Health Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition and Dietetics

The Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition and Dietetics is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University through the Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics in the School of Health Sciences. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced research on human nutrition, dietetics, food science, and nutrition interventions, contributing to nutrition knowledge, policy, and practice in Kenya and globally.

Students engage with advanced human nutrition, clinical dietetics, nutritional biochemistry, food science, community nutrition, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent laboratory and field research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to nutrition and dietetics.

Kenya faces a triple burden of malnutrition including stunting, micronutrient deficiencies, and rising obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases. The programme addresses national nutrition priorities under the Kenya Health Policy Framework and Vision 2030 by training researchers who can inform nutrition policy, clinical dietetics practice, and community nutrition interventions.

Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical dietetics practice, field research in communities, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to KU's nutrition and food science laboratories and the department is accredited by the Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Institute (KNDI).

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, nutrition researchers, clinical dietitians, public health nutrition consultants, and food policy analysts in universities, hospitals, research institutions, Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO, and NGOs working on nutrition and food security.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in nutrition, dietetics, food science, or related health sciences who are committed to advancing knowledge in nutrition and dietetics.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 432,000
Private, up to: Ksh 200,000
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: 8 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Human Nutrition
Clinical Dietetics
Nutritional Biochemistry
Food Science and Technology
Community Nutrition
Research Methodology
Nutritional Assessment
Thesis Research
Biostatistics
Nutrition Policy

Modules

10 in the programme

Advanced Human Nutrition
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism, nutritional requirements across the lifespan, and nutrition for health and disease
Clinical Dietetics and Medical Nutrition Therapy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced dietetics practice including medical nutrition therapy for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and cancer
Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Biochemical basis of nutrition including vitamin and mineral metabolism, energy balance, and metabolic regulation
Food Science and Food Safety
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Food composition, food processing, food safety, and the role of food science in nutrition and health
Community Nutrition and Programme Design
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Community-based nutrition assessment, intervention design, and programme evaluation for addressing malnutrition in populations
Nutritional Assessment Methods
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Methods for assessing nutritional status including anthropometry, biochemical markers, dietary assessment, and clinical assessment
Research Methodology and Biostatistics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research design, ethical considerations, and statistical methods for nutrition and dietetics research
Nutrition Policy and Food Security
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of nutrition policy frameworks, food security assessment, and the role of policy in shaping nutrition outcomes in Kenya
Thesis Proposal Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Development and defence of a doctoral research proposal on a nutrition and dietetics topic
Thesis Research and Writing
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent doctoral research culminating in a thesis defended before internal and external examiners

Specialisations

Health Policy Analysis
Specialization in Health Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as health-policy-analyst.
Clinical Pharmacy Practice
Specialization in Clinical Pharmacy Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as clinical-pharmacist.
Public Health Practice
Specialization in Public Health Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-specialist.
Food Science Research
Specialization in Food Science Research, preparing graduates for careers such as food-scientist.
Nutrition and Dietetics Practice
Specialization in Nutrition and Dietetics Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as nutritionist-dietitian.
Academic Research
Specialization in Academic Research, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.

A day as a student

A typical day combines laboratory analysis of nutritional biomarkers and food composition with clinical dietetics practice, field research in communities, data analysis, and thesis writing. Students attend nutrition seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with KNDI and public health nutrition programmes.

The trade offs

In its favour

Addresses Kenya's triple burden of malnutrition with strong policy relevance
Relatively affordable tuition at KES 244,800 per year compared to UoN
Diverse career opportunities in academia, clinical practice, public health, and industry
KNDI-accredited department ensures professional recognition

Against it

Field research in remote communities can be logistically challenging
Research funding for nutrition is competitive
Requires interdisciplinary skills spanning health, food science, and social science
Balancing clinical practice with research demands strong time management

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public367k to 432k

367k at Kenyatta University432k at University of Nairobi

Private144k to 200k

144k at Kenya Methodist University200k at Mount Kenya 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 432k, KU 367.2k/yr (uonbi/ku.ac.ke). KeMU 144k, MKU 200k/yr (eafinder/kenyayote)

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and FAO/WHO nutrition fellowships.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
NRF Research Grant
Grant
FAO/WHO Nutrition Fellowship
Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

NRF Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
MSc in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, or related health science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, or related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework30% of the mark
Field and Laboratory Reports
Coursework20% of the mark
Oral Viva Voce
Coursework100% of the mark
Thesis Examination
Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The department is accredited by the Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Institute (KNDI).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Nutrition Research Scientist
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Conducts nutrition research at KEMRI, research institutions, or international health organisations
Public Health Nutrition Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advises government, UNICEF, WHO, and NGOs on nutrition policy and programme design
University Lecturer (Nutrition and Dietetics)
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches nutrition and dietetics and conducts research in university departments
Clinical Dietitian (Senior)
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides advanced medical nutrition therapy at hospitals and supervises dietetics departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, nutrition researchers, clinical dietitians, and public health nutrition consultants in universities, hospitals, Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO, and NGOs.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Nutrition and dietetics is just about meal planning
Nutrition and dietetics encompasses nutritional biochemistry, clinical dietetics for disease management, public health nutrition, food science, nutrition policy, and research on diet-disease relationships.
A PhD in nutrition has limited career prospects in Kenya
There is strong demand for nutrition researchers and clinical dietitians at universities, hospitals, Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO, and NGOs addressing Kenya's triple burden of malnutrition.
Nutrition research is not relevant to Kenya's development
Malnutrition affects productivity, health, and economic development in Kenya, making nutrition research critical for achieving Vision 2030 health and development goals.
Dietitians only work in hospitals
Dietitians and nutrition researchers work in hospitals, universities, public health programmes, food industry, sports nutrition, and international organisations addressing nutrition at population level.

Related courses

Doctor of philosophy in public health nutrition