Engineering

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

The Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in medical device design, biomechanics, biomedical instrumentation, and healthcare technology. The programme combines engineering principles with medical and biological sciences application.

Core areas include biomechanics, biomedical instrumentation, medical imaging, biomaterials, biomedical signal processing, medical device design, rehabilitation engineering, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both engineering theory and practical laboratory and clinical work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by JKUAT through the School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, DeKUT through the School of Engineering, and the University of Nairobi. All are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in biomechanics, biomedical instrumentation, medical imaging, biomaterials, biomedical signal processing, medical device design, rehabilitation engineering, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, and a supervised research thesis.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 181,000/year (KES 362,000 total) for biomechanical engineering programmes. UoN charges approximately KES 433,500/year for engineering programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronic engineering, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as biomedical engineers, medical device designers, clinical engineers, rehabilitation engineers, research scientists, and lecturers in biomedical engineering across hospitals, medical device companies, research institutions, regulatory bodies, and universities.

Skills Required

Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Analysis
Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement
Medical Imaging and Image Processing
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Biomedical Signal Processing and Analysis
Medical Device Design and Development
Rehabilitation Engineering and Prosthetics
Clinical Engineering and Equipment Management
Research Methods in Biomedical Engineering
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Analysis
Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement
Medical Imaging and Image Processing
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Biomedical Signal Processing and Analysis
Medical Device Design and Development
Rehabilitation Engineering and Prosthetics
Clinical Engineering and Equipment Management
Research Methods in Biomedical Engineering
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Research Certification
IFMBE Professional Membership

Specializations

Biomechanics

Focuses on biomechanics, covering musculoskeletal biomechanics, biofluid mechanics, motion analysis, computational biomechanics, and managing biomechanics.

Medical Imaging

Examines medical imaging, covering X-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound, image processing, and managing medical imaging.

Biomedical Instrumentation

Covers biomedical instrumentation, covering sensors, transducers, amplifiers, monitoring systems, and managing biomedical instrumentation.

Biomaterials

Focuses on biomaterials, covering biocompatibility, implants, scaffolds, material characterisation, and managing biomaterials.

Rehabilitation Engineering

Examines rehabilitation engineering, covering prosthetics, orthotics, assistive devices, mobility aids, and managing rehabilitation engineering.

Clinical Engineering

Covers clinical engineering, covering equipment management, maintenance, safety, technology assessment, and managing clinical engineering.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 291,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Analysis
Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement
Medical Imaging and Image Processing
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Biomedical Signal Processing and Analysis
Medical Device Design and Development
Rehabilitation Engineering and Prosthetics
Clinical Engineering and Equipment Management
Research Methods in Biomedical Engineering
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines musculoskeletal biomechanics, biofluid mechanics, motion analysis, computational biomechanics, and managing biomechanics.
Biomedical Instrumentation and Measurement
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sensors, transducers, amplifiers, monitoring systems, signal conditioning, and managing biomedical instrumentation.
Research Methods in Biomedical Engineering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethical issues, and conducting biomedical engineering research, preparing students for their thesis.
Medical Imaging and Image Processing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines X-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound, image processing, reconstruction, and managing medical imaging.
Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers biocompatibility, implants, scaffolds, material characterisation, tissue engineering, and managing biomaterials.
Biomedical Signal Processing and Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines ECG, EEG, EMG processing, filtering, feature extraction, pattern recognition, and managing biomedical signals.
Medical Device Design and Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers design process, prototyping, testing, regulation, standards, risk management, and managing medical device design.
Rehabilitation Engineering and Prosthetics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines prosthetics, orthotics, assistive devices, mobility aids, and managing rehabilitation engineering.
Clinical Engineering and Equipment Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers equipment management, maintenance, safety, technology assessment, procurement, and managing clinical engineering.
Biomedical Modelling and Simulation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines computational modelling, FEM, CFD, physiological modelling, simulation, and managing biomedical modelling.
Regulatory Affairs and Medical Device Standards
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers medical device regulation, ISO standards, FDA guidelines, PPB requirements, quality systems, and managing regulatory affairs.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a biomedical engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and engineering knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Biomechanics
Focuses on biomechanics, covering musculoskeletal biomechanics, biofluid mechanics, motion analysis, computational biomechanics, and managing biomechanics.
Medical Imaging
Examines medical imaging, covering X-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound, image processing, and managing medical imaging.
Biomedical Instrumentation
Covers biomedical instrumentation, covering sensors, transducers, amplifiers, monitoring systems, and managing biomedical instrumentation.
Biomaterials
Focuses on biomaterials, covering biocompatibility, implants, scaffolds, material characterisation, and managing biomaterials.
Rehabilitation Engineering
Examines rehabilitation engineering, covering prosthetics, orthotics, assistive devices, mobility aids, and managing rehabilitation engineering.
Clinical Engineering
Covers clinical engineering, covering equipment management, maintenance, safety, technology assessment, and managing clinical engineering.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Biomedical Engineering programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, practical workshops, clinical visits, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover biomechanics, biomedical instrumentation, medical imaging, biomaterials, and signal processing. Biomechanics sessions examine musculoskeletal biomechanics, biofluid mechanics, motion analysis, computational biomechanics, and managing biomechanics. Biomedical instrumentation sessions cover sensors, transducers, amplifiers, monitoring systems, and managing biomedical instrumentation. Medical imaging sessions cover X-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound, image processing, and managing medical imaging. Biomaterials sessions cover biocompatibility, implants, scaffolds, material characterisation, and managing biomaterials. Signal processing sessions cover ECG, EEG, EMG processing, filtering, feature extraction, and managing biomedical signals. Medical device design sessions covering design process, prototyping, testing, regulation, standards, and managing medical device design. Rehabilitation engineering sessions cover prosthetics, orthotics, assistive devices, mobility aids, and managing rehabilitation engineering. Clinical engineering sessions cover equipment management, maintenance, safety, technology assessment, and managing clinical engineering. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with biomechanical testing, sensor calibration, signal acquisition, image processing, and material testing. Clinical visits provide exposure to hospital equipment, medical devices, and clinical engineering departments. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with device prototyping, circuit design, and testing. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in biomedical engineering. Guest lectures from experienced biomedical engineers, clinicians, and industry professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a biomedical engineering topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand for biomedical engineering professionals with growing healthcare technology, medical device industry, rehabilitation services, and research in Kenya.
Programme offered by three public universities (JKUAT, DeKUT, UoN), providing institutional choice.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 181,000/year for biomechanical engineering programmes.
Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and IFMBE professional membership, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

