Master of Science in Anatomy & Cell Biology
The Master of Science in Anatomy & Cell Biology is a master's programme offered at Kenyan universities. This postgraduate degree prepares professionals for advanced practice and research careers in sciences.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 398,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 398,500 to Ksh 797,000 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Second Upper Division (2.1) 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 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic DNA Scientist, at 15 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
What you study
10 subjects- Research Methods
- Statistical Analysis
- Laboratory Techniques
- Experimental Design
- Data Analysis
- Scientific Communication
- Literature Review
- Thesis Research
- Computational Methods
- Field Methods
Modules
10 in the programmeAdvanced Gross and Clinical Anatomy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced gross anatomy, regional anatomy, clinical anatomy, surgical anatomy, dissection, anatomical variations, radiological anatomy, and applying gross and clinical anatomy
Histology and Tissue Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Histology, tissue structure, epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous tissue, organ histology, tissue processing, staining, H&E, special stains, and applying histology and tissue biology
Cell Biology and Ultrastructure
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Cell biology, cell ultrastructure, organelles, membrane biology, cell signalling, cell cycle, apoptosis, electron microscopy, and applying cell biology and ultrastructure
Embryology and Developmental Biology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Embryology, gametogenesis, fertilisation, embryonic development, organogenesis, congenital anomalies, developmental biology, and applying embryology and developmental biology
Neuroanatomy and Advanced Cell Biology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Neuroanatomy, brain structure, spinal cord, peripheral nervous system, neurotransmission, neurodegeneration, advanced cell biology, stem cells, and applying neuroanatomy and advanced cell biology
Immunohistochemistry, Microscopy and Cell Culture
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Immunohistochemistry, cytochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, cell culture, in vitro techniques, and applying immunohistochemistry, microscopy and cell culture
Cytogenetics and Molecular Cell Biology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Cytogenetics, karyotyping, FISH, chromosomal abnormalities, molecular cell biology, gene expression, cell signalling pathways, and applying cytogenetics and molecular cell biology
Forensic Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Forensic anatomy, osteology, skeletal identification, age estimation, sex determination, Government Chemist, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, stem cell therapy, and applying forensic anatomy and regenerative medicine
Research Methods and Scientific Communication
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methods, biostatistics, experimental design, scientific writing, publication, research ethics, biosafety, and preparing for the thesis
Thesis
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Original research on an anatomy and cell biology topic such as cellular changes in Kenya's sickle cell disease, histopathological patterns of Kenya's cancers, malaria parasite effects on red blood cell ultrastructure, or wound healing cellular mechanisms in Kenyan patients
Specialisations
Histology and Pathology
Focus on histology, tissue processing, staining, immunohistochemistry, pathology support, diagnostic histology, and applying histology to pathology
Forensic Anatomy and Osteology
Focus on forensic anatomy, osteology, skeletal identification, age estimation, sex determination, Government Chemist, and applying anatomy to forensic science
Neuroanatomy and Neuroscience
Specialisation in neuroanatomy, brain structure, neurodegeneration, neurotransmission, neuroscience research, and conducting neuroanatomy and neuroscience research
Cell Biology and Cancer Research
Specialisation in cell biology, cancer cell biology, apoptosis, cell signalling, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, and conducting cell biology and cancer research
Clinical and Surgical Anatomy
Focus on clinical anatomy, surgical anatomy, radiological anatomy, anatomical variations, dissection, and applying anatomy to clinical and surgical practice
A day as a student
A typical day involves conducting laboratory experiments, analysing data using specialised software, attending research seminars, reviewing scientific literature, and meeting with supervisors to discuss experimental results and thesis progress.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Essential for medical education in Kenya — Kenya's expanding medical schools require qualified anatomy educators, creating steady demand for anatomy and cell biology graduates | Limited positions outside academia — most anatomy and cell biology careers are in medical schools and research institutions, with limited industry positions in Kenya |
| Diverse research opportunities — cell biology research at KEMRI, cancer research, tropical disease research, and forensic anatomy provide diverse research paths in Kenya | Requires access to cadavers and advanced microscopy — anatomy education requires cadaver facilities and cell biology research requires electron microscopes, which may not be available at all institutions |
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
Public: Moi 187K, UoN 399K/yr (vetanatomy.uonbi.ac.ke). Private: unverified.
