Master of Medicine in Anaesthesiology & Critical Care
The Master of Medicine in Anaesthesiology & Critical Care is a master's programme offered at Kenyan universities. This postgraduate degree prepares professionals for advanced practice and research careers in health sciences.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 352,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 352,000 to Ksh 704,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 213,875 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) or equivalent or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1-2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
What you study
10 subjects- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Health Systems Management
- Public Health Research Methods
- Health Policy and Planning
- Clinical Research Methods
- Health Economics
- Disease Control
- Nutrition Assessment
- Healthcare Ethics
Modules
10 in the programmeAnaesthetic Pharmacology and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Anaesthetic pharmacology, intravenous agents, inhalational agents, local anaesthetics, neuromuscular blockers, physiology of anaesthesia, and understanding anaesthetic pharmacology
General and Regional Anaesthesia
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
General anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia, spinal anaesthesia, epidural, nerve blocks, ultrasound-guided blocks, and administering general and regional anaesthesia
Obstetric and Paediatric Anaesthesia
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Obstetric anaesthesia, caesarean section anaesthesia, epidural in labour, paediatric anaesthesia, neonatal anaesthesia, and managing anaesthesia for obstetric and paediatric patients
Intensive Care Medicine and Mechanical Ventilation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Intensive care, ICU management, mechanical ventilation, ventilator settings, ARDS, respiratory failure, and managing critically ill ICU patients
Sepsis, Multi-Organ Failure and Shock
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Sepsis, septic shock, multi-organ failure, haemodynamic monitoring, vasopressors, fluid management, and managing sepsis and multi-organ failure
Pain Management and Palliative Care
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Pain management, acute pain, chronic pain, palliative care, cancer pain, post-operative pain, and managing pain in clinical practice
Trauma Anaesthesia and Emergency Resuscitation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Trauma anaesthesia, emergency surgery, resuscitation, ACLS, ATLS, mass casualty, road traffic accidents, and managing anaesthesia for trauma and emergencies
Anaesthetic Equipment, Monitoring and Safety
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Anaesthetic machines, ventilators, monitors, capnography, pulse oximetry, safety protocols, WHO surgical safety checklist, and managing anaesthetic equipment
Clinical Practicum and Research Methods
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Clinical practicum in operating theatres and ICUs, hospital rotations, simulation training, research methods, and preparing for the research thesis
Thesis
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Original research on an anaesthesiology or critical care topic such as anaesthesia safety, ICU outcomes, ventilator management, sepsis protocols, or obstetric anaesthesia in Kenya
Specialisations
Intensive Care Medicine
Focus on ICU management, mechanical ventilation, sepsis, multi-organ failure, haemodynamic monitoring, and managing critically ill patients
Obstetric and Paediatric Anaesthesia
Specialisation in obstetric anaesthesia, caesarean section anaesthesia, paediatric anaesthesia, neonatal anaesthesia, and managing anaesthesia for mothers and children
Regional Anaesthesia and Acute Pain
Focus on regional anaesthesia, ultrasound-guided blocks, nerve blocks, acute pain management, and providing regional anaesthesia and pain services
Chronic Pain and Palliative Care
Focus on chronic pain management, cancer pain, palliative care, pain clinics, and managing chronic and terminal pain conditions
Trauma and Emergency Anaesthesia
Specialisation in trauma anaesthesia, emergency surgery, resuscitation, mass casualty management, and providing anaesthesia for trauma and emergencies
A day as a student
A typical day involves attending public health lectures, analysing epidemiological data, participating in field visits, reviewing medical literature, presenting at journal clubs, and meeting with supervisors to discuss research projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Extremely high demand — Kenya has fewer than 200 anaesthesiologists for over 50 million people, making this one of the most critical shortages in Kenya's health system | High stress and long hours — anaesthesiology and critical care involve high-pressure situations, life-and-death decisions, and long working hours including night calls |
