Health Sciences

Master of Science in Molecular Medicine

The Master of Science in Molecular Medicine provides advanced training in molecular biology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, and molecular mechanisms of disease. Students learn molecular medicine, immunology, molecular biology techniques, and molecular approaches to understanding and treating disease. The programme is designed for biomedical science and medical graduates seeking advanced molecular medicine qualifications.

Students develop advanced competencies in molecular biology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, molecular genetics, and molecular mechanisms of disease. The curriculum covers molecular medicine, immunology, molecular biology, research methods, and a research thesis. Practical skills are developed through laboratory work and molecular techniques.

Molecular medicine expertise is critical for Kenya's health and biomedical research sectors. Medical research institutions, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies require trained molecular medicine professionals. Kenya's disease burden and biomedical research needs create demand for molecular medicine expertise. The programme addresses the demand for advanced molecular medicine training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with laboratory work, molecular techniques, and research. Students study molecular medicine concepts, conduct molecular experiments, analyse molecular data, and perform research. Teaching methods include lectures, laboratory sessions, and research supervision. The programme is offered in full-time mode.

Graduates find employment as molecular medicine researchers, clinical scientists, or molecular diagnosticians in research institutions, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies. The master's degree supports careers in molecular medicine, biomedical research, and clinical diagnostics.

This programme is ideal for biomedical science and medical graduates seeking advanced molecular medicine qualifications. The programme provides advanced skills for molecular diagnostics, immunology research, and molecular approaches to disease.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 248,000
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: Master

What you study

10 subjects

Molecular Biology of Disease
Immunology and Immune Mechanisms
Molecular Diagnostics
Molecular Genetics
Cell Signalling and Disease
Bioinformatics in Medicine
Research Methods
Molecular Techniques and Laboratory Methods
Clinical Immunology
Thesis Research

Modules

8 in the programme

Molecular Biology of Disease
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Molecular biology of disease covering molecular mechanisms of disease, genetic basis of disease, molecular pathology, and disease-related molecular pathways.
Immunology and Immune Mechanisms
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Immunology covering immune system function, innate and adaptive immunity, immune mechanisms in disease, and immunological techniques.
Molecular Diagnostics and Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Molecular diagnostics covering PCR, sequencing, molecular diagnostic techniques, and laboratory methods in molecular medicine.
Research Methods and Bioinformatics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods covering research design, statistical analysis, and bioinformatics covering molecular databases, sequence analysis, and computational genomics.
Molecular Genetics and Cell Signalling
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Molecular genetics covering gene regulation, genetic engineering, and cell signalling covering signal transduction pathways and their role in disease.
Clinical Immunology and Applied Immunology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Clinical immunology covering immunological diseases, autoimmune disorders, immunodeficiency, and applied immunology covering immunotherapy and vaccine development.
Advanced Molecular Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced molecular techniques covering gene expression analysis, proteomics, cell culture, and advanced laboratory methods in molecular medicine.
Thesis Research and Defence
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
A research thesis on a molecular medicine topic, demonstrating research competence and contributing to molecular medicine knowledge.

Specialisations

Applied Immunology
Focus on applied immunology covering immunotherapy, vaccine development, and immunological techniques.
Clinical Immunology
Focus on clinical immunology covering immunological diseases, autoimmune disorders, and clinical immunological diagnostics.
Molecular Biology
Focus on molecular biology covering gene expression, molecular genetics, and molecular techniques in disease research.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on molecular biology or immunology with afternoon laboratory sessions and molecular techniques. Students study molecular medicine concepts, conduct molecular experiments, analyse genetic data, and perform research. Laboratory work provides hands-on experience with PCR, sequencing, cell culture, and molecular techniques. Research projects connect students with real disease and molecular medicine challenges. The programme emphasises molecular competence, laboratory skills, and research capabilities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Molecular medicine is at the forefront of modern medicine, with growing demand for molecular diagnostics and personalised medicine.
Offered in collaboration with KEMRI Graduate School, providing access to research facilities and expertise.
Specialisations in Applied Immunology, Clinical Immunology, and Molecular Biology provide focused career paths.

Against it

The programme is full-time only, limiting accessibility for working professionals.
Requires strong background in biological sciences and laboratory skills.
Career opportunities are primarily in research and diagnostics, which may be concentrated in urban areas.

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

Public187k to 248k

187k at Moi University248k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Private120k to 463k

120k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu463k 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

JKUAT 496k/2=248k/yr (kenyaeducationguide). Moi ~187.2k/yr. GLUK 120k/yr. AKU unverified.

HELB loans are available for eligible Kenyan students. KEMRI may offer research scholarships for molecular medicine students. International health organisations may offer research grants.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in master's programmes at chartered universities

Getting in

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

What you need

Alternative entry: BSc with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in a relevant discipline from a recognised university. Lower Second Class Honours with evidence of research ability or academic work may be considered.

How you are assessed

3 components

Coursework and Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
Coursework assessments, written examinations, and assignments evaluating understanding of molecular medicine concepts.
Laboratory Work and Techniques
Practical30% of the mark
Laboratory assessments, molecular technique evaluations, and practical assignments evaluating laboratory skills.
Thesis Defence
Project30% of the mark
A research thesis demonstrating research competence in molecular medicine, defended before an examination panel.

Accreditation

JKUAT is chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The MSc programme is accredited by CUE. The programme is offered in collaboration with KEMRI Graduate School.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
JKUAT is chartered by CUE. MSc programme accredited by CUE. Offered in collaboration with KEMRI Graduate School.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Molecular Medicine Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts molecular medicine research in research institutions, universities, or pharmaceutical companies, studying molecular mechanisms of disease.
Clinical Scientist
Moderate demand
Works in hospital laboratories or diagnostic centres, performing molecular diagnostics and supporting clinical decision-making.
Molecular Diagnostician
Moderate demand
Performs molecular diagnostic tests in diagnostic laboratories, using PCR, sequencing, and other molecular techniques for disease diagnosis.
Biomedical Research Scientist
Moderate demand
Conducts biomedical research in KEMRI, universities, or international research organisations, studying disease at the molecular level.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as molecular medicine researchers and clinical scientists in research institutions, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies, with opportunities for molecular diagnostics and biomedical research.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Molecular medicine is the same as traditional medicine.
Molecular medicine focuses on understanding disease at the molecular and cellular level, using molecular techniques for diagnosis and treatment, complementing traditional clinical medicine.
Molecular medicine only deals with genetic diseases.
Molecular medicine covers all diseases including infectious diseases, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic diseases, not just genetic conditions.
You need to be a doctor to study molecular medicine.
The programme accepts graduates from biomedical sciences, biochemistry, microbiology, and other related fields, not just medical doctors.
Molecular medicine has limited career opportunities in Kenya.
Kenya's growing biomedical research sector, diagnostic laboratories, and pharmaceutical industry create demand for molecular medicine professionals.