Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics / Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Statistics

The Doctor of Philosophy in Statistics and Applied Statistics is a doctoral programme offered at the University of Nairobi through the Department of Mathematics, at Kenyatta University through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, and at JKUAT. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in statistics, applied statistics and statistical methodology. The programme addresses Kenya's statistical research and data science development needs.

Students engage with advanced topics in mathematical statistics, statistical inference, probability theory, regression analysis, multivariate analysis, Bayesian statistics, time series analysis, stochastic processes, statistical computing and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops statistical insights for Kenya's data-driven challenges.

Kenya's data revolution, big data analytics, statistical computing, data science, financial modelling, risk analysis, quality control, biostatistics, survey methodology, SDG monitoring, KNBS data systems and the demand for statistical research create demand for doctoral-level statistics expertise. The programme supports Kenya's statistical development and evidence-based decision-making goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework, computational sessions and supervised research. At UoN, the Department of Mathematics offers PhD in Mathematical Statistics (I817), 3 years. Tuition KSh 396,000/year, Year 1 total KSh 428,000, Year 2 KSh 423,000, Year 3 KSh 473,000, total KSh 1,324,000 over 3 years. Application fee KSh 4,000. At KU, PhD in Statistics.

KSh 336,600/year for East Africans. Application fee KSh 3,000. At JKUAT, PhD in Applied Statistics. KSh 140,000/year. Application fee KSh 1,500.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, statisticians, data scientists, biostatisticians and quantitative analysts. They work in universities, KNBS, financial institutions, research institutes and international organisations.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 336,600
Private, up to: Ksh 333,533
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: 5 students
Award: PhD

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Mathematical Statistics and Inference
Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes
Regression Analysis and Generalised Linear Models
Multivariate Analysis and Data Reduction
Bayesian Statistics and Computational Methods
Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
Statistical Computing and Data Science
Design and Analysis of Experiments
Survival Analysis and Biostatistics
Research Methods in Statistics

Modules

8 in the programme

Advanced Mathematical Statistics and Inference
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Mathematical statistics, including probability theory, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and statistical software applications for doctoral research.
Probability Theory and Stochastic Processes
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Probability, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.
Regression Analysis and Generalised Linear Models
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Regression, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional practice.
Bayesian Statistics and Computational Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Bayesian statistics, including probability theory, hypothesis testing, regression analysis, and statistical software applications for doctoral research.
Time Series Analysis and Forecasting
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Time series, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and current analytical techniques used in advanced research and professional practice.
Research Methods in Statistics
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

Bayesian Statistics
Research on Bayesian methods
Statistical Computing
Research on statistical computing
Biostatistics
Research on biostatistics
Time Series and Forecasting
Research on time series

A day as a student

A typical day involves conducting statistical research, analysing large datasets, reviewing statistics literature, attending seminars on statistical methods, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with KNBS, Central Bank and research institutes for research collaboration. Computational work with R, Python and Stata is extensive.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's data revolution creates strong demand
Skills applicable across all sectors
Access to KNBS, Central Bank and research institutes

Against it

UoN PhD is expensive (KSh 1,324,000 total)
Requires strong mathematical and computing skills
Rapid evolution of statistical computing tools

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

Public170k to 337k

170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology337k at Kenyatta University

Private168k to 334k

168k at Kenya Methodist University334k 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 337K/yr (ku.ac.ke). JKUAT 170K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). KeMU 168K/yr (eafinder). Kabarak 334K/yr.

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

HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: Masters Degree
Alternative entry: At UoN: MSc from UoN or recognised institution. Department of Mathematics. PhD in Mathematical Statistics (I817), 3 years. Total KSh 1,324,000. Application fee KSh 4,000. At KU: MSc in Statistics from KU or recognised institution. School of Pure and Applied Sciences. KSh 336,600/year. Application fee KSh 3,000. At JKUAT: MSc in Statistics from JKUAT or recognised institution. KSh 140,000/year. Application fee KSh 1,500.

MSc in Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Statistics or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university

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

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at University of Nairobi (Department of Mathematics, PhD in Mathematical Statistics I817, 3 years, total KSh 1,324,000, application fee KSh 4,000), Kenyatta University (School of Pure and Applied Sciences, PhD in Statistics, KSh 336,600/year, application fee KSh 3,000) and JKUAT (PhD in Applied Statistics, KSh 140,000/year, application fee KSh 1,500).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Statistician
High demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000
Statistics at KNBS and research institutes
Biostatistician
High demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000
Biostatistics at KEMRI and health agencies
University Professor
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaching and research in statistics departments
Data Scientist
High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 700,000
Data science at tech companies and banks

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, statisticians, data scientists and biostatisticians. They work at KNBS, Central Bank, financial institutions, research institutes and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Statistics is just about calculating averages.
The field covers probability theory, Bayesian methods, stochastic processes, biostatistics and statistical computing.
There is no demand for statistics PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's data revolution and big data create strong demand.
Statistics research is purely mathematical.
The programme connects to data science, finance, health, agriculture and policy.
Only mathematicians study this PhD.
The programme attracts economists, computer scientists and public health professionals.