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Doctor of Philosophy in Taxonomy

The Doctor of Philosophy in Taxonomy is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University through their respective departments of plant science and biological sciences. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on the classification, identification, and naming of organisms, contributing to biodiversity documentation and conservation in Kenya and globally.

Duration
3-4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 392,000
Ksh 1,176,000 to Ksh 1,568,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 150,000
Ksh 450,000 to Ksh 600,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 392,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,176,000 to Ksh 1,568,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 150,000 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 3-4 years, full-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic DNA Scientist, at 15 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students engage with advanced taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics, nomenclature, biodiversity informatics, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent field and laboratory research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to taxonomy.

Kenya is one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, but many species remain undescribed and threatened by habitat loss. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can document Kenya's biodiversity, discover new species, and inform conservation policy.

Teaching methods include lectures, herbarium and museum work, field surveys, molecular techniques, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to UoN's herbarium and KU's biological sciences facilities, and collaborate with the National Museums of Kenya, KEFRI, KWS, and international taxonomic institutions.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, taxonomists, biodiversity researchers, conservation scientists, and museum curators in universities, museums, KEFRI, KWS, and environmental organisations.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in taxonomy, botany, zoology, biological sciences, or related fields who are committed to advancing knowledge in taxonomy.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Advanced Taxonomy
  • Systematics
  • Phylogenetics
  • Nomenclature
  • Biodiversity Informatics
  • Research Methodology
  • Plant Taxonomy
  • Thesis Research
  • Biogeography
  • Conservation Biology

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Advanced Taxonomy and Systematics

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced principles of taxonomy, systematics, classification, and evolutionary relationships

  • Advanced Taxonomy and Biosystematics

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

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

  • Phylogenetics and Molecular Systematics

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Phylogenetic methods including DNA sequencing, phylogenetic trees, and molecular markers for species identification

  • Plant Taxonomy and Identification

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

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

  • Nomenclature and Taxonomic Practice

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    International codes of nomenclature, species description, and publication practices in taxonomy

  • Molecular Systematics and DNA Barcoding

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

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

  • Biodiversity Informatics

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Use of databases, digital collections, GBIF, and informatics tools for taxonomy and biodiversity research

  • Phylogenetics and Evolutionary Biology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Phylogenetics, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.

  • Plant and Fungal Taxonomy

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Taxonomy of plants and fungi including herbarium techniques, identification keys, and floristic studies

  • Biodiversity Informatics and Databases

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Biodiversity informatics, covering data collection, analysis techniques, and computational tools for managing and interpreting complex datasets.

  • Animal and Microbial Taxonomy

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Taxonomy of animals and microorganisms including morphological and molecular identification methods

  • Research Methods in Taxonomy

    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

  • Botany Research

    Specialization in Botany Research, preparing graduates for careers such as botanist.

  • Biodiversity Conservation

    Specialization in Biodiversity Conservation, preparing graduates for careers such as wildlife-researcher.

  • Academic Research in Science

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

  • Taxonomy Practice

    Specialization in Taxonomy Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as botanist.

  • Plant Breeding and Genetics

    Specialization in Plant Breeding and Genetics, preparing graduates for careers such as plant-breeder-geneticist.

  • Agricultural Science Research

    Specialization in Agricultural Science Research, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-scientist-junior.

  • Biodiversity Informatics

    Research on biodiversity informatics

  • Animal Taxonomy

    Research on animal taxonomy

  • Plant Taxonomy

    Research on plant taxonomy

  • Molecular Systematics

    Research on molecular systematics

A day as a student

A typical day combines herbarium and museum specimen work with field surveys, molecular laboratory analysis, phylogenetic analysis, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend biodiversity research seminars, present findings at colloquia, and collaborate with NMK and KWS for taxonomic research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Critical for biodiversity conservation and documentation in KenyaField research can be time-consuming and dependent on seasonal conditions
Kenya's biodiversity richness creates research opportunitiesFieldwork in remote areas is challenging
Two public universities offer the programme providing choice and fee rangeMolecular systematics equipment is expensive
Diverse career paths in academia, museums, conservation, and researchUoN fees are high at KES 432,000 per year

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses
Public367k to 392k
367k at Kenyatta University392k at University of Nairobi
Private150k to 150k
150k at Mount Kenya University150k at Mount Kenya 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 392K/yr (uonbi SBS), KU 367.2K/yr (ku.ac.ke). MKU 150K/yr (mku.ac.ke).

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and National Geographic research grants for taxonomy research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • National Geographic Research Grant

    Grant

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Science and technology researchers in Kenya

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

  • NRF Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development

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 Taxonomy, Plant Taxonomy, Botany, Zoology, or related biological science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor's degree in Botany, Zoology, Biological Sciences, or related field
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 2 institutions
January 20272 institutions

Including University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.

May 20272 institutions

Including University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.

September 20272 institutions

Including University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.

How you are assessed

5 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Assignments, specimen identification projects and seminar presentations

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework30% of the mark

  • Oral Viva Voce

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Herbarium and Field Reports

    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

  • Systematist

    Moderate demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Systematics at research institutes

  • Museum Curator

    Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Curation at National Museums of Kenya

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Teaching and research in biology departments

  • Conservation Scientist

    Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Applies taxonomic knowledge to biodiversity conservation at KWS, NEMA, or NGOs

  • Botanist

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Studies plant diversity and taxonomy at KEFRI, NMK, or botanical gardens

  • University Lecturer (Biology)

    High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Teaches taxonomy and conducts research in university biological science departments

  • Taxonomist

    Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Classifies and identifies organisms at museums, research institutions, or conservation organisations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, taxonomists, biodiversity researchers, and conservation scientists in universities, museums, KEFRI, KWS, and environmental organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Taxonomy is just about naming organisms

    Taxonomy involves classification, identification, phylogenetics, and biodiversity informatics, and is essential for conservation and ecology.

  • A PhD in taxonomy has limited career prospects

    Museums, botanical gardens, KEFRI, KWS, and environmental organisations need taxonomists for biodiversity documentation and conservation.

  • Taxonomy is not relevant to modern biology

    Taxonomy underpins biodiversity research, conservation planning, ecology, and biotechnology in the genomics era.

  • Taxonomy is only about plants

    Taxonomy covers all organisms including animals, fungi, microorganisms, and plants, and includes fields such as zoology and mycology.

Further reading

Read next