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Doctor of Philosophy with Course Work in Early Childhood Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy with Course Work in Early Childhood Studies is a postgraduate research programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Faculty of Education. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on early childhood development, education, policy, and practice, contributing to the improvement of early childhood education in Kenya and globally.

Duration
3 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 320,000
Ksh 960,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 310,200
Ksh 930,600 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 320,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 960,000 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 years, full-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 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 early childhood education theory, child development, curriculum and pedagogy, policy analysis, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to complete taught units, develop a research proposal, conduct independent research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to early childhood studies.

Kenya's government has prioritised early childhood education as part of the Competency-Based Curriculum and the Big Four Agenda. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 by training researchers who can inform early childhood policy, develop curricula, and improve the quality of early learning.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, child development observation, curriculum analysis, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to UoN's Faculty of Education and collaborate with KICD, the Ministry of Education, the Early Childhood Development Service Unit, and international early childhood organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, early childhood education researchers, curriculum developers, policy analysts, and programme consultants in universities, KICD, the Ministry of Education, NGOs, and international organisations.

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

What you study

10 subjects
  • Early Childhood Education Theory
  • Child Development
  • Early Childhood Curriculum
  • Pedagogy and Assessment
  • Early Childhood Policy
  • Research Methodology
  • Inclusion in Early Childhood
  • Thesis Research
  • Family and Community Engagement
  • Play and Learning

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Advanced Early Childhood Education Theory

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced theories of early childhood learning, development, and education, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Advanced Early Childhood Education and Pedagogy

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

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

  • Child Development and Learning

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of young children in diverse contexts

  • Child Development and Developmental Psychology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

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

  • Early Childhood Curriculum and Pedagogy

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Curriculum design, teaching methods, and assessment for early childhood education including CBC

  • ECDE Curriculum Development and Design

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

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

  • Early Childhood Policy and Governance

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Policy analysis, governance, and financing of early childhood education in Kenya and globally

  • Inclusive Early Childhood Education

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

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

  • Inclusion and Equity in Early Childhood

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Strategies for inclusion of children with disabilities, disadvantaged groups, and diverse backgrounds

  • Family and Community Engagement

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Role of families, communities, and partnerships in supporting early childhood development

  • Research Methods in Early Childhood Studies

    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.

  • Departmental Seminars

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Research presentations and peer review, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in the field.

Specialisations

  • Academic Research in Education

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

  • Early Childhood Development Teaching

    Specialization in Early Childhood Development Teaching, preparing graduates for careers such as early-childhood-development-teacher.

  • Academic Advising

    Specialization in Academic Advising, preparing graduates for careers such as academic-advisor.

  • Education Policy Analysis

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

  • Early Childhood Education

    Specialization in Early Childhood Education, preparing graduates for careers such as early-childhood-educator.

  • Curriculum Development

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

  • Early Childhood Policy

    Research on early childhood policy

  • ECDE Curriculum

    Research on ECDE curriculum

  • Child Development

    Research on child development

  • Inclusive Early Childhood Education

    Research on inclusive education

A day as a student

A typical day combines early childhood theory reading with child development analysis, curriculum review, policy research, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend education research seminars, present findings at colloquia, and engage with KICD and ECD stakeholders for research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Access to KICD, Ministry of Education and UNICEFResearch funding for education is limited
Research contributes to child developmentFieldwork with children requires ethical clearance
Relatively affordable tuition at KES 288,000 per yearField research with young children requires strict ethical approvals
Strong links with KICD, TSC, 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
Public245k to 320k
245k at Kenyatta 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 (uonbi.ac.ke); KU 244,800/yr. KeMU 170K; Kabarak 310K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke).

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and UNICEF research fellowships for early childhood studies research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • UNICEF Research Fellowship

    Fellowship

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • 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

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Science and technology researchers in Kenya

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

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

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including Mount Kenya University, University of Nairobi, University of Eldoret.

May 20273 institutions

Including Mount Kenya University, University of Nairobi, University of Eldoret.

September 20273 institutions

Including Mount Kenya University, University of Nairobi, University of Eldoret.

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

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Assignments, curriculum projects and seminar presentations

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework30% of the mark

  • Thesis Examination

    Coursework100% 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

8 roles

  • Education Policy Analyst

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Analyses ECD policy at the Ministry of Education or international organisations

  • Early Childhood Educator

    High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 150,000

    Teaches and mentors early childhood teachers at colleges and universities

  • University Lecturer (Early Childhood Education)

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Teaches early childhood education and conducts research in university education departments

  • Early Childhood Education Curriculum Developer

    High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Develops ECD curriculum and materials at KICD or education NGOs

  • ECDE Curriculum Developer

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Curriculum at KICD

  • Child Development Specialist

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Child development at UNICEF and NGOs

  • Early Childhood Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Research on early childhood

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Teaching and research in education departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, early childhood education researchers, curriculum developers, and policy analysts in universities, KICD, the Ministry of Education, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Early childhood studies is just about teaching nursery school

    Early childhood studies is a research field covering child development, learning, policy, curriculum, and family contexts, requiring advanced academic training.

  • A PhD in early childhood studies has limited career prospects

    Graduates are needed in universities, KICD, the Ministry of Education, NGOs, and international organisations for research, policy, and curriculum development.

  • Early childhood education is not important for national development

    Early childhood education is critical for learning outcomes, equity, and human capital development in Kenya.

  • Early childhood studies is the same as primary education

    Early childhood studies focuses on children from birth to about 8 years, with distinct development, learning, and policy needs compared to primary education.

Further reading

Read next