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Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Parasitology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Parasitology is a doctoral programme offered at Kenyatta University, Technical University of Kenya and Egerton University. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research on parasitic diseases, vector biology and control strategies for parasitic infections prevalent in Kenya and tropical Africa. The programme addresses some of the most significant public health and veterinary challenges in the region.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 392,000
Ksh 1,176,000 to Ksh 1,960,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 150,000
Ksh 450,000 to Ksh 750,000 total
Job market
High
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 1,960,000 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 Masters Degree or above, plus 1 subject grade. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3-5 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 Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students engage with advanced topics in medical parasitology, vector biology, parasite immunology, molecular parasitology, epidemiology of parasitic diseases, antimalarial drug resistance, diagnostic parasitology and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops new diagnostic methods, treatment strategies and control programmes for parasitic diseases including malaria, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminths.

Kenya bears a significant burden of parasitic diseases, with malaria being a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The Kenya Malaria Strategy and the need for evidence-based control programmes create demand for doctoral-level parasitology expertise. The programme supports Kenya's health sector goals and contributes to global tropical disease research.

Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research. At Kenyatta University, fees are KSh 367,200 per year for East Africans. The KEMRI Graduate School offers a related PhD in Medical Parasitology and Entomology in collaboration with JKUAT, with coursework, research and thesis over three years. The programme is offered full-time and part-time.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, parasitology researchers, public health specialists, vector control programme managers and pharmaceutical researchers. They work in universities, KEMRI, CDC Kenya, WHO, Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical companies.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in parasitology, microbiology, medical laboratory science or veterinary medicine who wish to contribute original research to tropical disease control.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Medical Parasitology
  • Vector Biology and Control
  • Parasite Immunology
  • Molecular Parasitology
  • Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases
  • Antimalarial Drug Resistance
  • Diagnostic Parasitology
  • Research Methods in Parasitology
  • Tropical Disease Control
  • Host-Parasite Interactions

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Advanced Medical Parasitology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Biology and pathology of human parasitic infections, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Vector Biology and Control

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Biology of disease vectors and control strategies, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.

  • Molecular Parasitology

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Molecular techniques for studying parasites, covering parasitological principles, vector biology, and their application in disease control and research.

  • Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Distribution and determinants of parasitic infections, covering parasitological principles, vector biology, and their application in disease control and research.

  • Parasite Immunology

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Immune responses to parasitic infections, covering parasitological principles, vector biology, and their application in disease control and research.

  • Research Methods in Parasitology

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research design and methodology for parasitology research, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level.

  • Departmental Seminars

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

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

  • Thesis Research

    Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore

    Doctoral thesis research and dissertation writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.

Specialisations

  • Vector Biology

    Biology and control of disease vectors

  • Malaria Research

    Research on malaria parasites and vectors

  • Diagnostic Parasitology

    Development of diagnostic methods for parasitic infections

  • Drug Resistance

    Research on antiparasitic drug resistance

A day as a student

A typical day involves examining parasite specimens under the microscope, conducting molecular analysis of parasite DNA, running diagnostic tests, reviewing literature on tropical diseases, attending seminars on parasitology, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and collaborating with KEMRI and CDC researchers on field studies.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's high burden of parasitic diseases creates strong research demandLaboratory research requires biosafety facilities for pathogen work
KEMRI and CDC Kenya provide world-class research collaborationField research in disease-endemic areas poses health risks
Wellcome Trust and KEMRI provide research fundingLimited number of supervisors with parasitology specialisation

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
Public202k to 392k
202k at Technical University of Kenya392k 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), TUK 202K/yr (eafinder). MKU 150K/yr (mku.ac.ke).

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. Wellcome Trust provides research grants for tropical disease research. KEMRI Graduate School offers funded PhD studentships in collaboration with JKUAT.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • Wellcome Trust Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • Wellcome Trust Research Grant

    Grant

    Tropical disease researchers in developing countries

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

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
Masters Degreeminimum entry
Alternative entry

Masters degree in relevant area of study from Kenyatta University or any other recognised institution. KEMRI Graduate School requires JKUAT entry requirements and CUE recognition for foreign qualifications.

Subject requirements
MSc in Parasitology, Microbiology, Medical Laboratory Science, Zoology or related fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 6 institutions
January 20276 institutions

Including Technical University of Kenya, Moi University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

May 20276 institutions

Including Technical University of Kenya, Moi University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

September 20276 institutions

Including Technical University of Kenya, Moi University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before departmental panel

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Laboratory reports, diagnostic practicals and seminar presentations

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Kenyatta University (School of Pure and Applied Sciences), Technical University of Kenya and Egerton University. KEMRI Graduate School offers a related PhD in Medical Parasitology and Entomology in collaboration with JKUAT.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Public Health Specialist

    High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Designing disease control programmes at Ministry of Health

  • Vector Control Programme Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Managing vector control programmes at WHO or NGOs

  • Parasitology Researcher

    High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000

    Research at KEMRI, CDC Kenya and international research institutes

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in parasitology and medical science departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, parasitology researchers, public health specialists and vector control programme managers. They work at KEMRI, CDC Kenya, WHO, universities and the Ministry of Health.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Parasitology is just about studying worms.

    The field covers malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis, vector biology, immunology and drug resistance.

  • There is no demand for parasitology PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's high burden of parasitic diseases and control programmes create strong demand.

  • Parasitology research is purely descriptive.

    The programme uses molecular biology, immunology, epidemiology and clinical trials.

  • Parasitology is only for medical laboratory scientists.

    The programme attracts biologists, veterinarians, public health specialists and entomologists.

Further reading

Read next