Health Sciences

Master of Science in Clinical Studies

The Master of Science in Clinical Studies is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in clinical research, clinical trials, and translational medicine. The programme combines clinical theory with practical research and laboratory application.

Core areas include clinical research methods, clinical trial design, biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical pharmacology, translational research, research ethics, regulatory affairs, data management, and thesis. Students engage with both clinical theory and practical research and laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the Department of Clinical Studies in the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences. It is a public university offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in clinical research methods, clinical trial design, biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical pharmacology, translational research, research ethics, regulatory affairs, and data management. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, clinical research placements, and a supervised research thesis.

UoN charges approximately KES 206,000/year (KES 412,000 total) for clinical studies programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in medicine, veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, pharmacy, nursing, or related health fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as clinical research coordinators, clinical trial managers, regulatory affairs officers, research scientists, clinical data managers, and lecturers in clinical studies across hospitals, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory bodies, and universities.

Skills Required

Clinical Research Methods and Study Design
Clinical Trial Design and Management
Biostatistics and Data Analysis
Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Translational Research and Biomarkers
Research Ethics and Regulatory Compliance
Clinical Data Management and Quality Assurance
Research Methods in Clinical Studies
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Clinical Research Methods and Study Design
Clinical Trial Design and Management
Biostatistics and Data Analysis
Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Translational Research and Biomarkers
Research Ethics and Regulatory Compliance
Clinical Data Management and Quality Assurance
Research Methods in Clinical Studies
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Research Certification
GCP Certification

Specializations

Clinical Trials

Focuses on clinical trials, covering trial design, protocol development, randomisation, blinding, monitoring, and managing clinical trials.

Clinical Pharmacology

Examines clinical pharmacology, covering pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, therapeutic monitoring, and managing clinical pharmacology.

Translational Research

Covers translational research, covering biomarkers, bench-to-bedside, drug development, personalised medicine, and managing translational research.

Epidemiology

Focuses on epidemiology, covering study design, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, causal inference, and managing epidemiology.

Regulatory Affairs

Examines regulatory affairs, covering drug regulation, clinical trial regulation, PPB requirements, ICH guidelines, and managing regulatory affairs.

Clinical Data Management

Covers clinical data management, covering data collection, validation, databases, quality assurance, and managing clinical data.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 277,002
Private, up to: Ksh 179,100
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

Clinical Research Methods and Study Design
Clinical Trial Design and Management
Biostatistics and Data Analysis
Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Translational Research and Biomarkers
Research Ethics and Regulatory Compliance
Clinical Data Management and Quality Assurance
Research Methods in Clinical Studies
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Clinical Research Methods and Study Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines study design, protocol development, sampling, data collection, and managing clinical research.
Clinical Trial Design and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers trial phases, randomisation, blinding, controls, endpoints, monitoring, and managing clinical trials.
Research Methods in Clinical Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethical issues, and conducting clinical research, preparing students for their thesis.
Biostatistics and Data Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines statistical analysis, survival analysis, regression, sample size, and managing biostatistics.
Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers study design, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, causal inference, and managing epidemiology.
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, therapeutic monitoring, and managing clinical pharmacology.
Translational Research and Biomarkers
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers biomarkers, bench-to-bedside, drug development, personalised medicine, and managing translational research.
Research Ethics and Regulatory Compliance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ethical principles, informed consent, IRB review, vulnerable populations, and managing research ethics.
Regulatory Affairs and Drug Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers drug regulation, clinical trial regulation, PPB requirements, ICH guidelines, and managing regulatory affairs.
Clinical Data Management and Quality Assurance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines data collection, validation, databases, quality assurance, GCP, and managing clinical data.
Good Clinical Practice and Safety Monitoring
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers GCP guidelines, safety monitoring, adverse events, pharmacovigilance, audits, and managing clinical practice.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a clinical studies topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and clinical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Clinical Trials
Focuses on clinical trials, covering trial design, protocol development, randomisation, blinding, monitoring, and managing clinical trials.
Clinical Pharmacology
Examines clinical pharmacology, covering pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, therapeutic monitoring, and managing clinical pharmacology.
Translational Research
Covers translational research, covering biomarkers, bench-to-bedside, drug development, personalised medicine, and managing translational research.
Epidemiology
Focuses on epidemiology, covering study design, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, causal inference, and managing epidemiology.
Regulatory Affairs
Examines regulatory affairs, covering drug regulation, clinical trial regulation, PPB requirements, ICH guidelines, and managing regulatory affairs.
Clinical Data Management
Covers clinical data management, covering data collection, validation, databases, quality assurance, and managing clinical data.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Clinical Studies programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, clinical research placements, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover clinical research methods, trial design, biostatistics, epidemiology, and clinical pharmacology. Clinical research methods sessions examine study design, protocol development, sampling, data collection, and managing clinical research. Clinical trial design sessions cover trial phases, randomisation, blinding, controls, endpoints, and managing clinical trials. Biostatistics sessions cover statistical analysis, survival analysis, regression, sample size, and managing biostatistics. Epidemiology sessions cover study design, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, causal inference, and managing epidemiology. Clinical pharmacology sessions cover pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions, therapeutic monitoring, and managing clinical pharmacology. Translational research sessions cover biomarkers, bench-to-bedside, drug development, personalised medicine, and managing translational research. Research ethics sessions cover ethical principles, informed consent, IRB review, vulnerable populations, and managing research ethics. Regulatory affairs sessions cover drug regulation, clinical trial regulation, PPB requirements, ICH guidelines, and managing regulatory affairs. Clinical data management sessions cover data collection, validation, databases, quality assurance, and managing clinical data. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with clinical assays, biomarker analysis, pharmacological testing, and data analysis. Clinical research placements at hospitals and research institutions provide exposure to real-world clinical trials and research. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with protocol development, data management, regulatory submissions, and GCP. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in clinical research. Guest lectures from experienced clinical researchers, trial coordinators, and regulatory professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a clinical studies topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand for clinical studies professionals with growing clinical trial activity, pharmaceutical research, regulatory requirements, and medical research in Kenya.
Programme offered by UoN, a well-established public university with strong health sciences and veterinary sciences reputation.
Fees are moderate at approximately KES 206,000/year (KES 412,000 total) for clinical studies.
Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and GCP certification, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

