Technology

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology is a doctoral programme offered at JKUAT through the School of Computing and Information Technology, at Kenyatta University, and at Kabarak University. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in information technology, computing systems and digital innovation.

The programme addresses Kenya's IT research and technology development needs.

Students engage with advanced topics in IT theory, computer systems, software engineering, database systems, computer networks, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, mobile computing and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops IT innovations for Kenya's digital economy.

Kenya's digital economy growth, Silicon Savannah development, technology innovation, IT infrastructure expansion, software industry growth and the need for computing research create demand for doctoral-level IT expertise. The programme supports Kenya's digital economy and technology development goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research. At JKUAT, SCIT offers PhD in Information Technology with total cost KSh 681,250 over 3 years. JKUAT offers two PhD in IT programmes. At KU, IT-related PhD programmes are offered at approximately KSh 281,398/year. At Kabarak University, PhD in IT is offered at KSh 144,000/semester.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, IT researchers, software architects, systems engineers and IT consultants. They work in universities, ICT Authority, technology companies, research institutes and international tech organisations.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 281,398
Private, up to: Ksh 575,033
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: 5 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced IT Theory and Systems
Software Engineering and Development
Database Systems and Data Management
Computer Networks and Protocols
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Cloud Computing and Distributed Systems
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Mobile Computing and Application Development
IT Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Research Methods in Information Technology

Modules

8 in the programme

Advanced IT Theory and Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
IT theory and systems, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Software Engineering and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Software engineering, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.
Database Systems and Data Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Database systems, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.
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.
Cloud Computing and Distributed Systems
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Cloud computing, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Research Methods in Information 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

Database Systems
Research on database systems
Cloud Computing
Research on cloud computing
Artificial Intelligence
Research on AI and machine learning
Software Engineering
Research on software engineering

A day as a student

A typical day involves developing software systems, running computational experiments, analysing data, reviewing IT 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

Kenya's digital economy creates strong demand
Access to ICT Authority, tech companies and innovation hubs
Research contributes to digital transformation

Against it

Requires strong programming and mathematical skills
Computing facilities and software licences are expensive
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 575k

288k at Kabarak University575k at Strathmore 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

JKUAT 227K/yr(kenyaeducationguide). KU 281.4K(ku.ac.ke). Kabarak 288K/yr, Strathmore 575K/yr(strathmore.edu)

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 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
Google Africa PhD Fellowship
Fellowship
African computing researchers

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: Masters Degree
Alternative entry: At JKUAT: MSc from JKUAT or recognised institution. SCIT. Two PhD in IT programmes. Total KSh 681,250 over 3 years. At KU: Masters degree in relevant area. KSh 281,398/year. Application fee KSh 3,000. At Kabarak: MSc from Kabarak or recognised institution. Nakuru City Campus. KSh 144,000/semester.

MSc in IT, Computer Science, Software Engineering or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, programming 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 JKUAT (SCIT, two PhD in IT programmes, total KSh 681,250), Kenyatta University (KSh 281,398/year) and Kabarak University (KSh 144,000/semester).

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 IT departments
Software Architect
High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000
Architecture at tech companies
Systems Engineer
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Systems at companies and agencies
IT Researcher
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Research on IT

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, IT researchers, software architects and systems engineers. They work at ICT Authority, technology companies, research institutes and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

IT is just about fixing computers.
The field covers software engineering, AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and systems design.
There is no demand for IT PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's Silicon Savannah and digital economy create strong demand.
IT research is purely practical.
The programme uses algorithm design, mathematical modelling, statistical analysis and empirical research.
Only computer scientists study IT PhDs.
The programme attracts engineers, mathematicians and business analysts.