Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Science - Paramedical Sciences

The Bachelor Of Science In Science - Paramedical Sciences is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in science - paramedical sciences. The programme falls under the Health Sciences category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Emergency Medical Services and Pre-hospital Care, Trauma Care and Patient Assessment, Airway Management and Cardiac Care, Medical and Obstetric Emergencies, Paediatric and Neonatal Emergencies, Shock, Fluid Resuscitation and Emergency Pharmacology. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Ambulance Operations and Patient Transport, Trauma Care and Patient Assessment, Emergency Medical Services and Pre-hospital Care, Airway Management and Cardiac Care, Medical and Obstetric Emergencies. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Paediatric and Obstetric Emergency Care, Disaster Management and Mass Casualty Response, Trauma and Pre-hospital Emergency Care. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor Of Science In Science - Paramedical Sciences pursue careers as Disaster Response Coordinator / Emergency Preparedness Officer, Emergency Care Practitioner / Hospital Emergency Officer, EMS Officer / Ambulance Service Manager, Paramedic / Emergency Medical Technician. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 371,000
Private, up to: Ksh 178,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 12 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Emergency Medical Services and Pre-hospital Care
Trauma Care and Patient Assessment
Airway Management and Cardiac Care
Medical and Obstetric Emergencies
Paediatric and Neonatal Emergencies
Shock, Fluid Resuscitation and Emergency Pharmacology
Ambulance Operations and Patient Transport
Mass Casualty Incidents and Disaster Management
Aeromedical Transport and Special Operations
Research Methods and Professional Ethics

Modules

10 in the programme

Emergency Medical Services and Pre-hospital Care
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
EMS, pre-hospital care, EMT, paramedicine, primary survey, ABCDE, secondary survey, patient assessment, scene size-up, scene safety, mechanism of injury, and supporting emergency medical services a...
Trauma Care and Patient Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Trauma care, trauma triage, trauma scoring, RTS, ISS, haemorrhage control, wound management, fracture management, splinting, spinal immobilisation, cervical collar, spinal board, KED, traction spli...
Airway Management and Cardiac Care
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Airway management, basic airway, OP airway, NP airway, supraglottic, LMA, endotracheal intubation, RSI, cricothyroidotomy, oxygen therapy, BVM, ECG, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, CPR, BLS, ACLS, def...
Medical and Obstetric Emergencies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Respiratory emergencies, asthma, COPD, pulmonary oedema, anaphylaxis, diabetic emergencies, hypoglycaemia, DKA, stroke, FAST, seizures, poisoning, overdose, toxicology, opioid overdose, naloxone, o...
Paediatric and Neonatal Emergencies
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Paediatric emergencies, paediatric assessment, PAT, IMCI, dehydration, fever, respiratory distress, neonatal resuscitation, paediatric trauma, child safeguarding, and supporting paediatric and neon...
Shock, Fluid Resuscitation and Emergency Pharmacology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Shock, septic shock, hypovolaemic shock, cardiogenic shock, anaphylactic shock, neurogenic shock, fluid resuscitation, IV access, IO access, fluid therapy, emergency medications, drug calculations,...
Ambulance Operations and Patient Transport
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Ambulance operations, ambulance driving, vehicle extrication, patient extrication, patient packaging, patient transport, air ambulance, aeromedical transport, HEMS, fixed-wing transport, and suppor...
Mass Casualty Incidents and Disaster Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Mass casualty incidents, MCI, triage, START, triage categories, incident command system, ICS, disaster management, disaster response, fire safety, HAZMAT, CBRN, emergency medical dispatch, EMD, dis...
Occupational Safety, Infection Control and Stress Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Occupational safety, infection control in EMS, PPE, standard precautions, post-exposure prophylaxis, PEP, stress management, critical incident stress debriefing, CISD, PTSD, mental health for param...
Research Methods, Ethics and Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methods, biostatistics, research ethics, scientific writing, KMPDC regulations, professional conduct, medico-legal issues, documentation, patient records, independent research project, and...

