Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture

The Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Architecture. It is designed to produce scholars capable of conducting original research in architectural design, theory, technology and urban environments. The programme trains candidates to conduct original research on the basis of a written thesis or design portfolio, making it unique in its acceptance of design-based research.

Students engage with advanced topics in architectural theory, urban design, sustainable architecture, building technology, architectural history, environmental design, digital architecture and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that contributes to knowledge in architecture and the built environment, with particular relevance to Kenya's rapid urbanisation and development challenges.

Kenya's rapid urban growth, the need for sustainable building practices and the expansion of the construction sector create demand for doctoral-level architectural research. The programme supports Kenya's Vision 2030 infrastructure and housing goals and contributes to addressing urbanisation challenges in African cities.

Teaching is delivered through supervised research at the University of Nairobi's Department of Architecture, School of the Built Environment. The programme is by thesis or design portfolio, with a minimum duration of three years and maximum of six years. Annual tuition fees are KSh 528,000, with total programme cost of KSh 1,720,000 over three years.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, architectural researchers, urban design consultants, policy advisors and design practitioners. They work in universities, architectural firms, urban planning authorities, research institutes and government ministries.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in architecture, urban planning or built environment disciplines who wish to contribute original research to architectural knowledge and practice.

Duration: 3-6 years
Public, up to: Ksh 560,000
Private, up to: Ksh 150,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 2 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Architectural Theory and Criticism
Urban Design and Planning
Sustainable Architecture
Building Technology and Materials
Architectural History and Heritage
Environmental Design
Digital Architecture and BIM
Research Methods in Architecture
Housing and Urban Development
Architectural Practice and Policy

Modules

8 in the programme

Architectural Theory and Research
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced theoretical frameworks for architectural research, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.
Urban Design Research
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methods for urban design and spatial analysis, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research.
Sustainable Architecture
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Research on sustainable building design and technology, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Building Technology and Performance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Research on building materials, construction technology and performance, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional.
Architectural Heritage and Conservation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Research on architectural history and heritage conservation, covering ecological principles, conservation strategies, and their application in biodiversity management.
Research Methods in Architecture
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research design and methodology for architectural 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 or design portfolio research and defence, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to.

Specialisations

Urban Design
Research on urban form and spatial design
Architectural Heritage
Research on conservation and heritage
Sustainable Architecture
Research on green building and sustainable design
Digital Architecture
Research on computational design and BIM

A day as a student

A typical day involves reviewing architectural literature and theory, developing design research projects, analysing urban environments and building performance, attending seminars on architecture and urbanism, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with architectural practice and professional bodies.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's rapid urbanisation creates demand for architectural research
Programme accepts design portfolio as research output
Access to professional bodies including AAK and BORAQS

Against it

High tuition fees at UoN (KSh 528,000/year)
Limited funding for architectural research in Kenya
Very small cohort size with limited peer interaction

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public292k to 560k

292k at Technical University of Kenya560k at University of Nairobi

Private120k to 150k

120k at Strathmore 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 560,000/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). TUK ~292,000/yr Grp I (eafinder). MKU 150,000/yr. Strathmore unverified.

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture may offer research support for architectural heritage projects.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
Aga Khan Trust for Culture Scholarship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
Aga Khan Trust for Culture
Scholarship
Researchers in architectural heritage

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: Masters Degree
Alternative entry: The common regulations for Doctoral degrees in all Faculties of the University of Nairobi shall apply. Holders of a Master's degree from UoN or equivalent from institutions recognised by Senate. Must submit a research proposal.

MA or MArch in Architecture or related built environment field
Relevant Masters from recognised university

How you are assessed

3 components

Progress Reviews
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Regular progress reviews and seminar presentations
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis or design portfolio submission and oral defence
Research Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before departmental panel

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at the University of Nairobi (Department of Architecture, School of the Built Environment, College of Architecture and Engineering). Programme code B802. The doctoral programme accepts research by written thesis or design portfolio.

Accredited by

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

4 roles

Architectural Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Research on architecture and built environment
Urban Design Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Consulting on urban design and development projects
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in architecture departments
Policy Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000
Advising government on built environment policy

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, architectural researchers, urban design consultants and policy advisors. They work in universities, architectural firms, urban planning authorities and government ministries.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A PhD in Architecture is just about designing buildings.
The programme covers architectural theory, urban design, sustainability, technology and policy research.
There is no demand for architectural PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's rapid urbanisation and construction sector growth create demand for research and policy expertise.
Architecture PhDs can only work in academia.
Graduates work in research, policy, urban planning, consultancy and architectural practice.
Design-based research is not rigorous.
The programme accepts design portfolios as research output, following international standards for practice-based research.