Science

Master of Science in Parasitology

The Master of Science in Parasitology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in parasitology, medical parasitology, and tropical disease research. The programme provides specialised training in protozoology, helminthology, medical entomology, and immunology of parasitic infections.

Core areas include advanced protozoology, advanced helminthology, medical entomology, immunology of parasitic infections, epidemiology and control of parasitic infections, techniques in parasitology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, field work, and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University and the Technical University of Kenya. Both are public universities offering parasitology programmes over two years through full-time and part-time study, combining coursework with laboratory practicals and research.

Students develop competencies in parasite identification, diagnosis, epidemiology, immunology, vector control, laboratory techniques, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory practicals, field work, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for medical, veterinary, and public health parasitology roles.

Kenyatta University charges KES 326,400 per year while the Technical University of Kenya charges approximately KES 231,600 per year (KES 463,200 total). No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant biological science from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as parasitologists, medical laboratory scientists, research scientists, public health officers, vector control specialists, and lecturers across hospitals, research institutions, universities, government agencies, and NGOs.

Skills Required

Advanced Protozoology and Parasite Identification
Advanced Helminthology and Worm Biology
Medical Entomology and Vector Control
Immunology of Parasitic Infections
Epidemiology and Control of Parasitic Diseases
Laboratory Techniques in Parasitology
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostics
Tropical Disease Research Methods
Vector Biology and Ecology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Advanced Protozoology and Parasite Identification
Advanced Helminthology and Worm Biology
Medical Entomology and Vector Control
Immunology of Parasitic Infections
Epidemiology and Control of Parasitic Diseases
Laboratory Techniques in Parasitology
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostics
Research Methods in Tropical Disease
Vector Biology and Ecology
Thesis Research

Certifications

KMLTTB Registration
KEMRI Professional Membership

Specializations

Medical Parasitology

Focuses on medical parasitology, covering parasites, medical, diagnosis, treatment, and managing medical parasitic infections.

Applied Parasitology

Examines applied parasitology, covering parasites, control, prevention, management, and managing applied parasitology.

Medical Entomology

Covers medical entomology, covering vectors, insects, control, diseases, and managing medical entomology.

Immunology of Parasitic Infections

Focuses on immunology, covering immune, parasites, response, vaccines, and managing immunology of parasitic infections.

Epidemiology and Control

Examines epidemiology, covering parasites, control, prevention, surveillance, and managing epidemiology of parasitic infections.

Molecular Parasitology

Covers molecular parasitology, covering molecular, genetics, diagnostics, biotechnology, and managing molecular parasitology research.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Protozoology and Parasite Identification
Advanced Helminthology and Worm Biology
Medical Entomology and Vector Control
Immunology of Parasitic Infections
Epidemiology and Control of Parasitic Diseases
Laboratory Techniques in Parasitology
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostics
Research Methods in Tropical Disease
Vector Biology and Ecology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Protozoology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines protozoa, parasites, identification, diagnosis, and managing protozoan infections.
Advanced Helminthology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers helminths, worms, identification, biology, and managing helminth infections.
Medical Entomology and Vector Control
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines vectors, insects, control, diseases, and managing vector-borne diseases.
Immunology of Parasitic Infections
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers immune, parasites, response, vaccines, and managing immunology of parasitic infections.
Epidemiology and Control of Parasitic Infections
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines epidemiology, control, prevention, surveillance, and managing epidemiology of parasitic infections.
Techniques in Medical Parasitology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers techniques, microscopy, culture, diagnostics, and managing laboratory techniques in parasitology.
Research Methods in Tropical Disease
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines research, design, methods, ethics, and conducting research in tropical disease, preparing students for their thesis.
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers molecular, genetics, diagnostics, biotechnology, and managing molecular parasitology research.
Vector Biology and Ecology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines vectors, biology, ecology, behaviour, and managing vector biology and ecology.
Chemotherapy and Drug Resistance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers chemotherapy, drugs, resistance, treatment, and managing chemotherapy of parasitic infections.
Advanced Topics in Parasitology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines current research, emerging parasites, climate change, and managing advanced topics in parasitology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a parasitology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and parasitology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Medical Parasitology
Focuses on medical parasitology, covering parasites, medical, diagnosis, treatment, and managing medical parasitic infections.
Applied Parasitology
Examines applied parasitology, covering parasites, control, prevention, management, and managing applied parasitology.
Medical Entomology
Covers medical entomology, covering vectors, insects, control, diseases, and managing medical entomology.
Immunology of Parasitic Infections
Focuses on immunology, covering immune, parasites, response, vaccines, and managing immunology of parasitic infections.
Epidemiology and Control
Examines epidemiology, covering parasites, control, prevention, surveillance, and managing epidemiology of parasitic infections.
Molecular Parasitology
Covers molecular parasitology, covering molecular, genetics, diagnostics, biotechnology, and managing molecular parasitology research.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Parasitology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field work, seminars, group discussions, and independent study. Sessions cover protozoology, helminthology, medical entomology, and immunology. Protozoology sessions examine protozoa, parasites, identification, diagnosis, and managing protozoan infections. Helminthology sessions cover helminths, worms, identification, biology, and managing helminth infections. Medical entomology sessions cover vectors, insects, control, diseases, and managing vector-borne diseases. Immunology sessions cover immune, parasites, response, vaccines, and managing immunology of parasitic infections. Epidemiology sessions cover epidemiology, control, prevention, surveillance, and managing epidemiology of parasitic infections. Laboratory techniques sessions cover techniques, microscopy, culture, diagnostics, and managing laboratory techniques. Molecular parasitology sessions cover molecular, genetics, diagnostics, biotechnology, and managing molecular parasitology. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in parasite identification, culture, and diagnostic techniques. Field work provides practical experience in vector collection, parasite surveillance, and field diagnosis. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and discussing current issues in parasitology. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a parasitology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses Kenya's significant burden of parasitic and tropical diseases.
Programme offered at multiple public universities with relatively affordable fees.
Graduates are eligible for KMLTTB registration and KEMRI professional membership.
Strong research funding from WHO, CDC, and global health organisations for parasitology.

