Health Sciences

Diploma in Radiography and Imaging

The Diploma in Radiography and Imaging is a three-year medical imaging programme offered by the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) across selected campuses in Kenya. It trains students to perform diagnostic imaging procedures including X-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The programme is accredited by the Radiographers Board of Kenya under the Radiographers Act, 2022.

Students begin with foundational sciences in Year 1, covering human anatomy and physiology, medical physics, patient care, and imaging processing technology. Year 2 advances to radiographic anatomy, imaging and therapeutic modalities, imaging equipment technology, pharmacology, and research methodology. Year 3 focuses on image pattern analysis, radiographic pathology, advanced imaging modalities, community health systems, and health systems management.

Clinical practice forms 75 to 85 per cent of the training, with students rotating through national and private hospitals for practical attachments. The programme follows a modular curriculum structure with two semesters per academic year, and each module is examinable on a pass or fail basis with a pass mark of 50 per cent.

Entry requirements are a KCSE mean grade of C (plain), with C (plain) in English or Kiswahili, Physics or Physical Sciences, and Biology or Biological Sciences, plus C- (minus) in either Mathematics or Chemistry. The programme is available at KMTC Nairobi, Mombasa, Manza, Nyeri, Nakuru, Eldoret, Bungoma, Siaya, Kisumu, Kapkatet, and Homabay campuses.

Graduates are registered with the Radiographers Board of Kenya and must also be licensed as radiation workers by the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) under the Radiation Protection Act. Career opportunities include positions as radiographers in hospitals, diagnostic centres, NGOs, and medical imaging equipment companies, with many graduates also pursuing higher diplomas in specialised imaging fields such as ultrasonography, radiation therapy, CT, and MRI.

The programme was established in 1957 at KMTC Nairobi and has since expanded to meet the growing demand for medical imaging professionals in Kenya and beyond. KMTC graduates are recognised internationally, with over 50 employed in Europe, the United States, and other African countries in recent years.

Duration: 3
Public, up to: Ksh 122,200
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 2 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

Human Anatomy and Physiology
Medical Physics and Chemistry
Imaging and Therapeutic Modalities
Image Processing Technology
Radiographic Anatomy
Imaging Equipment Technology
Pharmacology and Radiopharmacology
Image Pattern Analysis
Radiographic Pathology
Research Methodology and Biostatistics

Modules

12 in the programme

Anatomy and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational human anatomy and physiology with emphasis on structures relevant to medical imaging.
Imaging and Therapeutic Modalities I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to basic imaging modalities and their principles of operation.
Image Processing Technology I
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Fundamentals of image formation, processing, and quality control in radiography.
Medical Physics and Chemistry I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Physics principles underlying radiation, X-ray production, and radiation-matter interactions.
Patient Care
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Principles of patient care, communication, and safety in the radiology department.
Radiographic Anatomy II
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced radiographic anatomy with correlation to imaging appearances on different modalities.
Imaging and Therapeutic Modalities III
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Intermediate imaging techniques including fluoroscopy and specialised radiographic procedures.
Imaging Equipment Technology I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Construction, operation, and maintenance of X-ray and imaging equipment.
Pharmacology and Radiopharmacology
Year 2Semester 12 creditsCore
Principles of pharmacology with emphasis on contrast media and radiopharmaceuticals.
Image Pattern Analysis
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Systematic interpretation of normal and abnormal imaging patterns across modalities.
Radiographic Pathology II
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced pathology of body systems as demonstrated on medical images.
Community Health Systems
Year 3Semester 22 creditsCore
Role of medical imaging in community health and primary healthcare delivery.

Specialisations

Ultrasonography
Higher diploma specialisation in diagnostic ultrasound imaging.
Radiation Therapy
Higher diploma in therapeutic radiography for cancer treatment.
Computed Tomography (CT)
Specialisation in CT imaging techniques and interpretation.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Specialisation in MRI physics, protocols, and image acquisition.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on imaging physics or radiographic anatomy with afternoon clinical rotations in the X-ray department, where students practise positioning patients, operating imaging equipment, and processing images under supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for radiographers in Kenya and internationally, with KMTC graduates widely recognised.
Clear progression pathway through higher diplomas in specialised imaging modalities.
Affordable training at KMTC with government subsidised fees for KUCCPS-placed students.

