Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Studies is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS) and at Moi University through the School of Information Sciences.

It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in library science, information management and knowledge systems. The programme addresses Kenya's library and information research and knowledge management development needs.

Students engage with advanced topics in library and information science theory, knowledge management, digital libraries, records management, information behaviour, informetrics, information policy, data curation, archival science and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops library and information 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 library and information expertise. The programme supports Kenya's knowledge economy and information management goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework, seminars and supervised research. At UoN, DLIS offers PhD in Information Science (C823) with Year 1 total KSh 559,000 (8 units), Year 2 KSh 517,000, Year 3 KSh 567,000, grand total KSh 1,643,000 over 3 years. At Moi University, the School of Information Sciences offers DPhil in Library and Information Studies following the North American doctorate model with coursework, research and thesis.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, library and information 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 559,000
Private, up to: Ksh 314,000
Job market: Moderate

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

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

Modules

8 in the programme

Library and Information Science Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
LIS theory, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.
Digital Libraries and Information Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital libraries, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Records Management and Archival Science
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Records management, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.
Informetrics and Scientometrics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Informetrics, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Data Curation and Digital Preservation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Data curation, covering data collection, analysis techniques, and computational tools for managing and interpreting complex datasets.
Research Methods in Information Studies
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

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

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting library and information 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

UoN programme is expensive (KSh 1,643,000 total)
Career opportunities outside academia can be limited
Funding for library 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 243 education courses

Public268k to 559k

268k at Technical University of Kenya559k at University of Nairobi

Private170k to 314k

170k at Kenya Methodist University314k 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

UoN Info Sci Y1=559K (dlis.uonbi.ac.ke). TUK Grp III ~268K (eafinder). KeMU 170K, Kabarak ~314K/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 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 UoN: Masters degree from UoN or recognised institution. DLIS. C823. Year 1: 8 units, KSh 559,000. Total KSh 1,643,000 over 3 years. At Moi: Masters degree from Moi or recognised institution. School of Information Sciences. DPhil in Library and Information Studies. North American model with coursework (21 units) and thesis (39 units).

MA/MSc in Library and Information Science, Information Studies, Records Management or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university

How you are assessed

3 components

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

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at University of Nairobi (DLIS, C823, total KSh 1,643,000 over 3 years) and Moi University (School of Information Sciences, DPhil in Library and Information Studies, North American model).

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

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

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, library and information 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

Library studies is just about books.
The field covers digital libraries, knowledge management, data curation, informetrics and information architecture.
There is no demand for library PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's digital transformation and knowledge economy create demand.
Library 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.