Social Sciences

PhD in Sociology

The PhD in Sociology is a doctoral programme offered by Kenyan universities, designed to provide advanced training and research opportunities in social sciences and development studies. The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered through coursework, seminars, and independent research.

Students engage with social theory, research methods, community development, and social policy through a structured curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical applications. The programme emphasises social justice, community empowerment, and evidence-based policy and prepares scholars to contribute original research to the discipline.

Kenya's social challenges including inequality, unemployment, and social exclusion require research-informed interventions. The programme addresses national development priorities and aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030, which emphasises the need for highly trained professionals in social development. Graduates are equipped to tackle complex challenges facing the country and the East African region.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions where applicable, fieldwork, and supervised research. Students work closely with faculty supervisors to develop their research proposals, conduct original research, and produce a thesis or dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, social researchers, development consultants, and policy analysts in universities, research institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private sector firms. The programme provides a strong foundation for academic careers and leadership roles in social development.

This programme is ideal for individuals with a strong academic background in sociology, social work, or a related social science who are passionate about research and advancing knowledge in social sciences and development studies. It suits those who wish to contribute to policy development, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making in Kenya and beyond.

Duration: 3-4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
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: 8 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Social Theory
Research Methods
Community Development
Social Policy
Quantitative Methods
Qualitative Research
Gender Studies
Demography
Development Studies
Thesis Research

Modules

10 in the programme

Social Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of social theory, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of research methods, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Community Development
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of community development, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Social Policy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of social policy, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Quantitative Methods
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of quantitative methods, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Qualitative Research
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of qualitative research, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Gender Studies
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of gender studies, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Demography
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of demography, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Development Studies
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of development studies, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Thesis Research
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Advanced study of thesis research, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.

Specialisations

Community Development
Specialization in Community Development, preparing graduates for careers such as community-development-officer.
Specialisation Methods
Specialization in Specialisation Methods, preparing graduates for careers such as social-worker.
Social Theory
Specialization in Social Theory, preparing graduates for careers such as sociologist.
Quantitative Methods
Specialization in Quantitative Methods, preparing graduates for careers such as demographer.
Qualitative Specialisation
Specialization in Qualitative Specialisation, preparing graduates for careers such as youth-development-officer.
Social Policy
Specialization in Social Policy, preparing graduates for careers such as social-policy-researcher.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures and seminars with afternoon research activities, laboratory sessions, or fieldwork. Students engage with faculty supervisors, attend research seminars, review literature, and work on their thesis research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Advanced research skills open doors to academic and research careers in Kenya and internationally
Addresses real-world challenges relevant to Kenya's development priorities
Strong professional network through university and research collaborations
Graduates are well-positioned for leadership roles in their respective sectors

Against it

Requires significant time commitment, typically 3-4 years for PhD and 2 years for Masters
Research funding can be limited, requiring students to seek external grants
Limited number of supervisors in specialised fields may restrict research topics
Job market for highly specialised roles may be concentrated in a few institutions

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public187k to 245k

187k at Moi University245k at Kenyatta University

Private200k to 314k

200k at Mount Kenya 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 224K(sociology.uonbi.ac.ke). Moi 187K. KU 244.8K(ku.ac.ke). MKU 200K. Kabarak 313.7K(kabarak.ac.ke)

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships for African scholars, and university-specific research grants. Some programmes offer teaching assistantships that provide fee waivers and stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships
Scholarship
African Union Research Grants
Grant

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for postgraduate study in relevant fields

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 in relevant field
Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent
Research proposal
Approved by prospective supervisor
KCSE or equivalent
C+ (Plus) minimum mean grade

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework20% of the mark
Thesis Defence
Coursework100% of the mark
Research Seminars
Coursework20% of the mark
Coursework Examinations
Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Professional body registration may be required depending on the field of specialisation.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya
Relevant Professional Body
Professional certification
Professional registration may be required depending on the field of specialisation

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Research Scientist
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 220,000
Conducts independent and collaborative research in research institutions, contributing to publications and innovation.
Program Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 190,000
Manages research and development programmes in NGOs, government agencies, or private sector organisations.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides research-based policy advice to government, NGOs, and international organisations.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches and conducts research in a university department, contributing to knowledge generation and student mentorship.
Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 240,000
Offers specialised expertise to organisations, drawing on advanced training and research experience.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, research scientists, policy analysts, and consultants in universities, research institutions, government agencies, and private sector organisations across Kenya and the East African region.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This doctoral programme is only for those who want to become university lecturers
Graduates pursue diverse careers including research, policy analysis, consulting, and leadership roles in government, NGOs, and private sector organisations across Kenya and internationally.
The programme is purely theoretical with no practical application
The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical research, fieldwork, and industry engagement, ensuring graduates can apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
Research in this field has limited relevance to Kenya's development
The programme directly addresses national development priorities under Vision 2030, with research topics often focused on local challenges and solutions relevant to the Kenyan context.
There are no funding opportunities for postgraduate students in this field
Multiple funding sources exist including HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, bilateral cooperation programmes, and university-specific research grants for qualifying students.