Convener: Emer Prof Anthony Black

The Doctor of Philosophy specialising in Economics [CD003ECO01] (with coursework)  is offered in collaboration with other universities in sub-Saharan Africa and supported by the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) through donor funding. Its distinguishing features are the integration of advanced theory, tools and African applications in the academic programme.

Entrance requirements:

Candidates who possess a minimum of a second class (lower division) master’s degree in Economics by coursework are eligible to apply. Candidates with a Master of Economic Science degree are eligible to apply.

Duration:
Offered over four years full-time. Two years are devoted to prerequisite courses and two years are devoted to writing the thesis. The programme begins in January.

Prescribed curriculum:

The programme comprises a thesis, with advanced courses as a pre-requisite to registering for the thesis. A candidate will ordinarily complete the coursework in the first two years before proceeding to the thesis. The programme is equivalent to 360 NQF credits. The pre-requisite courses are non-credit bearing for this programme.

Compulsory courses

Course Code Course Name NQF Credits NQF Level
ECO5011F Quantitative Methods for Economists 30 9
ECO5021F Advanced Macroeconomics 30 9
ECO5020F Advanced Microeconomics 30 9
ECO5046F Advanced Econometrics 30 9
ECO6007F Microeconomics II 30 10
ECO5030S Applied Growth Theory  30 9
ECO5069S Applied Time Series Analysis 30 9

OR

ECO5070S Microeconometrics 30 9

A:

Two courses (not taken in terms of the rules above) to be chosen from:

Course Code Course Name NQF Credits NQF Level
ECO5003F Governance and Growth 30 9
ECO5030S Applied Growth Theory 30 9
ECO5050S International Finance II 30 9
ECO5052S Natural Resource Economics 30 9
ECO5057S Labour Economics 30 10
ECO5062S Applied International Trade  30 9
ECO5064S Applied Time Series Analysis 30 9
ECO5064S Views of Institutional and Behavioural Economics 30 9
ECO5069S Applied Time Series Analysis 30 9
ECO5070S Microeconometrics 30 9
ECO5073S Problems of Globalisation 30 9
ECO5074F Research and Policy Tools 30 9
ECO5075S Macroeconomic Policy Analysis 30 9
ECO5076S Development Microeconomics 30 9
ECO5077S Empirical Industrial Organisation 30 9

OR
B: Two courses to be chosen from the options offered at the Joint Facility for Electives in Nairobi. Options may be added or withdrawn according to circumstances each year. Please consult the School of Economics section of Commerce Postgraduate Handbook for descriptions of the prerequisite courses.

Research

Course Code Course Name NQF Credits NQF Level
ECO6000W PhD in Economics 360 10


The following specific rules apply to the programme:

  • FED1 Students who fail may repeat a maximum of two courses of the prerequisite
  • coursework component once, provided that they scored at least 40% at the first
  • attempt.
  • FED2 If a student fails an elective, they may substitute it with another elective.
  • FED3 There will be no supplementary examinations.
  • FED4 Students are required to submit a topic and sign a Memorandum of Understanding
  • (MoU) with a supervisor by the end of February of the year following the
  • completion of the prerequisite coursework (typically the 3rd year).
  • FED5 Satisfactory progress for research as per the MoU.
  • FED6 The degree is assessed entirely on the basis of the completed thesis.


Important dates: The closing date for applications is 31 July. The programme begins in January. 

For more information on the courses, please refer to Commerce Postgraduate Handbook.