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Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Communication Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Communication Studies is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, at Maseno University, and at St Paul's University. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in media studies, communication theory and digital media. The programme addresses Kenya's media research and communication development needs.

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 12 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

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

Kenya's vibrant media sector, digital transformation, press freedom, media regulation, corporate communication needs and the growth of media research create demand for doctoral-level media and 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 (CIS) with 9 course units at KSh 50,000 each (KSh 450,000), Year 1 total KSh 505,000, Year 2 KSh 223,000, Year 3 KSh 273,000, grand total KSh 1,001,000 over 3 years.

At Maseno University, PhD in Communication and Media Studies is offered with application fee KSh 2,000.

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

What you study

10 subjects
  • Media Theory and Communication Research
  • Digital Media and New Communication Technologies
  • Media Ethics and Professional Standards
  • Media Law and Regulation
  • Development Communication
  • Political Communication and Public Opinion
  • Health Communication
  • Corporate Communication and Public Relations
  • Strategic Communication Management
  • Research Methods in Media Studies

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Media Theory and Communication Research

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

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

  • Digital Media and New Communication Technologies

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

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

  • Development Communication

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

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

  • Corporate Communication and Public Relations

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

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

  • Health Communication

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Health communication, covering clinical principles, evidence-based practice, and contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and research.

  • Research Methods in Media 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

  • Corporate Communication

    Research on corporate communication and PR

  • Development Communication

    Research on development communication

  • Digital Media

    Research on digital media and new technologies

  • Health Communication

    Research on health communication

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting media research, analysing communication data, reviewing media studies literature, attending seminars on media theory, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with Media Council, media houses and corporate organisations for research collaboration.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's vibrant media sector creates demandUoN PhD is expensive (KSh 1,001,000 total)
Access to Media Council, media houses and corporate organisationsMedia research can be politically sensitive
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

  • CODESRIA Research Grant

    Grant

    Social science researchers in Africa

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

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 from UoN or recognised institution. School of Journalism and Mass Communication. PhD in CIS. 9 course units + thesis. Total KSh 1,001,000 over 3 years. International students outside EAC pay 25% more. At Maseno: Masters degree from Maseno or recognised institution. Application fee KSh 2,000.

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

When it next starts

Taught at 12 institutions
January 202712 institutions

Including Kisii University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Rongo University.

May 202712 institutions

Including Kisii University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Rongo University.

September 202712 institutions

Including Kisii University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Rongo University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, supervision, submission and oral defence

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    9 course units at KSh 50,000 each, assignments 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 CIS, total KSh 1,001,000 over 3 years), Maseno University (PhD in Communication and Media Studies, application fee KSh 2,000) and St Paul's University (PhD in Communication Studies).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Media Researcher

    High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000

    Research on media and communication

  • Corporate Communication Director

    High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Communication at corporate organisations

  • Communication Consultant

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Consulting on 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, media researchers, communication consultants and corporate communication directors. They work at Media Council, media houses, corporate organisations and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Media studies PhD is just about journalism.

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

  • There is no demand for media PhDs in Kenya.

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

  • Media research is purely qualitative.

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

  • Only journalists study this PhD.

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

Further reading

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