Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Imaging & Radiation Medicine
The Master of Medicine in Diagnostic Imaging & Radiation Medicine 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 MBChB degree with completed internship or above. 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 1 institution.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
12 in the programmeDiagnostic Radiology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Interpretation of plain radiographs across body systems.
Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced cross-sectional imaging interpretation and protocols.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
MRI physics, protocols, and interpretation across specialties.
Diagnostic Ultrasound
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Obstetric, abdominal, and musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging.
Interventional Radiology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Image-guided minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Radiation Oncology Principles
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Foundational principles of radiotherapy for cancer treatment.
Nuclear Medicine
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Radioisotope imaging and therapeutic applications.
Radiological Physics and Radiation Safety
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Physics principles underpinning imaging modalities and radiation protection.
Paediatric Radiology
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Imaging considerations specific to neonates and children.
Radiology Research Methodology
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Research design and biostatistics for the dissertation component.
Dissertation Research
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Original research addressing a diagnostic imaging question relevant to Kenya.
Specialty Board Examination Preparation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Structured revision for the final radiology board examination.
Specialisations
Musculoskeletal Radiology
Imaging of bones, joints, and soft tissue.
Paediatric Radiology
Imaging considerations specific to children.
Radiation Oncology
Radiotherapy planning and delivery for cancer treatment.
Interventional Radiology
Image-guided minimally invasive procedures.
Neuroradiology
Imaging of the brain, spine, and nervous system.
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 |
|---|---|
| Among the highest-earning MMed specialties given a severe national shortage of radiologists | Requires comfort with intensive image interpretation and less direct patient contact than clinical specialties |
| Growing interventional radiology subspecialty offers cutting-edge, high-demand procedural skills | Very limited training slots — only offered at the University of Nairobi |
| More predictable working hours than most surgical or emergency specialties | High equipment and infrastructure costs mean advanced imaging is concentrated in major cities |
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
3 recordedIAEA Radiation Medicine Fellowship
FellowshipKsh 300,000
Registered radiology trainee in an IAEA-supported training programme
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 400,000Kenyan
Admitted MBChB graduate with completed internship, Kenyan citizen
County Government Bonded Scholarship
SponsorshipKsh 1,000,000Kenyan
County-nominated medical officer bonded to return to county diagnostic service
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
Prior experience in a radiology department as a medical officer strengthens applications given very limited slots
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding University of Nairobi.
Including University of Nairobi.
Including University of Nairobi.
How you are assessed
5 componentsFinal Specialty Board Examination
Exam5% of the mark
Comprehensive final examination for specialist qualification.
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Practical20% of the mark
Structured assessment of image interpretation and procedural skills.
Written Radiology Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Annual written papers on imaging physics and interpretation.
Dissertation
Research15% of the mark
Original research dissertation on a diagnostic imaging question.
Continuous Clinical Assessment
Clinical30% of the mark
Ongoing evaluation of image interpretation and procedural competence.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
All Kenyan universities offering MMed programmes must be CUE accredited
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council
ProfessionalRequired
Required for specialist registration and licensing as a radiologist
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 rolesTeleradiology Consultant
Medium demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 700,000
Remote reporting for hospitals lacking a resident radiologist.
Consultant Radiologist (Public Hospital)
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 450,000
Consultant posts in county and national referral hospital radiology departments.
Interventional Radiologist
High demandKsh 400,000 to Ksh 900,000
Image-guided procedural specialist, a rapidly growing subspecialty in Kenya.
Private Diagnostic Centre Radiologist
High demandKsh 450,000 to Ksh 1,000,000
Consultant reporting and procedural work at private diagnostic imaging chains.
Academic Radiologist / Senior Lecturer
Medium demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 480,000
Teaching and research alongside clinical radiology 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.