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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.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 396,000
Ksh 1,584,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 396,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,584,000 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) or above. 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 2 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cloud Security Engineer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

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.

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 favourAgainst it
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.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

Scholarships you could apply for

7 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+ (Plus)minimum entry
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.

When it next starts

Taught at 2 institutions
January 20272 institutions

Including Technical University of Mombasa, Kirinyaga University.

May 20272 institutions

Including Technical University of Mombasa, Kirinyaga University.

September 20272 institutions

Including Technical University of Mombasa, Kirinyaga University.

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

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

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

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.

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Engineering is only for men.

    Increasing numbers of women are pursuing engineering in Kenya, with organisations like Women in Engineering (WIE) supporting participation.

  • Engineering graduates automatically become professional engineers.

    EBK registration requires a bachelor's degree plus supervised training and professional exams after graduation.

  • All engineering programmes take 5 years.

    Most engineering bachelor's degrees take 5 years, but some related programmes like architecture take 5-6 years and built environment programmes take 4 years.

  • Engineering is too difficult and has high dropout rates.

    While engineering is rigorous, universities provide support systems. Dropout rates are comparable to other demanding programmes.

Further reading

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