Health Sciences

Master of Science in Finance in Human Anatomy

The Master of Science in Human Anatomy is a postgraduate programme that prepares medical professionals and educators for advanced practice in anatomical sciences, clinical anatomy, and anatomical education. The programme combines anatomical theory with practical dissection, imaging, and research application.

Core areas include gross anatomy, histology, embryology, neuroanatomy, clinical anatomy, radiological anatomy, anatomical education, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both anatomical theory and practical dissection and laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Physiology in the School of Medicine, and JKUAT through the College of Health Sciences. Both are public universities offering programmes over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in gross anatomy, histology, embryology, neuroanatomy, clinical anatomy, and anatomical education. The programme includes coursework in year 1 and a supervised research thesis in year 2, with practical dissection, laboratory work, and clinical application.

University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 405,000/year (KES 810,000 total) for MSc in Human Anatomy with tuition at KES 348,000/year. JKUAT charges similar fees for health sciences masters programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) or equivalent from a recognised university, with evidence of registration with the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.

Graduates pursue careers as anatomy lecturers, clinical anatomists, surgical educators, radiological anatomists, anatomy researchers, and medical educators across medical schools, hospitals, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Gross Anatomy and Dissection Techniques
Histology and Microscopic Anatomy
Embryology and Developmental Biology
Neuroanatomy and Nervous System Studies
Clinical and Applied Anatomy
Radiological and Imaging Anatomy
Anatomical Education and Teaching Methods
Anatomical Research and Scientific Communication
Research Methods in Anatomical Sciences
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Gross Anatomy and Dissection Techniques
Histology and Microscopic Anatomy
Embryology and Developmental Biology
Neuroanatomy and Nervous System Studies
Clinical and Applied Anatomy
Radiological and Imaging Anatomy
Anatomical Education and Teaching Methods
Anatomical Research and Scientific Communication
Research Methods in Anatomical Sciences
Thesis Research

Certifications

KMPDC Medical Registration
IFAA Anatomical Certification

Specializations

Gross Anatomy

Focuses on gross anatomy, covering dissection, structures, systems, regions, and managing gross anatomy education.

Histology

Examines histology, covering tissues, microscopy, staining, organology, and managing histology education.

Neuroanatomy

Covers neuroanatomy, covering brain, spinal cord, nerves, pathways, and managing neuroanatomy education.

Clinical Anatomy

Focuses on clinical anatomy, covering applied, surgical, radiological, variant anatomy, and managing clinical anatomy.

Embryology

Examines embryology, covering development, gametogenesis, organogenesis, congenital, and managing embryology education.

Anatomical Education

Covers anatomical education, covering teaching, assessment, curriculum, simulation, and managing anatomy education.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 405,000
Private, up to: Ksh 463,200
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

Gross Anatomy and Dissection Techniques
Histology and Microscopic Anatomy
Embryology and Developmental Biology
Neuroanatomy and Nervous System Studies
Clinical and Applied Anatomy
Radiological and Imaging Anatomy
Anatomical Education and Teaching Methods
Anatomical Research and Scientific Communication
Research Methods in Anatomical Sciences
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Gross Anatomy and Dissection
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Examines dissection, structures, systems, regions, body wall, limbs, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, head and neck, and managing gross anatomy.
Histology and Microscopic Anatomy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tissues, microscopy, staining, organology, cell biology, and managing histology.
Embryology and Developmental Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines development, gametogenesis, fertilisation, organogenesis, congenital anomalies, and managing embryology.
Neuroanatomy and Nervous System
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers brain, spinal cord, nerves, pathways, cranial nerves, autonomic, and managing neuroanatomy.
Research Methods in Anatomical Sciences
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, anatomical research methods, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Clinical and Applied Anatomy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines applied, surgical, variant, surface, living anatomy, and managing clinical anatomy.
Radiological and Imaging Anatomy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers imaging, CT, MRI, ultrasound, cross-sectional, radiological interpretation, and managing radiological anatomy.
Anatomical Education and Teaching Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines teaching, assessment, curriculum, simulation, technology, and managing anatomy education.
Advanced Regional Anatomy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers advanced regional anatomy, variations, surgical approaches, clinical correlations, and managing regional anatomy.
Anatomical Variations and Clinical Significance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines anatomical variations, congenital anomalies, clinical significance, surgical implications, and managing anatomical variations.
Surgical Anatomy and Operative Approaches
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers surgical anatomy, operative approaches, landmarks, complications, and managing surgical anatomy.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an anatomical sciences topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and anatomical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Gross Anatomy
Focuses on gross anatomy, covering dissection, structures, systems, regions, and managing gross anatomy education.
Histology
Examines histology, covering tissues, microscopy, staining, organology, and managing histology education.
Neuroanatomy
Covers neuroanatomy, covering brain, spinal cord, nerves, pathways, and managing neuroanatomy education.
Clinical Anatomy
Focuses on clinical anatomy, covering applied, surgical, radiological, variant anatomy, and managing clinical anatomy.
Embryology
Examines embryology, covering development, gametogenesis, organogenesis, congenital, and managing embryology education.
Anatomical Education
Covers anatomical education, covering teaching, assessment, curriculum, simulation, and managing anatomy education.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Human Anatomy programme combines lectures, dissection sessions, laboratory work, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover gross anatomy, histology, embryology, neuroanatomy, and clinical anatomy. Gross anatomy sessions examine dissection, structures, systems, regions, and managing gross anatomy. Histology sessions cover tissues, microscopy, staining, organology, and managing histology. Embryology sessions cover development, gametogenesis, organogenesis, congenital anomalies, and managing embryology. Neuroanatomy sessions cover brain, spinal cord, nerves, pathways, and managing neuroanatomy. Clinical anatomy sessions cover applied, surgical, radiological, variant anatomy, and managing clinical anatomy. Radiological anatomy sessions cover imaging, CT, MRI, ultrasound, cross-sectional, and managing radiological anatomy. Anatomical education sessions cover teaching, assessment, curriculum, simulation, and managing anatomy education. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Dissection sessions provide hands-on experience with cadaveric dissection, prosection, and anatomical structures. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with histology, microscopy, staining, and tissue analysis. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with anatomical models, imaging, and teaching tools. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in anatomical sciences and presenting research findings. Guest lectures from experienced anatomists, surgeons, and radiologists provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on an anatomical sciences topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for anatomy educators with the increasing number of medical and allied health schools in Kenya.
Programme provides advanced anatomical knowledge for clinicians seeking to enhance surgical and clinical practice.
UoN offers comprehensive programme through the Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Physiology with experienced faculty.
Graduates are eligible for KMPDC registration and IFAA certification, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

