Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Energy Technology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Energy Technology is a doctoral programme offered at Kenyatta University through the Department of Energy Technology in the School of Engineering and Technology. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in energy technology, renewable energy systems and energy conversion. The programme addresses Kenya's energy technology development needs including renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable energy solutions.

Students engage with advanced topics in renewable energy technology, energy conversion systems, solar energy technology, wind energy technology, geothermal energy technology, biomass energy technology, energy storage technology, energy efficiency, smart grid technology and research methods in energy technology. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops technological innovations for Kenya's energy sector.

Kenya's significant geothermal resources in the Rift Valley, growing solar and wind installations, the Lake Turkana Wind Power project and the drive for universal electrification create demand for doctoral-level energy technology expertise. The programme supports Kenya's renewable energy development and technology innovation goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research at Kenyatta University. The Department of Energy Technology is at the forefront of developing skills to support the renewable and fossil energy sectors, addressing critical areas like energy exploration, utilisation, conversion and policy formulation. Annual fees are KSh 244,800 for East Africans.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, energy technology researchers, renewable energy engineers, energy consultants and technology developers. They work in universities, Ministry of Energy, Kengen, KPLC, energy companies and renewable energy firms.

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

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 459,000
Private, up to: Ksh 168,000
Job market: High

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: 4 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Renewable Energy Technology
Energy Conversion Systems
Solar Energy Technology
Wind Energy Technology
Geothermal Energy Technology
Biomass and Bioenergy Technology
Energy Storage Technology
Energy Efficiency and Management
Smart Grid and Power Systems
Research Methods in Energy Technology

Modules

8 in the programme

Renewable Energy Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Renewable energy systems and technologies, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Energy Conversion Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Energy conversion principles and systems, covering energy systems, sustainability principles, and their application in renewable and conventional energy.
Solar Energy Technology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Solar energy systems and photovoltaics, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Geothermal Energy Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Geothermal energy exploitation, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Energy Storage Technology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Energy storage systems and batteries, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Research Methods in Energy Technology
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

Wind Energy
Research on wind energy technology
Geothermal Energy
Research on geothermal energy technology
Solar Energy
Research on solar energy technology
Energy Storage
Research on energy storage technology

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting renewable energy experiments in the laboratory, analysing energy system performance data, reviewing energy technology literature, attending seminars on energy technology, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and visiting Kengen, KPLC and renewable energy sites for industry research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's geothermal, solar and wind development creates strong demand
Access to Kengen, KPLC and EPRA for research
Research contributes to renewable energy development

Against it

Laboratory research requires expensive equipment
Requires strong engineering and analytical skills
Small cohort 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

Public170k to 459k

170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology459k at Kenyatta University

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

KU 459,000/yr (ku.ac.ke). JKUAT 170,167/yr. KeMU 168,000, MKU 150,000/yr.

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

DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: Masters Degree
Alternative entry: At KU: Masters degree in relevant area from KU or recognised institution. The Department of Energy Technology addresses energy exploration, utilisation, conversion and policy formulation. Application fee KSh 3,000.

MSc in Energy Technology, Engineering, Physics or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university

How you are assessed

3 components

Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, laboratory reports and seminar presentations

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Kenyatta University (Department of Energy Technology, School of Engineering and Technology). KU fees KSh 244,800/year. The department addresses energy exploration, utilisation, conversion and policy formulation.

Accredited by

Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority
Regulatory
Regulates energy and petroleum sector in Kenya
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

Energy Technology Researcher
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Research at energy institutes and companies
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in energy technology departments
Energy Consultant
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Consulting on energy technology and efficiency
Renewable Energy Engineer
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Engineering at Kengen and renewable energy companies

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, energy technology researchers, renewable energy engineers and technology developers. They work at Kengen, KPLC, EPRA, universities and energy companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Energy technology is just about solar panels.
The field covers geothermal, wind, biomass, energy storage, smart grids and energy efficiency.
There is no demand for energy technology PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's geothermal, solar and wind development creates strong demand.
Energy technology research is purely laboratory work.
The programme includes field testing, computational modelling and policy analysis.
Only electrical engineers study energy technology PhDs.
The programme attracts mechanical engineers, physicists and environmental scientists.