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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 559,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,677,000 to Ksh 2,795,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 314,000 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 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 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 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.
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 programmeLibrary 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's digital transformation creates demand | UoN programme is expensive (KSh 1,643,000 total) |
| Access to KNLS, National Archives and ICT Authority | Career opportunities outside academia can be limited |
| Research contributes to knowledge economy | 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 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
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 recordedDAAD 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
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 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).
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Moi University.
Including Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Moi University.
Including Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Moi University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsThesis 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
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 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).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesData 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- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
- Vocational Workshop InstructorEducation14Low exposure
- Montessori EducatorEducation15Low exposure
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.