Master of Science in Pharmacology & Toxicology
The Master of Science in Pharmacology & Toxicology is a master's programme offered at Kenyan universities. This postgraduate degree prepares professionals for advanced practice and research careers in health sciences.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 398,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 398,500 to Ksh 797,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 463,200 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Second Upper Division (2.1) or equivalent or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 1-2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic DNA Scientist, at 15 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
What you study
10 subjects- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Health Systems Management
- Public Health Research Methods
- Health Policy and Planning
- Clinical Research Methods
- Health Economics
- Disease Control
- Nutrition Assessment
- Healthcare Ethics
Modules
10 in the programmePrinciples of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Pharmacodynamics, drug-receptor interactions, dose-response relationships, agonists and antagonists, signal transduction, pharmacokinetics (ADME), drug metabolism, cytochrome P450, drug interactions, and applying pharmacology principles
Systemic Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Autonomic pharmacology (cholinergic, adrenergic), cardiovascular pharmacology (antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, cardiac glycosides), CNS pharmacology (sedatives, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, antidepressants), and applying systemic pharmacology
Chemotherapy and Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Antimicrobial drugs (antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, antiprotozoals), antimalarials (ACTs), antiretrovirals, anticancer drugs, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), Kenya's AMR challenge, and applying chemotherapy pharmacology
Principles of Toxicology and Toxicokinetics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Toxicology principles, dose-response, toxicokinetics, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion of toxins, mechanisms of toxicity, toxicant target organs, biomarkers of toxicity, and applying toxicology principles
Organ Toxicity and Clinical Toxicology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, pulmonary toxicity, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, carcinogenicity, organ toxicity biomarkers, clinical toxicology, and applying organ toxicity and clinical toxicology
Environmental, Occupational and Pesticide Toxicology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental toxicology, heavy metals (lead, mercury, arsenic), pesticide toxicology (organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids), occupational toxicology, agricultural worker safety, PCPB, Kenya's pesticide challenges, and applying environmental toxicology
Poison Management and Clinical Toxicology Practice
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Poison management, decontamination, enhanced elimination, antidotes, snakebite envenomation, pesticide poisoning, drug overdose, poison control centres, Kenya's poison challenges, and applying poison management
Drug Safety Evaluation and Regulatory Toxicology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Drug safety evaluation, pre-clinical toxicity testing (acute, sub-chronic, chronic), reproductive toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, GLP, regulatory toxicology, PPB drug registration, pharmacovigilance, and applying drug safety and regulatory toxicology
Research Methods, Bioethics and Scientific Communication
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methods, experimental design, statistics, animal research ethics, bioethics, laboratory animal science, scientific writing, grant writing, and preparing for the thesis
Thesis
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Original research on a pharmacology and toxicology topic such as hepatotoxicity of antiretroviral drugs among HIV patients at Kenyatta National Hospital and the protective effects of hepatoprotective agents, evaluation of organophosphate pesticide exposure and cholinesterase levels among agricultural workers in Kirinyaga County, efficacy and safety profile of artemisinin-based combination therapy for malaria treatment in endemic counties of western Kenya, or assessment of heavy metal contamination and toxicity in water and soil around mining areas in western Kenya
Specialisations
Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance
Focus on clinical pharmacology, drug safety monitoring, adverse drug reactions, pharmacovigilance, PPB, antiretroviral and antimalarial drug safety, and developing pharmacovigilance programmes
Environmental and Occupational Toxicology
Specialisation in environmental toxicology, heavy metals, pesticide toxicology, occupational exposure, agricultural worker safety, PCPB, Kenya's environmental challenges, and developing environmental toxicology programmes
Antimicrobial Pharmacology and AMR
Focus on antimicrobial drugs, antimalarials, antiretrovirals, antimicrobial resistance, drug susceptibility, Kenya's AMR challenge, and developing antimicrobial pharmacology programmes
Regulatory Toxicology and Drug Registration
Specialisation in regulatory toxicology, pre-clinical safety evaluation, GLP, PPB drug registration, regulatory dossiers, and developing regulatory toxicology programmes
Poison Management and Clinical Toxicology
Focus on poison management, snakebite envenomation, pesticide poisoning, drug overdose, antidotes, poison control centres, Kenya's poison challenges, and developing poison management programmes
A day as a student
A typical day involves attending public health lectures, analysing epidemiological data, participating in field visits, reviewing medical literature, presenting at journal clubs, and meeting with supervisors to discuss research projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's drug regulation and safety monitoring needs create demand — the PPB's expanding pharmacovigilance programme, growing pharmaceutical industry, and need for drug safety expertise create opportunities for pharmacology and toxicology graduates | Very limited pharmaceutical R&D in Kenya — Kenya lacks a strong pharmaceutical R&D industry, meaning pharmacology research has limited commercial application and most work is academic or regulatory |
| Kenya's pesticide and environmental health challenges require toxicology expertise — widespread pesticide use in agriculture, heavy metal contamination from mining, and snakebite envenomation create demand for toxicology knowledge | Animal research requirements raise ethical and cost challenges — pharmacology and toxicology research requires animal experiments, which are expensive, ethically sensitive, and limited to a few institutions in Kenya |
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
UoN ~398.5K/yr verified (UoN fee page). JKUAT, AKU, MKU unverified for this course.
