Health Sciences

Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology

The Master of Science in Medical Biotechnology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in medical biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, and biomedical research. The programme combines biotechnology theory with medical applications, molecular biology, and healthcare innovation.

Core areas include medical biotechnology, molecular biology, diagnostic biotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, bioinformatics, immunotechnology, genetic engineering, biomedical research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory work, and research.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. JKUAT is a public university offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes. UoN and KU offer MSc Biotechnology more broadly, with medical biotechnology content within their curricula.

Students develop competencies in medical biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, genetic engineering, bioinformatics, immunotechnology, and biomedical research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for advanced roles in medical research, diagnostics, and the biotechnology industry.

JKUAT charges KES 496,000 total for the programme (~KES 248,000/year). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in a relevant discipline from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as medical biotechnologists, molecular diagnosticians, research scientists, biotechnology product developers, clinical research associates, and lecturers in biotechnology across research institutions, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, diagnostic laboratories, and universities.

Skills Required

Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Diagnostics
Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Drug Development
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Immunotechnology and Vaccine Development
Cell and Tissue Culture Techniques
Biomedical Research Methods and Ethics
Diagnostic Biotechnology and Laboratory Management
Quality Control and Biosafety
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Medical Biotechnology
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Diagnostic Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Immunotechnology and Vaccine Development
Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA
Biomedical Research Methods and Ethics
Cell and Tissue Culture
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEMRI Professional Certification
ISBB Professional Membership

Specializations

Molecular Diagnostics

Focuses on molecular diagnostics, covering PCR, sequencing, detection, pathogens, and managing molecular diagnostic systems.

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Examines pharmaceutical biotechnology, covering drugs, vaccines, production, development, and managing pharmaceutical biotechnology.

Genetic Engineering

Covers genetic engineering, covering recombinant DNA, gene editing, transformation, expression, and managing genetic engineering.

Bioinformatics

Focuses on bioinformatics, covering data, genomics, analysis, databases, and managing bioinformatics.

Immunotechnology

Examines immunotechnology, covering antibodies, vaccines, immune, diagnostics, and managing immunotechnology.

Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Technology

Covers regenerative medicine, covering stem cells, tissue, regeneration, therapy, and managing regenerative medicine.

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.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Medical Biotechnology
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Diagnostic Biotechnology
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Immunotechnology and Vaccine Development
Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA
Biomedical Research Methods and Ethics
Cell and Tissue Culture
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Medical Biotechnology Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines applications, healthcare, diagnostics, therapeutics, and managing medical biotechnology.
Molecular Biology and Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers DNA, RNA, proteins, expression, regulation, and managing molecular biology.
Diagnostic Biotechnology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines PCR, sequencing, detection, pathogens, and managing molecular diagnostics.
Research Methods and Biomedical Ethics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethics, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines drugs, vaccines, production, development, and managing pharmaceutical biotechnology.
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers data, genomics, analysis, databases, and managing bioinformatics.
Immunotechnology and Vaccine Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines antibodies, vaccines, immune, diagnostics, and managing immunotechnology.
Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers recombinant DNA, gene editing, transformation, expression, and managing genetic engineering.
Cell and Tissue Culture Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines cell culture, tissue culture, stem cells, regeneration, and managing cell and tissue culture.
Biosafety, Bioethics and Quality Control
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers biosafety, bioethics, quality, regulation, and managing biosafety and quality in biotechnology.
Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines stem cells, tissue, regeneration, therapy, and managing regenerative medicine.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a medical biotechnology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and biotechnology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Molecular Diagnostics
Focuses on molecular diagnostics, covering PCR, sequencing, detection, pathogens, and managing molecular diagnostic systems.
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Examines pharmaceutical biotechnology, covering drugs, vaccines, production, development, and managing pharmaceutical biotechnology.
Genetic Engineering
Covers genetic engineering, covering recombinant DNA, gene editing, transformation, expression, and managing genetic engineering.
Bioinformatics
Focuses on bioinformatics, covering data, genomics, analysis, databases, and managing bioinformatics.
Immunotechnology
Examines immunotechnology, covering antibodies, vaccines, immune, diagnostics, and managing immunotechnology.
Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Technology
Covers regenerative medicine, covering stem cells, tissue, regeneration, therapy, and managing regenerative medicine.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Medical Biotechnology programme combines lectures, laboratory work, research projects, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover medical biotechnology, molecular biology, diagnostic biotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and bioinformatics. Medical biotechnology sessions examine applications, healthcare, diagnostics, therapeutics, and managing medical biotechnology. Molecular biology sessions cover DNA, RNA, proteins, expression, and managing molecular biology. Diagnostic biotechnology sessions cover PCR, sequencing, detection, pathogens, and managing molecular diagnostics. Pharmaceutical biotechnology sessions cover drugs, vaccines, production, development, and managing pharmaceutical biotechnology. Bioinformatics sessions cover data, genomics, analysis, databases, and managing bioinformatics. Immunotechnology sessions cover antibodies, vaccines, immune, diagnostics, and managing immunotechnology. Genetic engineering sessions cover recombinant DNA, gene editing, transformation, expression, and managing genetic engineering. Laboratory work provides practical experience with molecular techniques, cell culture, genetic engineering, and diagnostic methods. Research projects provide hands-on experience with experimental design, data collection, analysis, and scientific writing. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and debating current issues in medical biotechnology. Guest lectures from experienced biotechnologists, researchers, and industry professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a medical biotechnology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses critical healthcare challenges through biotechnology innovation.
High demand for medical biotechnology professionals with Kenya's growing healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
Programme combines theoretical knowledge with extensive laboratory and research experience.
Graduates are eligible for KEMRI professional certification and ISBB professional membership.

