Health Sciences

Master of Science (Medical Laboratory Science)

The Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in medical laboratory science, clinical diagnostics, and laboratory management. The programme combines laboratory science theory with clinical application and research methodology.

Core areas include clinical chemistry, medical virology, medical bacteriology, medical parasitology, medical mycology, medical immunology, haematology, blood transfusion, histology and cytology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both laboratory science theory and practical clinical application through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and Mount Kenya University. KU and JKUAT are public universities while MKU is a private university, offering the programme over two academic years through full-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in clinical chemistry, medical microbiology, medical parasitology, haematology, blood transfusion, histology, diagnostic cytology, laboratory management, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, examinations, and a research thesis.

JKUAT charges KES 393,000 total (~KES 196,500/year). MKU charges KES 89,550/semester (~KES 179,100/year). KU also offers the programme but specific fees are not independently verified. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in medical laboratory science, biomedical sciences, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as medical laboratory scientists, clinical laboratory managers, diagnostic specialists, laboratory quality managers, and lecturers in medical laboratory science across hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Clinical Chemistry and Biochemical Analysis
Medical Virology and Viral Diagnostics
Medical Bacteriology and Bacterial Diagnostics
Medical Parasitology and Parasite Diagnostics
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science
Histology and Diagnostic Cytology
Laboratory Quality Management and Accreditation
Molecular Diagnostics and Advanced Techniques
Research Methods in Medical Laboratory Science
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Clinical Chemistry and Biochemical Analysis
Medical Virology and Viral Diagnostics
Medical Bacteriology and Bacterial Diagnostics
Medical Parasitology and Parasite Diagnostics
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science
Histology and Diagnostic Cytology
Medical Immunology and Serology
Laboratory Quality Management
Research Methods in Medical Laboratory Science
Thesis Research

Certifications

KMLTTB Professional Registration
WHO Laboratory Quality Certification

Specializations

Clinical Chemistry

Focuses on clinical chemistry, covering biochemical analysis, clinical biochemistry, enzymology, endocrinology, and managing clinical chemistry diagnostics.

Medical Virology

Examines medical virology, covering viral diagnostics, viral pathogenesis, antiviral therapy, emerging viruses, and managing virology diagnostics.

Medical Bacteriology

Covers medical bacteriology, covering bacterial diagnostics, bacterial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, bacterial identification, and managing bacteriology diagnostics.

Haematology and Blood Transfusion

Focuses on haematology and blood transfusion, covering haematological diagnostics, blood banking, transfusion science, coagulation, and managing haematology diagnostics.

Histology and Cytology

Examines histology and cytology, covering tissue diagnostics, cytological diagnostics, histopathology, cytopathology, and managing histology and cytology diagnostics.

Medical Immunology

Covers medical immunology, covering immunological diagnostics, serology, autoimmune diagnostics, immunodeficiency, and managing immunology diagnostics.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 277,002
Private, up to: Ksh 179,100
Job market: High

