This article introduces you to the universities offering clinical medicine in Kenya.
We shall concentrate on the accredited medical universities offering clinical medicine across the country.
Read to the end to discover the best institutions to study a degree in clinical medicine locally.
About clinical medicine in Kenya
Clinical medicine is undoubtedly one of the best medical courses in Kenya but it also happens to be one of the most competitive.
Indeed, if you log into the KUCCPS portal, you’ll notice that the course is among those with the highest cluster point’s requirements.
And one of the reasons behind this situation is that not many universities are allowed to admit students by the CUE (commission for university education) because of the sensitivity of the course- remember that you’re dealing with human life.
Here are your available options if you’re planning to take clinical medicine at the degree level.
Universities offering clinical medicine in Kenya
Let’s start with the public universities offering the course….
JKUAT (degree in clinical medicine JKUAT)
Jomo Kenyatta University (JKUAT) medical school offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Medicine and you’ll need a mean grade of C+ along with specific grades in the prescribed cluster subjects.
Diploma holders (in clinical medicine) with a Credit pass are also considered and join at the 2nd year level.
Also eligible are higher national diploma (HND) holders who join at the 3rd year level.
JKUAT School of Medicine Contacts:
Postal address: P.O. Box 62000 –NAIROBI 00200
Email: info@jkuat.ac.ke
Website: http://www.jkuat.ac.ke/schools/medicine/
Egerton University
Egerton University is another top public university offering medicine courses in Kenya among them a Bachelor of Science (Bsc.) In Clinical Medicine.
This program targets school leavers who dream of becoming competent clinical officers and has been accredited by the relevant authorities.
Like with JKUAT, graduates are eligible to be registered by the Clinical Officers Council in Kenya.
To be admitted, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a KCSE mean grade of B- (minus) or an equivalent.
- Have attained at least a grade of B (Minus) in Biology, Chemistry, and English or Kiswahili.
In addition, you should have grade B (minimum) in either Mathematics or Physics.
Egerton University School of Medicine Contacts
Postal address: P.O Box 536 Egerton 20115,Kenya
Telephone: +254 51 221 7740/+254 51 221 7891/ +254 51 221 7891 /2
Website: http://www.egerton.ac.ke/index.php/Clinical-Medicine-and-Surgery/bachelor-of-science-in-clinical-medicine.html
Uzima University School of Medicine
Uzima University College is privately held and has invested heavily in medical education and research.
The university provides training in clinical medicine to trainees including an upgrading Bsc. Degree in Clinical Medicine for holders of a Diploma in Clinical Medicine qualification.
The degree usually takes 4 years to complete but you will graduate within 2 ½ years if you’re admitted into the upgrading program.
The latter is taught during the weekends only.
Here are the minimum entry requirements:
- Regular program- At least a KCSE mean grade of C plus and C+ in the Mathematics/Physics, English/Kiswahili, Chemistry, and Biology.
- Upgrading program- Hold a Diploma in Clinical Medicine & Surgery from an accredited institution and be a registered member of the Clinical Officers Council (COC).
Uzima University School of Medicine contacts
Postal address: P.O.Box 2502-40100, Kisumu-Kenya
Telephone: +254 39387903 / 0703 727 660
Website: https://www.uzimauniversity.ac.ke/
Mount Kenya University School of Medicine
You can also enroll for a BSc. in Clinical Medicine & Community Health course at Mount Kenya University, Kenya’s largest private university.
The course mainly enrolls Clinical Officers seeking further academic development in addition to fresh form 4 leavers.
Graduates acquire strong clinical medicine knowledge and community health expertise and are in a position to offer health care that integrates both preventive and curative health care.
To join, you must have a mean grade of C+ (minimum) in your KCSE exams and a similar grade in Mathematics/Physics, English/Kiswahili, Chemistry, and biology.
You may also be eligible with a mean grade of C plain (minimum) in your KCSE exams combined with an HND (Higher National Diploma) in Clinical Medicine & Surgery from an institution recognized by the University senate.
Additionally, you must be registered with the Clinical Officers Council.
Mount Kenya University School of Medicine contacts
Postal address: P. O. Box 342 Thika-01000, Kenya
Telephone: +254 672 820 000 / +254 0709 153 000
Website: https://www.mku.ac.ke/
Methodist University School of Medicine
The last university (private) offering clinical medicine courses at the degree level is KEMU (Kenya Methodist University).
The program is only available for full-time learners and students have to attend classes at the main Meru campus.
The requirements are similar to those set by other universities: a KCSE, mean grade of C+ (minimum), and an equivalent grade in Mathematics/Physics, English/Kiswahili, Chemistry, and biology.
Methodist University School of Medicine contacts
Postal address: P. O. Box 267 Meru-60200, Kenya
Telephone: (+254)724256162/(+254)725751878/ (+254)735701311/ (+254)748414998
Website: https://kemu.ac.ke/
Universities offering clinical medicine in Kenya: FAQs
Does Kenyatta University offer clinical medicine?
Nope! Clinical medicine is not among the medical courses at Kenyatta University and you can only register for courses like MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree), BSc. in Medical Laboratory Science, etc.
Does the University of Nairobi offer clinical medicine?
Unfortunately No.
Like at Kenyatta University, you could take courses such as Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor Of Surgery, Bsc. in Human Anatomy (Intercalated), Bsc. in Medical Physiology, Bsc. in Biochemistry, and Bsc. in Medical Laboratory Sciences and Technology but not clinical medicine at the University of Nairobi medical school.
Can a clinical officer become a doctor in Kenya?
While clinical medicine remains one of the most marketable medical courses in Kenya, you need to undergo advanced training, particularly in surgical skills to practice as a full medical doctor in Kenya.
Indeed, the best way to become a doctor in Kenya is by pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree (MBChB) in an accredited local or overseas university.
There are over 10 universities offering medical education in Kenya so you shouldn’t struggle to get a good university to take the MBChB from.
What is the salary of a clinical officer in Kenya?
The pay varies but since the county governments took over the health department in Kenya, clinical officers starting salary has been set at about Shs.40000.
Prestigious private hospitals, however, pay well and your staring salary can rise to about Shs.120000.
Does Kenyatta University offer a diploma in clinical medicine?
Again, no.
In fact, very few universities offer diploma courses at the Diploma level because of the ministry of education set regulations.
Having said that, if you want to pursue a diploma in clinical medicine, the best institution to attend is the government-sponsored KMTC because of the more affordable fees and the chance to attend an internship at a public hospital where there’s more exposure.
Final thoughts
There go the Universities offering clinical medicine in Kenya at the moment.
Remember that it is important to submit your application on time because there’s only a single intake annually in most of them.
As a matter of fact, the biggest intake in all of them is in September each year so you should try to apply as early as you can.
Also, don’t forget to confirm that the university you choose is accredited to offer the program by the relevant medical boards and clinical officer councils across east Africa before joining.
That’s because you are only allowed to practice as a clinician only if you have graduated from a licensed university.