WHO, KEMRI, and AMREF offer research grants. HELB provides postgraduate loans. CDC, NIH, and Fogarty International support health research in Kenya.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited postgraduate programmes
WHO Research Grant
Grant
Public health researchers in WHO priority areas
KEMRI Research Grant
Grant
Health researchers affiliated with KEMRI
Scholarships
5 recordedAga Khan Foundation Scholarship
FullKsh 6,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Leadership; Community service
IFS Research Grant
GrantKsh 1,500,000
Developing country; Pharmacology/toxicology research; Academic merit; Research proposal
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
FullKsh 8,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Financial need; Leadership
DAAD Pharmacology Scholarship
FullKsh 4,000,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Academic excellence; Pharmacology/pharmacy programme
WHO Drug Safety Research Grant
GrantKsh 1,500,000
African; Pharmacovigilance research; Academic merit; Research proposal
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Bachelor's in related field with experience in pharmacology, toxicology, drug safety, or regulatory affairs. Professional experience with PPB, PCPB, pharmaceutical companies, or research institutions can support application.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsEnd of Semester Examinations
Exam25% of the mark
Formal written examinations covering pharmacology principles/pharmacodynamics, systemic pharmacology, chemotherapy/antimicrobial pharmacology, toxicology principles/toxicokinetics, organ toxicity/clinical toxicology, environmental/pesticide toxicology, poison management, drug safety/regulatory toxicology, and research methods/bioethics
Industry Attachment and Seminars
Cat15% of the mark
PPB/PCPB/KEBS/pharmaceutical attachment assessment, laboratory report, safety evaluation exercise, research seminar presentations, and pharmacology/toxicology exercise
Laboratory and Toxicity Projects
Project30% of the mark
Pharmacology experiment, toxicity study, poison analysis, drug safety evaluation, pharmacokinetic analysis, and seminar presentation
Thesis
Research30% of the mark
Original research on a pharmacology and toxicology topic examined by oral defence
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.
Pharmacy and Poisons Board
Professional
Regulates drugs, poisons, and pharmacovigilance in Kenya.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Health programmes are also regulated by KMPDC, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Nursing Council of Kenya, or Clinical Officers Council as applicable.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesDrug Safety Specialist
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Monitors drug safety, conducts pharmacovigilance, evaluates adverse drug reactions, and works at pharmaceutical companies, PPB, or research institutions in Kenya
Pharmacologist
Low demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 420,000
Conducts pharmacology research, studies drug effects, supports drug development, and works at KEMRI, universities, or pharmaceutical companies in Kenya
Toxicologist
Low demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 420,000
Evaluates toxicity, conducts safety studies, assesses environmental and occupational hazards, and works at KEMRI, KEBS, or research institutions in Kenya
University Lecturer
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches pharmacology and toxicology, conducts research, supervises students, and works at universities in Kenya
Regulatory Officer
Medium demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Regulates drugs and chemicals, evaluates safety dossiers, supports PPB/PCPB/KEBS, and works at PPB, PCPB, KEBS, or government agencies in Kenya
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as public health officers, clinical specialists, health programme managers, medical researchers, and health policy advisors in Kenya's health sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic DNA ScientistScience15Low exposure
- Neuromorphic Computing ResearcherScience15Low exposure
- Agricultural EntomologistScience17Low exposure
- Neurotechnology Research EngineerScience17Low exposure
- Phage Therapy ResearcherScience17Low exposure
- Applied GeochemistScience18Low exposure
- Computational ToxicologistScience18Low exposure
- Computational Toxicology SpecialistScience18Low exposure
Common misconceptions
A Masters in Public Health is only for doctors.
MPH programmes accept applicants from diverse backgrounds including nursing, pharmacy, social sciences, and environmental health.
All health Masters require clinical practice experience.
While clinical experience is valuable, many public health and health systems Masters require a relevant bachelor's degree, not clinical practice.
Health Masters graduates only work in hospitals.
Graduates work in ministries, NGOs, international organisations, research institutions, insurance companies, and private sector.
A Masters in Nursing is the same as a PhD in Nursing.
A Masters prepares for advanced practice and education roles, while a PhD is focused on research and academic scholarship.