Introduction
Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise and Sports Science PhD (ESS) at Kenyatta University is a coursework and thesis program designed to develop advanced knowledge, research skills, and expertise in areas related to human movement, health, performance, and physical activity. It prepares graduates for academic, research, and high-level professional roles in sports science, health promotion, and education.
Kenyans participate in most sporting activities and our dominance as a country is evident especially in track Athletics. However, this dominance is waning. To foster uptake and improvement in not just track athletics but other sports disciplines there is need to improve sports development and training in Kenya.
Rapid urbanization and changing economic status has led to an increase of hypokinetic and lifestyle diseases, to offer guidance in overcoming this challenge there is need to inform knowledge on new and more effective strategies in maintaining good health and fitness.
The Doctor of philosophy in exercise and sports science Graduate is uniquely qualified to offer expertise and training in the field sports and exercise. Through research and innovation this area can provide solutions that can improve health standards, reduce economic burden occasioned by hypokinetic diseases, tailor make exercise and sports protocols to improve performance and lead the charge in innovation in this area.
Programme Objectives
Upon graduation learners will be able to:
• Apply exceptional hands-on skills in various health and wellness domains
• Apply specialized knowledge in academia
• Apply hands-on skills in clinical applications or research
• Provide leadership in health promotion, wellness, kinesiology, human performance and exercise science
• Apply critical thinking in providing solutions in the health, wellness and Exercise performance domains
Justification / Rationale
The global epidemiological transition has increased morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases. This, on the back of sedentary lifestyles, has led to massive costs in medical expenses, lost productivity and quality of life. Consequently there is a great demand for solutions that focus on cause rather than symptoms. In turn, this has spawned an increasing demand for doctoral level experts in Exercise Science, and attracted interest from Masters Degree holders seeking further competencies to address this need. Doctorate level personnel are needed in academia, curriculum development, human performance optimization, health promotion, wellness specialists and in clinics for chronic disease intervention and prevention.
In order to serve effectively in these areas, the individual requires additional specialised training in areas such as Neuromuscular Responses to Exercise, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Exercise Stress Testing and Prescription, Ethics in Exercise and Sports Science Research, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Applied Qualitative and Quantitative Research in Exercise Science. This programme will develop graduates up to the task of filling these competency gaps and significantly impacting both, our nation and society.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the minimum entry requirements of Kenyatta University as follows:
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.
For admission into the Doctor of Philosophy in Exercise and Sports Science, applicants should have attained a minimum academic qualification of a Master’s degree in Exercise Science/Kinesiology/Sports Medicine/Medicine/ biomedical science or its equivalent from a recognized university.
Mode and Structure of Delivery
Students admitted in the programme will study under the Regular Mode and shall include:
1. Fulltime residential- Blended learning with Face to face, Synchronised and Asynchronized online sessions
2. Continuous Education Programme- Blended learning with Face to face and Asynchronized online sessions
Programme Duration
The doctorate degree shall extend over a period of at least three (3) years from the date of registration for a candidate studying full-time. Students complete 10 course units totaling 71 credit hours / 1,650 contact hours to graduate.
Curriculum Highlight
- HES 900: Research Design in Exercise and Sport Science
- HES 901: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- HES 902: Exercise and Nutrition in Overweight and Obesity
- HES 903: Applied Qualitative and Quantitative research in Exercise and Sport Science
- HES 904: Clinical Exercise Physiology
- HES 905: Neuromuscular Responses to Exercise
- HES 906:Genetics and sports
- HES 907: Exercise Stress Testing and Prescription
- HES 908:Colloquium
- HES 909 : Thesis
Career Opportunities
Graduates can serve as:
• Lifestyle diseases interventionists- designing critical lifestyle intervention programs for patients with chronic diseases in hospital setting
• Cardiac rehabilitation – supervising exercise for patients after heart events or surgery
• Exercise physiologists- prescribing appropriate exercise protocols in hospitals, security services, elite sports teams and exercise facilities
• Executive Health Coaches- providing transformational health coaching services to executives
• Health analytics- Providing analytical services in health and well behaviors for health management organizations and companies with employee health programmes, companies.
• Sports data analytics & technology – providing analytical services to sports performance industry
• Injury prevention & management – designing protocols to reduce injury risk and guided recovery for elite sports teams
• Academia & research – lecturing, student supervision, grant writing and academic research in the health, wellness, exercise and sports science domains
• Sports equipment & technology –developing artificial intelligence tools for ergonomics, fitness tracking.
Tuition & Fee Structure
Fee Category East African Students Non-East African Students
Tuition (per academic year) KSh 336,600 KSh 420,750
Additional charges (registration, medical, ID, internet, etc.) KSh 22,000–25,000 KSh 22,000–25,000
Why Study Exercise & Sports Science at Kenyatta University?
• Comprehensive laboratory network (biomechanics, physiology, performance testing) under the School of Health Sciences.
• Industry partnerships with Kenya Academy of Sports, national federations, sports teams and leading health providers ensure relevant practicum sites and research projects.
• International exposure through exchange agreements and visiting professors in high-performance sport.
• Research-led teaching — all core staff are active scholars, ensuring content reflects emerging global trends.
• Holistic development — the programme blends coaching practicums, community service and entrepreneurship training to foster versatile graduates.