PhD in Literature - The University of Nairobi, Kenya

• English Language and Literature

To be qualified for admission in the PhD program, the prospective candidate must have the following minimum qualifications:

• The applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD) should have a masters degree from the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification from institutions recognized by Senate.
• In addition, the applicants should submit a research proposal showing that they are capable of carrying out original research.

Interested candidates should additionally visit the university website or contact the admissions office for further information on both the university and departmental entry requirements for this course. 

• Applicants for PhD programmes offered by coursework, examination and thesis should submit their application forms, together with certified copies of the following documents:

1. Bachelors degree certificate
2. Masters degree certificate
3. Undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts

• Applicants for PhD programmes offered by thesis only should submit their application forms together with certified copies of the following documents:

1. Bachelors degree certificate
2. Masters degree certificate
3. Undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts
4. Research proposal

Undergraduate Admissions

Certificate Courses

Admission to Certificate Courses will be based on any of the following minimum qualifications:

• KCSE mean grade of C- or equivalent.

• An O’ level mean grade of Division III or equivalent.

• An A’ Level qualification with a minimum of two subsidiary passes or equivalent.

Diploma Courses

Admission to Diploma Courses will be based on any of the following minimum qualifications:

• KCSE mean grade C.

• KCSE mean grade C- or equivalent plus a Certificate

• An O’ level qualification with a minimum division III or equivalent

• An A’ level qualification with a minimum of two subsidiary passes or equivalent

Please Note

Certificates must be from an Institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate.

The certificates should have been undertaken for a period of at least one Semester.

Degree Courses

Admission to Bachelor’s Degree Programmes will be based on any one of the following minimum qualifications:

• KCSE mean grade C+ or equivalent

• KCSE mean grade C- or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma

• Level Division II or equivalent plus a Diploma

• Level Division III or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma

• Level Division III or equivalent plus a three-year Diploma from a recognized post-secondary Institution for admissions to Bachelor of Education

• Diploma from University of Nairobi or other recognized institutions and an aggregate of C in KCSE or equivalent

• A Level with two principal passes or equivalent in relevant subjects Only Applicants whose results are available at the time of application will be considered

• CPAII/CPSII/CIPS or equivalent for Commerce and Arts and should have attained an aggregate of C in KCSE or O level Division III

• P1 from a two-year post-secondary training institution for entry into Bachelor of Education with Minimum KCSE Mean Grade C or O Level Division III

• Higher National Diploma in relevant fields and should have attained an aggregate of C in KCSE

• Degree from a recognized University

• Equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by Senate

• Level Division III or equivalent plus a three-year Diploma from a recognized post-secondary Institution for admissions to Bachelor of Education

• Diploma from University of Nairobi or other recognized institutions and an aggregate of C in KCSE or equivalent

• A Level with two principal passes or equivalent in relevant subjects Only Applicants whose results are available at the time of application will be considered

• CPAII/CPSII/CIPS or equivalent for Commerce and Arts and should have attained an aggregate of C in KCSE or O level Division III

• P1 from a two-year post-secondary training institution for entry into Bachelor of Education with Minimum KCSE Mean Grade C or O Level Division III

• Higher National Diploma in relevant fields and should have attained an aggregate of C in KCSE

• Degree from a recognized University

• Equivalent qualifications to the above from institutions recognized by Senate

Foundation Courses

The university offers foundation courses in Sciences and Arts.

Applicants who have C- would be admitted to the Foundation Course as a prerequisite for university admission.

Application Dates

University of Nairobi has three intakes in an Academic year.

• Main intake being in September/October for all the courses and December/January for Bachelor of Education(Arts), Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Hospitality Management, Bachelor of Travel and Tourism
• April/May for Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Education(Arts),Bachelor of Education Early Childhood, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Economics ,Bachelor of Economics and Statistics ,Bachelor of Journalism and media Studies, Bachelor of Art Broadcast Production, Bachelor of Hospitality Management, Bachelor of Travel and Tourism, Bachelor of Arts Broadcast Production and all Diploma and Certificate courses

Application Procedure

Access the online application system to make your application.

