Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences
The Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences is a KUCCPS-listed programme (Health Sciences & Related cluster), offered primarily at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), that trains laboratory technologists to conduct diagnostic tests supporting patient diagnosis and treatment.
Students study clinical chemistry, haematology, microbiology, blood transfusion science, histopathology, and laboratory quality management, building comprehensive diagnostic testing competence. Skills RequiredClinical ChemistryHaematologyMicrobiologyBlood Transfusion ScienceLaboratory Quality ManagementKey SubjectsClinical ChemistryHaematologyMicrobiologyBlood Transfusion ScienceHistopathologyLaboratory Quality ManagementCertificationsKenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB) RegistrationSpecializationsClinical ChemistryFocus on biochemical testing of blood and body fluids. MicrobiologyFocus on identifying disease-causing organisms in specimens. Haematology and Blood TransfusionFocus on blood cell analysis and transfusion science. Skills RequiredBlood Transfusion ScienceClinical ChemistryHaematologyLaboratory Quality ManagementMicrobiologyKey SubjectsClinical ChemistryHaematologyMicrobiologyBlood Transfusion ScienceHistopathologyLaboratory Quality ManagementCertificationsKenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) CertificationSpecializationsClinical ChemistryFocus on biochemical testing of blood and body fluids. MicrobiologyFocus on identifying disease-causing organisms in specimens. Haematology and Blood TransfusionFocus on blood cell analysis and transfusion science.
Every hospital and health facility in Kenya depends on laboratory technologists to process diagnostic tests, making this one of the most consistently in-demand allied health diplomas nationally.
Training combines classroom laboratory science with extensive hands-on laboratory practicals processing real specimens, plus a supervised clinical attachment at a hospital laboratory.
Graduates work as medical laboratory technologists in public and private hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and research institutions, with progression into Higher Diploma specialisations or a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences.
The programme suits students with strong biology and chemistry grades who want a technically precise, diagnostically critical healthcare career working behind the scenes of patient care.
- Duration
- 3 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 122,200
- Private, up to
- Ksh 79,850
- Job market
- Very high
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 3 months
- Average class
- 35 students
- Award
- Diploma
What you study
6 subjects- Clinical Chemistry
- Haematology
- Microbiology
- Blood Transfusion Science
- Histopathology
- Laboratory Quality Management
Modules
10 in the programmeHaematology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Blood and blood disorders as applied to medical laboratory sciences principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Written and oral communication skills for professional workplace communication and effective correspondence.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Clinical Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Chemical analysis of body fluids as applied to technical principles and practical applications in the course curriculum.
Clinical Chemistry
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Biochemical analysis of blood and body fluids for diagnosis for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Haematology
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Blood cell analysis and related diagnostic testing for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Microbiology
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Identification and testing of disease-causing microorganisms for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Blood Transfusion Science
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Blood grouping, cross-matching, and transfusion safety for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Histopathology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Tissue analysis for disease diagnosis, including processing, staining for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Clinical Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised laboratory placement at a hospital or diagnostic facility for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Clinical Chemistry
Focus on biochemical testing of blood and body fluids, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Microbiology
Focus on identifying disease-causing organisms in specimens, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Haematology and Blood Transfusion
Focus on blood cell analysis and transfusion science, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Histopathology
Focus on tissue processing, slide preparation, staining techniques, and histological diagnosis within Kenyan hospital and research laboratory environments.
Parasitology and Entomology
Focus on parasite identification, vector biology, diagnostic parasitology, and tropical disease diagnostics within Kenyan public health and research laboratories.
A day as a student
Days combine laboratory science lectures with extensive hands-on practicals processing blood, urine, and tissue specimens, building toward a supervised clinical laboratory attachment.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Very high, stable demand as every hospital and health facility needs laboratory testing services.
- Technically rigorous, diagnostically critical role with clear registration and progression pathways.
Against it
- Requires strong grades across biology, chemistry, and mathematics/physics at entry.
- Involves handling potentially infectious specimens, requiring strict safety protocol adherence.
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
KMTC self-spons 122.2K Y1/118K Y2+ (tvet.co.ke). Kabarak 79.85K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke)
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; some county health departments sponsor students in exchange for a post-qualification service bond.
Funding options
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
Loan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
Scholarships
2 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- C plain
- Alternative entry
- A Certificate in Medical Laboratory Technology from a recognised institution.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework25% of the mark
Tests across laboratory science theory units.
Laboratory Practicals
Coursework35% of the mark
Hands-on specimen processing and testing assessments.
Final Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester written and practical examinations.
Accreditation
KUCCPS-listed diploma (Health Sciences & Related cluster); regulated by the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB).
Accredited by
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board
Professional licensing bodyRequired
Registration with the Board, following graduation, is required for independent practice.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesLaboratory Technologist
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000
Performs medical laboratory tests, analyses samples, and maintains laboratory quality standards in hospitals, clinics, and research institutions.
Medical Laboratory Technologist (Public Hospital)
Very high demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 52,000
Processes diagnostic laboratory tests at a public hospital or health facility.
Medical Laboratory Technologist (Private Hospital)
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 65,000
Processes diagnostic tests at a private hospital or diagnostic laboratory.
Research Laboratory Technician
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 55,000
Supports laboratory research at a medical or academic research institution.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as medical laboratory technologists in public and private hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and research institutions.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist Assistant (Junior)Health Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microscope
Laboratory equipmentPrimary
Light microscope for haematology, parasitology, histology, and microbiology examination of clinical specimens.
Centrifuge
Laboratory equipmentPrimary
Laboratory centrifuge for separating blood components and preparing samples for analysis.
Auto Analyser
Laboratory equipment
Automated biochemistry and haematology analyser for clinical chemistry and blood count testing.
Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
Lab software
Software for managing laboratory samples, test results, and quality control records.
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Laboratory data recording, test result analysis, and quality control chart management.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Lab technologists just run tests without much responsibility.
Their diagnostic results directly guide clinical decisions, making accuracy and quality control critically important.
Graduates can start practising immediately after the diploma.
Registration with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB) is required before independent practice.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.