Engineering

Master of Science in Biomechanical Engineering

The Master of Science in Biomechanical Engineering is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice at the intersection of engineering and biological systems. The programme provides specialised training in biomechanics, biomaterials, medical device design, and rehabilitation engineering.

Core areas include biomechanics, biomaterials, medical device design, rehabilitation engineering, human movement analysis, tissue mechanics, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, and research.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology as a public institution through the School of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Materials Engineering. JKUAT also offers a BSc in Biomechanical and Processing Engineering at undergraduate level. The programme is available over two years.

Students develop competencies in biomechanical analysis, biomaterials, medical device design, rehabilitation engineering, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory sessions, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for biomechanical engineering practice and research roles.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 181,000 per year. No other university in Kenya confirmed offering this exact programme at master's level. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Biomechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as biomechanical engineers, biomedical engineers, rehabilitation engineers, medical device designers, biomaterials specialists, and lecturers across medical device companies, hospitals, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Biomechanics and Human Movement Analysis
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Medical Device Design and Development
Rehabilitation Engineering
Prosthetics and Orthotics Engineering
Computer-Aided Biomechanical Modelling
Finite Element Analysis in Biomechanics
Medical Imaging and Signal Processing
Research Methods in Biomechanical Engineering
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Biomechanics and Human Movement Analysis
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Medical Device Design and Development
Rehabilitation Engineering
Prosthetics and Orthotics Engineering
Finite Element Analysis in Biomechanics
Medical Imaging and Signal Processing
Computer-Aided Biomechanical Modelling
Research Methods in Biomechanical Engineering
Thesis Research

Certifications

ISB Professional Membership
EBK Professional Registration

Specializations

Biomechanics and Movement Analysis

Focuses on biomechanics, covering biomechanics, movement, analysis, human, and managing biomechanics and human movement analysis.

Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering

Examines biomaterials, covering biomaterials, tissue, engineering, materials, and managing biomaterials and tissue engineering.

Medical Device Design

Covers medical device design, covering medical, device, design, development, and managing medical device design and development.

Rehabilitation Engineering

Focuses on rehabilitation engineering, covering rehabilitation, engineering, prosthetics, orthotics, and managing rehabilitation engineering.

Prosthetics and Orthotics

Examines prosthetics, covering prosthetics, orthotics, engineering, design, and managing prosthetics and orthotics engineering.

Finite Element Analysis

Covers FEA, covering finite, element, analysis, biomechanics, and managing finite element analysis in biomechanics.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 181,000
Job market: Moderate

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

Biomechanics and Human Movement Analysis
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Medical Device Design and Development
Rehabilitation Engineering
Prosthetics and Orthotics Engineering
Finite Element Analysis in Biomechanics
Medical Imaging and Signal Processing
Computer-Aided Biomechanical Modelling
Research Methods in Biomechanical Engineering
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Biomechanics and Human Movement Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biomechanics, covering biomechanics, movement, analysis, human, and managing biomechanics and human movement analysis.
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers biomaterials, covering biomaterials, tissue, engineering, materials, and managing biomaterials and tissue engineering.
Medical Device Design and Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines medical device design, covering medical, device, design, development, and managing medical device design and development.
Rehabilitation Engineering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers rehabilitation engineering, covering rehabilitation, engineering, prosthetics, orthotics, and managing rehabilitation engineering.
Finite Element Analysis in Biomechanics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines FEA, covering finite, element, analysis, biomechanics, and managing finite element analysis in biomechanics.
Prosthetics and Orthotics Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers prosthetics, covering prosthetics, orthotics, engineering, design, and managing prosthetics and orthotics engineering.
Medical Imaging and Signal Processing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines medical imaging, covering medical, imaging, signal, processing, and managing medical imaging and signal processing.
Research Methods in Biomechanical Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research, methods, biomechanical, engineering, and conducting research in biomechanical engineering, preparing students for their thesis.
Computer-Aided Biomechanical Modelling
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines CAE, covering computer, aided, biomechanical, modelling, and managing computer-aided biomechanical modelling.
Tissue Mechanics and Physiology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tissue mechanics, covering tissue, mechanics, physiology, biomechanics, and managing tissue mechanics and physiology.
Clinical Engineering and Healthcare Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines clinical engineering, covering clinical, engineering, healthcare, systems, and managing clinical engineering and healthcare systems.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a biomechanical engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and engineering knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Biomechanics and Movement Analysis
Focuses on biomechanics, covering biomechanics, movement, analysis, human, and managing biomechanics and human movement analysis.
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Examines biomaterials, covering biomaterials, tissue, engineering, materials, and managing biomaterials and tissue engineering.
Medical Device Design
Covers medical device design, covering medical, device, design, development, and managing medical device design and development.
Rehabilitation Engineering
Focuses on rehabilitation engineering, covering rehabilitation, engineering, prosthetics, orthotics, and managing rehabilitation engineering.
Prosthetics and Orthotics
Examines prosthetics, covering prosthetics, orthotics, engineering, design, and managing prosthetics and orthotics engineering.
Finite Element Analysis
Covers FEA, covering finite, element, analysis, biomechanics, and managing finite element analysis in biomechanics.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, laboratory sessions, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover biomechanics, biomaterials, medical device design, rehabilitation engineering, and finite element analysis. Biomechanics sessions examine biomechanics, movement, analysis, human, and managing biomechanics and human movement analysis. Biomaterials sessions cover biomaterials, tissue, engineering, materials, and managing biomaterials and tissue engineering. Medical device sessions cover medical, device, design, development, and managing medical device design and development. Rehabilitation sessions cover rehabilitation, engineering, prosthetics, orthotics, and managing rehabilitation engineering. FEA sessions cover finite, element, analysis, biomechanics, and managing finite element analysis in biomechanics. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in biomechanical testing, biomaterials characterisation, and medical device prototyping. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a biomechanical engineering topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme is unique in Kenya, offering specialised training at the intersection of engineering and biology.
Programme covers cutting-edge areas including medical devices, biomaterials, and rehabilitation engineering.
Graduates are eligible for EBK professional registration and ISB international membership.
Growing demand for biomedical and biomechanical engineers in Kenya's healthcare sector.

