Technology

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems and Technology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems and Technology is a doctoral programme offered at USIU-Africa through the School of Science and Technology. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research at the intersection of information systems and technology.

The programme addresses Kenya's IS and technology research and digital innovation development needs.

Students engage with advanced topics in IS and technology theory, systems design, technology innovation, data management, network systems, software systems, IT governance, emerging technologies, technology for development and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops IS and technology innovations for Kenya's digital economy.

Kenya's digital economy growth, technology innovation ecosystem, enterprise systems adoption, IT governance needs, emerging technology research and the need for technology-in-society research create demand for doctoral-level IS and technology expertise. The programme supports Kenya's digital transformation and technology development goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework and supervised research at USIU-Africa. The School of Science and Technology offers the Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems and Technology (DIST) with an IT Lab fee per semester. USIU-Africa holds both CUE and international accreditation.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, IS and technology researchers, technology strategists, IT consultants and innovation managers. They work in universities, ICT Authority, technology companies, international organisations and consulting firms.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 281,398
Private, up to: Ksh 443,250
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

IS and Technology Theory and Foundations
Systems Design and Architecture
Technology Innovation and Adoption
Data Management and Database Systems
Network Systems and Infrastructure
Software Systems Engineering
IT Governance and Compliance
Emerging Technologies and AI
Technology for Development
Research Methods in IS and Technology

Modules

8 in the programme

IS and Technology 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.
Systems Design and Architecture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Systems design, covering design principles, methodologies, and practical approaches to creating effective solutions in professional contexts.
Technology Innovation and Adoption
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Technology innovation, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
IT Governance and Compliance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
IT governance, covering political theories, governance frameworks, and their application in public administration.
Emerging Technologies and AI
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Emerging technologies, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Research Methods in IS and 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

Technology for Development
Research on technology for development
IT Governance
Research on IT governance and compliance
Technology Innovation
Research on technology innovation and adoption
Emerging Technologies
Research on emerging technologies and AI

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting IS and technology research, designing systems, analysing technology adoption data, reviewing IS literature, attending seminars on technology innovation, 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

Kenya's digital economy creates strong demand
USIU-Africa offers international accreditation
Interdisciplinary field bridging technology and society

Against it

USIU-Africa fees are higher than public universities
Requires both technical and business knowledge
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 191 technology courses

Public227k to 281k

227k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology281k at Kenyatta University

Private288k to 443k

288k at Kabarak University443k at USIU-Africa

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

JKUAT 227K/yr(kenyaeducationguide). KU 281.4K(ku.ac.ke). Kabarak 288K/yr, USIU 443K/yr(USIU fee schedule)

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
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers 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 USIU-Africa: Masters degree from USIU or recognised institution. School of Science and Technology. DIST programme. IT Lab fee per semester.

MSc/MA in Information Systems, IT, Computer Science or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university

How you are assessed

3 components

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

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at USIU-Africa (School of Science and Technology, DIST programme). USIU-Africa holds international accreditation.

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

Technology Strategist
High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000
Strategy at tech companies
IT Consultant
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Consulting on IT projects
IS and Technology Researcher
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Research on IS and technology
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in IS and IT departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, IS and technology researchers, technology strategists and IT consultants. They work at ICT Authority, tech companies, international organisations and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

IS and technology is just about computers.
The field covers systems design, technology innovation, IT governance, emerging technologies and technology for development.
There is no demand for this PhD in Kenya.
Kenya's digital economy creates strong demand.
IS and technology research is purely technical.
The programme integrates business, management, technology and social science research.
Only IT professionals study this PhD.
The programme attracts business analysts, managers and development practitioners.