Proficiency in English

Applicants from non-English speaking countries will be required to produce a certificate of proficiency in English such as Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Distance Education

The University of Nairobi has embarked on ‘Distance Learning’ mode of delivery intended to favour those students who may not be available to take courses either on full time or part time (evenings and weekends) basis. Currently, the following courses are being offered by distance learning mode:-Bachelor of Education (Arts), Bachelor of Education (Science), Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. Other programmes are due to follow soon.

Graduate Admissions

Admission for postgraduate degree programmes is done throughout the year for January and September intakes. Application is done online through the Online Application System: https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/ 

Admission Criteria

• Doctor of Philosophy Degree: The applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree should have a masters degree from the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification from institutions recognized by Senate. In addition, the applicants should submit a research proposal showing that they are capable of carrying out original research.
• Fellowship: Applicants for Fellowship programmes should have a minimum of Upper Second Class Honours Degree in the relevant discipline from the University of Nairobi or Equivalent qualification from Institutions recognized by Senate.
• Masters Degree: Applicants for masters degree programmes should have a minimum of Upper Second Class Honours Degree in the relevant discipline from the University of Nairobi or Equivalent qualification from Institutions recognized by Senate. Persons with lower qualifications but with postgraduate diplomas after Bachelors' degrees are also considered for admission.
• Postgraduate Diploma: Applicants for Postgraduate Diplomas should have a minimum of a pass degree

Required documents for application

Postgraduate Diploma and Masters

1. KCSE/O-Level  Certificate
2. Certified copies of undergraduate degree certificate and transcripts
3. Applicants with KCSE C (plain) to attach certified copy of diploma  from KNEC in addition to those stated in 1 & 2
4. Applicants with KCSE C- (minus)  to attach certified copies of a certificate and a diploma in addition to those stated in 1 & 2

Fellowship

1. KCSE/O-Level  Certificate
2. Certified copies of undergraduate degree certificate and transcripts
3. Applicants with KCSE C (plain) to attach certified copy of diploma  from KNEC in addition to those stated in 1 & 2
4. Applicants with KCSE C- (minus)  to attach certified copies of a certificate and a diploma in addition to those stated in 1 & 2
5. Certified copies of masters degree certificate and transcripts

PhD by course work, examination and thesis

1. KCSE/O-Level  Certificate
2. Certified copies of undergraduate degree certificate and transcripts
3. Applicants with KCSE C (plain) to attach certified copy of diploma  from KNEC in addition to those stated in 1 & 2
4. Applicants with KCSE C- (minus)  to attach certified copies of a certificate and a diploma in addition to those stated in 1 & 2
5. Certified copies of masters degree certificate and transcripts

PhD by thesis only

1. KCSE/O-Level  Certificate
2. Certified copies of undergraduate degree certificate and transcripts
3. Applicants with KCSE C (plain) to attach certified copy of diploma  from KNEC in addition to those stated in 1 & 2
4. Applicants with KCSE C- (minus)  to attach certified copies of a certificate and a diploma in addition to those stated in 1 & 2
5. Certified copies of masters degree certificate and transcripts
6. PhD Proposal

NB:  All applicants;

1. To attach documents certified by the university attended
2. Show evidence of accreditation status in cases where one studied in a foreign university
3. Proof of English proficiency for non-English speaking countries only
4. Translated documents into English for applicants from non-English speaking countries should be attached

Application Procedure

Application done at Online Self Sponsored Students Application System

For further information on Postgraduate Studies and admissions, please contact:

Deputy Registrar (Postgraduate Studies)
P.O. Box 30197 00100, NAIROBI
Telephone Number: 020 491 0000
E-mail: General correspondence: pg@uonbi.ac.ke

E-mil: Admission correspondence: pg-admissions@uonbi.ac.ke