Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Paramedical Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Paramedical Sciences is a professional degree programme that prepares graduates to provide allied health and emergency medical care services. The programme is offered at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology under the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedical Sciences, preparing graduates for careers in emergency care, clinical support and allied health services.

The curriculum covers anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, emergency medical care, trauma management, clinical diagnostics, patient assessment, medical ethics, community health, disaster management, medical instrumentation and research methods. Students develop competencies in patient care, emergency response, diagnostic procedures and clinical decision-making.

Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, skills laboratory sessions, hospital clinical rotations and field attachment. The practical approach ensures graduates can assess patients, perform emergency interventions, support clinical teams and contribute to allied health services in various healthcare settings.

The programme emphasises the development of clinical and emergency care skills, preparing students to work alongside doctors, nurses and other health professionals in providing comprehensive patient care. Students learn about pre-hospital emergency care, diagnostic support, patient stabilisation and the integration of paramedical services within the broader healthcare system.

Graduates are equipped to work in hospitals, emergency medical services, ambulance companies, clinical laboratories, diagnostic centres and community health programmes. They play a critical role in supporting medical teams, providing emergency care and delivering allied health services that complement primary healthcare delivery.

Career opportunities exist in hospitals, emergency services, ambulance companies, diagnostic centres, clinical laboratories, community health programmes and industrial health departments. Graduates work as paramedical officers, emergency care assistants, clinical support officers and allied health technicians across the health sector.

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: 12 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Anatomy and Physiology
Pathophysiology
Pharmacology
Emergency Medical Care
Trauma Management
Clinical Diagnostics
Medical Ethics
Community Health
Disaster Management
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 paramedical practice.
Pathophysiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Pathophysiology: Disease processes, their mechanisms and implications for paramedical care. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Emergency Medical Care
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of emergency patient assessment, basic life support and pre-hospital care.
Pharmacology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Emergency and clinical medications, their indications, dosages and administration.
Medical Ethics and Law
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Ethical principles, professional conduct and legal frameworks in paramedical practice.
Clinical Diagnostics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Diagnostic procedures, patient assessment techniques and clinical decision support.
Disaster and Emergency Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Disaster and Emergency Management: Mass casualty incidents, disaster response planning and emergency coordination. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Research Methods and Community Health
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, community health principles and health data analysis for paramedical practice.

Specialisations

Emergency Medical Care
Focus on pre-hospital emergency care, trauma management and rapid response to medical emergencies. 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.
Clinical Diagnostics
Specialisation in diagnostic procedures, patient assessment and clinical decision support. 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.
Community Health and First Response
Focus on community-based emergency care, health promotion and first response in underserved areas. 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.
Allied Health Support
Specialisation in supporting clinical teams in hospitals, diagnostic centres and rehabilitation services.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending anatomy and physiology lectures, practising emergency care skills in the simulation laboratory, participating in hospital clinical rotations, and learning about diagnostic procedures and patient assessment techniques.

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. 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

5 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.
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). The programme is offered under the MMUST School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedical Sciences and aligns with KMPDC requirements.

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 paramedical officers, emergency care assistants and clinical support officers in hospitals, emergency services and diagnostic centres.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for patient records, clinical data management and health service reporting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for health research and clinical outcomes analysis.
Electronic Health Record (EHR)
Software
Digital patient record system for documenting clinical care and patient management.
R
Software
Programming language for health data analysis and epidemiological research.
DHIS2
Software
District Health Information System for health data management and reporting.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Paramedical sciences is the same as nursing.
Paramedical sciences focuses on emergency care, clinical diagnostics and allied health support, while nursing focuses on ongoing patient care and nursing management.
Graduates can only work in ambulances.
Graduates work in hospitals, emergency services, diagnostic centres, clinical laboratories, community health programmes and industrial health departments.
Paramedical sciences is not a recognised profession in Kenya.
The profession is regulated under the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council and offered at accredited universities such as MMUST.
The programme only teaches first aid.
The programme covers advanced emergency care, pharmacology, clinical diagnostics, pathophysiology and disaster management, far beyond basic first aid.