Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Science

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

The curriculum covers Anatomy and Physiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Emergency Medical Care, Trauma Management, Cardiac Care. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Airway Management, Data Analysis, Disaster Management, Emergency Medical Care, Paramedicine. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Anatomy and Physiology, Emergency Medical Care I, Pharmacology for Paramedics, Trauma Management, Cardiac and Respiratory 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 Emergency Medical Services, Trauma and Critical Care, Disaster and Mass Casualty Management. 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 Paramedic Science pursue careers as Graduate Trainee, Research Assistant, Project Officer, Analyst. 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 275,400
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

Anatomy and Physiology
Pathophysiology
Pharmacology
Emergency Medical Care
Trauma Management
Cardiac Care
Paediatric Emergencies
Disaster Management
Ambulance Operations
Research Methods

Modules

8 in the programme

Anatomy and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Structure and function of the human body with emphasis on systems relevant to emergency care.
Emergency Medical Care I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of emergency patient assessment, airway management and basic life support.
Pharmacology for Paramedics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Emergency medications, their indications, dosages, administration routes and side effects.
Cardiac and Respiratory Emergencies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Management of cardiac arrest, arrhythmias, respiratory distress and other cardiopulmonary emergencies.
Trauma Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Assessment and management of trauma patients including advanced trauma life support protocols.
Paediatric and Obstetric Emergencies
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Emergency care for children, pregnant women and neonates in pre-hospital and emergency settings.
Disaster Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Mass casualty incidents, disaster response planning, triage systems and emergency coordination.
Research Methods and Ambulance Operations
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, emergency vehicle operations, communication systems and pre-hospital care documentation.

Specialisations

Emergency Medical Services
Focus on pre-hospital emergency care, ambulance operations and rapid response to medical emergencies.
Trauma and Critical Care
Specialisation in advanced trauma life support, critical care transport and management of critically ill patients.
Disaster and Mass Casualty Management
Focus on disaster response, mass casualty incidents, triage systems and emergency coordination. 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.
Industrial and Event Paramedicine
Specialisation in providing emergency medical services in industrial settings, mining sites and large public events.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending emergency medicine lectures, practising airway management and trauma care skills in the simulation laboratory, responding to mock emergency scenarios, and completing ambulance attachment shifts alongside practising paramedics.

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 courses

Public275k to 275k

275k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology275k at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

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

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. DAAD offers scholarships for health and STEM 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
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
Undergraduate students in STEM and health fields

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher 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.

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). The programme aligns with Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) requirements for emergency medical care practice in Kenya.

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 paramedics, emergency medical technicians and disaster response officers in ambulance services, hospitals, fire and rescue services and humanitarian organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for patient care records, emergency response data and clinical audit management.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for emergency medical services research and epidemiological studies.
Electronic Patient Care Record (ePCR)
Software
Digital patient care documentation system used in ambulance and emergency settings.
R
Software
Programming language for emergency medical services data analysis and outcomes research.
DHIS2
Software
District Health Information System for emergency health data management and reporting.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Paramedics are just ambulance drivers.
Paramedics are highly trained healthcare professionals who perform advanced medical interventions, administer medications and make critical clinical decisions in emergency situations.
Paramedic science is the same as nursing.
Paramedic science focuses on emergency pre-hospital care, trauma management and rapid response, while nursing focuses on ongoing patient care in clinical and hospital settings.
There are no career opportunities for paramedics in Kenya.
Kenya is expanding its emergency medical services infrastructure, with growing demand in ambulance services, fire and rescue, disaster management, mining and oil sectors.
Paramedics only work in ambulances.
Paramedics work in hospital emergency departments, fire and rescue services, disaster management agencies, industrial safety, event medical services and international humanitarian organisations.