Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences is a programme that provides comprehensive training in clinical laboratory science, diagnostic testing and laboratory management. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Maseno University, Mount Kenya University, Kenya Methodist University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in medical laboratory science and diagnostic medicine.

The curriculum covers clinical chemistry, haematology, medical microbiology, parasitology, histopathology, cytopathology, blood transfusion science, immunology, virology, molecular biology, laboratory management, quality assurance, laboratory instrumentation, biosafety, research methods, biostatistics and a research project. Students develop laboratory and diagnostic skills through intensive practical training.

Kenya's healthcare system, diagnostic needs and disease surveillance create strong demand for medical laboratory sciences graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, intensive laboratory sessions, clinical rotations, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as medical laboratory scientists, laboratory technologists, laboratory managers, quality assurance officers, research technologists, pathology assistants, blood bank technologists, diagnostic consultants and laboratory educators. They work in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, blood banks, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Ministry of Health and pharmaceutical companies.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB). 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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 240,000
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Clinical Chemistry
Haematology
Medical Microbiology
Parasitology
Histopathology
Blood Transfusion Science
Immunology
Virology
Molecular Biology
Laboratory Management

Modules

10 in the programme

Clinical Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Chemical analysis of body fluids. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...
Haematology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Blood disorders. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Medical Microbiology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Pathogenic microorganisms. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Parasitology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Parasitic diseases. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Histopathology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Tissue pathology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Blood Transfusion Science
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Blood banking. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinati...
Immunology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Immune system. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinati...
Molecular Biology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
DNA and molecular diagnostics. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...
Laboratory Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Lab management and QA. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
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

Haematology
Blood science. 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.
Histopathology
Tissue pathology. 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.
Clinical Chemistry
Chemical pathology. 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.
Molecular Biology
Molecular diagnostics. 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 laboratory lectures, working in clinical chemistry laboratories, examining blood samples, studying microbiology cultures, preparing histopathology slides, conducting molecular biology experiments, learning quality assurance, and working on diagnostic research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand in healthcare and diagnostics
KMLTTB registration enables professional practice
Critical role in disease diagnosis and surveillance

Against it

Laboratory work involves exposure to infectious materials
Requires precision and attention to detail
Some roles involve shift work

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 324k

275k at Kenyatta University324k at University of Nairobi

Private140k to 240k

140k at Mount Kenya University240k at Kabarak 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 275,400/yr; UoN 324K/yr (official). MKU 140K/yr; Kabarak 240K/yr (80K/sem x3).

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Health sector organisations may offer support.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
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 C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in medical laboratory technology or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

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

How you are assessed

4 components

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
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Laboratory Practicals
Practicum30% of the mark
Intensive lab sessions and clinical rotations

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB). Offered at UoN, KU, JKUAT, Maseno, MKU, KEMU and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4. KMLTTB registration required for professional practice.

Accredited by

Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board
ProfessionalRequired
Statutory body responsible for regulation of medical laboratory professionals 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

Research Technologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Research laboratory
Laboratory Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Laboratory management
Blood Bank Technologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 260,000
Blood banking
Quality Assurance Officer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Laboratory QA
Medical Laboratory Scientist
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Diagnostic laboratory science

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as medical laboratory scientists, laboratory managers and quality assurance officers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microscope
Laboratory equipmentPrimary
Light microscope for clinical specimen examination
HPLC
Analytical instrumentPrimary
Chromatography for clinical chemistry analysis
SPSS
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis for laboratory research
DHIS2
Health information system
District Health Information System for laboratory data
KenyaEMR
Health information system
Electronic medical records system used in Kenya
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Laboratory data management and analysis

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Medical laboratory science is just about drawing blood.
The programme covers clinical chemistry, microbiology, histopathology, molecular biology and laboratory management.
Laboratory scientists are just lab assistants.
Medical laboratory scientists are highly trained professionals with diagnostic expertise.
There are no laboratory jobs in Kenya.
Healthcare expansion and diagnostic needs create strong demand.
Medical laboratory science is dangerous.
The programme includes rigorous biosafety training and protocols.