Master of Science in Clinical Pathology & Laboratory Diagnosis
The Master of Science in Clinical Pathology & Laboratory Diagnosis is a master's programme offered at Kenyan universities. This postgraduate degree prepares professionals for advanced practice and research careers in health 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. Up to Ksh 179,100 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science, Medical Laboratory Science, 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 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
What you study
10 subjects- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Health Systems Management
- Public Health Research Methods
- Health Policy and Planning
- Clinical Research Methods
- Health Economics
- Disease Control
- Nutrition Assessment
- Healthcare Ethics
Modules
10 in the programmeClinical Chemistry and Biochemical Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Clinical chemistry, liver function tests, renal function tests, lipid profile, glucose, electrolytes, enzymes, cardiac markers, and performing clinical chemistry analysis
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Haematology, full blood count, anaemia, leukaemia, coagulation, blood group, transfusion, KNBTS, blood film, and performing haematology and transfusion analysis
Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Medical microbiology, bacteriology, culture, Gram stain, identification, antimicrobial susceptibility, TB culture, and performing microbiology diagnosis
Diagnostic Immunology and Serology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Diagnostic immunology, serology, ELISA, Western blot, HIV serology, hepatitis serology, syphilis serology, autoimmune testing, and performing immunology and serology
Molecular Diagnostics and PCR
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Molecular diagnostics, PCR, real-time PCR, viral load, genotyping, molecular TB testing, GeneXpert, and applying molecular diagnostic techniques
Parasitology and Tropical Disease Diagnosis
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Medical parasitology, malaria diagnosis, blood film, schistosomiasis, intestinal parasites, trypanosomiasis, and diagnosing parasitic infections in Kenya
Laboratory Quality Management and ISO 15189
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Laboratory quality management, IQC, EQA, ISO 15189, accreditation, method validation, reference ranges, pre-analytical, analytical, post-analytical, and managing laboratory quality
Endocrinology, Special Chemistry and Antimicrobial Resistance
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Endocrinology, thyroid function, hormones, tumour markers, special chemistry, antimicrobial resistance, AST, surveillance, stewardship, and performing special chemistry and AMR testing
Diagnostic Practicum and Research Methods
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Diagnostic practicum in hospital laboratories, laboratory rotation project, research methods, and preparing for the research thesis
Thesis
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Original research on a clinical pathology topic such as malaria diagnosis, TB laboratory testing, antimicrobial resistance, clinical chemistry reference ranges, haematology parameters, or molecular diagnostics in Kenya
Specialisations
Laboratory Quality Management
Focus on laboratory quality management, IQC, EQA, ISO 15189, accreditation, method validation, and managing quality in diagnostic laboratories
Haematology and Blood Transfusion
Specialisation in haematology, full blood count, anaemia, leukaemia, coagulation, blood group, transfusion, KNBTS, and performing haematology and transfusion analysis
Clinical Chemistry and Endocrinology
Focus on clinical chemistry, liver and renal function tests, lipid profile, electrolytes, cardiac markers, hormones, thyroid function, tumour markers, and performing clinical chemistry and endocrinology analysis
Medical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance
Focus on medical microbiology, bacteriology, culture, antimicrobial susceptibility, AMR surveillance, TB culture, and performing microbiology diagnosis and AMR testing
Molecular Diagnostics
Specialisation in molecular diagnostics, PCR, real-time PCR, viral load, genotyping, GeneXpert, molecular TB testing, and applying molecular diagnostic techniques
A day as a student
A typical day involves attending public health lectures, analysing epidemiological data, participating in field visits, reviewing medical literature, presenting at journal clubs, and meeting with supervisors to discuss research projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Critical for medical diagnosis — clinical pathology underpins all medical diagnoses, making it a critical and high-demand health science discipline in Kenya | Laboratory-based work — clinical pathology is primarily laboratory-based, which may not suit graduates who want patient-facing or field-based careers |
| Diverse career opportunities — graduates work in hospital laboratories, diagnostic centres, blood transfusion services, research institutions, and academia | Quality pressure — laboratory results directly guide treatment decisions, meaning errors can have serious consequences for patients |
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
UoN 797K/2=398.5K/yr. JKUAT MMLS 277K/yr. MKU 179.1K/yr. Src: uonbi.ac.ke, jkuat.ac.ke
WHO, KEMRI, and AMREF offer research grants. HELB provides postgraduate loans. CDC, NIH, and Fogarty International support health research in Kenya.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes
WHO Research Grant
Grant
Public health researchers in WHO priority areas
KEMRI Research Grant
Grant
Health researchers affiliated with KEMRI
Scholarships
5 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies.
DAAD Biomedical Sciences Scholarship
FullKsh 4,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Biomedical sciences programme
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership
WHO Laboratory Scholarship
PartialKsh 200,000
Kenyan; Laboratory science graduate; WHO-supported programme; Laboratory focus
KEMRI Research Grant
PartialKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Laboratory science graduate; KEMRI-supported research; Pathology focus
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
BSc Biomedical Science or Medical Laboratory Science with KMLTTB registration. At least 1 year of relevant work experience preferred.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding University of Nairobi.
Including University of Nairobi.
Including University of Nairobi.
How you are assessed
4 componentsDiagnostic Practicum and Seminars
Cat15% of the mark
Diagnostic practicum assessments, laboratory rotation evaluations, logbook review, seminar presentations, and case presentations
End of Semester Examinations
Exam25% of the mark
Formal written examinations covering clinical chemistry, haematology, microbiology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, parasitology, quality management, endocrinology, and antimicrobial resistance
Thesis
Research30% of the mark
Original research on a clinical pathology topic examined by oral defence
Laboratory Examinations and Diagnostic Project
Project30% of the mark
Laboratory practical examinations, diagnostic test performance, quality management assessment, and case-based interpretation
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board
Professional regulationRequired
Regulates medical laboratory professionals in Kenya.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Health programmes are also regulated by KMPDC, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Nursing Council of Kenya, or Clinical Officers Council as applicable.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesLaboratory Manager
Medium demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages diagnostic laboratories, oversees quality management, ensures ISO 15189 compliance, manages staff and equipment, and works at hospital laboratories
Academic Lecturer (Clinical Pathology)
Medium demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 420,000
Teaches clinical pathology, supervises laboratory training, conducts research, and works at University of Nairobi or Kenyatta University
Blood Transfusion Specialist
Medium demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 480,000
Manages blood transfusion services, performs blood grouping, cross-matching, antibody screening, and works at KNBTS or hospital blood banks
Clinical Pathology Technologist
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 480,000
Performs clinical chemistry, haematology, microbiology, and immunology tests, interprets results, and works at hospital laboratories or diagnostic centres
Molecular Diagnostics Specialist
Medium demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 520,000
Performs molecular diagnostics, PCR, viral load, genotyping, GeneXpert, and works at major hospital laboratories or research institutions
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as public health officers, clinical specialists, health programme managers, medical researchers, and health policy advisors in Kenya's health sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Common misconceptions
A Masters in Public Health is only for doctors.
MPH programmes accept applicants from diverse backgrounds including nursing, pharmacy, social sciences, and environmental health.
All health Masters require clinical practice experience.
While clinical experience is valuable, many public health and health systems Masters require a relevant bachelor's degree, not clinical practice.
Health Masters graduates only work in hospitals.
Graduates work in ministries, NGOs, international organisations, research institutions, insurance companies, and private sector.
A Masters in Nursing is the same as a PhD in Nursing.
A Masters prepares for advanced practice and education roles, while a PhD is focused on research and academic scholarship.