoint
Creative

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Engineering is only for men.
Engineering increasingly welcomes women, with initiatives like Women in Engineering (WIE) chapters and institutional support promoting gender diversity.
Engineers only work on construction sites.
Engineers work in design offices, research labs, manufacturing plants, energy companies, and tech firms, with many specialising in software, electronics, or biomedical engineering.
Renewable energy jobs require overseas experience
Many local companies and projects value local context and hire Kenyan engineers with relevant skills.
The pay is low compared to fossil fuel jobs
Senior renewable energy engineers at firms like KenGen earn competitive salaries, up to KES 350,000/month.