Overview
Introduction
This Doctor of Philosophy degree programme provides students with wide-ranging and advanced knowledge as well as skills in historical study and research. Taught PhD represents a significant departure from the traditional PhD by thesis programme run by the Department over the years. The course is built on the twin foundation of taught core courses on one hand and thesis by research on the other. While the taught courses will ensure meaningful interaction between the learners and the diversity of intellectual ideas represented by our faculty, the research component will equip students with the requisite academic wherewithal critical for knowledge creation. Furthermore, the utility of core subjects lie in enabling students in the formulation of study argument, understanding diverse modes of historical writing and critical analysis. Additionally, the taught units will give students firm grounding in the understanding of vistas of historiographical trends, emerging theoretical discourse and analytical viewpoints.
Rationale of the Programme
Undertaking a PhD research in our Department is an exciting experience which goes beyond the
interactions between the student and supervisor/s. Our students are exposed to teaching and
learning from multiple disciplines in the university. Exposing students to diverse shades of
intellectual discourse through teaching by different lecturers and research is a crucial goal of this
programme. We consequently graduate individuals who are exposed and grounded on the potent
multiplicity of intellectual opinions that exist beyond history as a discipline.
Philosophy of the Programme
This programme is predicated on a much more incisive approach than history being merely a
study of the human past. History shapes our world; it shapes our lives. Its scientific study should
be geared towards ourselves, our identities, contestations and contradictions in both their
extrinsic and teleological context and sense. And that provides a fundamental philosophic
underpinning of this programme.
1.4 Objectives of the programme
The objectives of the programme are to:
i) Comprehend critical thinking, logical reasoning and its application to historical study.
ii) Explain the emerging historiographical trends, theories and interpretations.
iii) Equip students with advanced tools of historical research and scholarship.
Expected Outcomes of the Programme
At the end of the programme the learner should be able to:
i) Demonstrate understanding of historical knowledge, and logical reasoning in
various historical contexts
ii) Globally competitive graduate in history
iii) Articulate various theoretical paradigms in historical sciences
Structure
COURSE STRUCTURE AND DURATION
The degree programme shall consist of course work, examination and thesis. 5.2 The programme shall be covered in a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of ten (10) semesters for full-time students and fourteen (14) semesters for part-time students from the date of registration.
Each candidate shall be required to successfully complete a minimum of eight (8) course units during the first and second semester of the first year of study.
In addition, candidates shall be required to take a thesis, which shall be equivalent to eight (8) course units.
Each course unit shall have a minimum of 45 contact hours, and shall be covered within a semester of 15 weeks.
Each student shall be required to take a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of four (4) course units in one semester.
On successful completion of coursework, the student shall present a research proposal for approval in a departmental seminar.
After approval of the research proposal, the student will undertake supervised research, write and submit a thesis within the remaining period of the programme. The minimum period for the research thesis after approval of the proposal is four (4) semesters.
Admission Requirements
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The common regulations for admission requirements for PhD in the University of Nairobi shall apply.
In addition, applicants must be holders of a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree and any other relevant discipline from the University of Nairobi or any other institution recognized by University of Nairobi Senate.
Fees and Funding
| DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN HISTORY(C807) | YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | TOTALS |
| Tuition | 192,000 | 192,000 | 192,000 | 576,000 |
| ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR) | 7,000 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 21,000 |
| THESIS EXAMINATION | - | - | 50,000 | 50,000 |
| REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250) | 4,500 | 4,500 | 4,500 | 13,500 |
| ID CARD ( PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 3,000 |
| CAUTION - (ONCE) | 5,000 | - | - | 5,000 |
| MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR) | 6,500 | 6,500 | 6,500 | 19,500 |
| ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR) | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 6,000 |
| LIBRARY (PER YEAR) | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | 15,000 |
| STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR) | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 3,000 |
| EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000) | - | - | - | - |
| Grand totals | 224,000 | 219,000 | 269,000 | 712,000 |