Overview
Philosophy of the Programme
The programme will prepare learners already grounded in the social sciences to deal creatively and effectively with developmental problems. This programme is expected to respond to these challenges in varied ways. First, leveraging its research output to inform development policy and other conversations at the local, regional and global arenas. Secondly, preparing PhD students who have the requisite knowledge, skills and the attitude to advance development agenda in different sectors and levels of the society. The programme with its diversity in background and experience prepares graduates with the cutting edge theoretical and methodological approaches besides rich network with various epistemic communities across the globe. It seeks to empower learners to address the challenges of development by promoting dialogue among research findings, societal needs, and what is being taught. This curriculum takes into account the emerging issues that have implications for development.
Rationale for the Programme
Apart from building on the already existing Masters of Development Programme, introduction of the taught PhD programme in Development studies has been informed by the following factors. A good number of applicants going by previous experiences do not have back ground neither in development studies nor social sciences hence the need for conceptual/theoretical and methodological grounding. It is also envisaged that a taught programme will enable students who have taken some time out from active academic work since their completion of masters programme opportunity to reconnect with the theoretical and conceptual issues besides advancing them in the light of emerging issues.
Overall, the PhD programme in development studies is expected to achieve the following objectives
- Equip students with conceptual, theoretical and analytical grounding in development studies
- Equip students with advanced and cutting edge methodologies in development research.
- Impart students with skills to communicate development knowledge/ research findings to varied audiences.
Objectives
The main objectives of the programme are to:
- Apply modern economic theory, using analytical and evaluative skills, to understand and solve a variety of economic problems and to make policy evaluations, recommendations, and decisions.
- Possess the analytical, mathematical, and econometric skills needed to engage in and conduct original research. This will include the ability to use modern, extensive, economic datasets. In doing so, students will be able to understand and replicate contemporary findings within economics research.
- Produce and publish original economic research; this includes their dissertations as well as the production of research papers appropriate for peer-reviewed academic journals and submission to economic research conferences.
- Communicate and disseminate knowledge of economics effectively in careers within and outside academia
Structure
- Schedule of Intakes
Department of Economics and Development Studies, University of Nairobi has ONE intake in a year.
- September Intake (Every Year)
For any assistance and clarification please contact any of the following:
Academic Revenue Office
Tel:+254 20 491 3138
(For all courses) 020 491 0000
Email:cessp-g3@uonbi.ac.ke
More information may also be obtained from the Admissions Office, Main Campus, Administration Block, 1st floor, room 116, Room A112 or email: admissions@uonbi.ac.ke
6.9 Mode of Delivery
The programme shall adopt blended learning through the use of face-to-face and online modes. The face-to-face learning will take place within the classroom setting at the Main Campus. Currently, learning is through online delivery. The online classes are conducted over video conferencing platforms such as Mtihani, Zoom and Google Meet, among others.
The classes are conducted in the evening, Monday to Friday. Time 5.30pm – 8.30pm.
Students who successfully finish the coursework shall, in the second half of the second year, select their dissertation topics and prepare their thesis proposals, which have to be presented in a proposal seminar in the Department. On approval, the proposal will be forwarded to the Board of Postgraduate Studies for thesis registration.
During the third year, students will be involved with thesis research, fieldwork, and data gathering and analysis under the guidance of their supervisors. This process will end with a post-fieldwork seminar, where students will present preliminary analyses of their research. The fourth and final year will be devoted to final thesis write-up and defense. There will be two distinct parts to this period. The draft thesis will be prepared during the first half of the year and presented at a thesis seminar in the department. The draft thesis will be finalized during the second half of the year and defended in accordance with established procedures.
In the first year of study students will take a total of 6 (six) compulsory course units in the core areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and quantitative methods, two from each area. In each of the two semesters of the first year, candidates shall be required to take THREE (3) compulsory courses.
Semester 1:
- CEC8101 – Microeconomics I
- CEC8103 – Macroeconomics I
- CEC8105 – Quantitative Methods I
Semester 2:
- CEC8102 – Microeconomics II
- CEC8104 – Macroeconomics II
- CEC8106 – Quantitative Methods II
In the first half of the second year, students will continue with further coursework by taking FOUR (4) elective course units selected from the list of electives on offer. Students shall take the course units from two elective fields only, e.g. Agricultural Economics and Monetary Economics. In the second half of the second year, students would then prepare for and take comprehensive examinations.
Semester 3:
- XEA826 – Labour Economics I
- XEA827 – Labour Economics II
- XEA846 – Public Sector Economics I
- XEA847 – Public Sector Economics II
- XEA851 – International Economics I
- XEA852 – International Economics II
- XEA856 – Development Economics I
- XEA857 – Development Economics II
- XEA861 – Econometrics I
- XEA861 – Econometrics I
Comprehensive Examination
- XET901 – Comprehensive Examination in Microeconomics
- XET902 – Comprehensive Examination in Macroeconomics
- XEA905 – Comprehensive Examination in Labour Economics
- XEA909 – Comprehensive Examination in Public Sector Economics
- XEA910 – Comprehensive Examination in International Economics
- XEA911 – Comprehensive Examination in Development Economics
- XEA912 – Comprehensive Examination in Econometrics
Students who successfully finish the coursework shall, in the second half of the second year, select their dissertation topics and prepare their thesis proposals, which have to be presented in a proposal seminar in the Department. On approval, the proposal will be forwarded to the Board of Postgraduate Studies for thesis registration.
