Education

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.

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.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 320,000
Private, up to: Ksh 310,200
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 10 students
Award: PhD

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 favour

Access to KICD, Ministry of Education and UNICEF
Research contributes to child development
Relatively affordable tuition at KES 288,000 per year
Strong links with KICD, TSC, and the Ministry of Education

Against it

Research funding for education is limited
Fieldwork with children requires ethical clearance
Field research with young children requires strict ethical approvals
Academic 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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
MEd or MA in Early Childhood Education, Education, or related social science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Education or related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

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

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

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

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

Industry links

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.