Skip to content
Pathrel
Start free
All courses
Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi and JKUAT. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, transportation engineering, water resources engineering and construction management. The programme addresses Kenya's infrastructure development needs through rigorous engineering research.

Duration
3-6 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 572,000
Ksh 1,716,000 to Ksh 3,432,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 150,000
Ksh 450,000 to Ksh 900,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 572,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,716,000 to Ksh 3,432,000 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 3-6 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 5 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 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 structural analysis and design, geotechnical engineering, transportation systems, water resources engineering, construction technology, environmental engineering, engineering materials and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops engineering solutions for Kenya's infrastructure challenges including roads, buildings, water supply and sanitation.

Kenya's massive infrastructure investment under Vision 2030, including roads, railways, dams and buildings, creates strong demand for doctoral-level civil engineering expertise. The programme supports Kenya's construction sector and contributes to sustainable infrastructure development.

Teaching is delivered through coursework and supervised research. At the University of Nairobi, the programme is offered through the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, School of Engineering. Regular PhD programmes are by thesis only, with candidates undertaking research guided by at least two supervisors. The programme runs for a minimum of three years and maximum of six years.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, civil engineering researchers, structural engineers, infrastructure consultants and construction project directors. They work in universities, engineering consulting firms, construction companies, government infrastructure agencies and international development organisations.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in civil engineering, construction or related engineering fields who wish to contribute original research to civil engineering.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Structural Analysis and Design
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Transportation Engineering
  • Water Resources Engineering
  • Construction Technology and Management
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering Materials
  • Research Methods in Engineering
  • Earthquake Engineering
  • Sustainable Construction

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Advanced Structural Analysis

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced methods for structural analysis and design, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional practice.

  • Geotechnical Engineering Research

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Advanced soil mechanics and foundation engineering, covering engineering principles, design methodologies, and their application in solving complex technical problems.

  • Transportation Systems Analysis

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Transportation planning and traffic engineering research, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional.

  • Water Resources Engineering

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Hydrology, hydraulics and water resource systems, covering engineering principles, design methodologies, and their application in solving complex technical problems.

  • Construction Technology and Management

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Advanced construction methods and project management, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.

  • Research Methods in Engineering

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research design and methodology for engineering 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

  • Structural Engineering

    Research on structural design and analysis

  • Transportation Engineering

    Research on transportation systems

  • Geotechnical Engineering

    Research on soil mechanics and foundations

  • Water Resources Engineering

    Research on water resources and hydraulic systems

A day as a student

A typical day involves developing engineering models using computational software, conducting laboratory tests on construction materials, analysing structural and geotechnical data, reviewing engineering literature, attending seminars on civil engineering, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and visiting construction sites for field research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's Vision 2030 infrastructure investment creates strong demandRequires strong mathematical and computational skills
Access to major infrastructure projects for researchLaboratory and field research can be expensive
Engineering skills are highly valued and well-compensatedLimited funding for engineering research in Kenya

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
Public170k to 572k
170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology572k 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 572,000/yr, JKUAT 170,167/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). MKU 150,000/yr. Strathmore unverified.

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. NACOSTI provides research grants for science and technology research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Science and technology researchers in Kenya

  • 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

Admission is open to holders of Master of Science degree in the respective field of specialisation from UoN or other universities recognised by the Senate. Must submit a draft research proposal. Interim registration of 6 months may be granted pending full proposal preparation.

Subject requirements
MSc in Civil Engineering or related engineering fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 6 institutions
January 20275 institutions

Including Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.

May 20275 institutions

Including Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi.

September 20276 institutions

Including Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Research Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before school panel

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Progress Reviews

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Regular progress reviews and seminar presentations

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

  • Engineers Board of Kenya

    Professional

    Regulates engineering practice and education in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at the University of Nairobi (Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, School of Engineering, College of Architecture and Engineering) and JKUAT. UoN programme is by thesis only with two supervisors. Minimum 3 years, maximum 6 years.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Structural Engineer

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Structural design and analysis at engineering firms

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in civil engineering departments

  • Construction Project Director

    High demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000

    Directing major construction projects

  • Infrastructure Consultant

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Consulting on infrastructure projects

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, civil engineering researchers, structural engineers and infrastructure consultants. They work in universities, engineering firms, construction companies and government agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • A PhD in Civil Engineering is just about building things.

    The programme covers structural analysis, geotechnics, transportation, water resources and sustainable construction research.

  • There is no demand for civil engineering PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's massive infrastructure investment under Vision 2030 creates strong demand.

  • Engineering research is purely practical.

    The programme uses mathematical modelling, computational analysis and experimental research.

  • Only practising engineers study civil engineering PhDs.

    The programme attracts researchers, academics and engineering consultants.

Further reading

Read next