Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Medical Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Engineering is a degree programme that applies engineering principles to healthcare, focusing on the design, maintenance and management of medical equipment and healthcare technologies. The programme is offered at the Technical University of Mombasa, preparing graduates for careers in hospitals, medical device manufacturing and healthcare technology management.

The curriculum covers medical instrumentation, biomedical signal processing, medical imaging systems, hospital equipment maintenance, electronics, microprocessors, control systems, anatomy and physiology, medical device regulations and healthcare technology management. Students develop competencies in designing, installing, calibrating and maintaining medical equipment used in diagnosis, treatment and patient monitoring.

Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, laboratory practicals, workshop sessions, hospital attachments and research projects. The hands-on approach ensures graduates can troubleshoot and repair medical devices, calibrate diagnostic equipment and manage healthcare technology systems in clinical environments.

The programme emphasises the intersection of engineering and medicine, preparing students to address the growing need for skilled professionals who can bridge the gap between medical practice and technology. Students learn about medical device safety, regulatory compliance and the application of engineering solutions to improve healthcare delivery.

Graduates are equipped to work in hospitals, medical device companies, healthcare regulatory bodies and research institutions. They play a critical role in ensuring that medical equipment operates safely and effectively, supporting healthcare delivery through technology management and innovation.

Career opportunities exist in hospitals, medical device manufacturing companies, healthcare regulatory agencies, research institutions and biomedical engineering consultancies. Graduates work as medical engineers, biomedical equipment technicians, healthcare technology managers and medical device service engineers across the health and engineering sectors.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 396,000
Job market: Moderate

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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Engineering Mathematics
Engineering Drawing
Mechanics of Materials
Thermodynamics
Electrical Circuits
Fluid Mechanics
Structural Analysis
Construction Technology
Engineering Economics
Project Management

Modules

8 in the programme

Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Information Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications, data processing, and digital literacy for academic and professional use.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Statistics and Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical methods, probability, and data interpretation for research and practice.
Professional Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical principles, professional conduct, and regulatory frameworks in the field.
Project Management
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Project Management: Project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation techniques. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Business planning, venture creation, and innovation management. Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.

Specialisations

General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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 engineering lectures, conducting laboratory experiments, working on design projects, using CAD software, and completing problem sets. Students also participate in industrial visits.

The trade offs

In its favour

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public303k to 396k

303k at Technical University of Mombasa396k at University of Nairobi

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

TUM Medical Eng 302,940/yr (KUCCPS). UoN Engineering 396K/yr (Schedule II). Private: unverified.

Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. JICA and KOICA offer international scholarships for engineering students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Scholarship
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
JICA Scholarship
Scholarship
Engineering students in partnership with Japanese institutions

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
KCDF More Girls for Engineering Opportunities
ScholarshipKenyan
Young women from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing engineering
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+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE C+ (Plus) OR A Level with two principal passes; OR a relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate and CUE.

How you are assessed

2 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Engineering programmes are also regulated by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) for professional registration.

Accredited by

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

4 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as graduate engineers, site engineers, design engineers, project managers, and construction managers in Kenya's infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MATLAB
SoftwarePrimary
Numerical computing software for biomedical signal processing and medical system modelling.
AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Computer-aided design software for medical device design and technical drafting.
Proteus
Software
Circuit simulation software for medical electronics design and testing.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet for equipment maintenance logs and healthcare technology inventory management.
LabVIEW
Software
Graphical programming environment for medical device data acquisition and testing.