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Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science

The Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Egerton University, University of Eldoret and Karatina University. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in soil science, soil management and sustainable land use.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 464,000
Ksh 1,392,000 to Ksh 2,320,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 313,700
Ksh 941,100 to Ksh 1,568,500 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 464,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,392,000 to Ksh 2,320,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 313,700 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 9 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, 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 topics in soil chemistry, soil physics, soil biology, soil fertility, soil classification, soil survey, land evaluation, soil and water conservation, soil pollution, sustainable land management, soil microbiology, research methods and biostatistics. The programme emphasises original research that develops soil science insights for Kenya's agricultural and environmental challenges.

Kenya's food security challenges, soil degradation and the need for sustainable land management create strong demand for doctoral-level soil science expertise. The programme supports Kenya's agricultural productivity and environmental conservation goals.

At the University of Nairobi, the programme is offered through the Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology with annual tuition of KSh 432,000 and total programme cost of KSh 1,432,000 over 3 years. At Kenyatta University, fees are KSh 367,200/year for East Africans. The programme is by thesis with a minimum duration of 3 years.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, soil science researchers, land management specialists, agricultural consultants, environmental scientists and soil conservation officers. They work in universities, research institutions, Ministry of Agriculture, NEMA and international agricultural organisations.

The programme is ideal for agricultural and environmental scientists who wish to contribute to soil science research at the highest level.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Soil Chemistry
  • Soil Physics
  • Soil Biology and Microbiology
  • Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
  • Soil Classification and Survey
  • Land Evaluation
  • Soil and Water Conservation
  • Sustainable Land Management
  • Research Methods in Soil Science
  • Soil Pollution and Remediation

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Soil Chemistry

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Chemical properties of soils, covering chemical principles, analytical techniques, and their application in research and industrial contexts.

  • Soil Physics

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Physical properties of soils, covering agricultural principles, production technologies, and their application in sustainable farming systems.

  • Soil Biology and Microbiology

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Biological aspects of soils, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.

  • Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Nutrient management, covering nutritional science principles, dietary assessment methods, and their application in public health.

  • Soil and Water Conservation

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Conservation practices, covering agricultural principles, production technologies, and their application in sustainable farming systems.

  • Sustainable Land Management

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Sustainable land use, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.

  • Departmental Seminars

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Research presentations and peer review, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in the field.

  • Thesis Research

    Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore

    Doctoral thesis research and dissertation, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the discipline.

Specialisations

  • Land Evaluation

    Research on land assessment

  • Soil Fertility

    Research on soil nutrients

  • Soil Microbiology

    Research on soil biology

  • Soil and Water Conservation

    Research on conservation

A day as a student

A typical day involves reviewing soil science literature, conducting laboratory analyses of soil samples, field sampling and surveys, analysing soil data, attending research seminars, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with KALRO and agricultural institutions for field research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's food security challenges create demand for soil expertiseProgramme requires significant field and laboratory work
Research directly contributes to sustainable agricultureLimited private sector career opportunities
Access to KALRO and international agricultural researchFunding for soil science research can be limited

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses
Public367k to 464k
367k at Kenyatta University464k 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

KU 367K/yr (ku.ac.ke), UoN 464K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). KeMU 168K, Kabarak 314K/yr

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. African Union provides research grants for agricultural research in Africa.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • African Union Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • African Union Research Grant

    Grant

    Agricultural researchers in Africa

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

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: MSc in agricultural related disciplines, Soil Science, biological sciences, environmental sciences or natural resource management from recognised institution. At KU: Masters degree in relevant discipline. At Egerton: MSc in Soil Science or relevant discipline. At Karatina: Masters degree in Soil Sciences and one publication.

Subject requirements
Masters degree in Soil Science, Agriculture or relevant fieldRelevant Masters from recognised institution

When it next starts

Taught at 9 institutions
January 20279 institutions

Including University of Embu, University of Eldoret, Kenyatta University.

May 20279 institutions

Including University of Embu, University of Eldoret, Kenyatta University.

September 20279 institutions

Including University of Embu, University of Eldoret, Kenyatta University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis60% 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

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment20% of the mark

    Assignments, laboratory work, field reports and seminar presentations

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at University of Nairobi (Department of LARMAT), Kenyatta University, Egerton University, University of Eldoret and Karatina University. Admission requires Masters degree in Soil Science, Agriculture or relevant field from a recognised institution.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • University Professor

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in soil science

  • Agricultural Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Soil and agricultural consultancy

  • Land Management Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Land management and conservation

  • Soil Science Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Research at KALRO and research institutions

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, soil science researchers, land management specialists and agricultural consultants in universities, KALRO, Ministry of Agriculture and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Soil science PhD is just about dirt.

    The programme covers soil chemistry, physics, biology, fertility, conservation and sustainable land management.

  • There is no demand for soil science PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's food security and soil degradation challenges create demand for soil science expertise.

  • Soil science research is purely descriptive.

    The programme uses analytical chemistry, molecular biology, GIS and statistical analysis.

  • Only farmers study soil science PhDs.

    The programme attracts environmental scientists, geographers and agricultural scientists.

Further reading

Read next