Health Sciences

Master of Science in Human Anatomy

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

Core areas include gross anatomy, histology, embryology, neuroanatomy, anatomical imaging, medical education, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, dissection, laboratory sessions, and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi as MSc in Human Anatomy through the Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Physiology. UoN is a public university offering the programme over two academic years through full-time mode of study.

Students develop competencies in gross anatomy, histological analysis, embryological development, neuroanatomical mapping, and anatomical education. The programme includes coursework, examinations, dissection, laboratory sessions, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for anatomical teaching and research roles.

The University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 405,000/year (KES 810,000 total) for MSc in Human Anatomy. Entry requires a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) degree or equivalent from a recognised institution, with evidence of registration with the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board in Kenya.

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

Skills Required

Gross Human Anatomy and Dissection
Histology and Microscopic Anatomy
Embryology and Developmental Biology
Neuroanatomy and Nervous System
Anatomical Imaging and Radiology
Medical Education and Teaching
Anatomical Research Methods
Clinical and Surgical Anatomy
Anatomical Museum and Specimen Management
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Gross Human Anatomy and Dissection
Histology and Microscopic Anatomy
Embryology and Developmental Biology
Neuroanatomy and Nervous System
Anatomical Imaging and Radiology
Medical Education and Teaching
Anatomical Research Methods
Clinical and Surgical Anatomy
Anatomical Museum and Specimen Management
Thesis Research

Certifications

IFAA Anatomy Certification
AAA Professional Certification

Specializations

Gross Anatomy

Focuses on gross anatomy, covering dissection, structure, function, regions, and managing gross anatomy teaching.

Histology

Examines histology, covering tissues, microscopy, staining, organs, and managing histology teaching.

Embryology

Covers embryology, covering development, gametes, fertilisation, organogenesis, and managing embryology teaching.

Neuroanatomy

Focuses on neuroanatomy, covering brain, spinal cord, nerves, pathways, and managing neuroanatomy teaching.

Clinical Anatomy

Examines clinical anatomy, covering surgical, applied, imaging, variations, and managing clinical anatomy.

Medical Education

Covers medical education, covering curriculum, teaching, assessment, technology, 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
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Gross Human Anatomy and Dissection
Histology and Microscopic Anatomy
Embryology and Developmental Biology
Neuroanatomy and Nervous System
Anatomical Imaging and Radiology
Medical Education and Teaching
Anatomical Research Methods
Clinical and Surgical Anatomy
Anatomical Museum and Specimen Management
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Gross Anatomy
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Examines regions, structures, functions, dissection, and managing gross anatomy teaching.
Histology and Microscopic Anatomy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tissues, microscopy, staining, organs, and managing histology teaching.
Embryology and Developmental Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines development, gametes, fertilisation, organogenesis, and managing embryology teaching.
Neuroanatomy
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers brain, spinal cord, nerves, pathways, and managing neuroanatomy teaching.
Research Methods in Anatomy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, anatomical research methods, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Clinical and Surgical Anatomy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines surgical, applied, imaging, variations, and managing clinical anatomy.
Anatomical Imaging and Radiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, cross-sectional, and managing anatomical imaging.
Anatomical Variations and Anomalies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines variations, anomalies, congenital, clinical significance, and managing anatomical variations.
Medical Education in Anatomy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers curriculum, teaching, assessment, technology, simulation, and managing anatomy education.
Anatomical Museum and Specimen Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines museum, specimens, preservation, plastination, display, and managing anatomical collections.
Advanced Topics in Anatomical Sciences
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers current topics, research, trends, controversies, and managing advanced anatomical sciences.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a human anatomy 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, structure, function, regions, and managing gross anatomy teaching.
Histology
Examines histology, covering tissues, microscopy, staining, organs, and managing histology teaching.
Embryology
Covers embryology, covering development, gametes, fertilisation, organogenesis, and managing embryology teaching.
Neuroanatomy
Focuses on neuroanatomy, covering brain, spinal cord, nerves, pathways, and managing neuroanatomy teaching.
Clinical Anatomy
Examines clinical anatomy, covering surgical, applied, imaging, variations, and managing clinical anatomy.
Medical Education
Covers medical education, covering curriculum, teaching, assessment, technology, 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, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover gross anatomy, histology, embryology, neuroanatomy, and medical education. Gross anatomy sessions examine regions, structures, functions, dissection, and managing gross anatomy. Histology sessions cover tissues, microscopy, staining, organs, and managing histology. Embryology sessions cover development, gametes, fertilisation, organogenesis, and managing embryology. Neuroanatomy sessions cover brain, spinal cord, nerves, pathways, and managing neuroanatomy. Clinical anatomy sessions cover surgical, applied, imaging, variations, and managing clinical anatomy. Medical education sessions cover curriculum, teaching, assessment, technology, and managing anatomy education. Anatomical imaging sessions cover radiology, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and managing anatomical imaging. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Dissection sessions provide hands-on experience with cadaveric dissection, anatomical structures, and surgical approaches. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with histology, microscopy, staining, and embryology. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and debating current issues in anatomy. Guest lectures from experienced anatomists, surgeons, and medical educators provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a human anatomy topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme provides specialised anatomical knowledge essential for medical education and surgical training in Kenya.
UoN is a well-established institution with experienced faculty and dedicated anatomy facilities.
Graduates are eligible for IFAA and AAA certifications, enhancing international career prospects.
Small class sizes provide personalised attention and hands-on dissection experience.

