Medicine (MBChB) is offered at 12 Kenyan universities through KUCCPS. What you pay depends mostly on whether you are government-sponsored or self-sponsored, and on whether the university is public or private. This guide covers fees at major universities, KUCCPS cut-off points and subject requirements, course length, licensing, funding and careers.
Fees compared
Self-sponsored fees for Medicine (MBChB) at universities we cover:
| University | Fee (KSh) | Billing period |
|---|---|---|
| Kenyatta University | 612,000 | Year 1 |
| University of Nairobi | 600,000 | Per year |
| JKUAT | 487,911 | Per year |
Public universities bill per year, while private universities such as USIU-Africa and Strathmore bill per semester, so multiply per-semester figures by the number of semesters you will take in a year before comparing. Your admission letter gives the exact amount.
Government-sponsored vs self-sponsored
Students placed by KUCCPS are government-sponsored. Under the funding model their programme cost is shared between a government scholarship, a HELB loan and a household contribution, depending on their needs band, so most pay far less than the self-sponsored fee. Self-sponsored students apply directly to the university and pay the full fee, though they can still apply to HELB. See government-sponsored vs self-sponsored fees.
Entry requirements
Medicine (MBChB) degrees fall under KUCCPS Cluster 13. You need a KCSE mean grade of at least C+ (plus), and the standard minimum subject requirements are Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and English or Kiswahili, each at B (plain). Universities can set higher requirements for their own programmes.
Medicine (MBChB) KUCCPS cut-off points
12 universities (9 public) offer Medicine (MBChB) through KUCCPS. In 2025 cut-offs ranged from 38.396 to 46.069 points. These are the 25 most competitive programmes; the full list is on Medicine (MBChB) cut-off points 2025 per university.
| University | Programme | Code | 2025 cut-off | 2024 cut-off | 2023 cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nairobi | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | 1263131 | 46.069 | 44.926 | 45.584 |
| Kenyatta University | Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.CH.B.) | 1111131 | 45.961 | 44.904 | 45.433 |
| Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | 1249131 | 45.812 | 44.834 | 45.048 |
| Maseno University | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (With IT) | 1229131 | 45.416 | 44.602 | 44.787 |
| Egerton University | Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery | 1057131 | 45.286 | 44.504 | 44.563 |
| Mount Kenya University | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | 1279131 | 45.075 | 44.504 | 44.350 |
| Kisii University | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | 1087131 | 44.941 | 44.149 | 44.434 |
| Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | 1082131 | 44.847 | 44.160 | 44.435 |
| Moi University | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Mbchb) | 1253131 | 44.593 | 42.066 | 45.087 |
| Technical University of Mombasa | Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery | 1063131 | 44.503 | 43.734 | |
| Kenya Methodist University | Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery | 1077131 | 42.876 | 43.076 | 42.636 |
| Uzima University | Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.CH.B.) | 1116131 | 42.273 | 41.734 | 40.547 |
| Egerton University | Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery | 1057130 | 38.396 | 36.836 | 38.317 |
What you study
The first years cover the basic medical sciences: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and behavioural science. Students then study pathology, microbiology and pharmacology before clinical rotations in internal medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry and community health, mostly in teaching and referral hospitals.
Other routes
Students who miss the MBChB cut-off often take a diploma or degree in clinical medicine, which leads to practice as a clinical officer, or a related health science degree. Some later apply for MBChB as self-sponsored students or through graduate entry where universities offer it.
Other costs to budget for
Tuition is only part of the cost. Budget for accommodation and meals, which vary widely between university hostels and private rentals, plus books, a laptop, uniforms or lab coats where required, and travel and upkeep during attachments or clinical placements. Many students also pay for student union, medical cover and examination charges billed with tuition.
Universities offering Medicine (MBChB)
| University | Type | County |
|---|---|---|
| Egerton University | Public | Nakuru |
| Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology | Public | Kiambu |
| Kenya Methodist University | Private | Meru |
| Kenyatta University | Public | Nairobi |
| Kisii University | Public | Kisii |
| Maseno University | Public | Kisumu |
| Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology | Public | Kakamega |
| Moi University | Public | Uasin Gishu |
| Mount Kenya University | Private | Kiambu |
| Technical University of Mombasa | Public | Mombasa |
| University of Nairobi | Public | Nairobi |
| Uzima University | Private | Kisumu |
Applying through KUCCPS
- Calculate your cluster points for Cluster 13 from your KCSE results on the KUCCPS students’ portal.
- Compare them with recent cut-offs for each university and programme.
- Choose your programmes in order of preference during the application window, mixing ambitious and safer choices.
- Check the placement results, download your admission letter and apply to HELB.
- If you are not placed, apply in the next revision window or directly to universities as a self-sponsored student.
Course length and licensing
A Medicine (MBChB) degree takes six years, followed by a one-year internship. Professional practice is governed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), which registers and licenses doctors.
Careers
Graduates work as medical officers in public and private hospitals and can specialise through postgraduate training in fields such as surgery, paediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, or public health.
Internship and specialisation
After graduation, doctors complete a one-year internship in an accredited hospital, rotating through the main clinical departments, before full registration with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council. Many then work as medical officers for several years before applying for a master of medicine (MMed) to specialise, which adds three to four more years of study and further cost.
Funding your studies
- Apply to HELB as soon as you receive your admission letter, whether you are government- or self-sponsored.
- Check county government and NG-CDF bursaries in your home area.
- Ask the university’s financial-aid office about scholarships and work-study.
- Budget separately for accommodation, meals, books, equipment and attachment costs.
How to choose a university
- Compare cut-offs with your expected cluster points and include safer choices.
- Check that the programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education and the professional body.
- Compare the full cost, including accommodation and travel, not just tuition.
Related
University and TVET fees hub · KUCCPS cut-off points · Government vs self-sponsored fees
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study Medicine (MBChB) in Kenya?
Self-sponsored fees range from 487,911 to 612,000 shillings at the universities above, depending on the university and billing period; government-sponsored students pay much less.
What is the cut-off for Medicine (MBChB) in 2025?
From 38.396 to 46.069 points, depending on the university.
How long does a Medicine (MBChB) degree take?
Six years, followed by a one-year internship.
What subjects do I need for Medicine (MBChB)?
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics, and English or Kiswahili, each at B (plain), with a KCSE mean grade of at least C+ (plus).
Can I get HELB for Medicine (MBChB)?
Yes. Both government- and self-sponsored students at accredited universities can apply for HELB loans.
Sources: KUCCPS, University of Nairobi, USIU-Africa, Kenyatta University, JKUAT. Last updated October 2026.
