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Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology of Education

The Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology of Education is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on the social dimensions of education, including education and social inequality, school and society, curriculum and socialisation, and education policy, contributing to a deeper understanding of education as a social institution in Kenya and globally.

Duration
3-4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 320,000
Ksh 960,000 to Ksh 1,280,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 310,200
Ksh 930,600 to Ksh 1,240,800 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 1,280,000 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 3-4 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 6 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 sociology of education theory, social theory, education and development, research methodology, and the critical analysis of educational systems. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent sociological research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to sociology of education.

Kenya's education system reflects and shapes social inequalities, and reforms such as the Competency-Based Curriculum and changes in financing have social implications. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can analyse education from a sociological perspective and inform policies for equity, inclusion, and social development.

Teaching methods include lectures, sociological analysis of education, policy research, field studies, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to KU's School of Education and UoN's Faculty of Education, and collaborate with KICD, KNEC, the Ministry of Education, and civil society organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, sociology of education researchers, education policy analysts, curriculum developers, and research consultants in universities, KICD, KNEC, and research institutions.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in sociology of education, sociology, education, or related social sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in sociology of education.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Sociology of Education Theory
  • Social Theory
  • Education and Social Inequality
  • School and Society
  • Curriculum and Socialisation
  • Research Methodology
  • Education Policy Analysis
  • Thesis Research
  • Comparative Education
  • Ethnography in Education

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Advanced Sociology of Education

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced theories in sociology of education including functionalism, conflict theory, interactionism, and critical perspectives

  • Social Theory and Education

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Major social theories and their application to educational institutions, processes, and reform

  • Educational Inequality and Social Stratification

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

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

  • Education and Social Inequality

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Analysis of how education intersects with class, gender, ethnicity, and region in Kenya and globally

  • Sociology of Curriculum and Knowledge

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Curriculum sociology, covering sociological theories, research methods, and their application in understanding social structures.

  • School and Society in Kenya

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Study of the role of schools in Kenyan society, including socialisation, values, and national development

  • Education and Social Change

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

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

  • Curriculum and Socialisation

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Sociological analysis of curriculum, hidden curriculum, and the socialisation functions of education

  • Gender and Education in Society

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

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

  • Education Policy and Reform

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Critical analysis of education policies including CBC, financing, access, and quality in Kenya

  • Research Methods in Sociology of 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.

  • Research Methodology and Statistics

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Quantitative and qualitative research methods including ethnography and policy analysis for education research

Specialisations

  • Sociology Practice

    Specialization in Sociology Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as sociologist.

  • Sociology Research

    Specialization in Sociology Research, preparing graduates for careers such as sociology-research-analyst.

  • Curriculum Development

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

  • Social Work

    Specialization in Social Work, preparing graduates for careers such as social-worker.

  • Academic Research in Education

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

  • Education Policy Analysis

    Specialization in Education Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as education-policy-analyst.

  • Educational Inequality

    Research on educational inequality

  • Gender and Education

    Research on gender and education

  • Curriculum Sociology

    Research on curriculum sociology

  • Education and Social Change

    Research on education and social change

A day as a student

A typical day combines sociological reading and theory with education policy analysis, field research in schools, data analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend education research seminars, present findings at colloquia, and engage with KICD and KNEC for sociological research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Provides critical analysis of education and social issues in KenyaResearch funding for sociology of education is limited
Access to KICD, Ministry of Education and UNESCOAccess to school data can be restricted
Relatively affordable tuition at KES 244,800 per yearRequires strong sociological and educational knowledge
Strong links with KICD, KNEC, and the Ministry of EducationAcademic positions require publications and research output

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 UNESCO research fellowships for sociology of education research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • UNESCO Research Fellowship

    Fellowship

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Science and technology researchers in Kenya

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • 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 DegreeMEd or MA in Sociology of Education, Sociology, Education, or related social science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor's degree in Education, Sociology, or related field
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 6 institutions
January 20276 institutions

Including Rongo University, Mount Kenya University, Egerton University.

May 20276 institutions

Including Rongo University, Mount Kenya University, Egerton University.

September 20276 institutions

Including Rongo University, Mount Kenya University, Egerton 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

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework30% of the mark

  • Thesis Examination

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Seminars and Research Papers

    Coursework20% 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

  • Sociology of Education Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Research on education and society

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in education faculties

  • Educational Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Consulting on education equity

  • Sociology Research Analyst

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Conducts sociological research at research institutions, NGOs, or government

  • University Lecturer (Education)

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Teaches sociology of education and conducts research in university education departments

  • Curriculum Developer

    High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Develops curriculum and educational materials at KICD or education NGOs

  • Education Policy Analyst

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Analyses education policy at KICD, KNEC, the Ministry of Education, or think tanks

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, sociology of education researchers, education policy analysts, and curriculum developers in universities, KICD, KNEC, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Sociology of education is just about schools and students

    Sociology of education examines the relationships between education and society, including inequality, socialisation, policy, and power, using sociological theory and research.

  • A PhD in sociology of education has limited career prospects

    Graduates are needed in universities, KICD, KNEC, the Ministry of Education, and research institutions for policy and curriculum analysis.

  • Sociology of education is not relevant to Kenya

    Kenya's education reforms and social inequalities make sociological analysis of education highly relevant for policy and practice.

  • Sociology of education is the same as educational sociology

    Both share similar concerns; sociology of education applies sociological theory to understand education as a social institution and process.

Further reading

Read next