Master of Science in International Health
The Master of Science in International Health is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in global health, epidemiology, health systems, and international health policy. The programme combines public health theory with practical application in disease control, health programme management, and research.
Core areas include epidemiology, biostatistics, global health systems, disease control, health policy, maternal and child health, environmental health, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, seminars, field work, and research.
The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and South Eastern Kenya University as MSc in International Health. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.
Students develop competencies in epidemiological assessment, health systems analysis, disease surveillance, programme management, and international health policy. The programme includes coursework, examinations, seminars, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates to address global health challenges.
JKUAT charges approximately KES 248,000/year (KES 496,000 total) and SEKU charges approximately KES 155,000/year (KES 310,000 total). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant health, medical, or social science field from a recognised institution.
Graduates pursue careers as international health specialists, epidemiologists, public health programme managers, health policy analysts, global health consultants, and lecturers in international health across WHO, NGOs, government ministries, research institutions, and universities.
Skills Required
- Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance
- Biostatistics and Health Data Analysis
- Global Health Systems and Policy
- Disease Control and Prevention
- Maternal and Child Health
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Health Programme Management
- International Health Research Methods
- Health Policy Analysis and Advocacy
- Academic Writing and Thesis Research
Key Subjects
- Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance
- Biostatistics and Health Data Analysis
- Global Health Systems and Policy
- Disease Control and Prevention
- Maternal and Child Health
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Health Programme Management
- International Health Research Methods
- Health Policy Analysis and Advocacy
- Thesis Research
Certifications
- WHO Global Health Certification
- Africa CDC Public Health Certification
Specializations
Epidemiology
Focuses on epidemiology, covering surveillance, investigation, analysis, disease control, and managing epidemiological research.
Global Health Systems
Examines global health systems, covering policy, management, financing, governance, and managing health systems.
Disease Control
Covers disease control, covering prevention, surveillance, outbreak, response, and managing disease control programmes.
Maternal and Child Health
Focuses on maternal and child health, covering programmes, policies, interventions, monitoring, and managing MCH.
Health Policy
Examines health policy, covering analysis, development, implementation, advocacy, and managing health policy.
Environmental Health
Covers environmental health, covering safety, assessment, management, sanitation, and managing environmental health.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 248,000
- Job market
- High
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
What you study
10 subjects- Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance
- Biostatistics and Health Data Analysis
- Global Health Systems and Policy
- Disease Control and Prevention
- Maternal and Child Health
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Health Programme Management
- International Health Research Methods
- Health Policy Analysis and Advocacy
- Thesis Research
Modules
12 in the programmePrinciples of Epidemiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines surveillance, investigation, analysis, outbreak, disease control, and managing epidemiological research.
Biostatistics and Health Data Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers statistics, data, analysis, modelling, software, and managing health data.
Research Methods in International Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, health research methods, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Global Health Systems and Policy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines policy, management, financing, governance, systems, and managing global health systems.
Disease Control and Prevention
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers prevention, surveillance, outbreak, response, programmes, and managing disease control.
Maternal and Child Health
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines programmes, policies, interventions, monitoring, evaluation, and managing MCH.
Environmental Health and Safety
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers safety, assessment, management, sanitation, water, and managing environmental health.
Health Programme Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, financing, and managing health programmes.
International Health Policy and Governance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers analysis, development, implementation, advocacy, governance, and managing health policy.
Health Economics and Financing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines economics, financing, insurance, expenditure, sustainability, and managing health financing.
Global Health Security and Emergencies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers security, emergencies, outbreaks, preparedness, response, and managing health emergencies.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an international health topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and global health knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Specialisations
Epidemiology
Focuses on epidemiology, covering surveillance, investigation, analysis, disease control, and managing epidemiological research.
Global Health Systems
Examines global health systems, covering policy, management, financing, governance, and managing health systems.
Disease Control
Covers disease control, covering prevention, surveillance, outbreak, response, and managing disease control programmes.
Maternal and Child Health
Focuses on maternal and child health, covering programmes, policies, interventions, monitoring, and managing MCH.
Health Policy
Examines health policy, covering analysis, development, implementation, advocacy, and managing health policy.
Environmental Health
Covers environmental health, covering safety, assessment, management, sanitation, and managing environmental health.
