Best medical courses in Kenya and requirements

Undergraduate medical courses in Kenya

You can pursue The following health-related degree courses in Kenya in 2024.

1. Bachelor of dental surgery
2. Bachelor of Pharmacy
3. Bachelor of veterinary medicine and surgery
4. Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
5. Bachelor of Science in Nursing
6. Bachelor of science in environmental health
7. Bachelor of science in medical laboratory sciences
8. Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences and Technology
9. Bachelor of Science (occupational health & safety)
10. Bachelor of science in oral health
11. Bachelor of science in community health education
12. Bachelor of Science in Dental Technology
13. Bachelor of Science (paramedic science)
14. Bachelor of Science (physiotherapy)
15. Bachelor of Science (medical psychology)
16. Bachelor of Science (health records and information management)
17. Bachelor of science in global health and travel medicine
18. Bachelor of science in clinical medicine
19. Bachelor of Science (physical therapy)
20. Bachelor of radiography
21. Bachelor of Science (population health)
22. Bachelor of Science (optometry and vision sciences)
23. Bachelor of science in midwifery with reproductive health
24. Bachelor of Science in epidemiology and Biostatistics
25. Bachelor of Science in epidemiology and medical statistics
26. Bachelor of Science (biostatistics)
27. Bachelor of Health Services Management
28. Bachelor of science in health systems management
29. Bachelor of Science (health records and information technology/management)
30. Bachelor of Public Health

Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for medical courses in Kenya is at least a mean grade of C plus in KCSE. However, you must meet the minimum subject requirements for your preferred course and the cluster points/weight at the time of application.

For example, the entry requirements for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Dental Surgery is a mean grade of C plus in KCSE. The minimum subject requirements are B plain in Biology, Chemistry, Maths/physics, and the same grade in English or Kiswahili.

Many C plus students meet these requirements but fall short in cluster points due to the competitive nature of this program.

Minimum subject requirements for Nursing, Pharmacy, and Medical laboratory technology are C PLUS in Biology, Chemistry, Maths/physics, and the same grade in English or Kiswahili.

If you hold a diploma in a respective course, you can enrol for a degree directly at your preferred institution but you will not be eligible for government sponsorship.

Regulation

Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Bachelor of Dental Surgery are regulated by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board (KMPDU), a body that regulates medical training and doctors’ registration in Kenya. 

The training and registration of nurses is regulated by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK). Pharmacy is regulated by the Kenya Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

Must read Tips

Bachelor of Science in paramedic science, biostatistics, and Biomedical Sciences are some less competitive medical courses in Kenya.

Diploma medical courses in Kenya

If you didn’t meet the cut for a degree in your preferred medical field, you can still enrol for a diploma in the same field or related and enrol for a degree with your diploma qualifications.

The following is a list of medical diploma courses in Kenya and their requirements.

1. Diploma in Nursing.
2. Diploma in clinical medicine.
3. Diploma in medical laboratory technology/science.
4. Diploma in public health.
5. Diploma in pharmacy.
6. Diploma in health records and information technology.
7. Diploma in Dental Technology.
8. Diploma in public health.
9. Diploma in preoperative theatre technology.
10. Diploma in medical engineering.
11. Diploma in physiotherapy.
12. Diploma in optometry.
13. Diploma in nutrition and dietetics.
14. Diploma in Orthopedic Technology.
15. Diploma in health education.
16. Diploma in mortuary science.

Requirements

To enrol for a medical course at the diploma level, you need at least a C plain in KCSE. Some courses such as a diploma in mortuary science and nutrition and dietetics have lower requirements. check them out from the list above.

Medical Certificate Courses in Kenya

In Kenya, There are few medical courses offered at the certificate level. In the following context, we will list all medical certificate courses offered by colleges in Kenya.

1. Certificate in Nursing.
2. Certificate in health records and information technology.
3. Certificate in Medical Engineering.
4. Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics.
5. Certificate in Orthopedic and trauma medicine.
6. Certificate in Environmental Health Sciences.
7. Certificate in preoperative theatre technology.

Requirements

The majority of the courses require at least a C minus in KCSE. Others have lower requirements.

Application

For all direct entries, applications can be submitted through the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Services portal when it opens for applications.

Keep it here, we will notify you when the portal opens usually at the beginning of the year after the release of KCSE results. The portal is open once and twice a year for degree and KMTC/TVET course applications respectively.

Alternatively, applications can be submitted directly to institutions BUT not eligible for government funding.

Entry requirements for medical courses in Kenya

Level of Study	Entry requirements
Bachelors	C plus and above or diploma in respective or related medical course.
Diploma	C plain or C minus in some courses
Certificate	C minus or D plus

Conclusion

We have covered medical courses in Kenya offered at Certificate, diploma, and degree levels of study. We wish you all the best in your studies.

You can enrol for your preferred course when schools open the application window. Do you have any questions? You can ask in the comments section or send us an email.