Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Public Health
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Public Health is a professional degree programme that combines nursing science with public health principles to produce graduates capable of providing clinical care and promoting community health. The programme is offered at Kenyatta University and Pwani University, preparing professionals for careers in hospitals, community health programmes and public health institutions.
The curriculum covers anatomy and physiology, medical-surgical nursing, community health nursing, mental health nursing, maternal and child health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health promotion, environmental health, nursing research, pharmacology, nursing leadership and management, and primary healthcare. Students develop competencies in patient care, health assessment, disease prevention and community health intervention.
Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, laboratory practicals, clinical rotations in hospitals, community health fieldwork and research projects. The clinical approach ensures graduates can provide nursing care in hospital settings while also designing and implementing public health programmes in communities.
The programme emphasises the integration of clinical nursing skills with population health perspectives, preparing students to address both individual patient needs and broader community health challenges. Students learn about disease prevention, health education, outbreak response and the social determinants of health that influence community wellbeing.
Graduates are equipped to work in hospitals, health centres, county health departments, NGOs, public health agencies and community-based organisations. They play a critical role in providing patient care, conducting health campaigns, managing disease outbreaks and promoting health at the community level.
Career opportunities exist in hospitals, health centres, county and national health departments, international health organisations, NGOs and educational institutions. Graduates work as registered nurses, public health nurses, community health officers, nursing educators and health programme coordinators across the health sector.
- Duration
- 4 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 364,000
- Private, up to
- Ksh 367,100
- 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
- 12 months
- Average class
- 20 students
- Award
- Bachelor
What you study
10 subjects- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Pathology
- Community Health
- Epidemiology
- Clinical Medicine
- Healthcare Ethics
Modules
8 in the programmeCommunication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
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.
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 medical lectures, conducting laboratory practicals, participating in clinical rotations at teaching hospitals, studying anatomy with cadavers, and preparing for ward rounds.
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 349 health sciences coursesAnnual 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 364,000/yr (KUCCPS). MKU 250,500/yr (mku.ac.ke), Uzima 367,100/yr (KUCCPS).
Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. Clinical medicine and nursing programmes at KMTC have separate bursary schemes.
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
KMTC Bursary
Bursary
Students at Kenya Medical Training College campuses
Scholarships
5 recordedHigher 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.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
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 componentsContinuous 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). Health programmes are also regulated by KMPDC, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Nursing Council of Kenya, or Clinical Officers Council as applicable.
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 rolesGraduate 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 medical officers, nurses, clinical officers, pharmacists, public health officers, and medical laboratory scientists in Kenya's health sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careersTools you will learn
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for nursing and public health research data.
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for patient data management, health statistics and epidemiological data.
R
Software
Programming language for epidemiological data analysis and public health statistics.
DHIS2
Software
District Health Information System for health data management and reporting.
Python
Software
Programming language for health data analysis and disease surveillance modelling.
Certifications
Industry links
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Public Health are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.