Master of Science in Biomechanical Engineering
<p>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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 181,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 362,000 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeBiomechanics 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Programme is unique in Kenya, offering specialised training at the intersection of engineering and biology. | Only one university (JKUAT) confirmed offering this programme, limiting student options. |
| Programme covers cutting-edge areas including medical devices, biomaterials, and rehabilitation engineering. | No private university confirmed offering this programme. |
| Graduates are eligible for EBK professional registration and ISB international membership. | Programme is full-time only, limiting options for working professionals. |
| Growing demand for biomedical and biomechanical engineers in Kenya's healthcare sector. | 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 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
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 recordedHELB 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.
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
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.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsCoursework 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
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.
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.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesBiomechanical 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
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.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
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.