UoN charges relatively high fees at approximately KES 405,000/year (KES 810,000 total).
JKUAT specific human anatomy fees not independently verified.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme requires MBChB or equivalent medical degree, limiting access to medical professionals only.

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

Public179k to 405k

179k at JKUAT405k at University of Nairobi

Private150k to 463k

150k at Kenya Methodist University463k at Aga Khan 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

UoN anatomy avg~405k/yr (uonbi); JKUAT 178.5k; KeMU 150k. AKU unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN may offer postgraduate scholarships. KMPDC and some medical research organisations may offer research grants for anatomical research. Some hospitals may sponsor medical staff for anatomy postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Postgraduate Scholarship
KMPDC Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
UoN Postgraduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
UoN offers postgraduate scholarships for eligible students.
KMPDC Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 500,000Kenyan
KMPDC and medical research organisations may offer research grants for anatomical research.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: UoN requires MBChB from UoN or equivalent from a recognised institution, with evidence of KMPDC registration, certificate of good conduct, and valid professional indemnity cover. JKUAT requires Upper Second in relevant field from JKUAT or recognised institution, or Lower Second with three years of relevant experience, or Pass with five years of relevant postgraduate experience. 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, dissection reports, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering gross anatomy, histology, embryology, neuroanatomy, and clinical anatomy.
Practical and Dissection Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through dissection, histology, imaging interpretation, anatomical identification, and demonstrating anatomy skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an anatomical sciences topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and anatomical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and aligned with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC). University of Nairobi and JKUAT (both public) offer MSc programmes in Human Anatomy. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in anatomical sciences. Graduates are eligible for KMPDC medical registration and IFAA anatomical certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE and aligned with KMPDC. University of Nairobi and JKUAT (both public) offer MSc programmes in Human Anatomy. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in anatomical sciences. Graduates are eligible for KMPDC medical registration and IFAA anatomical certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Anatomy Lecturer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches anatomy at medical school or university level, overseeing instruction, dissection, research, and academic supervision.
Clinical Anatomist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Applies anatomical knowledge to clinical practice, overseeing surgical, radiological, and clinical anatomy applications.
Surgical Educator
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Teaches surgical anatomy, overseeing surgical training, approaches, simulation, and managing surgical education.
Radiological Anatomist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Interprets anatomical imaging, overseeing CT, MRI, ultrasound, cross-sectional, and managing radiological anatomy.
Anatomy Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts anatomical research, overseeing experiments, publications, variations, and managing research projects.
Medical Educator
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Develops and delivers medical education, overseeing curriculum, assessment, simulation, and managing medical education.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Anatomical Dissection Kit
EquipmentPrimary
Dissection kit for cadaveric study, covering dissection, exploration, identification, and managing gross anatomy practical work.
Light Microscope
Equipment
Light microscope for histology, covering tissues, staining, organology, and managing microscopic anatomy.
3D Anatomy Software
Software
3D anatomy software for visualisation, covering models, systems, structures, and managing digital anatomy education.
Radiological Imaging Software
Software
Radiological imaging software for anatomical interpretation, covering CT, MRI, cross-sectional, and managing radiological anatomy.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Human anatomy is just about memorising body parts.
Human anatomy covers comprehensive gross anatomy, histology, embryology, neuroanatomy, and clinical application beyond just memorising body parts.
This programme is only for doctors.
Anatomy skills are valuable for educators, researchers, surgeons, radiologists, and allied health professionals beyond just doctors.
Anatomy is a dead science with nothing new to discover.
Anatomy continues to evolve with imaging technology, surgical approaches, anatomical variations, and clinical applications.
Dissection is just about cutting bodies.
Dissection covers comprehensive anatomical exploration, identification, variation, documentation, and three-dimensional understanding.
Clinical anatomy is just about knowing where things are.
Clinical anatomy covers comprehensive applied, surgical, radiological, and variant anatomy for clinical decision-making.
Anatomy education is just about lecturing.
Anatomy education covers comprehensive teaching, assessment, curriculum design, simulation, and technology-enhanced learning.