Against it

Only one university (JKUAT) confirmed offering this programme, limiting student options.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme is full-time only, limiting options for working professionals.
Laboratory work requires access to specialised biomechanical testing equipment which may be limited.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public181k to 181k

181k at JKUAT181k at JKUAT

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

JKUAT ~181K/yr (kenyaeducationguide/JKUAT BPS). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer scholarships for eligible students. ISB and IEEE EMBS may offer fellowships for biomechanical and biomedical engineering research and education.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
ISB Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 181,000Kenyan
JKUAT may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate engineering students.
ISB Fellowship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
ISB and IEEE EMBS may offer fellowships for biomechanical and biomedical engineering research and education.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT requires at least Upper Second Class Honours in a relevant engineering field. Lower Second Class may be considered with relevant experience or postgraduate qualifications. Contact the university for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering biomechanics, biomaterials, medical device design, and rehabilitation engineering.
Laboratory Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory sessions, demonstrating biomechanical testing, biomaterials characterisation, and device prototyping skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a biomechanical engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and engineering knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Biomechanical Engineering through the School of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Materials Engineering. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in biomechanical engineering. Graduates may interact with EBK for professional registration and ISB for international standards. The programme aligns with CUE, EBK, and ISB global biomechanical engineering frameworks.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Biomechanical Engineering through the School of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Materials Engineering. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in biomechanical engineering. Graduates may interact with EBK for professional registration and ISB for international standards. The programme aligns with CUE, EBK, and ISB global biomechanical engineering frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Biomechanical Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Designs and manages biomechanical systems, covering biomechanical, engineer, systems, design, and managing biomechanical engineering.
Biomedical Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Designs biomedical systems, covering biomedical, engineer, systems, medical, and managing biomedical engineering.
Rehabilitation Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 380,000
Designs rehabilitation systems, covering rehabilitation, engineer, prosthetics, orthotics, and managing rehabilitation engineering.
Medical Device Designer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designs medical devices, covering medical, device, designer, development, and managing medical device design and development.
Biomaterials Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Develops biomaterials, covering biomaterials, specialist, materials, tissue, and managing biomaterials and tissue engineering.
Engineering Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches biomechanical engineering at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ANSYS
SoftwarePrimary
ANSYS for finite element analysis in biomechanics, covering ANSYS, FEA, biomechanics, analysis, and managing finite element analysis in biomechanics.
MATLAB
Software
MATLAB for biomechanical data analysis and signal processing, covering MATLAB, data, analysis, signal, and managing biomechanical data analysis.
SolidWorks
Software
SolidWorks for medical device 3D design and modelling, covering SolidWorks, 3D, design, medical, and managing medical device 3D design.
OpenSim
Software
OpenSim for musculoskeletal modelling and simulation, covering OpenSim, musculoskeletal, modelling, simulation, and managing musculoskeletal modelling.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Biomechanical engineering is just about prosthetics.
Biomechanical engineering covers biomaterials, medical devices, rehabilitation, tissue mechanics, and movement analysis beyond just prosthetics.
This programme is only for mechanical engineering graduates.
The programme is for professionals from biomedical, electrical, and related engineering fields, not just mechanical engineering.
Biomechanical engineering has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Biomechanical engineers are in growing demand in medical device companies, hospitals, and research institutions as Kenya develops its healthcare sector.
This programme is the same as biomedical engineering.
Biomechanical engineering focuses on mechanics of biological systems, while biomedical engineering covers broader medical technology including electronics and imaging.
Biomechanical engineering is only about human bodies.
The programme covers human, animal, and plant biomechanics with applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry.
You need medical knowledge to study this programme.
The programme is accessible to engineering graduates seeking biomechanical specialisation, not just those with medical backgrounds.