Technology

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science

The Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science is a doctoral programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Education and Lifelong Learning and at Moi University through the School of Information Sciences. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in information science, library science and knowledge management.

The programme addresses Kenya's information management research and knowledge systems development needs.

Students engage with advanced topics in information science theory, knowledge management, library and information science, records management, digital libraries, information behaviour, information architecture, data curation, informetrics and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops information science insights for Kenya's knowledge economy.

Kenya's digital transformation, knowledge management needs, digital libraries growth, records management modernisation, open data initiatives and the need for information science research create demand for doctoral-level information science expertise. The programme supports Kenya's knowledge economy and information management goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework and supervised research. At KU, the School of Education and Lifelong Learning offers PhD in Information Science at KSh 275,400/year for East Africans. Entry requires Masters degree in Library and Information Science, Record Management and Information Technology, or Knowledge Management. At Moi University, the School of Information Sciences offers PhD in Information Science.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, information science researchers, knowledge managers, data curators and information architects. They work in universities, Kenya National Library Service, National Archives, ICT Authority and information organisations.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 275,400
Private, up to: Ksh 288,000
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

Information Science Theory and Foundations
Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning
Digital Libraries and Information Systems
Records Management and Archival Science
Information Behaviour and User Studies
Information Architecture and Design
Data Curation and Digital Preservation
Informetrics and Scientometrics
Information Policy and Ethics
Research Methods in Information Science

Modules

8 in the programme

Information Science Theory and Foundations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theory and foundations, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.
Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Knowledge management, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.
Digital Libraries and Information Systems
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Digital libraries, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Records Management and Archival Science
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Records management, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.
Informetrics and Scientometrics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Informetrics, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Research Methods in Information Science
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

Knowledge Management
Research on knowledge management
Informetrics
Research on informetrics and scientometrics
Records Management
Research on records management
Digital Libraries
Research on digital libraries

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting information science research, analysing user behaviour data, developing digital library systems, reviewing information science literature, attending seminars on knowledge management, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with KNLS, National Archives and ICT Authority for research collaboration.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's digital transformation creates demand
Access to KNLS, National Archives and ICT Authority
Research contributes to knowledge economy

Against it

Requires IT and information management skills
Career opportunities outside academia can be limited
Funding for information science research is limited

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public236k to 275k

236k at Technical University of Kenya275k at Kenyatta University

Private170k to 288k

170k at Kenya Methodist University288k 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

KU 275.4K/yr(ku.ac.ke). TUK 236K/yr GrpIII(eafinder). KeMU 170K/yr(eafinder). Kabarak 288K/yr(kabarak.ac.ke)

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

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

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 Library and Information Science, Record Management and IT, Knowledge Management or equivalent from KU or recognised institution. School of Education and Lifelong Learning. KSh 275,400/year. Application fee KSh 3,000. At Moi: Masters degree from Moi or recognised institution. School of Information Sciences.

Masters in Library and Information Science, Record Management and IT, Knowledge Management or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, research projects and seminar presentations
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

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Kenyatta University (School of Education and Lifelong Learning, KSh 275,400/year) and Moi University (School of Information Sciences).

Accredited by

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

University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in information science
Data Curator
High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Data curation at research institutions
Information Science Researcher
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Research on information science
Knowledge Manager
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Knowledge management at organisations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, information science researchers, knowledge managers and data curators. They work at KNLS, National Archives, ICT Authority and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Information science is just about libraries.
The field covers knowledge management, data curation, digital libraries, informetrics and information architecture.
There is no demand for information science PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's digital transformation and knowledge economy create demand.
Information science research is purely qualitative.
The programme uses informetrics, data analytics, user studies and mixed methods.
Only librarians study this PhD.
The programme attracts IT professionals, records managers and knowledge managers.