This article aims to give you an estimated cost of running a Masters and PhD program in Kenya.
Before making a decision on which institution to enrol as an undergraduate and graduate student, the tuition fee is a major factor to consider apart from other factors such as courses available, accreditation status, the reputation of faculty, location and the likes. Postgraduate programmes everywhere including Africa are usually on the high side in terms of fees, hence the pursuance of funding or scholarships. In this article, we would look at the financial demands for pursuing a graduate degree in Kenya.
The Republic of Kenya is the 29th most populous country with a population of over 47 million persons. It’s capital and largest city is Nairobi. As a result of her accelerated growth especially in the economic space and her government’s concentration on the education sector, Kenya’s education system has become a force to reckon with, in Africa and the world by extension. The education system in Kenya is managed by two ministries: Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology.
According to the Ministry of Education in Kenya, “the country’s university education system is expected to create sustainable pools of highly trained human resources equipped with the skills required for the country to experience socio-economic development and to remain globally competitive in a rapidly changing and more diverse economy.” Kenya can boast of being the largest university education system in East Africa. In fact, the state’s capital has the highest level of literacy at 87.1 percent in the country. The language of instruction used in universities is English and it runs an academic year from September to June.
Today, Kenya has a total of 52 fully-fledged chartered public and private universities including colleges of higher education, vocational colleges and polytechnic universities. The University of Nairobi is the largest and oldest university in Kenya and one of the few universities in the country offering over 900 different degrees including postgraduate programmes.
For graduate schools, there are certain requirements that cut across all the institutions whether as a foreign or international student. Some of them include: completed application form, copies of certificates (certificate from the last graduated school), two/three passport size photographs, two copies of the application fees receipt, evidence of proficiency in the English Language as an international student and reference letters from an academic and professional that is quite familiar with you.
Here’s why you should consider Kenya for your graduate programme:
- Culture – The diverse cultures and linguistic variations are suitable for cross-cultural studies
- Educational ranking – Kenya has one of her university in the overall Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- Recreations and tourism – Kenya is home to a number of national parks and wildlife reserves making it an ideal destination to take courses like zoology, ecology, biology and other related studies
- Affordability – Tuition fees in Kenya are relatively low compared to some Western countries, and a favourable exchange rate will make the cost of living cheap for many international students.
- Weather – Kenya has a wonderful climate which is favourable to aspiring students.
- Available courses – Kenyan universities offer a wide range of courses in the fields of law, medicine, business and computer administration all offered at certificate, diploma, degree, masters and PhD level.
- Economic value – Nairobi City is an established social hub for international businesses, multinational companies and organizations thus providing great exposure for students to have hands-on experiences in their fields of study.
Let us take a look at the fee structure for the graduate programme- Masters and PhD in Kenya.
FEES STRUCTURE FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS (MASTERS AND PhD) IN KENYA
1. Masters Programme fees and funding in Kenya
A Master is a graduate-level academic program that takes about two years after a bachelor’s degree to receive. Masters degree in Kenya typically is a combination of course work with a maximum of two years. In Kenya, school fees are usually dependent on the course of study. For instance, in Kenyatta University, tuition fees for arts-related courses are about East Africans Kshs. 100,000-120,000 and Non-East Africans Kshs. 140,000-175,000 (this is apart from law). The science field is East Africans Kshs. 110,000-140,000 and Non-East Africans Kshs. 150,000-187,500 (this does not cover medicine).
All universities in Kenya are internationally recognized and globally competitive as they provide graduate students with the necessary skills required to thrive in their various chosen fields. The most popular fields of study for masters students in Kenya are Communication Studies, Information Systems and Security, Computer science, Public Health or any related to Health Care, Finance, Civil Engineering, Economics, Project Management and Real Estate Management.
You would need a first-class or at least a second class upper division to be enrolled for a Masters degree unless you have some years of work experience. Masters degree could be full time, part-time or distance based. As expected, prospective graduate students must pay a non-refundable fee (Kshs. 4,000) for Kenya Citizens. Some universities make additional costs for international students like the University of Nairobi which offers about 25% more for non-Kenyans.
Tuition fees in Kenyan universities vary just as their policies do, but on the average postgraduate students can pay between 1,380 USD – 5,000 USD per year. For instance in Kenyatta University, as an Executive Masters applicant, East Africans would pay Kshs. 400,000 ($3,789) while Non-East Africans pay Kshs. 450,000 ($4,260) both for the entire programme.
Further, there are also bursaries and fundings available for eligible citizens as well as foreign students. Some of the scholarships available in Kenya are as follows:
- P4hpt PhD and Masters Scholarships for African Students
- Fully-funded Masters Scholarships At Swire/Oxford & Cambridge Society of Kenya
- Ministry Of Higher Education, Science and Technology Bursary
- WANGARI MAATHAI SCHOLARSHIP FUND
- CFC Stanbic Bank Education Scholarship Fund
- DAAD M.Sc and PhD Scholarships for Kenyans
- Mawazo PhD Scholars Programme For Africans At Kenyan Universities
- UCT Genetics Postdoctoral Research Fellowship for Sub-Saharan Africans in Africa,
- Masters And Doctor Of Philosophy Degree Scholarships At Kisii University In Kenya
- Pan African University Masters And PhD Scholarship For African Students
The above list of scholarship opportunities is non-exhaustive. We recommend the section dedicated to Kenyan related information for lists of each scholarship and their eligibility requirements because they vary from each other. However, it is important you select the opportunities that befit your achievements and course of study. For instance, the ACCESS Kenya Scholarships is only available for students from Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Vihiga counties all in Kenya.
2. PhD fees and funding in Kenya
Doctoral programmes are more expensive and demanding than masters and undergraduate programmes. In Kenya, you must have earned your master’s degree before enrolling in a PhD degree. Usually, during the application, applicants must submit their research proposals together with other application documents.
Officially, it takes three years to complete a doctoral programme in Kenya, however, that is still subject to the decision and pace of the student. PhD programmes are offered in both private and public universities and they range from medicine, public administration, education, ministry, philosophy, psychology, communication, vet medicine, management etc. on the average, PhD candidates can pay as far as Kshs. 200,000 for East African students and Kshs. 250,000 for non-East African citizens. This is also dependent on the course and research endeavour. However, there are a number of international and local funding opportunities such as grants, fellowships available for doctoral students to assist in their research expenses. The above-mentioned list is also applicable to them.
3. Cost of Living
As a foreign student, according to Kenyan recent regulations, you are not allowed to get a job while studying. But, the cost of living is relatively cheap and there is affordable and secure accommodation for students within and outside the school premises. There are welfare organizations in the schools that aid students to get accommodation. There is easy access to electricity, food, transportation and other utilities. Some scholarship skills cover these costs too.
CONCLUSION
Kenya is one of the most sought after places for the best education, innovation and skills whether as an international student or local student. As another academic year rolls out, maybe you consider sending your application to Kenya, you would be glad you did. Good luck!
