Doctor of Philosophy in Information Communication Technology
The Doctor of Philosophy in Information and Communication Technology is a doctoral programme offered at JKUAT through the School of Computing and Information Technology, at Kenyatta University, and at Maseno University.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 281,398 a year at a public institution, Ksh 844,194 to Ksh 1,406,990 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 310,000 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 Cloud Security Engineer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in ICT, computing and digital technology. The programme addresses Kenya's ICT research and digital economy development needs.
Students engage with advanced topics in ICT theory, computer networks, software engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, mobile computing, ICT policy and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops ICT innovations for Kenya's digital economy.
Kenya's digital economy growth, Silicon Savannah development, mobile technology innovation, ICT policy development, cybersecurity challenges, AI adoption and the need for computing research create demand for doctoral-level ICT expertise. The programme supports Kenya's digital economy and ICT development goals.
Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research. At JKUAT, the School of Computing and Information Technology (SCIT) offers PhD with total cost KSh 681,250 over 3 years. At KU, PhD in ICT-related areas is offered at approximately KSh 281,398/year. At Maseno, ICT is offered through the School of Computing and Informatics.
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, ICT researchers, software architects, data scientists and ICT consultants. They work in universities, ICT Authority, technology companies, research institutes and international tech organisations.
What you study
10 subjects- Advanced ICT Theory and Applications
- Computer Networks and Distributed Systems
- Software Engineering and Architecture
- Data Science and Big Data Analytics
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
- Cloud Computing and Virtualisation
- Mobile Computing and IoT
- ICT Policy and Governance
- Research Methods in ICT
Modules
8 in the programmeAdvanced ICT Theory and Applications
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theory and applications of ICT, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Software Engineering and Architecture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Software engineering, covering engineering principles, design methodologies, and their application in solving complex technical problems.
Data Science and Big Data Analytics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Data science, covering data collection, analysis techniques, and computational tools for managing and interpreting complex datasets.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
AI and ML, examining pedagogical theories, educational frameworks, and their application in teaching, learning, and curriculum development.
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Cybersecurity, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Research Methods in ICT
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
Cybersecurity
Research on cybersecurity
Data Science
Research on data science and analytics
Software Engineering
Research on software engineering
Artificial Intelligence
Research on AI and machine learning
A day as a student
A typical day involves developing algorithms, running computational experiments, analysing data, reviewing ICT literature, attending seminars on computing research, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with ICT Authority, tech companies and innovation hubs for research collaboration.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's digital economy creates strong demand | Requires strong programming and mathematical skills |
| Access to ICT Authority, tech companies and innovation hubs | Computing facilities and software licences are expensive |
| Research contributes to digital transformation | Rapidly evolving field requires continuous learning |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 106 media & communication 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
KU 281K, JKUAT 227K/yr (ku.ac.ke, KE guide). Kabarak ~310K (official PDF). Strathmore unverified.
HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. NACOSTI provides research grants. Google offers Africa PhD Fellowships for computing research.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
NACOSTI Research Grant
Google Africa PhD Fellowship
Scholarships
4 recordedNACOSTI 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
Google Africa PhD Fellowship
Fellowship
African computing researchers
Scholarships you could apply for
2 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
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
At JKUAT: MSc from JKUAT or recognised institution. SCIT. Total KSh 681,250 over 3 years. At KU: Masters degree in relevant area. KSh 281,398/year. Application fee KSh 3,000. At Maseno: Masters degree from Maseno or recognised institution. School of Computing and Informatics.
When it next starts
Taught at 7 institutionsIncluding Kisii University, Murang'a University of Technology, Maseno University.
Including Kisii University, Murang'a University of Technology, Maseno University.
Including Kisii University, Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Murang'a University of Technology.
How you are assessed
3 componentsThesis
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, programming 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 JKUAT (SCIT, total KSh 681,250), Kenyatta University (KSh 281,398/year) and Maseno University (School of Computing and Informatics).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesData Scientist
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Data science at companies and agencies
ICT Researcher
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Research on ICT
Software Architect
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Architecture at tech companies
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in computing departments
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, ICT researchers, software architects and data scientists. They work at ICT Authority, technology companies, research institutes and universities.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Embedded Firmware EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Embedded Linux DeveloperTechnology15Low exposure
- Site Reliability EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Applied Cryptography EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
- Database Reliability EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
- Edge Computing EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
ICT is just about programming.
The field covers networks, AI, cybersecurity, data science, cloud computing and ICT policy.
There is no demand for ICT PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's Silicon Savannah and digital economy create strong demand.
ICT research is purely practical.
The programme uses mathematical modelling, algorithm design, statistical analysis and empirical research.
Only computer scientists study ICT PhDs.
The programme attracts engineers, mathematicians and business analysts.