Against it

Programme requires MBChB degree, limiting access to medical graduates only.
High fees at approximately KES 405,000/year (KES 810,000 total) may be prohibitive for some students.
Only one university (UoN, public) confirmed offering this specific programme.
Moderate job market demand with limited positions in medical schools and research institutions.

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

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN may offer scholarships for eligible students. AAA may offer research grants for anatomical research. Some medical schools and research institutions may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Scholarship
AAA Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
UoN Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
University of Nairobi offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
AAA Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
American Association for Anatomy provides 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 degree from UoN or equivalent from a recognised institution approved by Senate, evidence of registration with KMPDC, certificate of good conduct, and valid professional indemnity cover. Contact the university 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
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through dissection, histology, microscopy, identification, and demonstrating anatomical skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a human anatomy 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). University of Nairobi (public) offers MSc in Human Anatomy through the Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Physiology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in human anatomy. Graduates are eligible for IFAA anatomy certification and AAA professional certification. The programme also requires registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi (public) offers MSc in Human Anatomy through the Department of Human Anatomy and Medical Physiology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in human anatomy. Graduates are eligible for IFAA anatomy certification and AAA professional certification. The programme also requires registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Anatomy Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches anatomy at medical school or university level, overseeing instruction, dissection, research, and academic supervision.
Anatomical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts anatomical research, overseeing experiments, analysis, publications, and managing anatomical research.
Medical Educator
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Develops and delivers medical education, overseeing curriculum, teaching, assessment, and managing medical education.
Clinical Anatomist
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides clinical anatomy expertise, overseeing surgical, applied, consulting, and managing clinical anatomy.
Surgical Anatomy Consultant
Low demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Provides surgical anatomy consulting, overseeing pre-surgical, intra-operative, teaching, and managing surgical anatomy.
Anatomical Museum Curator
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages anatomical museum, overseeing specimens, preservation, display, education, and managing anatomical collections.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering data, statistics, analysis, and managing anatomical research data.
Microscopy Software
Software
Microscopy software for histology, covering imaging, analysis, measurement, and managing histological data.
3D Anatomy Software
Software
3D anatomy software for teaching, covering models, visualisation, interaction, and managing anatomy education.
Radiology Software
Software
Radiology software for anatomical imaging, covering CT, MRI, viewing, and managing anatomical imaging.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Human anatomy is just about memorising body parts.
Human anatomy covers comprehensive structure, function, development, imaging, clinical application, and research beyond just memorising body parts.
This programme is only for doctors.
While primarily for medical graduates, anatomy skills are valuable for researchers, educators, and biomedical scientists 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 the only practical skill in anatomy.
Anatomy includes histology, embryology, imaging, research, and education skills beyond just dissection.
Anatomy graduates can only teach.
Anatomy graduates work in diverse roles including research, clinical practice, surgical consulting, and museum curation beyond just teaching.
Neuroanatomy is just about the brain.
Neuroanatomy covers comprehensive brain, spinal cord, nerves, pathways, autonomic, and clinical applications beyond just the brain.