Health Sciences

Master of Science (Immunology)

The Master of Science in Immunology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in immunological research, clinical immunology, and disease control. The programme combines immunological theory with laboratory techniques and research methodology.

Core areas include immunology, clinical immunology, immunological techniques, host-pathogen interactions, vaccinology, autoimmunity, reproductive immunology, parasitology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both immunological theory and practical laboratory application through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University, Moi University, Technical University of Kenya, and Pwani University. All are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time mode of study.

Students develop competencies in immunological analysis, clinical immunology, laboratory techniques, host-pathogen interactions, vaccinology, autoimmunity, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, examinations, and a research thesis.

KU charges approximately KES 246,000/year. TUK charges approximately KES 231,600/year (total KES 463,200). JKUAT charges approximately KES 140,000/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division in biological sciences, biomedical sciences, medicine, nursing, medical laboratory science, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as immunologists, clinical immunology specialists, vaccine researchers, biomedical researchers, laboratory managers, and lecturers in immunology and biomedical sciences across research institutions, hospitals, and universities.

Skills Required

Immunological Theory and Analysis
Clinical Immunology and Diagnosis
Immunological Laboratory Techniques
Host-Pathogen Interactions and Disease Mechanisms
Vaccinology and Vaccine Development
Autoimmunity and Immune Disorders
Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting
ELISA and Immunoassay Techniques
Research Methods in Immunology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Advanced Immunology
Clinical Immunology
Immunological Techniques
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Vaccinology
Autoimmunity and Immune Disorders
Reproductive Immunology
Parasitology and Immunology
Research Methods in Immunology
Thesis Research

Certifications

KMLTTB Professional Registration
American Association of Immunologists Membership

Specializations

Clinical Immunology

Focuses on clinical immunology, covering immune disorders, immunodeficiency, hypersensitivity, clinical diagnosis, and managing clinical immunology services.

Vaccinology

Examines vaccinology, covering vaccine development, vaccine evaluation, vaccine delivery, immunisation programmes, and managing vaccinology research.

Autoimmunity

Covers autoimmunity, covering autoimmune diseases, immune tolerance, autoantibodies, and managing autoimmunity research.

Tumour Immunology

Focuses on tumour immunology, covering tumour antigens, immune surveillance, cancer immunotherapy, and managing tumour immunology research.

Reproductive Immunology

Examines reproductive immunology, covering maternal-foetal immunology, reproductive disorders, immunological contraception, and managing reproductive immunology research.

Infectious Disease Immunology

Covers infectious disease immunology, covering host-pathogen interactions, immune evasion, parasitology, and managing infectious disease immunology research.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Immunology
Clinical Immunology
Immunological Techniques
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Vaccinology
Autoimmunity and Immune Disorders
Reproductive Immunology
Parasitology and Immunology
Research Methods in Immunology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Immunology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines immune system development, immune response, innate immunity, adaptive immunity, immunological mechanisms, and managing immunological research.
Clinical Immunology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers immune disorders, immunodeficiency, hypersensitivity, clinical diagnosis, immunotherapy, and managing clinical immunology.
Immunological Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ELISA, flow cytometry, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, cell culture, and managing laboratory techniques.
Research Methods in Immunology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethical issues, and conducting immunology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers pathogen interactions, immune evasion, parasitology, infectious disease mechanisms, and managing host-pathogen research.
Vaccinology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines vaccine development, vaccine evaluation, vaccine delivery, immunisation programmes, and managing vaccinology research.
Autoimmunity and Immune Disorders
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers autoimmune diseases, immune tolerance, autoantibodies, autoimmune mechanisms, and managing autoimmunity research.
Reproductive Immunology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines maternal-foetal immunology, reproductive disorders, immunological contraception, and managing reproductive immunology.
Tumour Immunology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tumour antigens, immune surveillance, cancer immunotherapy, tumour immune evasion, and managing tumour immunology research.
Molecular Immunology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines molecular immunology, gene expression, signalling pathways, molecular techniques, and managing molecular immunology research.
Parasitology and Immunology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers parasitic infections, immune response to parasites, parasitic immunology, and managing parasitology research.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an immunology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and immunology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Clinical Immunology
Focuses on clinical immunology, covering immune disorders, immunodeficiency, hypersensitivity, clinical diagnosis, and managing clinical immunology services.
Vaccinology
Examines vaccinology, covering vaccine development, vaccine evaluation, vaccine delivery, immunisation programmes, and managing vaccinology research.
Autoimmunity
Covers autoimmunity, covering autoimmune diseases, immune tolerance, autoantibodies, and managing autoimmunity research.
Tumour Immunology
Focuses on tumour immunology, covering tumour antigens, immune surveillance, cancer immunotherapy, and managing tumour immunology research.
Reproductive Immunology
Examines reproductive immunology, covering maternal-foetal immunology, reproductive disorders, immunological contraception, and managing reproductive immunology research.
Infectious Disease Immunology
Covers infectious disease immunology, covering host-pathogen interactions, immune evasion, parasitology, and managing infectious disease immunology research.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Immunology programme combines lectures, laboratory practicals, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover immunology, clinical immunology, immunological techniques, host-pathogen interactions, and vaccinology. Immunology sessions examine immune system development, immune response, innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and managing immunological research. Clinical immunology sessions cover immune disorders, immunodeficiency, hypersensitivity, clinical diagnosis, and managing clinical immunology. Immunological techniques sessions cover ELISA, flow cytometry, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and managing laboratory techniques. Host-pathogen sessions cover pathogen interactions, immune evasion, parasitology, and managing host-pathogen research. Vaccinology sessions cover vaccine development, vaccine evaluation, vaccine delivery, immunisation, and managing vaccinology research. Autoimmunity sessions cover autoimmune diseases, immune tolerance, autoantibodies, and managing autoimmunity research. Reproductive immunology sessions cover maternal-foetal immunology, reproductive disorders, and managing reproductive immunology. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory practicals provide hands-on experience with immunological techniques, cell culture, flow cytometry, and laboratory analysis. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in immunology. Guest lectures from experienced immunologists, researchers, and clinicians provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on an immunology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for immunologists with increasing infectious diseases, vaccine development, and autoimmune conditions in Kenya.
Programme is offered by multiple universities (KU, Moi, TUK, Pwani), providing institutional choice.
Pwani University programme is in collaboration with KEMRI-Wellcome Trust and University of Glasgow, providing international exposure.
JKUAT offers affordable fees at approximately KES 140,000/year.

