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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.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 336,600
Ksh 1,009,800 to Ksh 1,683,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 333,533
Ksh 1,000,599 to Ksh 1,667,665 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 336,600 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,009,800 to Ksh 1,683,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 333,533 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 Forensic DNA Scientist, at 15 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 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.

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 favourAgainst it
Kenya's data revolution creates strong demandUoN PhD is expensive (KSh 1,324,000 total)
Skills applicable across all sectorsRequires strong mathematical and computing skills
Access to KNBS, Central Bank and research institutesRapid 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

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 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.

Subject requirements
MSc in Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Statistics or related fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.

May 20273 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University.

September 20273 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta 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

  • 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 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).

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

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.

Further reading

Read next