Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics

The Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Mathematics and at Kenyatta University through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences (SPAS).

It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in pure and applied mathematics. The programme addresses Kenya's mathematical research and quantitative science development needs.

Students engage with advanced topics in abstract algebra, real analysis, complex analysis, topology, differential equations, numerical analysis, mathematical modelling, functional analysis, number theory and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops mathematical insights for Kenya's scientific and technological challenges.

Kenya's STEM education needs, quantitative finance, data science, mathematical modelling for health and agriculture, cryptography, engineering applications and the demand for mathematical research create demand for doctoral-level mathematics expertise. The programme supports Kenya's scientific and technological development goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework and supervised research. At UoN, the Department of Mathematics offers PhD in Applied Mathematics (I827) with tuition at KSh 396,000/year, Year 1 total KSh 428,000, Year 2 KSh 423,000, Year 3 KSh 473,000, total KSh 1,324,000 over 3 years. At KU, SPAS offers PhD in Pure Mathematics and PhD in Applied Mathematics at KSh 336,600/year for East Africans.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, mathematics researchers, quantitative analysts, cryptographers and mathematical modellers. They work in universities, financial institutions, tech companies, research institutes and government agencies.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 428,000
Private, up to: Ksh 313,700
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: 4 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Abstract Algebra and Group Theory
Real and Complex Analysis
Topology and Geometry
Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems
Numerical Analysis and Computational Mathematics
Mathematical Modelling and Applications
Functional Analysis and Operator Theory
Number Theory and Cryptography
Optimisation Theory
Research Methods in Mathematics

Modules

8 in the programme

Abstract Algebra and Group Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Abstract algebra, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.
Real and Complex Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional practice.
Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Differential equations, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Numerical Analysis and Computational Mathematics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Numerical analysis, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional practice.
Mathematical Modelling and Applications
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Mathematical modelling, covering mathematical and computational modelling techniques, simulation methods, and their application in research and analysis.
Research Methods in Mathematics
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

Applied Mathematics
Research on applied mathematics
Mathematical Modelling
Research on mathematical modelling
Pure Mathematics
Research on pure mathematics
Numerical Analysis
Research on computational mathematics

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting mathematical research, developing proofs and models, running computational simulations, reviewing mathematics literature, attending seminars on analysis and algebra, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with mathematical societies and research institutes for research collaboration.

The trade offs

In its favour

Data science and finance create strong demand
Access to international mathematical societies
Research contributes to STEM development

Against it

UoN PhD is expensive (KSh 1,324,000 total)
Requires exceptional mathematical ability
Pure mathematics careers outside academia are limited

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public367k to 428k

367k at Kenyatta University428k at University of Nairobi

Private168k to 314k

168k 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 428K/yr (mathematics.uonbi.ac.ke). 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. Abdus Salam ICTP offers fellowships for mathematicians from developing countries.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
NACOSTI Research Grant
Abdus Salam ICTP Fellowship

Scholarships

4 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
Abdus Salam ICTP Fellowship
Fellowship
Mathematicians from developing countries
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: Masters Degree
Alternative entry: At UoN: MSc from UoN or recognised institution. Department of Mathematics. I827. Total KSh 1,324,000 over 3 years. At KU: MSc in Pure Mathematics or Applied Mathematics from KU or recognised institution. SPAS. KSh 336,600/year. Application fee KSh 3,000.

MSc in Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, problem sets and seminar presentations
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at University of Nairobi (Department of Mathematics, I827, total KSh 1,324,000 over 3 years) and Kenyatta University (SPAS, PhD in Pure Mathematics and PhD in Applied Mathematics, KSh 336,600/year).

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 mathematics departments
Mathematical Modeller
High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000
Modelling at research institutes
Quantitative Analyst
High demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000
Quant analysis at financial institutions
Mathematics Researcher
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Research on pure and applied mathematics

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, mathematics researchers, quantitative analysts and mathematical modellers. They work at universities, financial institutions, tech companies and research institutes.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mathematics PhD is just about numbers.
The field covers abstract algebra, topology, analysis, modelling, cryptography and computational mathematics.
There is no demand for mathematics PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's data science, finance and STEM education create strong demand.
Mathematics research is purely theoretical.
The programme includes applied mathematics, modelling, numerical analysis and computational methods.
Only teachers study mathematics PhD.
The programme attracts data scientists, actuaries, engineers and financial analysts.