NACOSTI, NRF, and DAAD offer research grants. ICIPE and KEMRI provide research affiliation. HELB offers postgraduate loans.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes
National Research Fund
Grant
Postgraduate researchers in Kenyan institutions
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarship
Postgraduate researchers in STEM fields
Scholarships
5 recordedDAAD Biomedical Science Scholarship
FullKsh 4,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Biomedical science programme
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership
National Research Fund Science Grant
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Science research; Academic merit; Research proposal
NIH Biomedical Research Grant
GrantKsh 5,000,000
Kenyan; Biomedical research; Research proposal; Institutional affiliation
Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
FullKsh 6,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Leadership; Community 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
Bachelor's in related field with experience in anatomy, histology, or biomedical laboratory. Professional certifications (KMLTTB, GLP) can support application.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi.
Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi.
Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi.
How you are assessed
4 componentsLaboratory Practicals and Research Projects
Project30% of the mark
Dissection practical, histology slide preparation, microscopy project, cell culture project, immunohistochemistry practical, and seminar presentation
End of Semester Examinations
Exam25% of the mark
Formal written examinations covering gross anatomy, histology, cell biology, embryology, neuroanatomy, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics, and forensic anatomy
Thesis
Research30% of the mark
Original research on an anatomy and cell biology topic examined by oral defence
Industry Attachment and Seminars
Cat15% of the mark
Laboratory attachment assessment, research seminar presentations, journal club, and laboratory safety assessment
Accreditation
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board
Professional
Professional registration for histology and laboratory practice in Kenya.
Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Scientific research programmes are regulated under NACOSTI guidelines.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesAnatomy Lecturer
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches anatomy to medical and health science students, conducts dissections, develops curriculum, conducts research, and works at medical schools and universities in Kenya
Cell Biology Researcher
Low demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 480,000
Conducts cell biology research, performs cell culture, investigates cellular processes, supports cancer research, and works at KEMRI, universities, or research institutes in Kenya
Histology Technologist
Medium demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 380,000
Prepares histological slides, processes tissue samples, performs staining, manages laboratory quality, supports pathology, and works at hospitals or diagnostic laboratories in Kenya
Biomedical Researcher
Medium demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts cell biology and anatomy research, investigates disease mechanisms, publishes findings, supports KEMRI research, and works at research institutions or universities in Kenya
Forensic Anatomist
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Applies anatomical knowledge to forensic identification, supports DCI and Government Chemist, conducts osteological analysis, and works at forensic laboratories or government in Kenya
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as research scientists, laboratory managers, data analysts, quality assurance officers, and science educators in Kenya's scientific and industrial sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic DNA ScientistScience15Low exposure
- Neuromorphic Computing ResearcherScience15Low exposure
- Agricultural EntomologistScience17Low exposure
- Neurotechnology Research EngineerScience17Low exposure
- Phage Therapy ResearcherScience17Low exposure
- Applied GeochemistScience18Low exposure
- Computational ToxicologistScience18Low exposure
- Computational Toxicology SpecialistScience18Low exposure
Common misconceptions
A Masters in pure science leads only to teaching.
Science graduates work at KEMRI, ICIPE, KALRO, KEBS, pharmaceutical companies, and data analytics firms.
Pure science is less marketable than applied science.
Analytical and research skills from pure science are valued in data science, finance, and technology industries.
Science Masters require expensive lab equipment.
Many projects involve computational modelling, theoretical work, or field-based research.
All science Masters take two years.
Full-time programmes typically take 1.5-2 years, while part-time can take up to 3 years.