Health Sciences

Bachelor of Pharmacy

The Bachelor of Pharmacy is a professional programme that provides comprehensive training in pharmaceutical sciences, drug therapy and pharmacy practice. Offered at the University of Nairobi, JKUAT, Kenyatta University, Mount Kenya University, Kenya Methodist University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers as pharmacists.

The curriculum covers pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical analysis, dispensing, pharmacy law and ethics, pharmaceutical microbiology, biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, pharmaceutical technology, pharmacy management, research methods and a research project. Students develop skills in drug formulation, dispensing and patient care.

Kenya's healthcare system, the growth of the pharmaceutical industry and the demand for qualified pharmacists create strong demand for pharmacy graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical rotations and industrial attachment.

Graduates are prepared for careers as pharmacists, pharmacy managers, clinical pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists, drug information specialists, regulatory officers, quality assurance officers and pharmacy entrepreneurs. They work in community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory bodies, research institutions and as entrepreneurs.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with strong grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 1. Competitive admission.

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: 5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 487,000
Private, up to: Ksh 375,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Pharmaceutics
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Pharmacology
Pharmacognosy
Clinical Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Analysis
Dispensing
Pharmacy Law and Ethics
Biopharmaceutics
Pharmacy Management

Modules

10 in the programme

Pharmaceutics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Drug formulation and delivery. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Chemical properties of drugs. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...
Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 33 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...
Pharmacognosy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Natural drug sources. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Clinical Pharmacy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Patient-oriented pharmacy. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Pharmaceutical Analysis
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Drug analysis and quality control. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-o...
Dispensing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Prescription processing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Pharmacy Law and Ethics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Legal and ethical framework. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Pharmacy Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Pharmacy business management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Clinical Pharmacy
Patient care. 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.
Industrial Pharmacy
Drug manufacturing. 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.
Community Pharmacy
Retail pharmacy. 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.
Regulatory Affairs
Drug regulation. 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 pharmacy lectures, working in pharmaceutical laboratories, formulating drug preparations, studying pharmacology, practising dispensing, analysing pharmaceutical compounds, researching drug interactions, and preparing for clinical rotations.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand with excellent earning potential
PPB registration enables professional practice
Entrepreneurial opportunities in community pharmacy

Against it

Demanding 5-year programme
Competitive admission
High tuition fees

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

Public419k to 487k

419k at Kisii University487k at University of Nairobi

Private336k to 375k

336k at Kabarak University375k at Mount Kenya 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: Kisii 418,770 to UoN 487,000/yr. Priv: Kabarak 335,700 to MKU 375,000/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 300,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 100,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students in health sciences
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
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 B- in Biology and Chemistry, C+ in Physics/Mathematics and English/Kiswahili. Diploma in pharmaceutical technology or related field. Any degree in biological sciences. KUCCPS Cluster 1. Competitive.

Biology
B-
Chemistry
B-
Physics or Mathematics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Laboratory Practicals
Practicum30% of the mark
Lab sessions and dispensing practice
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
End of semester written exams

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). Offered at UoN, JKUAT, KU, MKU, KEMU and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with strong grades in Biology, Chemistry, Physics/Mathematics and English/Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 1. Competitive admission.

Accredited by

Pharmacy and Poisons Board
ProfessionalRequired
Statutory body responsible for registration and regulation of pharmacists 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

Regulatory Officer
Low demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 350,000
Drug regulation at PPB
Pharmacy Manager
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Pharmacy management
Pharmacist
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 350,000
Community or hospital pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Drug research and development
Clinical Pharmacist
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 400,000
Clinical pharmacy practice

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as pharmacists, pharmacy managers and clinical pharmacists in community pharmacies, hospital pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies.

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

Pharmacy is just about dispensing drugs.
The programme covers drug formulation, pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, research and management.
Pharmacists only work in chemists.
Graduates work in hospitals, pharmaceutical industry, regulatory bodies, research and academia.
There are no jobs for pharmacists in Kenya.
Kenya's healthcare expansion and pharmaceutical industry growth create demand.
Pharmacy is less important than medicine.
Pharmacists are essential for drug therapy management and patient safety.