During the third year, students will be involved with thesis research, fieldwork, and data gathering and analysis under the guidance of their supervisors. This process will end with a post-fieldwork seminar, where students will present preliminary analyses of their research. The fourth and final year will be devoted to final thesis write-up and defense. There will be two distinct parts to this period. The draft thesis will be prepared during the first half of the year and presented at a thesis seminar in the Department. The draft thesis will be finalized during the second half of the year and defended in accordance with established procedures.
Exams Regulations
Written Examinations - Core and Electives
- All candidates shall be required to take and pass examinations in the core courses before proceeding to the second year.
- All candidates shall be required to take and pass examinations in the four electives during the second year of study.
- Continuous assessment shall consist of timed tests, assignments, class presentations and seminar papers.
- Each course shall be examined through a three hour written examination at the end of the semester during which the course was offered.
- The final examination shall account for sixty percent (60%) of the total marks in each course while the continuous assessment shall account for the remaining 40 per cent.
- The pass mark shall be fifty percent (50%).
- The pass mark for the supplementary examinations shall be fifty percent (50%), which is also the maximum attainable mark.
- A candidate who fails not more than 50% of the units in any academic year will be allowed to sit for supplementary examinations in the failed units when next offered.
- A candidate who fails more than 50% of the units in any one academic year shall, at the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
- A candidate who fails in two consecutive supplementary examinations of any one unit shall, at the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
Written Examinations - Comprehensives
- All candidates who have fulfilled 6.1 and 6.2 above shall prepare and sit for comprehensive examinations in three subject areas, which shall include Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and another subject area of their choice.
- The Comprehensive Examinations shall be graded out of one hundred percent (100%).
- The pass mark for each Comprehensive Examination shall be fifty percent (50%)
- A candidate who fails a Comprehensive Examination in any one unit shall take a supplementary examination the next time offered.
- A candidate who fails more than 2 Comprehensive Examinations shall, at the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
- A candidate who fails in two consecutive supplementary comprehensive examinations in a particular subject area shall, at the recommendation of the School Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be discontinued.
Thesis
- A candidate who successfully finishes the coursework and the Comprehensive Examinations shall proceed to prepare and present a thesis proposal.
- Candidates will be allocated at least two supervisors, one of whom shall be a member of the academic staff in the School.
- Each supervisor shall be required to compile and submit at least one progress report of the candidate’s work each semester. The report shall be submitted to the Director, School of Economics with a copy to the Director, Board of Postgraduate Studies for appropriate action.
- Candidates shall be required to present one seminar paper each semester.
- The candidate shall write and submit for examination a Thesis compiled from the research work carried out under the direction of not less than two supervisors.
- The format of the Thesis shall be as prescribed in the common regulations for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in all Faculties of the University.
- The thesis is equivalent to 12 core units or 2 academic years of coursework.
Admission Requirements
The common regulations for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in all the faculties of the University of Nairobi shall apply.
The following shall be eligible for admission:
- Holders of a Master's degree in economics from the University of Nairobi.
- Holders of a Master's degree in economics from an institution recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate as of comparable academic status.
- Holders of qualifications deemed by the Senate of the University of Nairobi to be equivalent to (a) and (b) above
- Schedule of Intakes
-
Department of Economics and Development Studies, University of Nairobi has ONE intake in a year.
- September Intake (Every Year)
-
Application Information
Step 1: Visit the application website http://application.uonbi.ac.ke
Step 2: Registration and creation of User Account - To register, you need an email address and phone number that will be validated during registration. Every applicant must create their own personal user account.
Step 3: Profile Management - Key-in your personal details and upload scanned copies of academic certificates and a passport size photograph. Only when your profile is complete can you apply for the programme you wish to undertake.
Step 4: Programme Selection - Select and apply for the course you are interested in. You will be issued with a REFERENCE NUMBER and directed to pay the prescribed application fee through the following Available Payment options:
- Credit/Debit Card
- M-Pesa Pay Bill
- Direct Cash Deposit at any Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) branch
-
Upon payment, you will receive a confirmation of the payment on the email address and phone number registered in step 2.
Step 5: Application Tracking - Track the status of your application online through the system. Alerts will be sent to your registered email address and phone number
Careers
-
Attachment Opportunities
Students may apply for attachment opportunities during the long holidays (May-August) every year. They get the opportunities to expand their economic knowledge and gain professional experience. There are many different types of economics attachments based on various types of work. The key areas: Mathematics and statistics; Research; Communication; Data analysis; Technology; and Business. The attachments opportunities are available in private and public sectors of the economy.
-
Economics Career paths
Career Prospects Prospective Employers
1) Professional Economists Private Sector
2) Planning Officers Public Sector
3) Economic Attachee Parastatals
4) Statisticians/Econometrician NGOs
5) Multilateral/bilateral Trade Negotiators International Institutions
Research Institutions
During their study period, Development Studies students are actively engaged as research assistants in research projects. This gives them a chance to build their development research skills. Also, as the projects are implemented collaboratively with industry partners, students get opportunities to build contacts with potential future employers.
Our graduates go on to work in the private sector, civil society organisations and public sectors in Kenya and beyond. They are working to address emerging issues that have implications for development in various capacities including:
1. Monitoring & Evaluation Experts
2. Development Analysts
3. Project Managers
4. Business Development Experts
5. Community Development Experts
6. Development Researchers/Consultants
7. Academic Professions
8. Programme Officers in Development Projects.
Further information be obtained from;
Chairman
Department of Economics and Development Studies
University of Nairobi
Tel. 0204913206/3238
Email: economics@uonbi.ac.ke
Website: economics.uonbi.ac.ke
Fees and Funding
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