The Pattern of the Doctor of Philosophy Programmes

The Doctor of Philosophy degree programme in any School shall consist of either:
thesis only
or
coursework, examination and thesis.

The Duration of doctor of Philosophy Programmes

The Doctorate degree in all Schools shall extend over a period of at least three (3) years from the date of registration for a candidate studying full-time. Part-time candidates shall be registered for a minimum of four (4) years, except that under special cases the Graduate School may recommend to Senate that the candidate may submit the thesis after three (3) years.

No candidate for Ph.D degree shall be registered as a full-time student for more than four years or a part-time student for more than six (6) years.

Maximum period of study may be extended for no longer than nine (9) months and twelve (12) months for full-time and part-time Ph.D candidates respectively, unless under special circumstances.

Supervision of Candidates

A candidate registered under these regulations shall be required to carry out research under the supervision of a Supervisory Committee of at least two members, one of whom must be from the members of the University academic staff.

The Senate shall on recommendation of the Graduate School appoint one of the members of the Supervisory Committee as the candidate’s main supervisor.

A supervisor may be drawn from outside the Faculty and the University, in which case the Graduate School must satisfy itself (by examination of the potential supervisor’s curriculum vitae) that the potential supervisors competent in the candidate’s area of study.

Supervisors and candidates must consult at least once per month. If written material is submitted by the candidate for consideration by the supervisors, then the supervisors must respond within a period of at most two weeks.

All candidates shall present annually, a written report on their progress to the relevant School Postgraduate Studies Committee through the relevant department. The reports must be certified by the candidates’ supervisors. Supervisors may present an unsatisfactory report to the School Postgraduate Studies Committee at any time.

Where such an unsatisfactory report is considered by the SPSC to be likely to cause deregistration of the candidate, the Dean of School shall be required to warn the candidate in writing as to the unsatisfactory nature of his progress. During the six month probation the candidate must submit to the SPSC through the supervisors and department a progress report after every month. I adequate progress is not made within a further six months period, the SPSC shall recommend to the Graduate School that the candidate be deregistered.

Submission and Examination of a Thesis

Candidates shall give at least three months notice to the Dean, Graduate School on the prescribed form KU/GS/ADM/2, that they intend to submit their thesis.

The Senate, on recommendation of the Graduate school, School and the Department shall appoint an external, two internal examiners, one of whom must not have supervised the candidate, two other competent persons and a Senate Representative as members of the candidate’s Board of Examiners. The Chairman of the Board of Examiners shall normally be the Dean of the relevant School.

The external examiner and each of the internal examiners shall be required to submit within five weeks of receipt of the thesis, independent written assessments of the thesis. The assessment reports should be sent to the Dean, Graduate School and should indicate:
- The strengths and weaknesses of each chapter
- Whether the thesis conforms in presentation, to the regulations for writing of thesis of Kenyatta University.
- Whether the thesis makes a distinct contribution to the knowledge and understanding of the subject and reflects evidence of the candidate’s capacity for original thought and is worthy of publication.
- Whether the degree should be awarded.
- The examiners should also point out and list separately any corrections they feel should be made to the thesis.

As soon as all the examiners’ reports are received, the Dean Graduate School shall convene a meeting of the Board of Examiners chaired by the Dean of the relevant School at which the candidate shall be present for oral examination. Subject to Senate’s approval and only the most exceptional circumstances, the degree may be awarded to the candidate without being orally examined.

The Board of examiners shall consider the examiners’ reports, the candidate’s performance at the interview, and any other academic matters arising from the candidates programme and produce a report on the prescribed form KU/GS/ADM/3 to be signed by all Board members present. The report shall recommend the award of the degree, or otherwise to the Senate through the Graduate School.

Candidates must make corrections as recommended by the Board of Examiners. A certificate shall be issued by a member of the Board (normally the main Supervisor) appointed to ensure that the corrections recommended by the Board have been made in the bound copies.

The Senate may, on the advice of the Graduate School invite a candidate to resubmit the thesis in a revised, extended or rewritten form. The thesis shall then be re-examined by a Board of Examiners within a period of 12 months from the original meeting of the Board of Examiners. A thesis may be presented for re-examination only once.

A thesis accepted by the University and subsequently published in part or whole and in whatever form shall, bear the inscription; “Work forming part of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of Kenyatta University”.

Withdrawal and Re-admission

The regulations governing withdrawal and re-admission for Master’s degree programmes shall apply.

Inter-University Transfer

The regulations governing inter-university transfer for Master’s degree programmes shall apply.