Against it

Requires registration with the Radiographers Board and KNRA licensing before practice.
Exposure to ionising radiation requires strict adherence to safety protocols throughout the career.
Limited to KMTC campuses, with no private institution offering equivalent training in Kenya.

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

Public118k to 122k

118k at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Year 2+122k at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Year 1

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

KMTC 122,200 Y1, 118,000 Y2+ self-sponsored (educationnewshub.co.ke). Private: unverified.

KMTC offers limited internal scholarships. Government-sponsored students placed through KUCCPS receive subsidised fees. HELB loans are available for eligible students.

Funding options

HELB Loan
KUCCPS Government Placement

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at KMTC.
KUCCPS Government Subsidy
SubsidyKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students placed by KUCCPS receive subsidised tuition fees at KMTC.
KMTC/Beyond Zero Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 238,200Kenyan
Selected candidates from ASAL counties and vulnerable groups for specific programmes.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: Holders of a Certificate in relevant fields with at least two years working experience may apply for upgrading.

English or Kiswahili
C
Physics or Physical Sciences
C
Biology or Biological Sciences
C
Mathematics or Chemistry
C-

How you are assessed

3 components

End of Semester Module Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
Each module is examinable on a pass or fail basis with a pass mark of 50 per cent, assessed by internal and external examiners.
Clinical Practice Rotations
Practical assessment30% of the mark
Continuous assessment of clinical competencies during hospital rotations, forming 75-85 per cent of the programme.
Research Project
Project20% of the mark
Independent research project presented to internal and external examiners.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Radiographers Board of Kenya under the Radiographers Act, 2022. Graduates must also be licensed as radiation workers by the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) under the Radiation Protection Act. KMTC is the primary training institution recognised by the Board.

Accredited by

Radiographers Board of Kenya
ProfessionalRequired
KMTC is the primary accredited institution for radiography training in Kenya. The programme is recognised under the Radiographers Act, 2022.
Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority
RegulatoryRequired
All radiographers must be licensed as radiation workers before practising.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Radiographer III
High demandKsh 480,000 to Ksh 720,000
Entry-level radiographer performing diagnostic imaging examinations in hospitals and health centres.
Sonographer (after higher diploma)
High demandKsh 600,000 to Ksh 1,200,000
Performs ultrasound examinations after completing a higher diploma in ultrasonography.
CT/MRI Technologist (after higher diploma)
Moderate demandKsh 720,000 to Ksh 1,500,000
Operates advanced CT and MRI equipment after specialised training.
Radiography Educator
Moderate demandKsh 600,000 to Ksh 900,000
Teaches radiography at KMTC or other training institutions after gaining experience.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates are in high demand in hospitals, diagnostic centres, and NGOs across Kenya and internationally, with over 50 employed abroad in recent years.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

GE X-ray Systems
EquipmentPrimary
Siemens Imaging Equipment
Equipment
Philips Imaging Systems
Equipment

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Radiography is only about taking X-rays.
Modern radiography encompasses ultrasound, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, mammography, and interventional procedures, making it a highly diverse diagnostic and therapeutic field.
Radiographers face dangerous radiation levels daily.
Strict radiation safety protocols, protective equipment, and monitoring devices ensure that occupational radiation exposure remains well within safe limits established by the KNRA.
A diploma limits career progression compared to a degree.
Diploma graduates can pursue higher diplomas in specialised modalities (ultrasound, CT, MRI, radiation therapy) and conversion programmes to Bachelor of Technology degrees at select universities.
Radiography graduates cannot work abroad.
Over 50 KMTC radiography graduates have been employed in Europe, the United States, and other African countries in recent years, with the diploma widely recognised internationally.