Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health
The Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health is a degree programme that focuses on protecting workers from workplace hazards and promoting safe working environments. The programme is offered at Kenyatta University and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, preparing graduates for careers in occupational health, safety management and workplace risk assessment.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 275,400 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,101,600 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 12 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 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 occupational health, safety management systems, risk assessment, ergonomics, industrial hygiene, occupational diseases, workplace hazard identification, safety legislation, environmental health, fire safety, accident investigation, occupational psychology and research methods. Students develop competencies in conducting safety audits, risk assessments and implementing safety management programmes.
Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, laboratory practicals, industrial attachments, site visits and research projects. The practical approach ensures graduates can identify workplace hazards, conduct safety inspections, investigate accidents and design interventions to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses.
The programme emphasises the prevention of workplace accidents and occupational diseases, preparing students to create and maintain safe working environments across diverse industries. Students learn about safety regulations, hazard control measures, occupational health surveillance and the application of safety standards in industrial, construction and agricultural settings.
Graduates are equipped to work in manufacturing companies, construction firms, mining operations, government regulatory agencies, insurance companies and occupational health consultancies. They play a critical role in ensuring compliance with safety regulations, reducing workplace accidents and protecting the health of workers across all sectors of the economy.
Career opportunities exist in manufacturing, construction, mining, oil and gas, government labour departments, occupational safety consultancies, insurance firms and international organisations. Graduates work as safety officers, occupational health officers, risk assessors, safety auditors and environmental health officers across various industrial sectors.
What you study
10 subjects- Occupational Health
- Safety Management Systems
- Risk Assessment
- Ergonomics
- Industrial Hygiene
- Occupational Diseases
- Safety Legislation
- Fire Safety
- Environmental Health
- Accident Investigation
Modules
8 in the programmePrinciples of Occupational Safety and Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of occupational safety, historical development and key concepts in workplace health.
Ergonomics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Workplace design, human factors and ergonomic principles for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.
Occupational Health and Diseases
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Occupational diseases, their causes, prevention and management in workplace settings.
Risk Assessment and Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Hazard identification, risk evaluation techniques and implementation of control measures.
Industrial Hygiene
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Recognition, evaluation and control of chemical, physical and biological hazards in workplaces.
Safety Management Systems
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Safety Management Systems: Design and implementation of safety management systems and safety audits. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Safety Legislation and Compliance
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Kenyan safety laws, international labour standards and regulatory compliance frameworks.
Research Methods and Biostatistics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, data collection, statistical analysis and scientific report writing in occupational safety.
Specialisations
Industrial Safety Management
Focus on safety management systems in manufacturing, construction and industrial settings. 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.
Occupational Health
Specialisation in occupational diseases, health surveillance and workplace health promotion. 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.
Environmental Safety
Focus on environmental risk assessment, pollution control and environmental compliance in workplaces.
Risk Assessment and Management
Specialisation in hazard identification, risk evaluation and implementing control measures. 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 occupational health lectures, conducting risk assessment practicals, reviewing safety legislation case studies, inspecting workplace safety equipment during site visits, and analysing accident data using statistical software.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against 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 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/MMUST 275,400/yr (KUCCPS educationnewshub). Private: unverified.
Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. KMTC bursaries are available for eligible 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
KMTC Bursary
Bursary
Students at Kenya Medical Training College campuses
Scholarships
3 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.
Scholarships you could apply for
8 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Kenyatta University Scholarship
Before semesterPartialKenyatta University
30 to 50% tuition waiver
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
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 4 institutionsIncluding Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Africa Nazarene University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Africa Nazarene University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, Africa Nazarene University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
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
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). The programme aligns with the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) requirements and international labour standards.
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 safety officers, occupational health officers, risk assessors and safety auditors in manufacturing, construction, mining, government agencies and consultancies.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Embedded Firmware EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Embedded Linux DeveloperTechnology15Low exposure
- Forensic DNA ScientistScience15Low exposure
- Neuromorphic Computing ResearcherScience15Low exposure
- Site Reliability EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Applied Cryptography EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for safety data management, risk assessment scoring and incident tracking.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for occupational health research and accident data analysis.
ArcGIS
Software
Geographic information system for mapping workplace hazards and environmental risk assessment.
Python
Software
Programming language for safety data analysis and risk modelling.
SafetyCulture (iAuditor)
Software
Mobile inspection app for conducting safety audits and workplace inspections.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Occupational safety is just about wearing protective equipment.
The programme covers risk assessment, safety management systems, occupational health, ergonomics, safety legislation and accident investigation, far beyond personal protective equipment.
Safety officers only work in construction sites.
Graduates work in manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, healthcare, agriculture, government agencies, insurance companies and international organisations.
Occupational safety and health is not a real profession.
It is a regulated profession in Kenya under the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS) with growing demand across all industrial sectors.
The programme is only about physical safety hazards.
The programme covers chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial and environmental hazards, providing a comprehensive approach to workplace health and safety.