The PhD in Energy Studies is designed to develop energy professionals with skills required in the growing energy sector, with essential abilities applicable in both the renewables industry and the traditional energy industry.

The overall objective of this programme is to produce graduates with the highest level of scholarship, and research and development capability to provide sustainable solutions to challenges in the energy sector for betterment of society.

The specific objectives of this programme are to:

1. Produce graduates with competency in development, implementation and management of projects in the energy sector.
2. Produce graduates with analytical skills to conduct independent research
3. Impart innovative spirit in the graduates for entrepreneurial venture creation
4. Train graduates for careers in industry, academics or research & development institutions

The program consists of course work, examination and thesis for a total duration of 6 semesters. Research work takes up 67% of the program while course work takes up 33%. All course work is done in the first year of study. The second and third years are dedicated to seminars, workshops and research. At the end of the second semester, each student is allocated an academic advisor to provide guidance in developing a research proposal. Once the proposal is approved by the School Graduate Studies Committee, the student is assigned two supervisors. The supervisors provide periodic reports on the student’s research progress.

Each course is normally assessed through a combination of continuous assessments and final examination. The continuous assessments account for 40% of the marks for each course while the final written examinations account for 60%. The pass mark is 50%. The research project is assessed in two parts:

1. Through oral presentations made by the student to the board of examiners to assess ability of the student to express themselves and demonstrate ownership of the work. This component takes 20% of the total mark.
2. Thesis examination to assess the quality of the thesis document. This component takes 80% of the total mark

After successful completion of the PhD programme in Energy Studies, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate broad knowledge of energy resources and technologies and their technical, economic and environmental impacts.
2. Undertake strategic planning, management, socio-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment of energy projects.
3. Interpret policies and regulations governing the energy sector.
4. Evaluate relevant methods, techniques and tools used for planning and analysis of energy systems.
5. Successfully carry out advanced tasks, both independently and in collaboration with others.
6. Develop project proposals and use scientific methods to conduct independent research and analyse and present the results.
7. Communicate effectively and demonstrate leadership, dynamism and interpersonal skills.

The programme was accredited by the Kenya Commission for University Education (CUE) in 2013

The accreditation is valid over a 10 year period ( 2013 – 2022)