Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science
The Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science is a doctoral programme offered at JKUAT through the College of Pure and Applied Sciences (COPAS) and at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Chemistry.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 367,200 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,101,600 to Ksh 1,836,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 313,700 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 4 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic DNA Scientist, at 15 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 materials science, nanotechnology and advanced materials. The programme addresses Kenya's materials research and technology development needs.
Students engage with advanced topics in materials science, crystallography, thermodynamics of materials, phase transformations, mechanical properties of materials, electronic materials, nanomaterials, biomaterials, computational materials science and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops materials science innovations for Kenya's technology and manufacturing sectors.
Kenya's manufacturing sector growth, construction materials needs, electronic device assembly, packaging innovation, renewable energy materials and the need for advanced materials research create demand for doctoral-level materials science expertise. The programme supports Kenya's industrialisation and technology development goals.
Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research. At JKUAT, COPAS offers PhD in Materials Science with total cost approximately KSh 510,500 over 3 years. At UoN, materials science research is conducted through the Department of Chemistry and related departments.
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, materials researchers, nanotechnology specialists, quality assurance managers and manufacturing consultants. They work in universities, KEBS, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, research institutes and manufacturing firms.
What you study
10 subjects- Advanced Materials Science and Engineering
- Crystallography and Diffraction
- Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials
- Phase Transformations and Microstructure
- Mechanical Properties of Materials
- Electronic and Magnetic Materials
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology
- Biomaterials and Biomedical Applications
- Computational Materials Science
- Research Methods in Materials Science
Modules
8 in the programmeAdvanced Materials Science and Engineering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Materials science, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Crystallography and Diffraction
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Crystallography, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Phase Transformations and Microstructure
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Phase transformations, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Nanomaterials, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Computational Materials Science
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Computational methods, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Research Methods in Materials Science
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
Computational Materials
Research on computational materials science
Nanomaterials
Research on nanomaterials
Electronic Materials
Research on electronic materials
Biomaterials
Research on biomaterials
A day as a student
A typical day involves conducting materials research, testing material properties, running computational models, reviewing materials science literature, attending seminars on advanced materials, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with KEBS, manufacturers and research institutes for research collaboration.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's manufacturing sector creates demand | Requires expensive laboratory and testing equipment |
| Access to KEBS and manufacturers | Small field with limited positions in Kenya |
| Research contributes to industrialisation | UoN science PhD fees are high (KSh 396,000/year) |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 243 science 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
JKUAT 170.2K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). KU 367.2K (ku.ac.ke). KeMU 168K, Kabarak 313.7K/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
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
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 JKUAT: MSc from JKUAT or recognised institution. COPAS. Total approximately KSh 510,500 over 3 years. At UoN: MSc from UoN or recognised institution. Department of Chemistry or related.
When it next starts
Taught at 4 institutionsIncluding Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Africa Nazarene University, Kenyatta University.
Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Africa Nazarene University, Kenyatta University.
Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Africa Nazarene University, Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsThesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, laboratory projects and seminar presentations
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
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 JKUAT (COPAS, total approximately KSh 510,500) and University of Nairobi (Department of Chemistry and related departments).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesMaterials Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Research on materials
University Professor
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in science departments
Nanotechnology Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Nanotechnology at research institutes
Manufacturing Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Consulting on manufacturing
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, materials researchers, nanotechnology specialists and manufacturing consultants. They work at KEBS, manufacturing firms, research institutes and universities.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic DNA ScientistScience15Low exposure
- Neuromorphic Computing ResearcherScience15Low exposure
- Agricultural EntomologistScience17Low exposure
- Neurotechnology Research EngineerScience17Low exposure
- Phage Therapy ResearcherScience17Low exposure
- Applied GeochemistScience18Low exposure
- Computational ToxicologistScience18Low exposure
- Computational Toxicology SpecialistScience18Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Materials science is just about metals.
The field covers polymers, ceramics, nanomaterials, biomaterials, electronic materials and composites.
There is no demand for materials science PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's manufacturing and construction sectors create demand.
Materials research is purely experimental.
The programme uses computational modelling, crystallography and statistical analysis.
Only chemists study materials science.
The programme attracts physicists, engineers and technologists.