Health Sciences

Master of Arts in Medical Sociology

The Master of Arts in Medical Sociology is a postgraduate programme that examines the social dimensions of health, illness, healthcare, and health systems. The programme trains graduates for careers in health research, public health, health policy, and healthcare administration with a sociological perspective.

Core areas include sociology of health and illness, health systems, biostatistics, health planning, health and social change, sexuality and gender in health, and research methods. Students engage with both sociological theory and health research applications.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi as MA in Sociology (Medical Sociology) through its Department of Sociology, Social Work and African Women Studies. The programme has core courses in sociological theory and research methods plus specialised medical sociology courses.

Students develop competencies in medical sociological analysis, health research, health systems analysis, health planning, and social dimensions of health. The programme includes coursework, examinations, research project or thesis, and oral defence.

UoN tuition is KES 21,000 per unit with total programme cost of approximately KES 441,000 over four semesters (~KES 220,500/year). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours in Sociology or related discipline.

Graduates pursue careers as medical sociologists, health researchers, public health specialists, health planners, and healthcare administrators in research institutes, government, NGOs, and international health organisations.

Skills Required

Sociology of Health and Illness
Health Systems Analysis
Biostatistics and Health Data
Health Planning and Administration
Social Dimensions of Health
Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
Health and Social Change Analysis
Sexuality, Gender and Health Analysis
Community Health and Organisation
Health Policy Analysis

Key Subjects

Sociology of Health and Illness
Biostatistics
Health Care Systems in Developing Countries
Health Planning and Administration
Health and Social Change
Sexuality, Gender and Health
Contemporary Sociological Theory
Advanced Social Statistics
Research Methods
Social Psychology

Certifications

ISA Health Sociology Certification
KEMRI Research Certification

Specializations

Sociology of Health and Illness

Focuses on sociology of health and illness, disease, illness behaviour, health seeking, and understanding health and illness as social phenomena.

Health Systems and Administration

Examines health systems, healthcare delivery, health planning, administration, and managing and improving health systems in developing countries.

Health and Social Change

Covers health and social change, modernity, epidemiological transition, social change in East Africa, and understanding health in changing societies.

Gender and Health

Focuses on sexuality, gender and health, reproductive health, maternal health, gender inequalities, and understanding gender dimensions of health.

Community Health

Examines community health, community organisation, health action, participation, and supporting community health and empowerment.

Ageing and Health

Covers sociology of ageing, elderly health, ageing populations, care, and understanding health and social aspects of ageing.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 131,100
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: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Sociology of Health and Illness
Biostatistics
Health Care Systems in Developing Countries
Health Planning and Administration
Health and Social Change
Sexuality, Gender and Health
Contemporary Sociological Theory
Advanced Social Statistics
Research Methods
Social Psychology

Modules

12 in the programme

Contemporary Sociological Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines contemporary sociological theory, functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, structuration, and understanding society and health through theory.
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting health research, preparing students for their thesis.
Advanced Social Statistics I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines social statistics, data analysis, SPSS, descriptive and inferential statistics, and analysing social and health data.
Sociology of Health and Illness
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sociology of health and illness, illness behaviour, health seeking, stigma, chronic illness, and understanding health and illness as social phenomena.
Biostatistics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines biostatistics, health data, statistical analysis, epidemiology, rates, and analysing health and medical data.
Health Care Systems in Developing Countries
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers health care systems, healthcare delivery, pluralistic medicine, health systems in developing countries, and analysing and improving health systems.
Health Planning and Administration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines health planning, administration, policy, management, health services, and planning and managing health services.
Health and Social Change
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers health and social change, modernity, epidemiological transition, social change in East Africa, and understanding health in changing societies.
Sexuality, Gender and Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines sexuality, gender and health, reproductive health, maternal health, gender inequalities, and understanding gender dimensions of health.
Advanced Medical Sociology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers advanced medical sociology, social determinants of health, health inequalities, medicalisation, and advanced sociological analysis of health.
Social Psychology and Community Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines social psychology, community organisation, health action, participation, and supporting community health and empowerment.
Research Project or Thesis
Year 2Semester 28 creditsCore
Original research project or thesis on a medical sociology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Sociology of Health and Illness
Focuses on sociology of health and illness, disease, illness behaviour, health seeking, and understanding health and illness as social phenomena.
Health Systems and Administration
Examines health systems, healthcare delivery, health planning, administration, and managing and improving health systems in developing countries.
Health and Social Change
Covers health and social change, modernity, epidemiological transition, social change in East Africa, and understanding health in changing societies.
Gender and Health
Focuses on sexuality, gender and health, reproductive health, maternal health, gender inequalities, and understanding gender dimensions of health.
Community Health
Examines community health, community organisation, health action, participation, and supporting community health and empowerment.
Ageing and Health
Covers sociology of ageing, elderly health, ageing populations, care, and understanding health and social aspects of ageing.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA Medical Sociology programme begins with morning lectures on sociology of health and illness, health systems, or biostatistics. Students engage with both sociological theory and health research applications. Sociology of health sessions cover illness as social phenomenon, illness behaviour, health seeking, stigma, and understanding health and illness sociologically. Health systems sessions examine healthcare delivery, health systems in developing countries, pluralistic medicine, and analysing and improving health systems. Biostatistics sessions cover health data, statistical analysis, epidemiology, and analysing health data. Health planning sessions examine health planning, administration, policy, management, and planning and managing health services. Health and social change sessions cover modernity, epidemiological transition, social change in East Africa, and understanding health in changing societies. Gender and health sessions examine sexuality, gender, reproductive health, maternal health, and understanding gender dimensions of health. Community health sessions cover community organisation, health action, participation, and supporting community health. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering quantitative and qualitative methods, data collection, and analysis. Guest lectures from health researchers, KEMRI scientists, Ministry of Health officials, and international medical sociologists provide real-world insights. The programme culminates in a research project or thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's health challenges, UHC reforms, health system strengthening, and health research needs create demand for qualified medical sociology professionals.
Career opportunities in research institutes, government, NGOs, international health organisations, and academia.
Programme provides unique sociological perspective on health essential for effective health policy, planning, and interventions.
Interdisciplinary programme bridges sociology, health, and development, providing versatile career options.