UoN fees are higher at approximately KES 433,500/year for engineering programmes.
DeKUT fees not independently verified, requiring prospective students to confirm directly.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires engineering background (biomedical, electrical, mechanical, mechatronic), which limits access for non-engineering graduates.

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

Public291k to 291k

291k at Technical University of Kenya291k at Technical University of Kenya

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

TUK ~291K/yr (eafinder.com Group I). UoN unverified. Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. KEMRI and medical research organisations may provide research support. Some medical device companies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
KEMRI Research Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
KEMRI Research Support
GrantKsh 250,000Kenyan
KEMRI and partner organisations may provide research support for biomedical engineering and medical research professionals.

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 biomedical, electrical, mechanical, or mechatronic engineering. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience or postgraduate diplomas are considered. Contact respective universities 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, design projects, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering biomechanics, instrumentation, imaging, biomaterials, and signal processing.
Laboratory and Design Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, device prototyping, testing, simulation, and demonstrating biomedical engineering skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a biomedical 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, DeKUT, and University of Nairobi (all public) offer MSc in Biomedical Engineering or related programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in biomedical engineering. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and IFMBE professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT, DeKUT, and University of Nairobi (all public) offer MSc in Biomedical Engineering or related programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in biomedical engineering. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and IFMBE professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Biomedical Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Designs and develops biomedical solutions, overseeing device design, testing, implementation, and managing biomedical engineering.
Medical Device Designer
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Designs medical devices, overseeing product development, prototyping, testing, regulation, and managing medical device design.
Clinical Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages clinical engineering, overseeing equipment management, maintenance, safety, technology assessment, and managing clinical engineering.
Rehabilitation Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Develops rehabilitation solutions, overseeing prosthetics, orthotics, assistive devices, and managing rehabilitation engineering.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts biomedical research, overseeing research design, experimentation, analysis, publication, and managing scientific research.
Biomedical Engineering Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches biomedical engineering 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

MATLAB
SoftwarePrimary
MATLAB for signal processing and modelling, covering biomedical signals, image processing, simulation, and managing engineering data.
COMSOL
Software
COMSOL for multiphysics simulation, covering biomechanics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and managing computational modelling.
Python
Software
Python for data analysis and machine learning, covering signal processing, image analysis, and managing research data.
SolidWorks
Software
SolidWorks for 3D CAD design, covering device design, prototyping, modelling, and managing product design.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Biomedical engineering is just about fixing hospital equipment.
Biomedical engineering covers comprehensive biomechanics, instrumentation, imaging, biomaterials, device design, and rehabilitation engineering beyond just equipment maintenance.
This programme is only for electrical engineers.
Biomedical engineering is valuable for graduates from mechanical, mechatronic, electrical, and biomedical engineering backgrounds.
Biomedical engineering has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing healthcare technology, medical device industry, rehabilitation services, and research, demand for biomedical engineering professionals is steady in Kenya.
Biomechanics is just about body movement.
Biomechanics covers comprehensive musculoskeletal analysis, biofluid mechanics, computational modelling, tissue mechanics, and injury biomechanics.
Medical imaging is just about taking X-rays.
Medical imaging covers comprehensive X-ray, MRI, CT, ultrasound, image processing, and computational analysis.
Biomaterials is just about making implants.
Biomaterials covers comprehensive biocompatibility, scaffolds, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and material characterisation.