Health Sciences

Master of Medicine in Obstetrics & Gynaecology

The Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology is a postgraduate medical programme that trains medical doctors to become specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists. The programme combines advanced medical theory with intensive clinical training in reproductive health care, obstetrics, and gynaecology.

Core areas include reproductive physiology, obstetrics, gynaecology, reproductive endocrinology, high-risk pregnancy, emergency obstetrics, community reproductive health, gynaecological oncology, infertility management, and research methods. Students engage with both theoretical study and extensive clinical practice in hospital settings.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through its Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Kenyatta National Hospital. Aga Khan University also offers the programme. Both public and private universities offer the programme over four academic years through full-time clinical training.

Students develop competencies in obstetric care, gynaecological surgery, reproductive endocrinology, high-risk pregnancy management, emergency obstetrics, infertility management, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, clinical rotations, surgical training, examinations, and thesis.

The University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 382,000 (Year 1), KES 332,000 (Years 2-3), and KES 362,000 (Year 4), total KES 1,408,000 (~KES 352,000/year). Entry requires an MBChB degree, registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, and professional indemnity insurance.

Graduates pursue careers as consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, reproductive endocrinologists, gynaecological oncologists, and academic faculty in medical schools.

Skills Required

Obstetric Care and Management
Gynaecological Surgery
Reproductive Endocrinology
High-Risk Pregnancy Management
Emergency Obstetrics
Infertility Diagnosis and Management
Gynaecological Oncology
Community Reproductive Health
Clinical Research Methods
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology
Obstetrics and Antenatal Care
Gynaecology and Gynaecological Surgery
High-Risk Pregnancy Management
Emergency Obstetrics
Infertility Management
Gynaecological Oncology
Community Reproductive Health
Clinical Research Methods
Thesis Research

Certifications

KMPDC Specialist Registration in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
KOGS Professional Membership

Specializations

Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Focuses on high-risk pregnancy management, covering fetal medicine, maternal medicine, and managing complex pregnancies.

Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Examines reproductive endocrinology and infertility, covering hormonal disorders, assisted reproduction, and infertility treatment.

Gynaecological Oncology

Covers gynaecological cancer management, covering cancer screening, cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and managing gynaecological malignancies.

Urogynaecology

Focuses on pelvic floor disorders, covering urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic reconstructive surgery.

Minimal Access Surgery

Examines laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery, covering minimally invasive gynaecological procedures and surgical techniques.

Family Planning and Community Reproductive Health

Covers family planning and community reproductive health, covering contraceptive methods, reproductive health programmes, and community health.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 352,000
Private, up to: Ksh 213,875
Job market: Very 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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology
Obstetrics and Antenatal Care
Gynaecology and Gynaecological Surgery
High-Risk Pregnancy Management
Emergency Obstetrics
Infertility Management
Gynaecological Oncology
Community Reproductive Health
Clinical Research Methods
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Examines reproductive physiology, endocrinology, hormonal regulation, and reproductive endocrine disorders relevant to obstetrics and gynaecology.
Obstetrics and Antenatal Care
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers antenatal care, normal pregnancy, labour and delivery, postnatal care, and managing normal obstetric care.
Gynaecology and Gynaecological Surgery
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Examines gynaecological conditions, gynaecological surgery, menstrual disorders, pelvic infections, and managing gynaecological problems.
Clinical Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting clinical research, preparing trainees for their thesis.
High-Risk Pregnancy Management
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers high-risk pregnancy, maternal medicine, fetal medicine, managing pregnancy complications, and managing complex pregnancies.
Emergency Obstetrics
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Examines obstetric emergencies, covering postpartum haemorrhage, eclampsia, obstructed labour, obstetric trauma, and managing obstetric emergencies.
Infertility Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers infertility diagnosis, infertility treatment, assisted reproduction, and managing reproductive endocrine disorders causing infertility.
Gynaecological Oncology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines gynaecological cancer management, covering cancer screening, cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and managing gynaecological malignancies.
Community Reproductive Health
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers community reproductive health, family planning, reproductive health programmes, and public health approaches to reproductive health.
Minimal Access Surgery in Gynaecology
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery, covering minimally invasive gynaecological procedures and surgical techniques.
Research Seminar
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal and thesis, including research design, literature review, methodology, and presentation.
Research Thesis
Year 4Semester 210 creditsCore
Original clinical research thesis on an obstetrics or gynaecology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and clinical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Focuses on high-risk pregnancy management, covering fetal medicine, maternal medicine, and managing complex pregnancies.
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Examines reproductive endocrinology and infertility, covering hormonal disorders, assisted reproduction, and infertility treatment.
Gynaecological Oncology
Covers gynaecological cancer management, covering cancer screening, cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and managing gynaecological malignancies.
Urogynaecology
Focuses on pelvic floor disorders, covering urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic reconstructive surgery.
Minimal Access Surgery
Examines laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery, covering minimally invasive gynaecological procedures and surgical techniques.
Family Planning and Community Reproductive Health
Covers family planning and community reproductive health, covering contraceptive methods, reproductive health programmes, and community health.

