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Doctor of Philosophy in Structural Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in Structural Engineering is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The programme trains engineers to conduct advanced research on structural analysis, design, materials, and resilience of buildings, bridges, and infrastructure, contributing to safe and sustainable construction in Kenya and globally.

Duration
3 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 572,000
Ksh 1,716,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 575,000
Ksh 1,725,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 572,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,716,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 575,000 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 4 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, 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 structural analysis, structural dynamics, earthquake engineering, advanced materials, finite element methods, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory and field research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to structural engineering.

Kenya's infrastructure development, including buildings, bridges, dams, and transportation networks, requires engineers who can design safe and resilient structures in seismic and environmental conditions. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 and the Big Four Agenda by training researchers who can advance structural engineering knowledge and inform construction standards.

Teaching methods include lectures, computer modelling, structural laboratory testing, site visits, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to UoN's Department of Civil and Construction Engineering and JKUAT's School of Biosystems and Environmental Engineering, and collaborate with the Engineers Board of Kenya, the Kenya Bureau of Standards, and construction industry partners.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, structural engineers, researchers, and infrastructure consultants in universities, consulting firms, construction companies, and government agencies.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in structural engineering, civil engineering, or related engineering fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in structural engineering.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Advanced Structural Analysis
  • Structural Dynamics
  • Earthquake Engineering
  • Advanced Construction Materials
  • Finite Element Methods
  • Research Methodology
  • Structural Design
  • Thesis Research
  • Structural Reliability
  • Bridge Engineering

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Advanced Structural Analysis

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced methods of structural analysis including matrix methods, plastic analysis, and non-linear behaviour

  • Advanced Structural Analysis and Design

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Structural analysis, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional practice.

  • Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Dynamic analysis of structures including seismic design, response spectra, and earthquake-resistant design

  • Finite Element Methods in Structural Engineering

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Finite element modelling and analysis of structures, including software applications and validation

  • Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Structures

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Concrete structures, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.

  • Advanced Construction Materials

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Properties and behaviour of concrete, steel, timber, composites, and new materials for structural applications

  • Steel and Composite Structures

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Steel structures, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.

  • Structural Reliability and Risk Assessment

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Reliability-based design, load and resistance factors, and risk assessment for structural systems

  • Finite Element Analysis and Computational Mechanics

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    FEA, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional practice.

  • Bridge and Special Structures

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Design and analysis of bridges, tall buildings, shells, and other special structures

  • Research Methods in Structural Engineering

    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

    Research design, data analysis, and statistical methods for engineering research

Specialisations

  • Academic Research in Engineering

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

  • Structural Engineering Practice

    Specialization in Structural Engineering Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as structural-engineer.

  • Civil Engineering Practice

    Specialization in Civil Engineering Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as civil-engineer.

  • Civil Engineering

    Specialization in Civil Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as civil-engineering.

  • Construction Technology

    Specialization in Construction Technology, preparing graduates for careers such as construction-technology-specialist.

  • Junior Civil Engineering

    Specialization in Junior Civil Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as junior-civil-engineer.

  • Bridge Engineering

    Research on bridge engineering

  • Earthquake Engineering

    Research on earthquake engineering

  • Concrete Structures

    Research on concrete structures

  • Structural Reliability

    Research on structural reliability

A day as a student

A typical day combines structural analysis with computer modelling, laboratory testing of materials, site visits to construction projects, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend engineering research seminars, present findings at colloquia, and collaborate with consulting firms and KEBS on structural research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
High demand for structural engineers in Kenya's infrastructure developmentUoN engineering PhD is very expensive (KSh 1,756,000 total)
Kenya's infrastructure boom creates demandTuition fees are high at KES 540,000 per year
Direct relevance to construction, safety, and national developmentLaboratory testing equipment is expensive
Opportunities for international collaboration through IABSE and ASCEProfessional registration with EBK is required for practice

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses
Public459k to 572k
459k at Kenyatta University572k at University of Nairobi
Private200k to 575k
200k at Mount Kenya University575k at Strathmore 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 572K (engineering.uonbi.ac.ke). KU 459K (ku.ac.ke). Strathmore 575K (strathmore.edu). MKU 200K.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and IABSE research grants for structural engineering research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • IABSE Research Grant

    Grant

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • NRF Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development

  • DAAD Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

  • 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 DegreeMSc in Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related engineering field from a recognised university
Professional registrationEligible for registration with the Engineers Board of Kenya
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or engineering projects

When it next starts

Taught at 4 institutions
January 20274 institutions

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.

May 20274 institutions

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.

September 20274 institutions

Including Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.

How you are assessed

5 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Oral Viva Voce

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Thesis Examination

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework30% of the mark

  • Design and Laboratory Projects

    Coursework20% of the mark

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

  • Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)

    Professional registrationRequired

    Professional registration required for engineering practice in Kenya

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

  • Engineers Board of Kenya

    ProfessionalRequired

    Registers and regulates engineers in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Professional registration with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) is required for engineering practice in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

  • Structural Engineering Researcher

    High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 700,000

    Research at engineering research institutes

  • Structural Consultant

    High demandKsh 350,000 to Ksh 800,000

    Consulting on structural design projects

  • Bridge Engineer

    High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 700,000

    Bridge engineering at KeNHA and firms

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000

    Teaching and research in engineering departments

  • University Lecturer (Engineering)

    High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 250,000

    Teaches structural engineering and conducts research in university engineering departments

  • Civil Engineer

    High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000

    Manages civil engineering projects including infrastructure, water, and transportation

  • Junior Civil Engineer

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Works under senior engineers on design and project implementation

  • Structural Engineer

    High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Designs and analyses buildings, bridges, and infrastructure at consulting firms or construction companies

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, structural engineers, researchers, and infrastructure consultants in universities, consulting firms, construction companies, and government agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Structural engineering is just about drawing buildings

    Structural engineering involves advanced analysis, design, and testing of structures to ensure safety, stability, and resilience under loads and environmental conditions.

  • A PhD in structural engineering is only for academics

    Graduates work in consulting firms, construction companies, government, and research, designing and evaluating real infrastructure.

  • Structural engineering research is not relevant to Kenya

    Kenya's infrastructure development and need for earthquake-resistant, sustainable structures make structural engineering research critical for national development.

  • Structural engineering is the same as civil engineering

    Structural engineering is a specialisation within civil engineering focused on the design and analysis of load-bearing structures.

Further reading

Read next