Master of Medicine
The Master of Medicine (MMed) provides advanced specialist medical training in nine clinical specialisations. Based at Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi, the programme offers structured clinical training and examinations leading to the MMed degree. Students specialise in anaesthesiology, anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, family medicine, general surgery, imaging and diagnostic radiology, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, or paediatrics and child health.
Students develop advanced competencies in their chosen specialisation through clinical training, simulation-based learning, research, and service in teaching hospitals and community settings. The curriculum combines common courses with specialisation-specific clinical training, research methods, and a research thesis. The programme is competency-based and accredited by ACGME-I, ensuring international standards.
Specialist medical training is critical for Kenya's healthcare system. Hospitals, health centres, and medical institutions require trained specialists to provide quality care. Kenya's disease burden and healthcare challenges create demand for medical specialists across all specialisations. The programme addresses the demand for specialist medical training in East Africa.
The programme combines clinical training with simulation-based learning, research, and community health experience. Students rotate through clinical departments, participate in ward rounds, attend conferences, conduct research, and provide patient care under specialist supervision. Teaching methods include clinical rotations, simulation training, case discussions, and research supervision. The programme is full-time over four years.
Graduates find employment as medical specialists in hospitals, health institutions, academic institutions, or private practice. The MMed supports careers in specialist medical practice, medical education, and clinical research across East Africa and globally.
This programme is ideal for medical graduates seeking specialist qualifications. The programme provides advanced clinical training, research skills, and professional development for specialist medical practice.
- Duration
- 4 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 734,400
- Private, up to
- Ksh 213,875
- Job market
- High
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Practicalities
- Study mode
- Full-time
- Attachment
- 0 months
- Average class
- 10 students
- Award
- Master
What you study
10 subjects- Clinical Specialisation Training
- Patient Management and Care
- Clinical Research Methods
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Medical Ethics and Professionalism
- Health Systems and Policy
- Simulation-Based Learning
- Community Health
- Quality Improvement in Healthcare
- Thesis Research
Modules
8 in the programmeCommon Courses — Medical Ethics and Professionalism
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Common courses covering medical ethics, professionalism, patient safety, and quality improvement in healthcare, taken by all MMed trainees.
Clinical Specialisation Training I
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
First-year clinical training in the chosen specialisation, covering foundational clinical skills, patient assessment, and basic procedures under supervision.
Research Methods and Evidence-Based Medicine
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, biostatistics, evidence-based medicine, critical appraisal, and research ethics.
Clinical Specialisation Training II
Year 2Semester 18 creditsCore
Second-year clinical training advancing in the chosen specialisation, covering complex cases, procedures, and clinical decision-making.
Health Systems and Policy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Health systems covering healthcare delivery, health policy, health systems strengthening, and the role of specialists in health systems.
Clinical Specialisation Training III
Year 3Semester 18 creditsCore
Third-year clinical training with increasing independence in the chosen specialisation, managing complex patients and leading clinical teams.
Community Health and Quality Improvement
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Community health covering population health, preventive medicine, and quality improvement projects in healthcare settings.
Thesis Research and Clinical Specialisation Training IV
Year 4Semester 110 creditsCore
Final-year clinical training with independent practice readiness and a research thesis demonstrating research competence in the chosen specialisation.
Specialisations
Anaesthesiology
Specialisation in anaesthesiology covering anaesthetic management, pain medicine, and critical care.
Internal Medicine
Specialisation in internal medicine covering diagnosis, treatment, and management of adult diseases.
General Surgery
Specialisation in general surgery covering surgical diagnosis, operative procedures, and post-surgical care.
Paediatrics and Child Health
Specialisation in paediatrics covering child health, neonatal care, and paediatric diseases.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Specialisation in obstetrics and gynaecology covering pregnancy care, childbirth, and women's reproductive health.
Family Medicine
Specialisation in family medicine covering comprehensive primary care for all ages.
Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology
Specialisation in diagnostic imaging covering radiology, imaging techniques, and image interpretation.
