Master of Science in Tropical and Infectious Diseases
The Master of Science in Tropical and Infectious Diseases is a two-year postgraduate programme offered by the University of Nairobi through the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology. The programme equips students with advanced knowledge of the biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and control of tropical and infectious diseases.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 436,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 872,000 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 C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 4 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop advanced competencies in medical parasitology, medical entomology, virology, immunology, molecular biology, clinical microbiology, pharmacology, and epidemiology. They learn to design and implement public health programmes, conduct disease surveillance, and perform advanced diagnostic techniques for tropical diseases prevalent in Kenya and the tropics.
Kenya bears a significant burden of tropical and infectious diseases including malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, neglected tropical diseases, and emerging infections. KEMRI, CDC Kenya, the Ministry of Health, and international research organisations require qualified specialists to support disease control, research, and public health programmes.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, seminars, journal clubs, laboratory practicals, and a research project. Students engage with advanced diagnostic equipment, molecular techniques, field epidemiology exercises, and undertake a practicum attachment in a discipline of their interest.
Graduates pursue careers as epidemiologists, public health specialists, research scientists, virologists, parasitologists, and immunologists in research institutions, universities, hospitals, international health organisations, and government health departments.
This programme is ideal for medical, biomedical, or public health professionals seeking to specialise in tropical diseases. It suits individuals with strong laboratory and analytical skills who wish to contribute to disease control and research in Kenya and the broader tropical region.
What you study
10 subjects- Medical Parasitology
- Medical Entomology
- Medical Microbiology
- Virology and Prion Infections
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Clinical Microbiology
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Health Systems Management
Modules
12 in the programmeMedical Parasitology (WID 601)
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Parasites of medical importance in the tropics, their life cycles, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and control
Medical Entomology (WID 603)
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Insect vectors of tropical diseases, vector biology, and vector control strategies
Medical Microbiology (WID 605)
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Bacterial pathogens in tropical settings, antimicrobial resistance, and diagnostic microbiology
Virology and Prion Infections (WID 607)
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Tropical and emerging viral infections, viral pathogenesis, and diagnostic virology
Immunology (WID 609)
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Immune responses to tropical pathogens, immunopathology, and immunodiagnostic techniques
Molecular Biology (WID 602)
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Molecular techniques for pathogen detection, characterisation, and epidemiological tracking
Pharmacology and Therapeutics (WID 604)
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Drug treatment of tropical diseases, pharmacokinetics, and drug resistance mechanisms
Clinical Microbiology (WID 606)
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Clinical laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases, including advanced diagnostic techniques
Epidemiology and Biostatistics (WID 705)
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Epidemiological study designs, disease surveillance, and statistical methods for public health research
Health Systems Management (WID 707)
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Management of health programmes, health policy, and health system strengthening for disease control
Research Project (WID 750)
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Independent research on a tropical or infectious disease topic, culminating in a written dissertation
Practicum Attachment
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Supervised attachment in a research laboratory, public health department, or clinical setting
Specialisations
Medical Parasitology
Specialization in Medical Parasitology, preparing graduates for careers such as parasitologist.
Public Health Practice
Specialization in Public Health Practice, preparing graduates for careers such as public-health-specialist.
Immunology of Infectious Diseases
Specialization in Immunology of Infectious Diseases, preparing graduates for careers such as immunologist.
Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance
Specialization in Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance, preparing graduates for careers such as epidemiologist.
Virology and Viral Diseases
Specialization in Virology and Viral Diseases, preparing graduates for careers such as virologist.
Medical Entomology and Vector Control
Specialization in Medical Entomology and Vector Control, preparing graduates for careers such as entomologist.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on parasitology or virology with afternoon laboratory practicals. Students may culture pathogens, perform molecular diagnostics, analyse epidemiological data, attend journal clubs discussing recent research, or conduct field work in disease-endemic areas.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya is a major hub for tropical disease research with KEMRI, CDC, and icipe | Programme is intensive with demanding coursework and research requirements |
| Very high demand for infectious disease specialists post-COVID-19 and with emerging infections | Research positions may depend on grant funding, creating employment uncertainty |
| Opportunities for international collaboration and publication in high-impact journals | Field work in disease-endemic areas may involve health risks |
| Strong foundation for PhD studies and academic careers | Tuition fees are relatively high compared to other masters programmes |
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 ~419K/yr verified (UoN fee page). KU, AKU, MKU unverified for this course.
Students may access HELB postgraduate loans. KEMRI, Wellcome Trust, and other research organisations offer research fellowships and grants for tropical disease research.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
KEMRI Research Grants
Grant
Wellcome Trust Research Fellowships
Fellowship
Scholarships
2 recordedWellcome Trust Research Fellowship
FellowshipKenyan
Researchers in tropical and infectious diseases at African institutions
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students in recognised universities
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
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 4 institutionsIncluding Moi University, Maseno University, University of Nairobi.
Including Moi University, Maseno University, University of Nairobi.
Including Moi University, Maseno University, University of Nairobi.
How you are assessed
4 componentsPart I and Part II Examinations
Coursework50% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Research Dissertation
Coursework100% of the mark
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Medical professionals must maintain registration with KMPDC or KMLTTB depending on their primary qualification.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesEpidemiologist
Very high demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Investigates disease outbreaks, conducts surveillance, and designs control programmes for tropical and infectious diseases
Public Health Specialist
Very high demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 180,000
Designs and implements public health programmes for disease prevention and control in government and NGOs
Virologist
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Studies viral pathogens, develops diagnostic assays, and conducts virological research in reference laboratories
Parasitologist
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Researches parasitic diseases, develops control strategies, and conducts diagnostic parasitology in research and clinical settings
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Conducts research on tropical diseases, develops diagnostic tools, and contributes to drug and vaccine discovery
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as epidemiologists, public health specialists, research scientists, virologists, parasitologists, and immunologists in research institutions, universities, hospitals, and international health organisations.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Tropical and infectious diseases is only relevant to tropical countries
Globalisation and climate change are expanding the geographic range of tropical diseases, making this expertise relevant worldwide, including in temperate regions.
This programme is only for medical doctors
The programme accepts graduates with backgrounds in biomedical sciences, microbiology, public health, and related fields, not just medical doctors.
There are limited career opportunities in tropical disease research in Kenya
Kenya is a major hub for tropical disease research, hosting KEMRI, CDC Kenya, icipe, and numerous international research collaborations that actively recruit qualified specialists.
Tropical diseases are being eradicated, making this field obsolete
Emerging infections, drug resistance, climate change impacts, and neglected tropical diseases ensure continued relevance and demand for tropical disease specialists.