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Doctor of Philosophy in Space Science

The Doctor of Philosophy in Space Science is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Physics and at Kenyatta University through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in space science, atmospheric physics and remote sensing.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 251,900
Ksh 755,700 to Ksh 1,259,500 total
Private tuition
Ksh 313,700
Ksh 941,100 to Ksh 1,568,500 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 251,900 a year at a public institution, Ksh 755,700 to Ksh 1,259,500 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 3 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The programme addresses Kenya's space science research and space technology development needs.

Students engage with advanced topics in space physics, atmospheric science, remote sensing, satellite technology, GPS and navigation, space weather, astrophysics, cosmology, planetary science, GIS applications and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops space science insights for Kenya's space technology and environmental monitoring challenges.

Kenya's space programme development, Kenya Space Agency establishment, satellite technology, remote sensing for environmental monitoring, GPS applications, telecommunications, space weather, astronomical research and the demand for space science research create demand for doctoral-level space science expertise. The programme supports Kenya's space technology and scientific development goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework, computational sessions and supervised research. At UoN, the Department of Physics offers PhD with space science focus. Application fee KSh 4,000. At KU, the School of Pure and Applied Sciences offers physics PhD with space science options. KSh 336,600/year for East Africans. Application fee KSh 3,000.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, space scientists, remote sensing specialists, satellite engineers and space agency researchers. They work in universities, Kenya Space Agency, Ministry of Defence and international space organisations.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Advanced Space Physics and Astrophysics
  • Atmospheric Science and Space Weather
  • Remote Sensing and Earth Observation
  • Satellite Technology and Applications
  • GPS and Satellite Navigation Systems
  • Cosmology and Galactic Astronomy
  • Planetary Science and Solar System Studies
  • Space Environment and Radiation Physics
  • GIS and Spatial Data Analysis
  • Research Methods in Space Science

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Advanced Space Physics and Astrophysics

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Space physics, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Atmospheric Science and Space Weather

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Atmospheric science, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.

  • Remote Sensing and Earth Observation

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Remote sensing, covering artistic principles, creative methodologies, and their application in cultural production and research.

  • Satellite Technology and Applications

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Satellite technology, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.

  • GPS and Satellite Navigation Systems

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    GPS, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.

  • Research Methods in Space Science

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research methods, 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, 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 writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.

Specialisations

  • Remote Sensing

    Research on remote sensing

  • Astrophysics

    Research on astrophysics

  • Satellite Technology

    Research on satellite technology

  • Space Weather

    Research on space weather

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting space science research, analysing satellite and remote sensing data, reviewing astrophysics literature, attending seminars on space physics, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with Kenya Space Agency and RCMRD for research collaboration. Computational work with satellite data and modelling is extensive.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya Space Agency creates new opportunitiesRequires strong physics and computing skills
Access to KSA, RCMRD and UNOOSAAccess to satellite data can be expensive
Research contributes to space technology developmentLimited laboratory infrastructure in Kenya

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses
Public175k to 252k
175k at University of Nairobi252k at Egerton University
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

Egerton 251.9K/yr (egerton.ac.ke). UoN unverified. KeMU 168K, Kabarak 313.7K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke).

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. NACOSTI provides research grants for science and technology research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • NACOSTI Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Science and technology researchers 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 from UoN or recognised institution. Department of Physics. PhD with space science focus. Application fee KSh 4,000. At KU: MSc from KU or recognised institution. School of Pure and Applied Sciences. KSh 336,600/year. Application fee KSh 3,000.

Subject requirements
MSc in Physics, Space Science, Astronomy, Mathematics or related fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Multimedia University of Kenya.

May 20273 institutions

Including University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Multimedia University of Kenya.

September 20273 institutions

Including University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Multimedia University of Kenya.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Assignments, computational projects 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

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at University of Nairobi (Department of Physics, PhD with space science focus, application fee KSh 4,000) and Kenyatta University (School of Pure and Applied Sciences, KSh 336,600/year, application fee KSh 3,000). Kenya Space Agency established in 2017.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Space Scientist

    High demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000

    Research at Kenya Space Agency

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Teaching and research in physics departments

  • Remote Sensing Specialist

    High demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000

    Remote sensing at RCMRD and agencies

  • Satellite Technology Researcher

    High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 700,000

    Satellite technology at space agencies

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, space scientists, remote sensing specialists and satellite technology researchers. They work at Kenya Space Agency, RCMRD and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Space science is just about astronomy.

    The field covers remote sensing, satellite technology, atmospheric science, GPS and space weather.

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

    Kenya Space Agency and satellite technology create demand.

  • Space science research is purely observational.

    The programme uses computational modelling, data analysis, remote sensing and instrumentation.

  • Only physicists study this PhD.

    The programme attracts engineers, geographers and computer scientists.

Further reading

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