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Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Plant Sciences

The Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Plant Sciences is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi and JKUAT. It is designed to produce world-class researchers in plant science, capable of developing innovations, policies and decisions to mitigate crop pests, diseases and weeds for improved food security, human health and nutrition. The programme connects fundamental plant science with agricultural applications.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 470,000
Ksh 1,410,000 to Ksh 2,350,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 168,000
Ksh 504,000 to Ksh 840,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 470,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,410,000 to Ksh 2,350,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 168,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of Masters Degree or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, online, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, 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 plant breeding, plant biotechnology, plant pathology, plant physiology, molecular genetics, seed science, crop protection and research methods. At the University of Nairobi, the programme includes five compulsory taught course units and a thesis, with each course unit comprising 60 instructional hours. The research and thesis component is equivalent to 18 course units.

Kenya's food security agenda, the need for climate-resilient crop varieties and the threat of emerging crop pests and diseases create demand for doctoral-level plant science expertise. The programme addresses the economic and social pillars of Kenya Vision 2030, anchored on science, technology, innovation and human resources development.

Teaching is delivered through face-to-face, blended learning and ODeL modes at the University of Nairobi's Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection. The programme takes a minimum of three years and maximum of six years. At JKUAT, the programme is offered full-time and part-time over 3-5 years.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, plant breeders, plant pathologists, biotechnologists, seed company research directors and agricultural policy advisors. They work in universities, KALRO, seed companies, KEPHIS and international agricultural research institutes.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in agriculture, botany, biotechnology or environmental science who wish to contribute original research to plant science and crop improvement.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Plant Breeding and Genetics
  • Plant Biotechnology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Plant Physiology
  • Molecular Genetics of Plants
  • Seed Science and Technology
  • Crop Protection
  • Research Methods in Plant Science
  • Plant-Microbe Interactions
  • Plant Genetic Resources Conservation

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Advanced Plant Breeding and Genetics

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Genetic principles and breeding methods for crop improvement, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Plant Biotechnology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Tissue culture, genetic transformation and molecular markers, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.

  • Advanced Plant Pathology

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Plant disease diagnosis, epidemiology and management, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Physiological and biochemical processes in plants, covering chemical principles, analytical techniques, and their application in research and industrial contexts.

  • Molecular Genetics of Plants

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Molecular techniques for plant genetic analysis, covering genetic principles, molecular techniques, and their application in heredity and biotechnology research.

  • Research Methods in Plant Science

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research design and methodology for plant science 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

  • Plant Breeding

    Development of improved crop varieties

  • Plant Biotechnology

    Biotechnological tools for crop improvement

  • Seed Science

    Seed technology and quality management

  • Plant Pathology

    Research on plant diseases and management

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting plant breeding experiments in the field or greenhouse, analysing plant DNA in the molecular laboratory, examining diseased plant specimens under the microscope, reviewing literature on plant science, attending seminars on crop improvement, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and visiting KALRO and KEPHIS for research collaboration.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's food security agenda creates strong demand for plant science expertiseField and greenhouse experiments require land and facilities
Access to KALRO, KEPHIS and international research centresPlant breeding research requires long timeframes for variety development
Research directly impacts food security and crop productivityBiosafety regulations may limit certain biotechnology experiments

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses
Public170k to 470k
170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology470k at University of Nairobi
Private150k to 168k
150k at Mount Kenya University168k at Kenya Methodist 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 470,000/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT ~170K/yr. Private: KeMU 168,000, MKU 150,000/yr

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. RUFORUM provides research grants for agricultural research at member universities. CIMMYT and other international research centres may offer research collaboration opportunities.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • RUFORUM Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • RUFORUM Research Grant

    Grant

    Agricultural researchers at RUFORUM member universities

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • 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

Holders of a Master's degree in Plant Breeding or related sciences from UoN or any recognised institution. Must also hold a BSc in Agriculture, Biotechnology, Botany or related field. Must submit a research concept note including problem statement, objectives, methodology, expected outputs and references.

Subject requirements
MSc in Plant Science, Agriculture, Biotechnology, Botany or related fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university
BSc in Agriculture, Biotechnology, Botany, Environmental Sciences or related fieldRelevant Bachelors from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

May 20271 institution

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

September 20271 institution

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research concept note before departmental panel

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research (equivalent to 18 course units), submission and oral defence

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Assignments, laboratory reports and seminar presentations across 5 taught units

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 the University of Nairobi (Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection, Faculty of Agriculture) and JKUAT. The UoN programme consists of 5 compulsory taught units plus thesis, delivered through face-to-face, blended and ODeL modes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Plant Breeder

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Developing new crop varieties at KALRO, seed companies and research institutes

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in plant science and agriculture departments

  • Plant Pathologist

    High demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Research on plant diseases at KALRO, KEPHIS and universities

  • Seed Company Research Director

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Leading research and development at seed companies

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, plant breeders, plant pathologists and seed company research directors. They work at KALRO, KEPHIS, universities, seed companies and international research institutes.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Plant science is just about growing plants.

    The field covers genetics, biotechnology, pathology, physiology and molecular biology of plants.

  • There is no demand for plant science PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's food security agenda and crop pest threats create strong demand for plant science expertise.

  • Plant science research is not innovative.

    Doctoral research develops new varieties, diagnostic tools and biotechnological solutions for agriculture.

  • Plant science is only for agriculture graduates.

    The programme attracts biotechnologists, botanists, environmental scientists and geneticists.

Further reading

Read next