Health Sciences

Master of Medicine in Radiology and Imaging

The Master of Medicine in Radiology and Imaging is a postgraduate medical programme that trains medical doctors to become specialist radiologists. The programme combines advanced imaging theory with intensive clinical training in diagnostic radiology and interventional procedures.

Core areas include diagnostic radiology, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, radiation physics, radiation protection, and research methods. Students engage with both theoretical study and extensive clinical radiology practice.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi, Moi University, and Aga Khan University. UoN and Moi are public universities, while AKU is a private university. All offer the programme over four academic years through full-time clinical training.

Students develop competencies in diagnostic imaging, image interpretation, interventional radiology, radiation safety, imaging physics, cross-sectional imaging, nuclear medicine, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, clinical rotations, examinations, and thesis.

UoN charges approximately KES 352,000/year (total KES 1,408,000 over 4 years). AKU charges approximately KES 213,875/year. Entry requires an MBChB degree, completion of internship, and registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council.

Graduates pursue careers as consultant radiologists, interventional radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, academic faculty, and imaging department managers in hospitals and medical institutions across Kenya and the broader East African region.

Skills Required

Diagnostic Imaging and Image Interpretation
Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Ultrasound Imaging
Interventional Radiology
Radiation Physics and Protection
Nuclear Medicine Imaging
Radiology Report Writing
Research Methods in Medical Imaging
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Diagnostic Radiology and Image Interpretation
Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Ultrasound Imaging
Interventional Radiology
Radiation Physics and Protection
Nuclear Medicine
Radiology Anatomy and Pathology
Research Methods in Medical Imaging
Thesis Research

Certifications

KMPDC Specialist Registration
RSK Professional Membership

Specializations

Diagnostic Radiology

Focuses on diagnostic imaging, covering X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, image interpretation, and managing diagnostic radiology services.

Interventional Radiology

Examines interventional radiology, covering image-guided procedures, vascular intervention, minimally invasive techniques, and managing interventional radiology.

Nuclear Medicine

Covers nuclear medicine, covering radionuclide imaging, PET imaging, nuclear medicine therapy, and managing nuclear medicine services.

Paediatric Radiology

Focuses on paediatric radiology, covering paediatric imaging, paediatric image interpretation, radiation safety in children, and managing paediatric radiology.

Neuroradiology

Examines neuroradiology, covering brain imaging, spinal imaging, neurointervention, and managing neuroradiology services.

Breast Imaging

Covers breast imaging, covering mammography, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, breast biopsy, and managing breast imaging services.

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: 10 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Diagnostic Radiology and Image Interpretation
Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Ultrasound Imaging
Interventional Radiology
Radiation Physics and Protection
Nuclear Medicine
Radiology Anatomy and Pathology
Research Methods in Medical Imaging
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Foundations of Diagnostic Radiology
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Examines diagnostic radiology principles, X-ray interpretation, fluoroscopy, radiology anatomy, and managing diagnostic imaging.
Radiation Physics and Protection
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers imaging physics, radiation dosimetry, radiation protection, radiation safety, and managing radiation safety in medical imaging.
Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines CT physics, CT technique, CT protocols, CT interpretation, and managing CT imaging services.
Research Methods in Medical Imaging
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting radiology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers MRI physics, MRI technique, MRI protocols, MRI interpretation, and managing MRI services.
Ultrasound Imaging
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines ultrasound physics, ultrasound technique, Doppler imaging, ultrasound interpretation, and managing ultrasound services.
Interventional Radiology
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers image-guided procedures, vascular intervention, biopsy techniques, minimally invasive procedures, and managing interventional radiology.
Nuclear Medicine
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines radionuclide imaging, PET imaging, SPECT imaging, nuclear medicine therapy, and managing nuclear medicine services.
Radiology Anatomy and Pathology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers radiological anatomy, imaging pathology, disease imaging patterns, and correlating imaging findings with pathology.
Paediatric and Neuroradiology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines paediatric radiology and neuroradiology, covering paediatric imaging, brain imaging, spinal imaging, and managing specialised radiology services.
Radiology Department Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers radiology management, imaging service management, quality assurance, radiology administration, and managing radiology departments.
Research Thesis
Year 4Semester 210 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a radiology or imaging topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and radiology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Diagnostic Radiology
Focuses on diagnostic imaging, covering X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, image interpretation, and managing diagnostic radiology services.
Interventional Radiology
Examines interventional radiology, covering image-guided procedures, vascular intervention, minimally invasive techniques, and managing interventional radiology.
Nuclear Medicine
Covers nuclear medicine, covering radionuclide imaging, PET imaging, nuclear medicine therapy, and managing nuclear medicine services.
Paediatric Radiology
Focuses on paediatric radiology, covering paediatric imaging, paediatric image interpretation, radiation safety in children, and managing paediatric radiology.
Neuroradiology
Examines neuroradiology, covering brain imaging, spinal imaging, neurointervention, and managing neuroradiology services.
Breast Imaging
Covers breast imaging, covering mammography, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, breast biopsy, and managing breast imaging services.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MMed in Radiology and Imaging programme combines clinical rotations, imaging sessions, case conferences, lectures, and independent study. The programme is intensive and clinically focused, with residents spending most of their time in radiology departments. Clinical rotations provide hands-on experience with diagnostic imaging, image interpretation, interventional procedures, and managing radiology services. Diagnostic radiology sessions cover X-ray interpretation, fluoroscopy, image analysis, and managing diagnostic imaging. CT imaging sessions cover CT technique, CT interpretation, CT protocols, and managing CT services. MRI sessions cover MRI physics, MRI technique, MRI interpretation, and managing MRI services. Ultrasound sessions cover ultrasound technique, ultrasound interpretation, Doppler imaging, and managing ultrasound services. Interventional radiology sessions cover image-guided procedures, vascular intervention, biopsy techniques, and managing interventional radiology. Nuclear medicine sessions cover radionuclide imaging, PET imaging, nuclear medicine therapy, and managing nuclear medicine. Radiation physics sessions cover imaging physics, radiation dosimetry, radiation protection, and managing radiation safety. Case conferences provide opportunities for discussing complex cases, reviewing images, and debating diagnostic approaches. Lectures cover imaging theory, radiology anatomy, radiology pathology, and radiology research. Research methods sessions prepare residents for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. The programme includes rotations at multiple hospitals including Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Aga Khan University Hospital, and other imaging centres. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a radiology or imaging topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Very high demand for radiologists in Kenya and East Africa, with excellent career prospects and earning potential.
Programme is offered by multiple universities (UoN, Moi, AKU), providing institutional choice.
Radiology is at the forefront of medical technology, offering opportunities to work with advanced imaging equipment.
AKU offers relatively affordable fees at approximately KES 213,875/year compared to UoN.