| High pay and job security — anaesthesiologists and intensivists are among the highest-paid medical specialists in Kenya with excellent job security | Limited training positions — very few universities in Kenya offer anaesthesiology specialist training, making admission highly competitive |
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
UoN 352K (uonbi.ac.ke). Moi ~187K. AKU 214K (businessradar.co.ke). Kabarak unverified
WHO, KEMRI, and AMREF offer research grants. HELB provides postgraduate loans. CDC, NIH, and Fogarty International support health research in Kenya.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes
WHO Research Grant
Grant
Public health researchers in WHO priority areas
KEMRI Research Grant
Grant
Health researchers affiliated with KEMRI
Scholarships
5 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership
WFSA Anaesthesiology Scholarship
PartialKsh 400,000
Kenyan; Medical officer; WFSA-supported programme; Academic excellence
WHO Critical Care Training Grant
PartialKsh 300,000
Kenyan; Medical officer; WHO-supported programme; Critical care focus
DAAD Medical Specialisation Scholarship
FullKsh 5,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Medical specialisation programme
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
MBChB with completion of internship and KMPDC registration. At least 1 year of post-internship clinical experience preferred.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding University of Nairobi, Aga Khan University, Moi University.
Including University of Nairobi, Moi University.
Including University of Nairobi, Aga Khan University, Moi University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsClinical Examinations and OSCE
Project30% of the mark
Clinical competency examinations, OSCE stations, case presentations, and practical anaesthesia assessments
Thesis
Research30% of the mark
Original research on an anaesthesiology or critical care topic examined by oral defence
End of Semester Examinations
Exam25% of the mark
Formal written examinations covering anaesthetic pharmacology, general and regional anaesthesia, obstetric and paediatric anaesthesia, intensive care, sepsis, pain management, trauma, and equipment
Clinical Practicum and Hospital Rotations
Cat15% of the mark
Clinical practicum assessments, theatre and ICU rotation evaluations, logbook review, and clinical performance
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council
Professional registrationRequired
Mandatory specialist registration for medical practice in Kenya.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Health programmes are also regulated by KMPDC, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Nursing Council of Kenya, or Clinical Officers Council as applicable.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesConsultant Anaesthesiologist
High demandKsh 350,000 to Ksh 900,000
Provides specialist anaesthesia for surgical procedures, manages perioperative care, and works in hospitals including KNH, Aga Khan, or private hospitals
Academic Lecturer (Anaesthesiology)
Medium demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 650,000
Teaches anaesthesiology at medical schools, supervises clinical training, conducts research, and works at University of Nairobi or Moi University
Intensivist (ICU Consultant)
High demandKsh 380,000 to Ksh 1,000,000
Manages ICU patients, handles mechanical ventilation, treats sepsis and multi-organ failure, and works in hospital ICUs
Emergency and Trauma Anaesthesiologist
High demandKsh 350,000 to Ksh 900,000
Provides anaesthesia for emergency and trauma surgery, manages mass casualties, leads resuscitation, and works in trauma centres or emergency departments
Pain Management Specialist
Medium demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 800,000
Manages chronic and acute pain, provides palliative care, runs pain clinics, and works in hospitals or private practice
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as public health officers, clinical specialists, health programme managers, medical researchers, and health policy advisors in Kenya's health sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth 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
Common misconceptions
A Masters in Public Health is only for doctors.
MPH programmes accept applicants from diverse backgrounds including nursing, pharmacy, social sciences, and environmental health.
All health Masters require clinical practice experience.
While clinical experience is valuable, many public health and health systems Masters require a relevant bachelor's degree, not clinical practice.
Health Masters graduates only work in hospitals.
Graduates work in ministries, NGOs, international organisations, research institutions, insurance companies, and private sector.
A Masters in Nursing is the same as a PhD in Nursing.
A Masters prepares for advanced practice and education roles, while a PhD is focused on research and academic scholarship.