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: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Clinical Chemistry and Biochemical Analysis
Medical Virology and Viral Diagnostics
Medical Bacteriology and Bacterial Diagnostics
Medical Parasitology and Parasite Diagnostics
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science
Histology and Diagnostic Cytology
Medical Immunology and Serology
Laboratory Quality Management
Research Methods in Medical Laboratory Science
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Clinical Chemistry and Biochemical Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biochemical analysis, enzymology, endocrinology, clinical toxicology, point-of-care testing, and managing clinical chemistry diagnostics.
Medical Virology and Viral Diagnostics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers viral diagnostics, viral pathogenesis, antiviral therapy, emerging viruses, viral serology, and managing virology diagnostics.
Research Methods in Medical Laboratory Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethical issues, and conducting laboratory research, preparing students for their thesis.
Medical Bacteriology and Bacterial Diagnostics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines bacterial diagnostics, bacterial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, bacterial identification, culture techniques, and managing bacteriology diagnostics.
Medical Parasitology and Parasite Diagnostics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers parasite diagnostics, parasite pathogenesis, parasite identification, vector-borne diseases, malaria diagnostics, and managing parasitology diagnostics.
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines haematological diagnostics, blood banking, transfusion science, coagulation disorders, haematological malignancies, and managing haematology diagnostics.
Histology and Diagnostic Cytology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers tissue diagnostics, cytological diagnostics, histopathology, cytopathology, fine needle aspiration, and managing histology and cytology diagnostics.
Medical Immunology and Serology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines immunological diagnostics, serology, autoimmune diagnostics, immunodeficiency, hypersensitivity, and managing immunology diagnostics.
Laboratory Quality Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quality control, quality assurance, accreditation, ISO 15189, laboratory safety, and managing laboratory quality systems.
Molecular Diagnostics and Advanced Techniques
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines PCR, molecular techniques, genomics, proteomics, next-generation sequencing, and managing molecular diagnostics.
Medical Mycology and Fungal Diagnostics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers fungal diagnostics, fungal pathogenesis, antifungal therapy, fungal identification, and managing mycology diagnostics.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a medical laboratory science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and laboratory knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Clinical Chemistry
Focuses on clinical chemistry, covering biochemical analysis, clinical biochemistry, enzymology, endocrinology, and managing clinical chemistry diagnostics.
Medical Virology
Examines medical virology, covering viral diagnostics, viral pathogenesis, antiviral therapy, emerging viruses, and managing virology diagnostics.
Medical Bacteriology
Covers medical bacteriology, covering bacterial diagnostics, bacterial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, bacterial identification, and managing bacteriology diagnostics.
Haematology and Blood Transfusion
Focuses on haematology and blood transfusion, covering haematological diagnostics, blood banking, transfusion science, coagulation, and managing haematology diagnostics.
Histology and Cytology
Examines histology and cytology, covering tissue diagnostics, cytological diagnostics, histopathology, cytopathology, and managing histology and cytology diagnostics.
Medical Immunology
Covers medical immunology, covering immunological diagnostics, serology, autoimmune diagnostics, immunodeficiency, and managing immunology diagnostics.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Medical Laboratory Science programme combines lectures, laboratory practicals, clinical rotations, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover clinical chemistry, medical virology, medical bacteriology, medical parasitology, haematology, and histology. Clinical chemistry sessions examine biochemical analysis, enzymology, endocrinology, clinical toxicology, and managing clinical chemistry diagnostics. Medical virology sessions cover viral diagnostics, viral pathogenesis, antiviral therapy, emerging viruses, and managing virology diagnostics. Medical bacteriology sessions cover bacterial diagnostics, bacterial pathogenesis, antibiotic resistance, bacterial identification, and managing bacteriology diagnostics. Medical parasitology sessions cover parasite diagnostics, parasite pathogenesis, parasite identification, vector-borne diseases, and managing parasitology diagnostics. Haematology sessions cover haematological diagnostics, blood banking, transfusion science, coagulation disorders, and managing haematology diagnostics. Histology and cytology sessions cover tissue diagnostics, cytological diagnostics, histopathology, cytopathology, and managing histology and cytology diagnostics. Medical immunology sessions cover immunological diagnostics, serology, autoimmune diagnostics, immunodeficiency, and managing immunology diagnostics. Laboratory quality management sessions cover quality control, quality assurance, accreditation, ISO 15189, and managing laboratory quality. Molecular diagnostics sessions cover PCR, molecular techniques, genomics, proteomics, and managing molecular diagnostics. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory practicals provide hands-on experience with diagnostic techniques, analytical methods, microscopy, culture, and molecular techniques. Clinical rotations provide practical experience in hospital laboratories, diagnostic centres, and blood banks. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in medical laboratory science. Guest lectures from experienced laboratory scientists, pathologists, and clinicians provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a medical laboratory science topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for medical laboratory professionals with growing healthcare needs, diagnostic demand, and disease surveillance in Kenya.
Programme is offered by both public (KU, JKUAT) and private (MKU) universities, providing institutional choice.
MKU offers competitive private fees at approximately KES 179,100/year.
Programme offers diverse specialisations including clinical chemistry, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, haematology, and histology.