Specialisations

Trauma and Pre-hospital Emergency Care
Focuses on trauma assessment, haemorrhage control, fracture management, spinal immobilisation, and pre-hospital trauma life support.
Aeromedical Transport
Focuses on air ambulance operations, HEMS, fixed-wing transport, altitude physiology, and in-flight emergency care.
Cardiac and Critical Care Emergency
Specialises in ECG interpretation, cardiac arrest management, ACLS, defibrillation, and critical care transport.
Paediatric and Obstetric Emergency Care
Focuses on paediatric emergencies, neonatal resuscitation, obstetric emergencies, and complicated delivery management.
Disaster Management and Mass Casualty Response
Concentrates on mass casualty incidents, triage, incident command, disaster response, and public health emergencies.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with morning lectures on emergency care, trauma management, or pharmacology, followed by simulation practicals, ambulance rotations, or hospital emergency department attachments. Students practise patient assessment, airway management, CPR, splinting, spinal immobilisation, ECG interpretation, IV access, drug administration, participate in mock emergencies, ride along on ambulance calls, and work on their research project. Simulation lab practicals, ambulance rotations with Kenya Red Cross or St John Ambulance, and emergency department rotations at KNH or county hospitals provide hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — road traffic accidents, disasters, and EMS development create strong demand for paramedical professionals.
Life-saving work — paramedics directly save lives in emergency situations, providing immediate critical care.
Growing field — EMS is developing rapidly in Kenya with county emergency services, aeromedical transport, and disaster preparedness expansion.

Against it

High stress — paramedics face life-and-death situations, trauma, and high-pressure environments regularly.
Shift work — paramedics work night shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotations.
Occupational risk — paramedics face physical injury, infection exposure, and violence at emergency scenes.

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 371k

275k at Kenyatta University371k at University of Nairobi

Private135k to 178k

135k at Mount Kenya University178k 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

UoN Nursing~~371K/yr (topnews.ke); KU 275.4K/yr (kenyaeducationguide); MKU 135K/yr; KEMU~~178K/yr (mwafrikah).

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans and KUCCPS placement. County bursaries, Kenya Red Cross sponsorships, St John Ambulance training support, and international EMS scholarships are available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
KUCCPS Placement
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Kenya Red Cross Sponsorships
SponsorshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenya Red Cross may sponsor paramedical training for volunteers or staff in exchange for service commitments.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Varies by county.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
PlacementKsh 0Kenyan
Kenyan students placed to public universities through KUCCPS receive government-subsidised tuition.
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: Diploma in Emergency Medical Sciences or related health field may be considered for upgrading. Relevant EMS or first aid experience is advantageous. Kenya Red Cross or St John Ambulance first aid certification is a plus.

Biology or Biological Sciences
C+
Chemistry or Physics
C
English or Kiswahili
C
Mathematics
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat20% of the mark
Assignments, tests, presentations, and case studies throughout each semester.
End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Written examinations covering emergency care, trauma, airway management, cardiac care, pharmacology, medical emergencies, and disaster management.
Simulation and Practical Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of emergency care competencies including patient assessment, airway management, CPR, trauma care, splinting, and drug administration through simulation and OSCEs.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent paramedical sciences research project, assessed through written report and presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). KMPDC registers EMS providers. The Ministry of Health provides EMS guidelines. Kenya Red Cross and St John Ambulance operate under national emergency service frameworks. Occupational safety regulations apply.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. KMPDC registers EMS providers. The Ministry of Health provides EMS guidelines.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Disaster Response Coordinator / Emergency Preparedness Officer
Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Coordinates disaster response, manages mass casualty incidents, and supports emergency preparedness at Kenya Red Cross, county governments, or the Ministry of Health.
Emergency Care Practitioner / Hospital Emergency Officer
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 170,000
Works in hospital emergency departments providing emergency care, triage, and patient management at KNH, MTRH, or county hospitals.
EMS Officer / Ambulance Service Manager
Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages ambulance operations, supervises EMS staff, coordinates emergency response, and oversees service quality at ambulance service providers.
Paramedic / Emergency Medical Technician
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Provides pre-hospital emergency care, trauma management, and patient transport at Kenya Red Cross, St John Ambulance, or private ambulance services.
Aeromedical Crew / Air Ambulance Paramedic
Medium demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides aeromedical transport and in-flight emergency care at AMREF Flying Doctors, air ambulance operators, or HEMS services.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as paramedics, EMS officers, and emergency care practitioners. Paramedical sciences is in high demand driven by road traffic accidents, disaster preparedness, and EMS development. Salaries range from KES 70,000 to 180,000 per month. Kenya Red Cross, St John Ambulance, hospitals, county emergency services, AMREF Flying Doctors, and private ambulance services 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

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Paramedical sciences is just about driving ambulances.
This programme covers advanced emergency medical care, trauma management, airway management, cardiac care, pharmacology, disaster management, aeromedical transport, and research. It's a comprehensive emergency medicine discipline.
Paramedics are just ambulance drivers with first aid.
Paramedics are highly trained emergency medical professionals who perform advanced life support, intubation, cardiac monitoring, drug administration, and complex emergency interventions.
There are no career opportunities for paramedics in Kenya.
Kenya Red Cross, St John Ambulance, hospitals, county emergency services, AMREF Flying Doctors, KDF, police, mining and oil companies, and event medical services all employ paramedics. EMS is a growing field.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.