Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics

The Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics is a programme that bridges healthcare and information technology, providing comprehensive training in health data management, electronic health records and health information systems. Offered at Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Maseno University, Mount Kenya University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers at the intersection of health and technology.

The curriculum covers health informatics, health information systems, electronic health records, health data management, database design, programming, health statistics, medical coding, telemedicine, health IT project management, healthcare quality management, data security and privacy, health policy, research methods, systems analysis and design, and a research project. Students develop both healthcare knowledge and IT skills.

Kenya's digital health strategy, the rollout of electronic health records and the growing demand for health data management create strong demand for health informatics graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, computer laboratory sessions, hospital visits, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as health informatics officers, health data managers, EHR specialists, health IT project managers, medical coders, health systems analysts, telemedicine coordinators, health data analysts and health IT consultants. They work in hospitals, Ministry of Health, county governments, health insurance companies, NGOs, research institutions and health tech companies.

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

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 204,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Health Informatics
Health Information Systems
Electronic Health Records
Health Data Management
Database Design
Programming
Health Statistics
Medical Coding
Telemedicine
Health IT Project Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Health Informatics Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to health informatics concepts, healthcare systems, and information technology in healthcare.
Medical Terminology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Medical vocabulary, anatomical terms, and clinical terminology used in health information systems.
Electronic Health Records
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
EHR systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinations.
Database Management Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Database design, SQL, relational database management, and data modelling for health applications.
Biostatistics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical methods for health data analysis, probability, hypothesis testing, and epidemiological statistics.
Database Design
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Database systems for health. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Health Information Systems Design
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
System analysis and design methodologies for health information systems, including requirements gathering and modelling.
Health Data Standards and Interoperability
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Health data standards including HL7, FHIR, ICD-10, and interoperability frameworks for health information exchange.
Information Systems Security
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Security principles for health data, access control, encryption, and compliance with data protection regulations.
Medical Coding
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Medical classification systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Telemedicine and eHealth
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Telemedicine technologies, remote healthcare delivery, mobile health applications, and eHealth policy frameworks.
Research Methods in Health Informatics
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, data collection methods, and evaluation of health informatics interventions and systems.

Specialisations

Telemedicine
Telehealth technology. 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 Data Analytics
Health data analysis. 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 IT Project Management
Health IT projects. 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.
Electronic Health Records
EHR systems. 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 Information Systems
Design and management of hospital information systems and health data exchange platforms. 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.
Database Management
Database administration for health data, including security, backup, and performance optimisation. 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 health informatics lectures, working in computer laboratories, studying health data management, designing databases, programming health applications, researching telemedicine, analysing health statistics, visiting hospitals to study EHR systems, and working on health IT projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines IT skills with healthcare knowledge, creating a unique and growing career niche.
Unique combination of healthcare and IT skills
High demand for health informatics professionals as Kenyan hospitals digitise records and systems.
Programme includes practical computer lab work, hospital attachments, and real-world system projects.

Against it

Requires both healthcare knowledge and technical skills
Requires proficiency in both healthcare concepts and technical skills, which can be challenging.
Limited number of universities offering the programme in Kenya, restricting study options.
Rapidly evolving field requiring continuous learning

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

Public204k to 204k

204k at Moi University (estimated from BSc Informatics)204k at Moi 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

Moi Univ BSc Health Informatics (KUCCPS 1253678); fee unlisted. Est. ~Ksh204k from BSc Informatics.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Health tech companies may offer sponsorships.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.

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 C+ in Mathematics, Biology or Chemistry, and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in health records, IT, computer science or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Mathematics
C+
Biology or Chemistry
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
Practical Projects
Practicum20% of the mark
Health IT projects and lab sessions
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at KU, JKUAT, Maseno, MKU and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Mathematics, Biology or Chemistry, and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Health Systems Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Health systems analysis
Health Data Manager
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 300,000
Health data management
EHR Specialist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 300,000
Electronic health records
Health IT Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 400,000
Health IT consulting
Health Informatics Officer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Health informatics
Health Data Analyst
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing health datasets to support decision-making, surveillance, and quality improvement.
Medical Records Officer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Managing patient records, coding, and health information documentation in healthcare facilities.
Database Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 95,000
Administering health databases, ensuring data integrity, security, and performance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as health informatics officers, health data managers and EHR specialists in hospitals, Ministry of Health and health tech companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

OpenMRS
Database
Google Workspace
Cloud
ODK (Open Data Kit)
Database
Excel
Spreadsheet
KenyaEMR
Medical
DHIS2
DatabasePrimary
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Python
SoftwarePrimary
Programming language for health data analysis and informatics applications.
R
Software
Programming language for statistical computing in health informatics.
Tableau
Software
Data visualisation software for health data dashboards and reporting.
SQL
Database

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Health informatics is just about typing medical records.
The programme covers database design, programming, data analytics, telemedicine and health IT project management.
Health informatics is the same as IT.
Health informatics combines healthcare knowledge with IT skills for health-specific applications.
There are no health informatics jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's digital health strategy creates strong demand for health IT professionals.
Health informatics is only for hospitals.
Graduates work in insurance, research, government, NGOs and health tech companies.