Health Sciences

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.

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.

Duration: 6 years
Public, up to: Ksh 612,000
Private, up to: Ksh 1,372,500
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 12 months
Average class: 80 students
Award: Bachelor

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 favour

High demand with excellent earning potential
Prestigious profession with social impact
Diverse specialisation opportunities

Against it

Long and demanding 6-year programme
Extremely competitive admission
High 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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
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.

Biology
B
Chemistry
B
Physics or Mathematics
B
English or Kiswahili
B

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

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.

Accredited by

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

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

Industry links

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.