Against it

Only UoN is confirmed to offer this exact programme, limiting university choice.
Medical sociology is a niche field with fewer direct career positions compared to public health or medicine.
Research and academic positions are competitive and may require doctoral qualifications.
Some employers may prefer public health or health administration degrees over medical sociology.

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

Public187k to 221k

187k at Moi University221k at University of Nairobi

Private131k to 131k

131k at Mount Kenya University131k at Mount Kenya University

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

UoN MA Sociology 441,000/2yr (uonbi.ac.ke). Moi ~187K. MKU ~131K/yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI supports medical research in Kenya. WHO supports health research. The programme's medical sociology and health research focus attracts KEMRI, WHO, and health research funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Funding
WHO Health Research Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate medical sociology studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Funding
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
KEMRI supports medical research in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate research in medical sociology and health.
WHO Health Research Funding
FellowshipKsh 400,000
WHO supports health research globally, providing fellowships for postgraduate study in medical sociology and health.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from sociology, social sciences, health sciences, public health, and related fields. UoN offers full-time and part-time modes. Two-year programme with research project or thesis option.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework essays, health analysis papers, seminar presentations, case studies, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering sociological theory, health systems, biostatistics, and medical sociology, conducted at end of each semester.
Research Seminar and Proposal
Practical20% of the mark
Assessment of research seminar and proposal, including research design, literature review, methodology, and proposal presentation.
Research Project or Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research project or thesis on a medical sociology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi offers MA in Sociology (Medical Sociology) through its Department of Sociology, Social Work and African Women Studies. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate medical sociology training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi offers MA in Sociology (Medical Sociology) through its Department of Sociology, Social Work and African Women Studies. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate medical sociology training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Medical Sociologist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts medical sociology research, overseeing social analysis of health, health systems, and supporting evidence-based health practice and policy.
Health Researcher
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts health research, overseeing study design, data collection, analysis, and supporting evidence-based health programmes and policy.
Public Health Specialist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Applies sociological insights to public health, overseeing programmes, social analysis, and supporting effective health interventions.
Health Planner
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Plans health services, overseeing health planning, needs assessment, resource allocation, and supporting effective health service delivery.
Healthcare Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages healthcare services, overseeing administration, operations, quality, and supporting effective healthcare delivery.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches medical sociology in universities, conducting research and training future medical sociologists and health professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as medical sociologists, health researchers, public health specialists, and health planners in research institutes, government, NGOs, and international health organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for health research, survey analysis, biostatistics, and quantitative data analysis in medical sociology.
Stata
Software
Statistical software for health research, epidemiological analysis, econometric analysis, and quantitative data analysis.
NVivo
Software
Qualitative data analysis software for health research, interviews, focus groups, and qualitative data analysis.
KoboToolbox
Software
Data collection platform for field research, health surveys, and collecting medical sociology research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Medical sociology is just about hospitals.
Medical sociology studies all social dimensions of health including illness behaviour, health inequalities, health systems, gender, community health, and health policy.
Medical sociology is not relevant to healthcare practice.
Medical sociology provides critical insights into patient behaviour, health inequalities, health systems, and social determinants of health that are essential for effective healthcare.
There is no demand for medical sociologists in Kenya.
Kenya's health challenges, health system reforms, UHC, and health research needs create demand for qualified medical sociology professionals.
Medical sociology is not a rigorous discipline.
Medical sociology involves rigorous research methods, statistical analysis, theory, and empirical investigation comparable to other social sciences.
A master's in medical sociology is redundant after a BA.
The master's provides advanced analytical and research skills, specialisation, and career progression to senior health research and policy positions.
Medical sociology is the same as public health.
Medical sociology and public health overlap but differ; medical sociology focuses on social analysis of health while public health focuses on population health interventions and epidemiology.