Only one university confirmed offering this exact programme, limiting institutional choice.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires medicine, veterinary, biomedical, pharmacy, or health sciences background, which limits access for non-related graduates.
Career opportunities may be concentrated in research institutions and pharmaceutical companies, with limited diversity.

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 courses

Public277k to 277k

277k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology277k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Private179k to 179k

179k at Mount Kenya University179k at Mount Kenya University

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 MMLS 277K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). MKU MSc MLS 179.1K/yr. UoN/AKU unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI and medical research organisations may provide research support. EDCTP and international research organisations may provide research grants. Some pharmaceutical companies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Support
EDCTP Research Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Support
GrantKsh 250,000Kenyan
KEMRI and partner organisations may provide research support for clinical research professionals.
EDCTP Research Grants
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
EDCTP and international research organisations may provide research grants for clinical trials 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 medicine, veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, pharmacy, nursing, or related health fields. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience 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, research placement reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering clinical research methods, trial design, biostatistics, epidemiology, and pharmacology.
Practical and Research Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, protocol development, data management, research placements, and demonstrating clinical research skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a clinical studies topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and clinical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi (public) offers MSc in Clinical Studies through the Department of Clinical Studies in the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in clinical studies. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and GCP certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi (public) offers MSc in Clinical Studies through the Department of Clinical Studies in the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in clinical studies. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI research certification and GCP certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Clinical Research Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Coordinates clinical research, overseeing trial management, monitoring, compliance, and managing clinical research.
Clinical Trial Manager
Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 700,000
Manages clinical trials, overseeing trial operations, staff, budgets, compliance, and managing clinical trials.
Regulatory Affairs Officer
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages regulatory affairs, overseeing submissions, compliance, PPB requirements, and managing regulatory affairs.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts clinical research, overseeing research design, experimentation, analysis, publication, and managing scientific research.
Clinical Data Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages clinical data, overseeing data collection, validation, databases, quality, and managing clinical data.
Clinical Studies Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches clinical studies at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering clinical data, trial data, research data, and managing statistical analysis.
SAS
Software
SAS for clinical data analysis, covering clinical trials, biostatistics, regulatory submissions, and managing clinical data.
REDCap
Software
REDCap for clinical data capture, covering data collection, forms, surveys, and managing clinical research data.
GraphPad Prism
Software
GraphPad Prism for scientific analysis, covering clinical data, statistical analysis, and managing scientific data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Clinical studies is just about treating patients.
Clinical studies covers comprehensive research methods, trial design, biostatistics, epidemiology, pharmacology, and regulatory affairs beyond just treating patients.
This programme is only for doctors.
Clinical studies skills are valuable for veterinarians, pharmacists, nurses, biomedical scientists, researchers, and regulatory professionals beyond just doctors.
Clinical studies has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing clinical trial activity, pharmaceutical research, regulatory requirements, and medical research, demand for clinical studies professionals is steady in Kenya.
Clinical trials are just about testing drugs.
Clinical trials cover comprehensive design, randomisation, blinding, monitoring, safety, endpoints, and regulatory compliance.
Regulatory affairs is just about paperwork.
Regulatory affairs covers comprehensive drug regulation, clinical trial regulation, PPB requirements, ICH guidelines, and quality systems.
Translational research is just about lab work.
Translational research covers comprehensive biomarkers, bench-to-bedside, drug development, personalised medicine, and clinical application.