All medical courses in Kenya (Cert, dip, degree+Requirements)

Are you considering a medical career as a physician, nurse, physiotherapist, medical researcher, etc.? You are in the right place.

We have compiled a comprehensive list of all medical courses in Kenya that you might consider studying in 2024 and their requirements.

But before we proceed, I would like to congratulate you on passing your KCSE or earning that diploma/certificate. It’s time for your next academic journey. It’s going to be fun, trust me.

This might be a long one, but to make navigation easy, courses will be classified based on level of study (Certificate, diploma, and degree).

Moreover, we have a guide on applying for placement and funding options available to you. If you will not find a course here, it’s not the end of the road. There are dozens of courses in Kenya for you.

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

KCSE direct entry requirements for the courses is at least C plus in KCSE. However, you have to meet the minimum subject requirements for your preferred course and the cluster points/weight for the course at the time of application.

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

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.

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

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 after acquiring your diploma.

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 diploma in a medical course in Kenya, 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, It is possible to start a career in medicine with a certificate. In the following context, we will list all medical certificate courses on offer in Kenyan institutions.

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.

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.