A day as a student

A typical day during the M.Med in Obstetrics and Gynaecology programme combines ward rounds, outpatient clinics, theatre sessions, tutorials, seminars, and independent study. The programme is primarily clinical, with trainees based at teaching hospitals. Morning ward rounds involve reviewing antenatal and postnatal patients, managing obstetric complications, and assessing gynaecology inpatients. Outpatient clinics provide experience with antenatal care, gynaecology consultations, family planning, and managing reproductive health conditions. Theatre sessions provide hands-on surgical experience in caesarean sections, gynaecological surgery, laparoscopic procedures, and managing surgical emergencies, under consultant supervision. Labour ward duties provide experience with managing labour, instrumental deliveries, and obstetric emergencies including postpartum haemorrhage and eclampsia. Tutorials cover reproductive physiology, obstetrics, gynaecology, endocrinology, and clinical scenarios. Seminars and journal clubs provide opportunities for discussing current evidence, clinical guidelines, and research. On-call duties provide experience with obstetric and gynaecological emergencies. Research methods sessions prepare trainees for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. The programme includes rotations through related specialities including neonatology, anaesthesia, urology, and oncology. The programme culminates in a research thesis and clinical examinations for specialist certification.

The trade offs

In its favour

Very high demand for obstetricians and gynaecologists in Kenya, with excellent career prospects and job security.
Programme provides comprehensive training in obstetrics, gynaecology, and reproductive health, offering diverse career paths.
Graduates are eligible for KMPDC specialist registration, enabling independent specialist practice.
Programme includes extensive clinical training at major teaching hospitals, providing hands-on experience.

Against it

Programme is expensive at ~KES 352,000/year over 4 years (total ~KES 1,408,000).
Programme duration is 4 years, longer than most other Master's programmes.
Aga Khan University fee data not independently verified, limiting cost comparison for private institutions.
Clinical training involves long hours, on-call duties, and high-stress environments with significant responsibility.

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 352k

187k at Moi University352k at University of Nairobi

Private214k to 214k

214k at Aga Khan University214k at Aga Khan 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 1.41M/4yr (obsgyn.uonbi.ac.ke). AKU ~214K/yr (businessradar). Moi ~187K/yr (worldscholarshipforum).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KMPDC may provide training support for medical professionals. KOGS and FIGO may provide professional development support. Some hospitals and counties may sponsor doctors for specialist training. International medical organisations may provide fellowships and training support.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KMPDC Training Support
KOGS Professional Development

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KMPDC Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council supports specialist training for medical professionals in Kenya.
FIGO Fellowships
GrantKsh 500,000
International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics provides fellowships and training grants for obstetricians and gynaecologists in developing countries.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Applicants must hold an MBChB degree, be registered with KMPDC, and have valid professional indemnity insurance. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements and pre-entry interview details.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Clinical Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through clinical performance, case presentations, ward rounds, surgical skills evaluation, and clinical logbook during rotations.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering obstetrics, gynaecology, reproductive endocrinology, and clinical scenarios.
Clinical and Surgical Examinations
Practical40% of the mark
Practical clinical and surgical examinations including OSCEs, surgical case assessments, and demonstrating obstetric and gynaecological skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original clinical research thesis on an obstetrics or gynaecology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and clinical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). University of Nairobi (public) and Aga Khan University (private) offer M.Med in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. All programmes meet CUE and KMPDC standards for postgraduate medical training. Graduates are eligible for KMPDC specialist registration in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). University of Nairobi (public) and Aga Khan University (private) offer M.Med in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. All programmes meet CUE and KMPDC standards for postgraduate medical training. Graduates are eligible for KMPDC specialist registration in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Very high demandKsh 400,000 to Ksh 1,500,000
Provides obstetric and gynaecological services in hospitals, overseeing antenatal care, delivery, gynaecological surgery, and reproductive health management.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 450,000 to Ksh 1,700,000
Specialises in high-risk pregnancy management, overseeing maternal medicine, fetal medicine, and managing complex pregnancies.
Reproductive Endocrinologist
Moderate demandKsh 450,000 to Ksh 1,700,000
Specialises in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, overseeing hormonal disorders, assisted reproduction, and infertility treatment.
Gynaecological Oncologist
Low demandKsh 500,000 to Ksh 1,800,000
Specialises in gynaecological cancer management, overseeing cancer surgery, chemotherapy, and managing gynaecological malignancies.
Obs/Gyn Lecturer
High demandKsh 350,000 to Ksh 1,000,000
Teaches obstetrics and gynaecology at medical school level, overseeing instruction, clinical training, research, and academic supervision.
Obs/Gyn Service Director
Moderate demandKsh 550,000 to Ksh 1,800,000
Directs obstetrics and gynaecology services in hospitals, overseeing service delivery, quality assurance, and department operations.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Ultrasound Machine
EquipmentPrimary
Obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound for fetal assessment, pelvic imaging, and diagnosing reproductive health conditions.
Fetal Monitor
Equipment
Electronic fetal monitoring for labour ward, covering cardiotocography, fetal heart rate monitoring, and assessing fetal wellbeing.
Laparoscopic Surgery Equipment
Equipment
Laparoscopic surgery equipment for minimal access gynaecological surgery, covering laparoscopic procedures and minimally invasive techniques.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for clinical research, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Obstetrics and gynaecology is just about delivering babies.
The speciality covers comprehensive reproductive health care including high-risk pregnancy, gynaecological surgery, oncology, infertility, endocrinology, and community reproductive health.
This is a speciality only for women doctors.
Obstetrics and gynaecology is open to all qualified medical doctors regardless of gender, with many male obstetricians and gynaecologists practising successfully.
There is no demand for obstetricians in Kenya.
Kenya has a high maternal mortality rate and severe shortage of specialist obstetricians, creating very high demand across the country.
Obstetrics is less prestigious than other surgical specialities.
Obstetrics and gynaecology is a highly respected speciality that combines medicine and surgery, with significant impact on maternal and reproductive health.
This programme is only for those interested in maternal health.
The programme covers the entire spectrum of women's reproductive health, from puberty through menopause, including surgery, oncology, and infertility.
Obstetrics has too much litigation risk.
While obstetrics has higher litigation risk than some specialities, proper training, protocols, and professional practice effectively manage this risk.