Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
The Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering is a doctoral programme offered at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology through various engineering departments in the College of Engineering. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research across engineering disciplines. The programme addresses Kenya's broad engineering research and industrial development needs.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 572,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,716,000 to Ksh 2,860,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 168,000 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 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 6 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 specific to their engineering specialisation, which may include mechanical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronic engineering, telecommunications engineering, geomatic engineering, biomedical engineering or other engineering fields. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops engineering innovations for Kenya's industrial and infrastructure development.
Kenya's infrastructure development, industrialisation agenda, manufacturing growth, construction expansion and the need for engineering innovation create demand for doctoral-level engineering expertise across multiple disciplines. The programme supports Kenya's industrialisation and Vision 2030 goals.
Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research at JKUAT. The College of Engineering includes departments of mechanical, mechatronic, telecommunication and information, geomatic and geospatial information systems, electrical and electronic, and civil engineering. Total PhD cost is KSh 510,500 over 3 years. Application fee is KSh 1,500. International students pay 20% more.
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, engineering researchers, engineering consultants and R&D specialists. They work in universities, KIRDI, engineering consulting firms, manufacturing companies and government infrastructure projects.
The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in any engineering discipline who wish to contribute original research to engineering.
What you study
10 subjects- Advanced Engineering Mathematics
- Engineering Research Methods
- Advanced Engineering Modelling and Simulation
- Engineering Innovation and Design
- Sustainable Engineering Practices
- Engineering Project Management
- Advanced Materials Engineering
- Engineering Economics and Optimisation
- Industrial Systems Engineering
- Specialisation-Specific Advanced Topics
Modules
8 in the programmeAdvanced Engineering Mathematics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced mathematics for engineering, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Engineering Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design and methodology, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.
Advanced Engineering Modelling and Simulation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Modelling and simulation techniques, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Sustainable Engineering Practices
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Sustainability in engineering, covering engineering principles, design methodologies, and their application in solving complex technical problems.
Engineering Innovation and Design
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Innovation and design in engineering, covering design principles, methodologies, and practical approaches to creating effective solutions in professional contexts.
Specialisation-Specific Advanced Topics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced topics in chosen specialisation, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
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
Electrical Engineering
Research on electrical engineering
Mechatronic Engineering
Research on mechatronic engineering
Civil Engineering
Research on civil engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Research on mechanical engineering
A day as a student
A typical day involves conducting engineering experiments, running simulations, analysing engineering data, reviewing engineering literature, attending seminars on engineering research, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and visiting KIRDI, NCA and industry partners for research collaboration.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's industrialisation creates strong demand | Laboratory equipment and software are expensive |
| Multiple specialisation options within College of Engineering | Requires strong mathematical and analytical skills |
| Research contributes to infrastructure and industrial development | Broad programme requires choosing a specific specialisation |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering coursesAnnual 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). 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 recordedHELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
- DAAD In Country and In Region Scholarship
Closes 31 August 2027FullGerman Academic Exchange Service
Full masters/PhD + stipend
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
At JKUAT: MSc in Engineering from JKUAT or recognised institution. Application fee KSh 1,500. Total KSh 510,500 over 3 years. International students pay 20% more. College of Engineering offers multiple specialisations.
When it next starts
Taught at 6 institutionsIncluding Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Moi University, Kenyatta University.
Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Moi University, Kenyatta University.
Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Moi University, Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsThesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, design projects and seminar presentations
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Accreditation
Engineers Board of Kenya
Professional
Regulates engineering profession in Kenya
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 JKUAT (College of Engineering, total KSh 510,500 over 3 years). Multiple engineering departments available. EBK regulates the engineering profession. International students pay 20% more.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesUniversity Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in engineering departments
Engineering Consultant
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Consulting on engineering projects
R&D Specialist
High demandKsh 190,000 to Ksh 480,000
R&D at manufacturing and technology companies
Engineering Researcher
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Research at KIRDI and research institutes
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, engineering researchers, engineering consultants and R&D specialists. They work at KIRDI, NCA, engineering firms, manufacturing companies and universities.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Desalination Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- District Cooling EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- HighVoltage Substation EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Hydrogen Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Microgrid Control EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
A general engineering PhD is less valuable than a specialised one.
The programme allows specialisation within a specific engineering discipline while providing broad engineering research training.
There is no demand for engineering PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's industrialisation and infrastructure development create strong demand.
Engineering research is purely practical.
The programme uses advanced mathematics, modelling, simulation and theoretical analysis.
Only engineers study this PhD.
The programme attracts physicists, mathematicians and technologists.