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Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication

The Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and at Kenyatta University. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in mass communication, media studies and communication theory.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 244,800
Ksh 734,400 to Ksh 1,224,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 310,000
Ksh 930,000 to Ksh 1,550,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 244,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 734,400 to Ksh 1,224,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 310,000 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 7 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

The programme addresses Kenya's mass communication research and media development needs.

Students engage with advanced topics in mass communication theory, media effects, communication research methods, digital media, media ethics, media law, development communication, political communication, health communication and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops mass communication insights for Kenya's media landscape.

Kenya's vibrant media sector, digital media transformation, press freedom, media regulation, development communication demands, health communication campaigns and the growth of communication research create demand for doctoral-level mass communication expertise. The programme supports Kenya's media development and communication goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework and supervised research. At UoN, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers PhD in Communication and Information Studies by thesis. Total fees KSh 450,000. Application fee KSh 4,000 for PhD. At KU, mass communication PhD is offered at KSh 244,800/year for East Africans.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, mass communication researchers, media consultants, communication directors and policy analysts. They work in universities, Media Council of Kenya, media houses, Ministry of Information and international media organisations.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Mass Communication Theory
  • Media Effects and Audience Studies
  • Communication Research Methods
  • Digital Media and New Communication Technologies
  • Media Ethics and Professional Standards
  • Media Law and Regulation
  • Development Communication
  • Political Communication and Public Opinion
  • Health Communication
  • Strategic Communication

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Mass Communication Theory

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Communication theory, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.

  • Media Effects and Audience Studies

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Media effects, covering communication theories, media analysis, and their application in contemporary information environments.

  • Digital Media and New Communication Technologies

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Digital media, covering communication theories, media analysis, and their application in contemporary information environments.

  • Development Communication

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Development communication, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.

  • Political Communication and Public Opinion

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Political communication, covering communication theories, media analysis, and their application in contemporary information environments.

  • Research Methods in Communication

    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

  • Health Communication

    Research on health communication

  • Political Communication

    Research on political communication

  • Development Communication

    Research on development communication

  • Digital Media

    Research on digital media and new technologies

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting communication research, analysing media content, reviewing communication literature, attending seminars on media studies, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with Media Council, media houses and Ministry of Information for research collaboration.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's vibrant media sector creates demandMedia research can be politically sensitive
Access to Media Council, media houses and MinistryFunding for communication research is limited
Research contributes to media developmentAccessing media organisations for research can be challenging

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 106 media & communication courses
Public150k to 245k
150k at Maseno University245k at Kenyatta University
Private200k to 310k
200k at Mount Kenya University310k 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 244,800/yr (ku.ac.ke). Maseno 150K (partially verified). Kabarak ~310K (official PDF), MKU ~200K.

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. CODESRIA provides research grants for social science research in Africa.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • CODESRIA Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • CODESRIA Research Grant

    Grant

    Social science researchers in Africa

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
Masters Degreeminimum entry
Alternative entry

At UoN: Masters degree in communication or information studies from UoN or recognised institution. School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Application fee KSh 4,000 for PhD. Total KSh 450,000. At KU: Masters degree in relevant area. KSh 244,800/year. Application fee KSh 3,000.

Subject requirements
MA in Communication, Mass Communication, Media Studies, Journalism or related fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 7 institutions
January 20277 institutions

Including Daystar University, Moi University, Maseno University.

May 20277 institutions

Including Daystar University, Moi University, Maseno University.

September 20277 institutions

Including Daystar University, Moi University, Maseno University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Assignments, research papers and seminar presentations

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before faculty panel

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

  • Media Council of Kenya

    Professional

    Regulates media practice and accredits journalists in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at University of Nairobi (School of Journalism and Mass Communication, PhD in Communication and Information Studies, total KSh 450,000) and Kenyatta University (KSh 244,800/year).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Media Consultant

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Consulting for media organisations

  • Communication Director

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Communication at organisations

  • Mass Communication Researcher

    High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000

    Research on mass communication

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in communication schools

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, mass communication researchers, media consultants and communication directors. They work at Media Council, media houses, Ministry of Information and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Mass communication PhD is just about news.

    The field covers media theory, digital media, development communication, political communication and health communication.

  • There is no demand for mass communication PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's vibrant media sector and digital transformation create demand.

  • Communication research is purely qualitative.

    The programme uses content analysis, surveys, experiments, big data analytics and mixed methods.

  • Only journalists study this PhD.

    The programme attracts PR professionals, development communicators and social scientists.

Further reading

Read next