Anatomic Pathology
Specialisation in anatomic pathology covering tissue diagnosis, disease diagnosis, and laboratory medicine.
Clinical Pathology
Specialisation in clinical pathology covering laboratory diagnosis, clinical chemistry, and haematology.
A day as a student
A typical day involves morning ward rounds with consultants, followed by outpatient clinics, case discussions, and teaching sessions. Students manage patients under specialist supervision, participate in clinical procedures, attend grand rounds and journal clubs, and conduct research. Clinical training is hands-on with increasing responsibility throughout the programme. Simulation-based learning supplements clinical experience. The programme emphasises clinical competence, evidence-based practice, research skills, and professional development.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Medical specialists are in high demand in Kenya and East Africa, with excellent career prospects.
- AKU's MMed is ACGME-I accredited, ensuring international standards and global recognition.
- Nine specialisations available, providing flexibility in career direction.
Against it
- The programme is 4 years full-time, requiring significant time commitment.
- Total programme cost of approximately KES 854,500 is substantial.
- Admission is competitive with rigorous selection process.
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
KU MMed 734K/yr. Moi ~187K. AKU 210,675/yr (aku.edu). Kabarak 90K/sem.
AKU offers a Financial Assistance Programme with partial scholarships for MMed students on a need basis. HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. Application fee: KES 5,300.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities
AKU Financial Assistance Programme
ScholarshipKenyan
MMed students with demonstrated financial need, allocated on need basis
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- Alternative entry
- Bachelor's degree in medicine (MBChB/MBBS), completion of 1-year post-basic qualification medical internship, registration with KMPDC or home country's Medical Board/Council, and annual retention certificate for those in practice for more than 1 year.
How you are assessed
3 componentsClinical Training Assessments
Practical50% of the mark
Ongoing clinical competency assessments, workplace-based assessments, and clinical rotation evaluations throughout the programme.
Written and Oral Examinations
Written examination30% of the mark
Written and oral examinations testing specialist knowledge, clinical reasoning, and decision-making in the chosen specialisation.
Thesis Defence
Project20% of the mark
A research thesis demonstrating research competence in the chosen specialisation, defended before an examination panel.
Accreditation
Aga Khan University is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MMed programme is accredited by CUE and ACGME-International (ACGME-I), a globally recognised accreditation body. Medical specialists must be registered with KMPDC.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
AKU is chartered by CUE. MMed programme accredited by CUE and ACGME-I.
ACGME-International
ProfessionalRequired
AKU's PGME programmes are ACGME-I accredited, ensuring international standards.
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council
ProfessionalRequired
Medical specialists must be registered with KMPDC to practise in Kenya.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesMedical Specialist
High demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 1,200,000
Practises as a medical specialist in hospitals, providing specialist clinical care in their chosen field and managing complex patient cases.
Medical Educator
Moderate demand
Teaches medicine in medical schools, training future doctors and conducting clinical research in teaching hospitals.
Hospital Consultant
High demand
Serves as a consultant in hospitals, providing specialist opinion, managing complex cases, and supervising junior doctors.
Clinical Researcher
Moderate demand
Conducts clinical research in research institutions or hospitals, contributing to medical knowledge and evidence-based practice.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates find employment as medical specialists in hospitals, health institutions, and academic institutions across East Africa, with opportunities for specialist practice, medical education, and clinical research.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
An MMed is the same as an MD.
An MMed is a postgraduate specialist qualification for medical practitioners, while an MD is typically a research doctorate or basic medical degree depending on the country.
Specialisation is only for academic medicine.
Most MMed graduates enter specialist clinical practice in hospitals, with many also contributing to medical education and research.
Private university medical degrees are not recognised.
AKU's MMed programme is accredited by CUE and ACGME-I, and graduates are registered with KMPDC, ensuring full recognition.
Specialisation takes too long to be worth it.
Four years of specialist training leads to significantly enhanced career prospects, earning potential, and clinical expertise.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Master of Medicine are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.