Against it

No private university confirmed offering this exact programme name.
Programme requires a relevant biological science degree for entry.
Laboratory and field work components require significant time commitment alongside coursework.
Niche field with limited awareness among prospective students compared to broader biomedical sciences.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public233k to 326k

233k at Technical University of Kenya326k at Kenyatta 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

KU ~326K/yr (ku.ac.ke). TUK ~233K/yr. Private unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may offer scholarships for eligible students. KEMRI may offer research grants for tropical disease research. Some NGOs and international organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
KEMRI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Universities may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate parasitology students.
KEMRI Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
KEMRI may offer research grants for tropical disease and parasitology research.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: KU requires a BSc with at least Upper Second Class Honours with Zoology or Botany as a subject, or a BEd with Zoology or Botany at degree level. Lower Second may be considered with C and above in relevant units. TUK requires Upper Second or Lower Second with two years of experience or a Postgraduate Diploma. 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, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, group discussions, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering protozoology, helminthology, medical entomology, and immunology of parasitic infections.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory sessions and field work, demonstrating parasite identification, diagnostic techniques, and vector collection skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a parasitology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and parasitology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University and the Technical University of Kenya (both public) offer MSc in Parasitology / Applied Parasitology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in parasitology. Graduates may be registered with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB). The programme aligns with WHO and CDC global tropical disease standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University and the Technical University of Kenya (both public) offer MSc in Parasitology / Applied Parasitology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in parasitology. Graduates may be registered with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB). The programme aligns with WHO and CDC global tropical disease standards.
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB)
Professional accreditation
KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory practice in Kenya. Graduates working in diagnostic laboratories should be registered with KMLTTB.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Parasitologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts parasitology research and diagnosis, overseeing parasites, identification, analysis, and managing parasitology research.
Medical Laboratory Scientist
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Performs laboratory diagnosis of parasitic infections, overseeing tests, diagnosis, quality, and managing laboratory parasitology.
Research Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts research on parasitic diseases, overseeing studies, grants, publications, and managing parasitology research.
Public Health Officer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages public health programmes for parasitic disease control, overseeing prevention, surveillance, and managing public health.
Vector Control Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages vector control programmes, overseeing vectors, control, surveillance, and managing vector control operations.
Parasitology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches parasitology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microscopy Equipment
EquipmentPrimary
Microscopy equipment for parasite identification and diagnosis, covering microscopy, staining, identification, and managing parasite diagnostics.
Molecular Diagnostics Equipment
Equipment
Molecular diagnostics equipment for parasite DNA analysis, covering PCR, sequencing, diagnostics, and managing molecular parasitology.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis of research data, covering statistics, analysis, research, and managing research data.
Vector Collection Tools
Equipment
Vector collection tools for field entomology, covering traps, collection, identification, and managing vector surveillance.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Parasitology is just about worms.
Parasitology covers comprehensive protozoa, helminths, arthropods, vectors, immunology, and molecular biology beyond just worms.
This programme is only for medical laboratory scientists.
Parasitology skills are valuable for public health officers, researchers, veterinarians, and vector control specialists beyond just laboratory scientists.
Parasitology is outdated in modern medicine.
Parasitic diseases remain a major global health burden, with emerging drug resistance and climate-driven range expansion making parasitology highly relevant.
Parasite research is not well-funded.
Parasitic diseases receive significant funding from WHO, CDC, Gates Foundation, and other global health organisations due to their disease burden.
Vector control is just about spraying insecticides.
Vector control covers comprehensive integrated vector management, biological control, environmental modification, and insecticide resistance management beyond just spraying.
Parasitology careers are limited in Kenya.
Kenya's tropical climate and disease burden create demand for parasitology professionals across research, public health, veterinary, and academic sectors.