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Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology is a doctoral programme offered at JKUAT, Mount Kenya University and University of Eldoret. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in zoology, animal biology and ecological systems.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 441,333
Ksh 1,323,999 to Ksh 2,206,665 total
Private tuition
Ksh 150,000
Ksh 450,000 to Ksh 750,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 441,333 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,323,999 to Ksh 2,206,665 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 150,000 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 animal physiology, animal ecology, molecular ecology, entomology, parasitology, conservation biology, evolutionary biology, aquatic ecology, fisheries science, developmental biology, research methods and biostatistics. The programme emphasises original research that develops zoological insights for Kenya's biodiversity and ecological challenges.

Kenya's rich biodiversity, conservation challenges and the need for ecological research create demand for doctoral-level zoology expertise. The programme supports Kenya's wildlife conservation and environmental management goals.

At JKUAT, the programme has been offered with specialisations including Molecular Ecology. At Mount Kenya University, the programme is offered as PhD in Zoology/Botany (thesis only) at KSh 150,000 per year with a total cost of KSh 450,000 over 3 years. At University of Eldoret, the programme is offered with specialisations in Zoology and Animal Ecology.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, zoology researchers, conservation biologists, ecologists, wildlife scientists, fisheries scientists and environmental consultants. They work in universities, Kenya Wildlife Service, research institutions, National Museums of Kenya and international conservation organisations.

The programme is ideal for biological scientists who wish to contribute to zoological research at the highest level.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Animal Physiology
  • Animal Ecology
  • Molecular Ecology
  • Entomology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Fisheries Science
  • Research Methods in Zoology
  • Biostatistics

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Animal Physiology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced animal physiology, covering anatomical and physiological principles, their structural-functional relationships, and clinical relevance.

  • Animal Ecology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Ecological interactions, covering ecological principles, environmental management approaches, and sustainability challenges in contemporary contexts.

  • Molecular Ecology

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Molecular techniques in ecology, covering ecological principles, environmental management approaches, and sustainability challenges in contemporary contexts.

  • Conservation Biology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Biodiversity conservation, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.

  • Evolutionary Biology

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Evolution and adaptation, covering biological principles, research techniques, and their application in understanding living systems.

  • Aquatic Ecology

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Aquatic ecosystems, covering ecological principles, environmental management approaches, and sustainability challenges in contemporary contexts.

  • 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

  • Molecular Ecology

    Research on molecular ecology

  • Aquatic Ecology

    Research on aquatic systems

  • Animal Ecology

    Research on animal ecology

  • Conservation Biology

    Research on conservation

A day as a student

A typical day involves reviewing zoology literature, conducting laboratory experiments, field sampling and ecological surveys, analysing biological data, attending research seminars, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with KWS and research institutions for field research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's rich biodiversity provides unique research opportunitiesProgramme requires significant field work in sometimes remote areas
Access to KWS, NMK and international conservation collaborationsLimited private sector career opportunities
Research directly contributes to conservation and environmental managementFunding for zoological research can be competitive

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 441k
170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology441k at University of Nairobi
Private150k to 150k
150k at Mount Kenya University150k at Mount Kenya 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 441K/yr avg (uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT 170K/yr. MKU PhD Zoology 150K/yr (mku.ac.ke).

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

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • African Union Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • African Union Research Grant

    Grant

    Biodiversity researchers in Africa

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

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 JKUAT: Masters degree in relevant area from JKUAT or recognised institution. At MKU: Masters degree in relevant field recognised by MKU senate. At UoE: MSc in Zoology, Biology or relevant discipline from recognised institution.

Subject requirements
Masters degree in Zoology, Biology or relevant fieldRelevant Masters from recognised institution

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Chuka University, Maseno University.

May 20273 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Chuka University, Maseno University.

September 20273 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Chuka University, Maseno University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment20% of the mark

    Assignments, laboratory work, field reports and seminar presentations

  • 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

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 JKUAT, Mount Kenya University (thesis only) and University of Eldoret. Admission requires Masters degree in Zoology, Biology or relevant field from a recognised institution.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Conservation Biologist

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Conservation research and management

  • Ecologist

    Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Ecological research and consulting

  • Wildlife Scientist

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Wildlife research at KWS and institutions

  • University Professor

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in zoology

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, zoology researchers, conservation biologists and ecologists in universities, Kenya Wildlife Service, research institutions and conservation organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Zoology PhD is just about studying animals.

    The programme covers molecular ecology, conservation biology, evolutionary biology, physiology and fisheries science.

  • There are no jobs for zoology PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's biodiversity and conservation sector need zoological research expertise.

  • Zoology research is purely descriptive.

    The programme uses molecular techniques, statistical analysis and field-based ecological methods.

  • Only those working in wildlife can study zoology PhDs.

    The programme is open to biologists, ecologists and environmental scientists.

Further reading

Read next