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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.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 432,000
Ksh 1,296,000 to Ksh 2,160,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 200,000
Ksh 600,000 to Ksh 1,000,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 432,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,296,000 to Ksh 2,160,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 200,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. 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 1 institution.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

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.

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 favourAgainst it
Addresses Kenya's triple burden of malnutrition with strong policy relevanceField research in remote communities can be logistically challenging
Relatively affordable tuition at KES 244,800 per year compared to UoNResearch funding for nutrition is competitive
Diverse career opportunities in academia, clinical practice, public health, and industryRequires interdisciplinary skills spanning health, food science, and social science
KNDI-accredited department ensures professional recognitionBalancing 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

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
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Subject requirements
Master's DegreeMSc in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, or related health science from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science, or related field
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Kenya.

May 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Kenya.

September 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Kenya.

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

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

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

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

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.

Further reading

Read next