Common Regulations for The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy In All Schools

Eligibility for Admission
The following shall be eligible for registration for the Ph.D degree programme:

• A candidate who holds a Master’s degree of Kenyatta University
• A candidate who holds a Master’s degree or equivalent qualifications from any other University recognized by the Senate of Kenyatta University as being an institution of comparable status to that of Kenyatta University.
• A candidate who holds a Bachelor’s degree of Kenyatta University and has at least three years postgraduate research experience in the subject area, and can provide proven evidence of research ability in the form of papers, reports, manuscripts, portfolios or other published works.
• A candidate who holds a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from any other University or institution recognized by the Senate of Kenyatta University as being of comparable status to Kenyatta University, provided that the candidate has at least three years of postgraduate research experience in the subject area and who can provide proven evidence of research ability in the form of papers, reports, manuscripts, portfolios or other published works.

In exceptional cases, a candidate admitted to study for a Master’s degree, may have the registration changed to a doctorate degree, provided that the candidate has shown exceptionally good progress in the research and that the area of study is suitable for doctorate study. Requests for such a change shall be submitted to the Graduate school by the relevant School which will make an appropriate recommendation to Senate.

In addition to producing evidence of eligibility for admission, candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy degree may be required to appear for interview by the School and/or Department, to determine their suitability for registration.

The Senate shall have overall authority to admit or decline to admit a candidate for the degree.

Subject to approval by the Senate, Schools may formulate regulations requiring applicants to have attained such academic or equivalent qualifications as may be consistent with the goals of their doctorate programmes.

Applications shall be submitted to the Registrar (Academic) on the prescribed forms KU/R/GS/1.

Applications and research proposals shall, in the first instance, be scrutinized by the relevant Departmental Postgraduate Studies Committee (DPSC) and forwarded to the relevant School Postgraduate studies Committee which shall make appropriate comments and recommendations to the Graduate School.

In case of rejection, the Registrar (Academic) shall inform the applicant of the grounds for rejection.

If satisfied with the applicant’s eligibility, the Graduate school shall recommend to the Senate that the applicant be admitted and the effective date of registration will be when the relevant School Postgraduate Studies Committee accepted the research proposal.

Before recommending an applicant for registration, the relevant School Board of Post-graduate studies shall ensure that:

• The proposed field is academically sound and can be profitably pursued under the supervision of Kenyatta University academic staff.
• The applicant will have access to such literature, materials and facilities as demanded by the field of study.

Candidates for the Masters degree may apply for provisional admission by completing the normal University admission application form which will be scrutinized and approved by the relevant Department and School. The form will then be submitted to the Registrar Academic Affairs (Admissions Office). If approved, provisional candidates will be allowed 12 months within which to prepare and successfully defend their research proposals at the Departmental and School Boards.

The Graduate School may postpone the research proposal requirement as a prerequisite for admission when a candidate seeks provisional registration. Departments must make recommendations for such postponement through the relevant School. The recommendations must be based on the applicant’s credentials, departmental research objectives and other relevant considerations. Candidates who are registered provisionally must submit their research proposals within twelve months with effect from the date of registration.