Against it

KU and Moi University fees not independently verified from official sources, limiting fee comparison.
No private university confirmed offering this exact programme, limiting options.
Programme requires strong background in biological sciences and laboratory skills, which may be challenging for some students.
Programme is specialised, which may limit versatility compared to broader biomedical science degrees.

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

Public120k to 326k

120k at Kisii University326k at Kenyatta 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

Public: Kisii 120K, KU 326K/yr (webhostingvoice). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI and KEMRI-Wellcome Trust may provide training support for research staff. Wellcome Trust provides training support for immunology researchers in developing countries. Some research institutions and international health organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Training Support
Wellcome Trust Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenya Medical Research Institute supports training for research staff.
Wellcome Trust Training Support
GrantKsh 400,000
Wellcome Trust provides training support for immunology researchers 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: Most universities require Upper Second Class Honours in biological or biomedical sciences. Lower Second Division holders with relevant research experience are considered. 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, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, problem-based learning exercises, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering immunology, clinical immunology, immunological techniques, host-pathogen interactions, and vaccinology.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, immunological techniques, flow cytometry, ELISA, and demonstrating immunology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an immunology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and immunology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University, Moi University, Technical University of Kenya, and Pwani University (all public) offer MSc in Immunology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in immunology. Graduates are eligible for KMLTTB professional registration and American Association of Immunologists membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University, Moi University, Technical University of Kenya, and Pwani University (all public) offer MSc in Immunology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in immunology. Graduates are eligible for KMLTTB professional registration and American Association of Immunologists membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Immunologist
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts immunological research, overseeing research design, laboratory analysis, data interpretation, and managing immunology research.
Clinical Immunology Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 700,000
Manages clinical immunology services, overseeing diagnosis, treatment, laboratory testing, and managing clinical immunology operations.
Vaccine Researcher
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 700,000
Conducts vaccine research, overseeing vaccine development, evaluation, clinical trials, and managing vaccinology research.
Biomedical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts biomedical research, overseeing research design, data collection, analysis, and managing biomedical research activities.
Laboratory Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages immunology laboratory, overseeing laboratory operations, quality control, staff supervision, and managing laboratory services.
Immunology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Teaches immunology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, laboratory supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Flow Cytometer
EquipmentPrimary
Flow cytometer for cell analysis, covering cell sorting, immunophenotyping, cell counting, and managing flow cytometry analysis.
ELISA Reader
Equipment
ELISA reader for immunoassays, covering ELISA tests, antibody detection, antigen detection, and managing immunoassay analysis.
Microscope
Equipment
Microscope for immunology, covering immunohistochemistry, cell examination, fluorescence microscopy, and managing microscopy analysis.
SPSS
Software
SPSS statistical software for immunology research, covering data analysis, statistical tests, and managing research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Immunology is just about vaccines.
Immunology covers comprehensive immune system science including clinical immunology, autoimmunity, tumour immunology, reproductive immunology, and infectious disease immunology.
This programme is only for medical doctors.
Immunology skills are valuable for biologists, biomedical scientists, laboratory technologists, and anyone with a biological sciences background.
Immunology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With increasing infectious diseases, vaccine development, and autoimmune conditions, demand for immunologists is growing in Kenya.
Immunology is just about laboratory work.
Immunology involves both laboratory research and clinical application, including disease diagnosis, vaccine development, and patient management.
This programme is the same as microbiology.
While related, immunology focuses specifically on the immune system, while microbiology covers broader microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Immunology research is not relevant to Kenya.
Immunology is critical to Kenya's health challenges including infectious diseases, vaccine development, and autoimmune conditions.