Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Research)
The Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Laboratory Sciences (RESEARCH) is a doctoral programme offered at Kenyatta University through the Department of Medical Laboratory Science and at Mount Kenya University through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences.
It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in medical laboratory science, clinical diagnostics and laboratory medicine. The programme addresses Kenya's medical laboratory research and diagnostic services development needs.
Students engage with advanced topics in medical laboratory science, clinical chemistry, haematology, immunology, medical microbiology, molecular diagnostics, transfusion science, histopathology, quality management in laboratory medicine and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops laboratory science insights for Kenya's diagnostic challenges.
Kenya's diagnostic services expansion, laboratory quality management needs, disease surveillance, blood transfusion services, molecular diagnostics growth and the demand for laboratory research create demand for doctoral-level medical laboratory science expertise. The programme supports Kenya's laboratory medicine and diagnostic services goals.
Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research. At KU, the Department of Medical Laboratory Science offers PhD with research focus. At MKU, PhD in Medical Laboratory Sciences is offered with options in Immunology and Haematology and Blood Transfusion.
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, medical laboratory researchers, clinical laboratory directors, diagnostic technology specialists and quality assurance managers. They work in universities, hospitals, KEMRI, KMLTTB and diagnostic laboratories.
- Duration
- 3-5 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 432,000
- Private, up to
- Ksh 288,000
- Job market
- High
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
- 4 students
- Award
- PhD
What you study
10 subjects- Advanced Medical Laboratory Science
- Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
- Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science
- Immunology and Immunodiagnostics
- Medical Microbiology and Virology
- Molecular Diagnostics and Genomics
- Histopathology and Cytopathology
- Laboratory Quality Management and Accreditation
- Diagnostic Technology Development
- Research Methods in Laboratory Science
Modules
8 in the programmeAdvanced Medical Laboratory Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Medical laboratory science, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Haematology, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Molecular Diagnostics and Genomics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Molecular diagnostics, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.
Laboratory Quality Management and Accreditation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Quality management, providing hands-on experience through laboratory work, field exercises, and practical applications of theoretical concepts.
Diagnostic Technology Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Diagnostic technology, covering technological tools, digital platforms, and information systems relevant to contemporary research and professional practice.
Research Methods in Laboratory Science
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research design and methodology, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.
Departmental Seminars
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research presentations and peer review of doctoral work, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in.
Thesis Research
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Doctoral thesis research and dissertation writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.
Specialisations
Immunology
Research on immunodiagnostics
Haematology and Blood Transfusion
Research on haematology and transfusion
Molecular Diagnostics
Research on molecular diagnostics
Histopathology
Research on histopathology and cytopathology
A day as a student
A typical day involves conducting laboratory research, running diagnostic assays, analysing clinical data, reviewing laboratory science literature, attending seminars on diagnostics, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with KEMRI, hospitals and KMLTTB for research collaboration.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Kenya's diagnostic services expansion creates demand
- Access to KEMRI, NBTS and hospitals
- Research contributes to diagnostic improvement
Against it
- Requires expensive laboratory equipment and reagents
- KMLTTB registration may be required
- Handling infectious samples requires biosafety compliance
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
KU 367.2k/yr verified (ku.ac.ke). UoN ~432k/yr (pattern). MKU 200k/yr, Kabarak 288k/yr verified.
HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. NACOSTI provides research grants for science and technology research.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
NACOSTI Research Grant
Scholarships
3 recordedDAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- Masters Degree
- Alternative entry
- At KU: MSc from KU or recognised institution. Department of Medical Laboratory Science. KSh 244,800/year. Application fee KSh 3,000. At MKU: MSc from MKU or recognised institution. School of Pure and Applied Sciences. Options in Immunology and Haematology/Blood Transfusion.
MSc in Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Science, Microbiology or related field
Relevant Masters from recognised university
How you are assessed
3 componentsThesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Coursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, laboratory projects and seminar presentations
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Kenyatta University (Department of Medical Laboratory Science, KSh 244,800/year) and Mount Kenya University (PhD in Medical Laboratory Sciences, options in Immunology and Haematology/Blood Transfusion). KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory professionals.
Accredited by
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board
ProfessionalRequired
Regulates medical laboratory professionals in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesClinical Laboratory Director
High demandKsh 220,000 to Ksh 550,000
Laboratory at hospitals
Medical Laboratory Researcher
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Research at KEMRI and research institutes
University Professor
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaching and research in laboratory science
Quality Assurance Manager
High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
QA at diagnostic laboratories
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, medical laboratory researchers, clinical laboratory directors and quality assurance managers. They work at KEMRI, hospitals, KMLTTB and diagnostic laboratories.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist Assistant (Junior)Health 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
Medical laboratory science PhD is just about running tests.
The field covers molecular diagnostics, quality management, transfusion science, histopathology and diagnostic technology development.
There is no demand for laboratory science PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's diagnostic services expansion creates demand.
Laboratory research is purely practical.
The programme uses molecular techniques, genomics, quality statistics and research methodology.
Only lab technologists study this PhD.
The programme attracts biomedical scientists, microbiologists and clinicians.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Laboratory Sciences (Research) are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.