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Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics

The Doctor of Philosophy in Bioinformatics is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (CEBIB). It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research at the intersection of biology, computer science and information technology. The programme applies computational methods to solve biological problems, analysing large datasets from genomics, proteomics and molecular biology.

Duration
3-7 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 428,000
Ksh 1,284,000 to Ksh 2,996,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 150,000
Ksh 450,000 to Ksh 1,050,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 428,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,284,000 to Ksh 2,996,000 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 3-7 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic DNA Scientist, at 15 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 computational biology, genomic data analysis, protein structure prediction, biological databases, machine learning for biology, sequence analysis, systems biology and research methods. The programme is by research only, requiring students to complete a research project and present findings in a thesis. Students must publish at least two research articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Kenya's growing genomics research capacity, the need for computational analysis of disease data at KEMRI and the expansion of biotechnology create demand for doctoral-level bioinformatics expertise. The programme supports Kenya's science, technology and innovation agenda and contributes to precision medicine and agricultural genomics.

Teaching is delivered through supervised research at CEBIB, with blended learning and opportunities to undertake projects at collaborating institutions. The programme runs for a minimum of six semesters of 15 weeks each and a maximum of fourteen semesters. Annual tuition fees are KSh 396,000, with Year 1 total of KSh 428,000.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, bioinformatics researchers, computational biologists, genomics scientists and data scientists in biotechnology. They work in universities, KEMRI, KALRO, international research institutes and biotechnology companies.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in biological sciences, computer science, mathematics or bioinformatics who wish to contribute original research to computational biology.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Computational Biology
  • Genomic Data Analysis
  • Protein Structure Prediction
  • Biological Database Management
  • Machine Learning for Biology
  • Sequence Analysis and Alignment
  • Systems Biology
  • Research Methods in Bioinformatics
  • Statistical Methods in Genomics
  • Algorithm Design for Biological Data

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Advanced Computational Biology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Computational methods for biological research, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Genomic Data Analysis

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Analysis of genome-scale data including sequencing data, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional.

  • Machine Learning for Biology

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Machine learning methods applied to biological problems, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.

  • Biological Database Management

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Design and management of biological databases, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.

  • Systems Biology

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Computational modelling of biological systems, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.

  • Research Methods in Bioinformatics

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research design and methodology for bioinformatics 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 with requirement of two peer-reviewed publications, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation.

Specialisations

  • Genomic Bioinformatics

    Computational analysis of genomic data

  • Protein Bioinformatics

    Protein structure prediction and analysis

  • Systems Biology

    Computational modelling of biological systems

  • Machine Learning in Biology

    Machine learning applications in biological research

A day as a student

A typical day involves analysing genomic datasets using bioinformatics tools and programming languages such as Python and R, developing computational pipelines, reviewing literature on computational biology, attending seminars on bioinformatics, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and collaborating with biological researchers on data analysis.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Growing demand for bioinformatics skills in genomics and biotechnologyRequires both biological and computational skills
CEBIB provides dedicated research environment at UoNLimited high-performance computing infrastructure in Kenya
Programme requires peer-reviewed publications ensuring research qualityLimited funding for bioinformatics research

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses
Public289k to 428k
289k at Technical University of Kenya428k 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 428K(biochemistry.uonbi.ac.ke). TUK 288.6K(TUK portal). MKU 150K(mku.ac.ke). Strathmore unverified

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. NACOSTI provides research grants for science and technology research. CEBIB may offer research collaboration opportunities with international institutions.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Science and technology researchers in Kenya

  • 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 MSc in Biological and Physical Sciences, Bioinformatics, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry from UoN or equivalent from a recognised university. Must submit a detailed doctoral research proposal at the time of applying.

Subject requirements
MSc in Biological Sciences, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy or DentistryRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 4 institutions
January 20274 institutions

Including Technical University of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

May 20274 institutions

Including Technical University of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

September 20274 institutions

Including Technical University of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Research Proposal

    Proposal20% of the mark

    Detailed doctoral research proposal submitted at admission

  • Progress Reports

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Semester progress reports submitted to Graduate School through supervisors

  • Thesis and Publications

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis and at least two peer-reviewed journal articles

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 (Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, CEBIB). Programme code I837. The programme is by research only, requiring a thesis and at least two peer-reviewed publications. Aligned to UNESCO ISCED-F 2013 standards.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Bioinformatics Researcher

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Research at KEMRI, KALRO, CEBIB and international research institutes

  • Computational Biologist

    High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000

    Computational analysis at biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies

  • Genomics Scientist

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Genomics research at research institutes and biotechnology companies

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in bioinformatics and computational biology

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, bioinformatics researchers, computational biologists and genomics scientists. They work at KEMRI, KALRO, CEBIB, universities and biotechnology companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Bioinformatics is just about using software.

    The field covers algorithm design, statistical modelling, machine learning and biological data analysis.

  • There is no demand for bioinformatics PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's growing genomics capacity and biotechnology sector create strong demand.

  • Bioinformatics is only for computer scientists.

    The programme attracts biologists, mathematicians and computer scientists.

  • Bioinformatics research does not require biological knowledge.

    The programme requires understanding of both biology and computational methods.

Further reading

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