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Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)

The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) is a professional programme that provides comprehensive medical training. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Moi University, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Egerton University, Kenya Methodist University, Maseno University, Uzima University and Aga Khan University, the programme prepares graduates for careers as medical doctors.

Duration
6 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 612,000
Ksh 3,672,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 1,372,500
Ksh 8,235,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 612,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 3,672,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 1,372,500 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 6 years, full-time, with 12 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 13 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

The curriculum covers human anatomy, medical physiology, medical biochemistry, medical microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, forensic medicine, community health, internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, dermatology, ophthalmology, ENT, radiology, anaesthesiology, orthopaedics, emergency medicine, medical ethics and research methods. Students develop clinical skills through pre-clinical laboratory work and clinical rotations in teaching hospitals.

Kenya's healthcare needs, the shortage of doctors and the government's universal health coverage goals create strong demand for medical graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical rotations, community health fieldwork and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as medical officers, general practitioners, medical consultants, surgeons, researchers, medical educators, public health specialists and hospital administrators. They work in hospitals, health centres, clinics, Ministry of Health, research institutions, NGOs and private practice.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with strong grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 1. Extremely competitive with high cut-off points.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Human Anatomy
  • Medical Physiology
  • Medical Biochemistry
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Pathology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Paediatrics
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Human Anatomy

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Structure of the human body. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

  • Medical Physiology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Function of the human body. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...

  • Medical Biochemistry

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Biochemical processes. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...

  • Pharmacology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Drug actions and interactions. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...

  • Pathology

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Disease processes. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...

  • Internal Medicine

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Diagnosis and treatment of internal diseases. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursewor...

  • Surgery

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Surgical principles and practice. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...

  • Paediatrics

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Child health. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinations.

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Women's health and childbirth. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...

  • Community Health

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Public health and preventive medicine. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and e...

Specialisations

  • Surgery

    Surgical specialisation. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

    Women's health. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

  • Internal Medicine

    Internal diseases. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

  • Paediatrics

    Child health. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending medical lectures, dissecting anatomical specimens, working in physiology laboratories, examining patients in teaching hospitals, observing surgical procedures, studying pharmacology, participating in ward rounds, and researching medical conditions.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
High demand with excellent earning potentialLong and demanding 6-year programme
Prestigious profession with social impactExtremely competitive admission
Diverse specialisation opportunitiesHigh tuition fees especially for self-sponsored

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses
Public306k to 612k
306k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology612k at Kenyatta University
Private510k to 1.4M
510k at Mount Kenya University1.4M at Aga Khan University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Pub: MMUST 306,000 to KU 612,000/yr. Priv: MKU 510,000 to AKU 1,372,500/yr.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available for eligible students. County bursaries provide additional support.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • County Bursaries

  • Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    ScholarshipKsh 400,000Kenyan

    KUCCPS-placed students

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students from participating counties

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 120,000Kenyan

    Kenyan undergraduate students in health sciences

  • AMREF International University Scholarships

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Health sciences students demonstrating financial need

  • Ministry of Health Kenya Scholarships

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Healthcare workers sponsored by national or county governments

Scholarships you could apply for

14 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

KCSE mean grade C+ with strong grades (typically B and above) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Mathematics and English/Kiswahili. A-Level with three principal passes in sciences. Diploma in clinical medicine or related field. Any degree in biological sciences. KUCCPS Cluster 1. Extremely competitive.

Subject requirements
BiologyB
ChemistryB
Physics or MathematicsB
English or KiswahiliB

When it next starts

Taught at 13 institutions
January 202713 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya Methodist University, University of Nairobi.

May 202711 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya Methodist University, University of Nairobi.

September 202713 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya Methodist University, University of Nairobi.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Research Project

    Project10% of the mark

    Final year research project

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat20% of the mark

    Regular tests and assignments

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Written examination40% of the mark

    End of semester written exams

  • Clinical/Practical Examinations

    Practicum30% of the mark

    Clinical and practical assessments

Accreditation

  • Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council

    ProfessionalRequired

    Statutory body responsible for registration and regulation of medical practitioners in Kenya

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). Offered at UoN, Moi, KU, JKUAT, Egerton, KEMU, Maseno, Uzima and AKU. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with strong grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Mathematics and English/Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 1. Extremely competitive.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Medical Officer

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 450,000

    General medical practice

  • Surgeon

    Moderate demandKsh 400,000 to Ksh 1,000,000

    Surgical practice

  • General Practitioner

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Private practice

  • Medical Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000

    Medical research

  • Medical Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 400,000 to Ksh 1,000,000

    Specialist practice

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as medical officers, general practitioners and medical consultants in hospitals, health centres and private practice.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Stethoscope

    Medical equipmentPrimary

    Primary diagnostic tool.

  • KenyaEMR

    Health is

    Electronic medical records.

  • Surgical Instruments

    Medical equipmentPrimary

    Surgical tools and equipment.

  • Laparoscopic Equipment

    Medical equipment

    Minimally invasive surgery systems.

  • PACS

    Imaging systemPrimary

    Picture Archiving and Communication System.

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Medicine is only about treating patients.

    The programme covers research, public health, medical ethics, management and preventive care.

  • Medical graduates start earning immediately.

    Graduates must complete internship before full registration and independent practice.

  • There are no jobs for doctors in Kenya.

    Kenya has a severe doctor shortage creating strong demand across the country.

  • Medicine is only for top students.

    While competitive, dedication and hard work are as important as grades.

Further reading

Read next