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Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Planning

The Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Planning is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Faculty of Education and the Department of Educational Administration and Planning. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in educational planning, education policy and resource allocation. The programme addresses Kenya's education sector planning and development challenges.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 320,000
Ksh 960,000 to Ksh 1,600,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 310,200
Ksh 930,600 to Ksh 1,551,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 320,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 960,000 to Ksh 1,600,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 310,200 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 4 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, 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 educational planning theory, education policy analysis, education finance, human resource planning in education, strategic planning, education project planning, education data analysis, comparative educational planning, education and national development and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops planning insights for Kenya's education sector.

Kenya's education sector expansion, the need for evidence-based education planning, resource allocation challenges, county-level education planning, Vision 2030 education goals and the demand for education policy research create demand for doctoral-level educational planning expertise. The programme supports Kenya's education sector planning and development goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework and supervised research at UoN. The programme is offered as both a professional doctorate (Doctor of Education in Educational Planning, code EMP81) and a PhD by thesis (code E8). Minimum duration is 2 years full-time and 4 years part-time. Maximum is 4 years full-time and 8 years part-time. Tuition is KSh 288,000/year, total KSh 1,000,000 over 3 years.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, education planners, policy analysts, education project managers and education consultants. They work in universities, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Planning, KIPPRA, TSC and international education organisations.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in education, educational planning, economics of education or related fields who wish to contribute original research to educational planning.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Educational Planning Theory and Practice
  • Education Policy Analysis
  • Education Finance and Resource Allocation
  • Human Resource Planning in Education
  • Strategic Planning in Education
  • Education Project Planning and Management
  • Education Data Analysis and Statistics
  • Comparative Educational Planning
  • Education and National Development
  • Research Methods in Educational Planning

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Educational Planning Theory and Practice

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Theory and practice of educational planning, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.

  • Education Policy Analysis

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Analysis of education policy, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional practice.

  • Education Finance and Resource Allocation

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Finance and resource allocation in education, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.

  • Strategic Planning in Education

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Strategic planning for education, covering planning theories, methodologies, and practical approaches to strategic and spatial planning in professional contexts.

  • Education Data Analysis and Statistics

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Data analysis for education planning, including probability theory, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and statistical software applications for doctoral research.

  • Research Methods in Educational Planning

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

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

  • 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

  • Strategic Planning

    Research on strategic planning in education

  • Education Policy

    Research on education policy

  • Education Data Analysis

    Research on education data analysis

  • Education Finance

    Research on education finance and resource allocation

A day as a student

A typical day involves analysing education data, reviewing planning documents, conducting policy analysis, reviewing educational planning literature, attending seminars on education planning, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with Ministry of Education, KIPPRA and Ministry of Planning for research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's education expansion and Vision 2030 create strong demandRequires understanding of both education and economics
Access to KIPPRA, World Bank and UNESCO for researchEducation data can be difficult to access
Research directly impacts education planning and policyPlanning research can be politically sensitive

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses
Public245k to 320k
245k at Kenyatta University320k at University of Nairobi
Private250k to 310k
250k at Mount Kenya University310k at Kabarak 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 ~320,000/yr (education.uonbi.ac.ke). KU ~244,800, Egerton ~251,900/yr. Kabarak ~310,200, MKU ~250,000/yr.

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. UNESCO and World Bank provide research grants for education planning research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • UNESCO Research Grant

  • World Bank Research Grant

Scholarships

4 recorded

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • UNESCO Research Grant

    Grant

    Education researchers

  • World Bank Research Grant

    Grant

    Education and economics researchers

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

At UoN: MEd degree from UoN specialising in Educational Planning or equivalent from recognised institution. Professional doctorate (EMP81) and PhD by thesis (E8) both available. Minimum 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time. Total KSh 1,000,000 over 3 years.

Subject requirements
MEd in Educational Planning or related field from UoN or recognised institutionRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 4 institutions
January 20274 institutions

Including South Eastern Kenya University, University of Eldoret, Maseno University.

May 20274 institutions

Including South Eastern Kenya University, University of Eldoret, Maseno University.

September 20274 institutions

Including South Eastern Kenya University, University of Eldoret, Maseno University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before faculty panel

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Assignments, planning projects 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 University of Nairobi (Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Administration and Planning). Available as professional doctorate (EMP81) and PhD by thesis (E8). Total KSh 1,000,000 over 3 years. Minimum 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Policy Analyst

    High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000

    Policy at KIPPRA and Ministry

  • Education Project Manager

    High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000

    Project management at Ministry and NGOs

  • Education Planner

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Planning at Ministry of Education

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in education departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, education planners, policy analysts and education project managers. They work at Ministry of Education, Ministry of Planning, KIPPRA, World Bank and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Educational planning is just about timetabling.

    The field covers policy analysis, finance, HR planning, strategic planning and national development.

  • There is no demand for educational planning PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's education expansion and Vision 2030 create strong demand.

  • Planning research is purely administrative.

    The programme uses data analysis, econometrics and policy research methods.

  • Only administrators study planning PhDs.

    The programme attracts economists, planners and policy analysts.

Further reading

Read next