A day as a student
A typical day during the MSc in International Health programme combines lectures, seminars, field work, laboratory sessions, and independent study. Sessions cover epidemiology, biostatistics, global health systems, disease control, and health policy. Epidemiology sessions examine surveillance, investigation, analysis, outbreak, and managing epidemiological research. Biostatistics sessions cover statistics, data, analysis, modelling, and managing health data. Global health systems sessions cover policy, management, financing, governance, and managing health systems. Disease control sessions cover prevention, surveillance, outbreak, response, and managing disease control. Maternal and child health sessions cover programmes, policies, interventions, monitoring, and managing MCH. Environmental health sessions cover safety, assessment, management, sanitation, and managing environmental health. Health programme management sessions cover planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and managing health programmes. Health policy sessions cover analysis, development, implementation, advocacy, and managing health policy. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Field work provides hands-on experience with health assessments, community surveys, and programme evaluations. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and debating current issues in international health. Guest lectures from experienced public health professionals, epidemiologists, and WHO experts provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on an international health topic.
The trade offs
In its favour
- High demand for international health professionals with growing global health challenges and pandemics.
- Programme offered by two public universities (JKUAT, SEKU), providing institutional choice.
- SEKU offers competitive fees at approximately KES 155,000/year.
- Graduates can work with international organisations like WHO, Africa CDC, and global health NGOs.
Against it
- JKUAT fees are higher at approximately KES 248,000/year compared to SEKU.
- No private university confirmed offering this programme.
- Programme requires health or related background, limiting access for non-related graduates.
- Field work may involve travel to remote areas, adding logistical costs.
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
JKUAT MSc International Health 248K/yr; SEKU ~152.5K/yr. Private unverified. Src: kenyaeducationguide, Tuko
HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT and SEKU may offer scholarships for eligible students. WHO may offer research grants for global health research. Some NGOs, international organisations, and government agencies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Scholarship
WHO Research Grant
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
WHO Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
WHO provides research grants for global health research and training.
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- N/A (Postgraduate)
- Alternative entry
- JKUAT and SEKU require a relevant Bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Qualifications considered equivalent by the University Senate may also be accepted. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.
How you are assessed
4 componentsCoursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, seminar presentations, field reports, class participation, and group discussions.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering epidemiology, biostatistics, global health systems, and disease control.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through field work, health assessments, data analysis, and demonstrating international health skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an international health topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and global health knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Accreditation
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT (public) offers MSc in International Health through the College of Health Sciences, and SEKU (public) offers MSc in International Health through the School of Agriculture, Environment, Water and Natural Resources Management. Both programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in international health. Graduates are eligible for WHO global health certification and Africa CDC public health certification.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT (public) offers MSc in International Health through the College of Health Sciences, and SEKU (public) offers MSc in International Health. Both programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in international health. Graduates are eligible for WHO global health certification and Africa CDC public health certification.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesInternational Health Specialist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages international health programmes, overseeing design, implementation, monitoring, and managing global health initiatives.
Epidemiologist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts epidemiological research, overseeing surveillance, investigation, analysis, and managing disease surveillance.
Public Health Programme Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages public health programmes, overseeing planning, implementation, evaluation, and managing health programmes.
Health Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Analyses health policy, overseeing research, analysis, advocacy, and managing health policy development.
Global Health Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Provides global health consulting, overseeing advisory, assessment, strategy, and managing health consulting.
International Health Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches international health at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as international health specialists, epidemiologists, public health programme managers, health policy analysts, global health consultants, and lecturers in international health across WHO, NGOs, government ministries, research institutions, and universities.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Career Guidance & Labour Market Information CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- School Guidance CounselorEducation17Low exposure
- CrystallographerScience19Low exposure
- StatisticsScience20Low exposure
- Motor Vehicle MechanicEducation21Low exposure
- MycologistScience21Low exposure
- OceanographerScience21Low exposure
- Computational BiologistScience22Low exposure
Tools you will learn
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering data, statistics, analysis, and managing health research data.
EpiInfo
Software
EpiInfo for epidemiological analysis, covering surveillance, investigation, analysis, and managing epidemiological data.
Stata
Software
Stata for statistical analysis, covering data, statistics, modelling, and managing health data analysis.
ArcGIS
Software
ArcGIS for health mapping, covering spatial analysis, mapping, visualisation, and managing health geography.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
International health is just about travelling to help poor countries.
International health covers comprehensive epidemiology, health systems, policy, disease control, and research beyond just travelling to help.
This programme is only for doctors.
International health skills are valuable for nurses, epidemiologists, managers, researchers, and policy analysts beyond just doctors.
Epidemiology is just about counting cases.
Epidemiology covers comprehensive surveillance, investigation, analysis, modelling, and disease control beyond just counting cases.
Health policy is just about writing guidelines.
Health policy covers comprehensive analysis, development, implementation, advocacy, and governance beyond just writing guidelines.
Disease control is just about vaccination.
Disease control covers comprehensive prevention, surveillance, outbreak response, and programme management beyond just vaccination.
This programme has limited career prospects in Kenya.
International health graduates work in diverse sectors including WHO, NGOs, government, research, and education.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Master of Science in International Health are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.