Against it

Only one university (JKUAT, public) confirmed offering this specific programme.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme fees are moderate at KES 496,000 total (~KES 248,000/year).
Programme requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant science discipline, limiting access for non-science graduates.

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 248k

179k at JKUAT248k at JKUAT

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 MSc Medical Biotechnology ITROMID 248K/yr; non-ITROMID 178.5K/yr. Private unverified. Src: kenyaeducationguide

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer scholarships for eligible students. KEMRI may offer research grants for medical biotechnology research. Some pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and international health bodies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Scholarship
KEMRI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 248,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
KEMRI Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
KEMRI may offer research grants for medical biotechnology research.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT requires at least an Upper Second Class degree in a relevant discipline. Lower Second Class may be considered with evidence of research ability or academic work. Contact JKUAT 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, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering medical biotechnology, molecular biology, diagnostics, and pharmaceutical biotechnology.
Laboratory and Project Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory work, research projects, experimental design, and demonstrating biotechnology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a medical biotechnology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and biotechnology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (public) offers MSc in Medical Biotechnology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in medical biotechnology. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI professional certification and ISBB professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (public) offers MSc in Medical Biotechnology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in medical biotechnology. Graduates are eligible for KEMRI professional certification and ISBB professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Medical Biotechnologist
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts medical biotechnology research and development, overseeing diagnostics, therapeutics, production, and managing medical biotechnology.
Molecular Diagnostician
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages molecular diagnostics, overseeing PCR, sequencing, detection, and managing diagnostic laboratories.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts biomedical research, overseeing research, experiments, analysis, and managing research projects.
Biotechnology Product Developer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Develops biotechnology products, overseeing design, testing, production, and managing product development.
Clinical Research Associate
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages clinical research, overseeing trials, data, compliance, and managing clinical research projects.
Biotechnology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches biotechnology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

PCR and Real-Time PCR Systems
EquipmentPrimary
PCR and real-time PCR systems for molecular diagnostics and research, covering amplification, detection, quantification, and managing molecular analysis.
BLAST and Bioinformatics Tools
Software
BLAST and bioinformatics tools for sequence analysis, covering alignment, searching, analysis, and managing bioinformatics data.
Python
Software
Python for bioinformatics and data analysis, covering data, analysis, scripting, and managing computational biology.
Statistical Analysis Software (R)
Software
R for statistical analysis of biomedical data, covering statistics, analysis, visualisation, and managing research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Medical biotechnology is just about lab work.
Medical biotechnology covers comprehensive molecular biology, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, bioinformatics, and research beyond just lab work.
This programme is only for biologists.
Medical biotechnology skills are valuable for pharmacists, chemists, data scientists, and engineers beyond just biologists.
Genetic engineering is just about modifying genes.
Genetic engineering covers comprehensive recombinant DNA, gene editing, transformation, expression, and applications beyond just modifying genes.
Bioinformatics is just about using databases.
Bioinformatics covers comprehensive data analysis, genomics, modelling, and computational biology beyond just using databases.
Medical biotechnology careers are limited in Kenya.
Kenya's growing healthcare sector, pharmaceutical industry, and research institutions create demand for medical biotechnology professionals.
Pharmaceutical biotechnology is just about making drugs.
Pharmaceutical biotechnology covers comprehensive drug development, vaccines, production, quality, and regulation beyond just making drugs.