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Bachelor of Science in Community Health

The Bachelor of Science in Community Health is a programme that provides comprehensive training in public health, community health practice and health promotion. Offered at Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Maseno University, Mount Kenya University, Great Lakes University of Kisumu and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in community health and public health practice.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 280,000
Ksh 1,120,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 130,000
Ksh 520,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 280,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,120,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 130,000 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 4 years, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 7 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 public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, community health practice, health promotion, environmental health, maternal and child health, nutrition, communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, health policy, health systems management, health education, research methods, monitoring and evaluation, and a research project. Students develop public health and community engagement skills.

Kenya's healthcare system, universal health coverage goals and community health strategy create strong demand for community health graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, fieldwork, community outreach, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as community health officers, public health officers, health promotion officers, epidemiologists, programme officers, M&E officers, health educators, research assistants and NGO health coordinators. They work in county governments, Ministry of Health, NGOs, international organisations, research institutions and community-based organisations.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

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
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Biostatistics
  • Community Health Practice
  • Health Promotion
  • Environmental Health
  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Communicable Diseases
  • Health Policy
  • Health Systems Management

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Public Health

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

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

  • Epidemiology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Disease patterns and control. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...

  • Biostatistics

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

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

  • Community Health Practice

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

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

  • Health Promotion

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Health education and promotion. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...

  • Environmental Health

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

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

  • Maternal and Child Health

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

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

  • Communicable Diseases

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Infectious disease control. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...

  • Health Policy

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Health policy and planning. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...

  • 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

  • Health Systems Management

    Health management. 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.

  • Maternal and Child Health

    MCH services. 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.

  • Health Promotion

    Health education. 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.

  • Epidemiology

    Disease surveillance. 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 public health lectures, studying epidemiology, conducting community health assessments, researching disease patterns, learning biostatistics, participating in community outreach, analysing health data, and working on public health research projects.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Universal health coverage creates strong demandSome roles require working in remote areas
Diverse career paths in government, NGOs and international organisationsPublic sector salaries may be modest
Socially impactful professionMay require postgraduate qualifications for advancement

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 280k
275k at Kenyatta University280k at University of Nairobi
Private100k to 130k
100k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu130k at Kenya Methodist 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 ~275K (educationnewshub). UoN ~280K (eduguide). KeMU ~130K, GLUK ~100K (eafinder).

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available for eligible students.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • County Bursaries

  • Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

4 recorded

  • NGAAF Bursary

    BursaryKenyan

    Women, youth and persons with disabilities from vulnerable backgrounds

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan undergraduate students in health sciences

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan

    KUCCPS-placed students

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students from participating counties

Scholarships you could apply for

8 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 C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in community health, public health, nursing or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Subject requirements
BiologyC+
ChemistryC+
MathematicsC+
English or KiswahiliC+

When it next starts

Taught at 7 institutions
January 20277 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Kisii University, Murang'a University of Technology.

May 20277 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Kisii University, Murang'a University of Technology.

September 20277 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, Kisii University, Murang'a University of Technology.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat30% of the mark

    Regular tests and assignments

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Written examination50% of the mark

    End of semester written exams

  • Field Practicals

    Practicum10% of the mark

    Community health fieldwork

  • Research Project

    Project10% of the mark

    Final year research project

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at multiple public and private universities. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Community Health Officer

    High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000

    Community health practice

  • Programme Officer

    High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Health programme management

  • Public Health Officer

    High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000

    Public health practice

  • Health Promotion Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 220,000

    Health education

  • M&E Officer

    High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Monitoring and evaluation

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as community health officers, public health officers and health promotion officers in county governments, NGOs and international organisations.

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

  • Community health is just about community health workers.

    The programme covers epidemiology, health policy, health systems and research.

  • Community health graduates only work in villages.

    Graduates work in government, NGOs, research institutions and international organisations.

  • This is less important than clinical medicine.

    Community health is essential for disease prevention and health promotion.

  • There are no jobs in community health.

    Universal health coverage and devolution create strong demand.

Further reading

Read next