Against it

UoN fees are high at approximately KES 352,000/year (total KES 1,408,000 over 4 years).
Programme duration is 4 years, longer than most master's programmes.
Programme requires an MBChB degree, internship completion, and KMPDC registration, limiting access to medical doctors only.
Programme is intensive and demanding, requiring significant time commitment for clinical rotations and on-call duties.

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 (dirm.uonbi.ac.ke). AKU ~214K/yr (businessradar). Moi ~187K/yr (worldscholarshipforum).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Aga Khan University offers need-based financial assistance. KMPDC may provide training support for medical professionals. Some hospitals and counties may sponsor doctors for radiology specialisation.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
AKU Financial Assistance
KMPDC Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
AKU Financial Assistance
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Aga Khan University offers need-based financial assistance for MMed students.
KMPDC Training Support
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council supports training for medical professionals specialising in radiology.

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, have completed internship, and be registered with KMPDC. Some universities may require a written examination and oral interview. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case presentations, imaging portfolio, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering diagnostic radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, interventional radiology, and radiation physics.
Clinical and Practical Assessment
Practical50% of the mark
Practical assessment through clinical rotation performance, image interpretation exercises, interventional procedure demonstration, and OSCE examinations.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a radiology or imaging topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and radiology 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 and Moi University (both public) and Aga Khan University (private) offer MMed in Radiology and Imaging. All programmes meet CUE and KMPDC standards for postgraduate medical training. Graduates are eligible for KMPDC specialist registration and RSK professional membership.

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 and Moi University (both public) and Aga Khan University (private) offer MMed in Radiology and Imaging. All programmes meet CUE and KMPDC standards for postgraduate medical training. Graduates are eligible for KMPDC specialist registration and RSK professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Consultant Radiologist
Very high demandKsh 400,000 to Ksh 1,500,000
Works as a specialist radiologist in hospitals, overseeing diagnostic imaging, image interpretation, and managing radiology services.
Interventional Radiologist
High demandKsh 500,000 to Ksh 2,000,000
Performs image-guided procedures and interventions, overseeing vascular intervention, biopsy, and managing interventional radiology services.
Nuclear Medicine Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 450,000 to Ksh 1,800,000
Specialises in nuclear medicine, overseeing radionuclide imaging, PET imaging, nuclear medicine therapy, and managing nuclear medicine services.
Radiology Academic Faculty
Moderate demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 1,200,000
Teaches radiology at medical school, overseeing instruction, clinical training, research, and academic supervision.
Imaging Department Manager
Moderate demandKsh 350,000 to Ksh 1,300,000
Manages imaging departments in hospitals, overseeing radiology operations, quality assurance, staff management, and managing imaging services.
Teleradiology Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 400,000 to Ksh 1,600,000
Provides remote radiology services, overseeing remote image interpretation, teleradiology operations, and managing teleradiology services.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

PACS System
SoftwarePrimary
Picture Archiving and Communication System for radiology, covering image storage, image distribution, image viewing, and managing radiology images.
CT Scanner
Equipment
Computed tomography scanner for diagnostic imaging, covering CT imaging, CT protocols, and managing CT scanning.
MRI Scanner
Equipment
Magnetic resonance imaging scanner for diagnostic imaging, covering MRI imaging, MRI protocols, and managing MRI scanning.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for radiology research, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Radiology is just about taking X-rays.
Radiology covers comprehensive imaging practice including CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, interventional procedures, and image interpretation.
Radiologists don't interact with patients.
Radiologists interact with patients during interventional procedures, image-guided biopsies, and when discussing imaging findings with referring physicians.
AI will replace radiologists.
AI is a tool that assists radiologists but cannot replace the clinical judgement, communication, and complex decision-making required in radiology practice.
Radiology is a lifestyle specialty with no emergencies.
Radiology involves emergency imaging, interventional emergencies, and on-call duties, particularly in trauma and acute care settings.
This programme is only for those who couldn't get other specialties.
Radiology is a highly competitive and sought-after specialty that attracts top medical graduates with interest in imaging technology and diagnostic medicine.
Radiology has no patient impact.
Radiologists directly impact patient care through accurate diagnosis, guiding treatment decisions, and performing life-saving interventional procedures.