Against it

JKUAT fees are relatively high at KES 393,000 total (~KES 196,500/year).
Programme is full-time only at JKUAT, limiting flexibility for working professionals.
KU fees not independently verified, limiting fee comparison.
Programme requires medical laboratory or biomedical science background, which limits access.

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

Public277k to 277k

277k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology277k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Private179k to 179k

179k at Mount Kenya University179k at Mount Kenya 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 277,002/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). MKU 179,100/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. MKU may offer postgraduate scholarships for eligible students. WHO and other international health organisations may provide training support for medical laboratory professionals. Some hospitals and diagnostic laboratories may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
MKU Postgraduate Scholarship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
MKU Postgraduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Mount Kenya University offers postgraduate scholarships for eligible students.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require Upper Second Class Honours in medical laboratory science, biomedical sciences, or related field. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. 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, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Written examinations covering clinical chemistry, medical microbiology, parasitology, haematology, histology, and laboratory quality management.
Laboratory Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, diagnostic techniques, microscopy, culture, molecular techniques, and demonstrating laboratory skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a medical laboratory science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and laboratory knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University and JKUAT (public) and Mount Kenya University (private) offer MSc in Medical Laboratory Science. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in medical laboratory science. Graduates are eligible for KMLTTB professional registration and WHO laboratory quality certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University and JKUAT (public) and Mount Kenya University (private) offer MSc in Medical Laboratory Science. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in medical laboratory science. Graduates are eligible for KMLTTB professional registration and WHO laboratory quality certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Medical Laboratory Scientist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts laboratory diagnostics, overseeing clinical testing, quality control, diagnostic analysis, and managing laboratory operations.
Clinical Laboratory Manager
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages clinical laboratory operations, overseeing laboratory services, quality management, staff supervision, and managing laboratory operations.
Diagnostic Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Specialises in diagnostic areas, overseeing specialised testing, diagnostic development, technique validation, and managing diagnostic services.
Laboratory Quality Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages laboratory quality programmes, overseeing quality control, quality assurance, accreditation, compliance, and managing quality systems.
Research Laboratory Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts research laboratory work, overseeing research diagnostics, technique development, data analysis, and managing research laboratory operations.
Medical Lab Science Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches medical laboratory science at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, laboratory supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
SoftwarePrimary
LIMS for laboratory management, covering sample tracking, test management, quality control, and managing laboratory data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS statistical software for laboratory research, covering data analysis, statistical tests, and managing research data.
PCR Analysis Software
Software
PCR analysis software for molecular diagnostics, covering PCR data analysis, amplification curves, and managing molecular data.
Microscopy Imaging Software
Software
Microscopy imaging software for histology and cytology, covering image analysis, cell counting, morphology analysis, and managing microscopy data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Medical laboratory science is just about collecting blood samples.
Medical laboratory science covers comprehensive diagnostics including clinical chemistry, microbiology, virology, parasitology, haematology, histology, and molecular diagnostics.
This programme is only for those working in hospital labs.
Medical laboratory science skills are valuable in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, public health, pharmaceutical industry, and any organisation dealing with clinical diagnostics.
Medical laboratory science has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing healthcare needs, diagnostic demand, and disease surveillance, demand for medical laboratory professionals is increasing in Kenya.
Laboratory work is routine and repetitive.
Medical laboratory science involves complex diagnostics, problem-solving, research, quality management, and continuous learning of new techniques.
Medical laboratory science is the same as biomedical science.
While related, medical laboratory science focuses on clinical diagnostics and patient testing, while biomedical science is broader covering research and development.
Laboratory quality management is just about following procedures.
Laboratory quality management involves comprehensive systems including quality control, quality assurance, accreditation, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance.