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Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Clinical Medicine

This programme prepares students for careers as clinical officers, equipping them with expertise to diagnose, treat, and manage patients across Kenya's health facilities. The programme offers two pathways: direct entry for KCSE graduates and upgrading for diploma-level

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 364,000
Ksh 1,456,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 274,300
Ksh 1,097,200 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 364,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,456,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 274,300 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full-time, with 12 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 17 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

clinical officers. Students develop expertise in clinical medicine, patient care, and community health. The programme builds skills in human anatomy, gross anatomy, histology, embryology, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, clinical pharmacology, essential medicines, Kenya Essential Medicines

List, KEML, medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, nephrology, endocrinology, neurology, dermatology, infectious diseases, HIV, TB, malaria, surgery, general surgery, trauma, orthopaedics, urology, ENT, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology, antenatal care, normal delivery, postnatal care, family planning, reproductive

health, paediatrics, neonatal care, child health, immunisation, IMCI, Integrated Management of Childhood Illness, psychiatry, mental health, substance abuse, community health, primary healthcare, epidemiology, public health, preventive medicine, health promotion, emergency medicine, trauma care, triage, resuscitation, critical care,

ICU, clinical diagnostics, history taking, physical examination, laboratory interpretation, imaging, X-ray, ultrasound, ECG, clinical skills, minor surgical procedures, suturing, incision and drainage, wound care, fracture management, CPR, BLS, ACLS, patient management, treatment protocols, clinical guidelines, Kenya Clinical

Guidelines, referral, health systems, Kenyan health system, health policy, UHC, NHIF, SHA, professional practice, ethics, KMPDC, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, Clinical Officers Act, medical ethics, patient rights, informed consent, confidentiality, research methods, biostatistics, and research project.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Pathology and Microbiology
  • Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy
  • Internal Medicine
  • Surgery and Minor Procedures
  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology
  • Paediatrics and Child Health
  • Community Health and Public Health
  • Emergency Medicine and Critical Care
  • Clinical Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Human Anatomy and Physiology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Gross anatomy, histology, embryology, physiology, biochemistry, and supporting anatomy and physiology.

  • Pathology and Microbiology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Pathology, microbiology, disease processes, inflammation, neoplasia, infection, and supporting pathology and microbiology.

  • Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Pharmacology, clinical pharmacology, essential medicines, KEML, Kenya Essential Medicines List, pharmacotherapy, and supporting pharmacology and pharmacotherapy.

  • Internal Medicine

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Internal medicine, cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, nephrology, endocrinology, neurology, dermatology, infectious diseases, HIV, TB, malaria, and supporting internal medicine.

  • Surgery and Minor Procedures

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    General surgery, trauma, orthopaedics, urology, ENT, ophthalmology, minor surgical procedures, suturing, wound care, fracture management, and supporting surgery.

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Obstetrics, antenatal care, normal delivery, postnatal care, gynaecology, family planning, reproductive health, and supporting obstetrics and gynaecology.

  • Paediatrics and Child Health

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Paediatrics, neonatal care, child health, immunisation, IMCI, Integrated Management of Childhood Illness, and supporting paediatrics.

  • Psychiatry and Mental Health

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Psychiatry, mental health, substance abuse, counselling, and supporting psychiatry and mental health.

  • Community Health and Public Health

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Community health, primary healthcare, epidemiology, public health, preventive medicine, health promotion, and supporting community and public health.

  • Emergency Medicine and Clinical Skills

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Emergency medicine, trauma care, triage, resuscitation, critical care, ICU, clinical diagnostics, history taking, physical examination, laboratory interpretation, imaging, ECG, CPR, BLS, ACLS, and ...

  • Professional Practice, Ethics and Health Systems

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Professional practice, ethics, KMPDC, Clinical Officers Act, medical ethics, patient rights, informed consent, confidentiality, Kenyan health system, health policy, UHC, NHIF, SHA, and supporting p...

  • Research Methods and Research Project

    Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

    Research methods, biostatistics, research ethics, clinical research, project, academic writing, and supporting research methods and project.

Specialisations

  • Surgery and Orthopaedics

    Specialises in general surgery, trauma, orthopaedics, minor surgical procedures, and supporting surgical specialisation.

  • Internal Medicine and Cardiology

    Focuses on internal medicine, cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, nephrology, endocrinology, and supporting internal medicine specialisation.

  • Paediatrics and Child Health

    Concentrates on paediatrics, neonatal care, child health, IMCI, immunisation, and supporting paediatric specialisation.

  • Emergency and Critical Care

    Concentrates on emergency medicine, trauma care, triage, resuscitation, critical care, ICU, and supporting emergency and critical care specialisation.

  • Obstetrics and Reproductive Health

    Focuses on obstetrics, antenatal care, delivery, gynaecology, family planning, reproductive health, and supporting obstetric specialisation.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with morning ward rounds with consultants, followed by outpatient clinics, lectures, or clinical skills sessions. Students take patient histories, perform physical examinations, assist in minor procedures, interpret lab results, and participate in patient management discussions. Clinical rotations in internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, paediatrics, and community health provide comprehensive practical experience.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Very high demand — Kenya's doctor shortage makes clinical officers essential for healthcare delivery.High workload — clinical officers often manage large patient volumes with limited resources.
Direct patient care — clinical officers diagnose, treat, and manage patients independently.Rural postings — many positions are in rural and remote areas with limited facilities.
Career progression — clinical officers can specialise and progress to senior and consultant roles.Night and weekend shifts — hospital work involves shift duties and on-call rotations.

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
Public275k to 364k
275k at Kenyatta University364k at University of Nairobi
Private237k to 274k
237k at Mount Kenya University274k at Uzima 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

KU Nursing proxy:275.4K. UoN Nursing:364K. Uzima:274.3K. MKU:237.2K

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some county governments sponsor students in exchange for service commitments.

Funding options

  • HELB Undergraduate Loan

  • Universities Fund Government Scholarship

  • County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • Ministry of Health Kenya Scholarships

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Healthcare workers sponsored by national or county governments

  • County Government Bursaries

    SponsorshipKsh 300,000Kenyan

    Some county governments sponsor students in exchange for service commitments after graduation.

  • Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

    SponsorshipKsh 500,000

    Academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students at partner universities.

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.

Scholarships you could apply for

13 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+ (plus) mean grade at KCSEminimum entry
Alternative entry

Upgrading pathway: Diploma in Clinical Medicine from KMPDC-recognised institutions with minimum 2 years post-qualification experience.

Subject requirements
Biology or Biological SciencesB (plain)
ChemistryB (plain)
Mathematics or PhysicsC+ (plus)
English or KiswahiliC+ (plus)

When it next starts

Taught at 17 institutions
January 202717 institutions

Including Africa Nazarene University, University of Nairobi, Kabarak University.

May 202715 institutions

Including Africa Nazarene University, University of Nairobi, Kabarak University.

September 202717 institutions

Including Africa Nazarene University, University of Nairobi, Kabarak University.

How you are assessed

5 components

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Exam35% of the mark

    Comprehensive written examinations covering anatomy, pathology, pharmacology, internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics, paediatrics, and community health.

  • Clinical Practical Assessment

    Practicum30% of the mark

    Assessment of clinical skills, history taking, physical examination, minor procedures, and patient management during clinical rotations.

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat20% of the mark

    Regular tests, assignments, and presentations throughout the semester.

  • Final Clinical Medicine Research Project

    Research5% of the mark

    Final year clinical medicine research project, assessed through written report and oral presentation.

  • Clinical Rotation Assessment

    Practicum10% of the mark

    Assessment of clinical rotations in hospitals. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and OSCE/OSPE examinations.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    NationalRequired

    CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. KMPDC registers clinical officers under the Clinical Officers Act. The Health Act and Constitution 2010 right to health govern practice. Continuing professional development is required.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). KMPDC registers clinical officers under the Clinical Officers Act. The Health Act and Constitution 2010 right to health govern practice. Continuing professional development is required.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Clinical Specialist (Paediatrics, Surgery, etc.)

    Medium demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Specialises in specific clinical areas after postgraduate training, and supporting specialised clinical care.

  • Clinical Officer

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000

    Diagnoses, treats, and manages patients in hospitals, health centres, and dispensaries.

  • Health Centre In-Charge / Facility Manager

    High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Manages health centres, oversees operations, supervises staff, and supports facility management.

  • Public Health Officer / Community Health Coordinator

    Medium demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 220,000

    Coordinates community health, manages public health programmes, and supporting public health.

  • Emergency Care Officer / Critical Care Officer

    Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000

    Provides emergency care, manages trauma, supports ICU, and supporting emergency and critical care.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as clinical officers in hospitals, health centres, and dispensaries. Clinical medicine is in very high demand driven by healthcare worker shortages and UHC. Starting salaries range from KES 80,000 to 150,000 per month, with experienced officers earning KES 150,000 to 300,000. County hospitals, national referral hospitals, health centres, the Ministry of Health, and NGOs offer the main opportunities.

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

  • Clinical officers are not real doctors.

    Clinical officers are independently licensed medical practitioners who diagnose, treat, and manage patients. They are the backbone of healthcare in many Kenyan facilities.

  • Clinical medicine is a backup for those who miss medicine.

    Clinical medicine is a distinct and respected profession with its own scope of practice, training, and career pathway.

  • Clinical officers only work in rural areas.

    Clinical officers work in all health facilities from dispensaries to national referral hospitals, and can specialise in various fields.

  • This programme has limited career opportunities.

    Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.

Further reading

Read next