If you are considering pursuing pharmacy in Kenya, here is an overview of the pharmacy course requirements in Kenya at all levels to help you decide which pharmacy level of study you are eligible for.
Let’s get started…
Pharmacy course requirements in Kenya
1. Certificate in Pharmacy requirements
Unfortunately, you cannot pursue a certificate in pharmacy in Kenya as of now.
Why so?
This is because, according to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), no single institution or medical school is accredited to offer a pharmacy certificate course.
Therefore, you can only pursue a diploma or a degree in pharmacy, and not a certificate.
That being said, let us now look at the minimum requirements for a pharmacy diploma as well as the degree program.
2. Diploma in pharmacy requirements
To be eligible for a diploma in pharmacy (also known as a diploma in pharmaceutical technology), you must meet the following requirements:
So, the entry requirements are as follows:
A KCSE mean grade of C (plain) and above
In addition, you must meet the following cluster subject requirements:
- C (plain) in either English or Kiswahili,
- C (plain) in either Chemistry or Physical Sciences,
And,
- C (plain) in either Biology or Biological Sciences.
You must also have a C (plain) in any one of the following subjects:
- Mathematics,
- Physics,
Or,
- Physical Sciences.
Other details
Duration of the course:
It will take you three years to complete the diploma program regardless of where you will be studying from.
Fees:
The fee varies depending on where you enroll in the course. For example, studying at KMTC will cost you at least Kshs. 82,200 per academic year, whereas studying at the Technical University of Kenya will cost you at least Kshs. 150,000 per academic year.
Furthermore, national polytechnics such as Nyeri, Eldoret, Kabete, Kisii, and Kisumu National Polytechnics charge a fee of Kshs.67,189 per academic year for the diploma course.
3. Bachelor in Pharmacy
To be admitted to a bachelor of pharmacy program at any of the universities in Kenya, you must meet the following minimum entry requirements:
A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) or its equivalent
In addition, you must meet the following cluster subject requirements:
- C+ (plus) in Biology,
- C+ (plus) in Chemistry,
- C+ in either English or Kiswahili,
And,
- C+ (plus) in either Mathematics or Physics
However, it’s important to note that the bachelor of pharmacy program is highly competitive, so you’ll need higher grades than the ones listed above to get admitted to most universities as a government-sponsored student (though you can still gain admission with the afro-mentioned requirements as a self-sponsored student in some universities).
Alternative qualifications:
If you have a diploma in pharmacy/pharmaceutical technology from a recognized and accredited institution by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, you can also enroll in the degree program.
Also, keep in mind that you must have two years of work experience after completing the diploma course.
Other details
Course duration:
The bachelor of pharmacy program is offered on a full-time basis for a period of 5 years.
It is also worth noting that after completing the B.Pharm. degree, you must also undergo a one-year paid internship at an approved institution.
Fees:
And just like the fees for the diploma program, fees for the bachelor of pharmacy program also vary depending on which university you attend. For example, studying at Kenyatta University and Maseno University will cost you Kshs. 428,400 per academic year, whereas studying at Nairobi University will cost you Kshs. 413,950 per academic year.
So, those are the requirements for pursuing a diploma and a degree in pharmacy in Kenya.
Pharmacy course requirements in Kenya – additional information
So, where can I study pharmacy in Kenya?
Well, if you are wondering where to study a pharmacy course in Kenya, here is a list of the pharmacy and poisons board-approved institutions that offer the pharmacy course in Kenya:
Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy offering institutions in Kenya
- Mount Kenya University (MKU)
- Kenyatta University (KU)
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
- Kenya Methodist University
- Kabarak University
- The University of Nairobi (UoN)
- Kisii University
- Maseno University
- United States International University – Africa
Diploma in pharmacy offering institutions
- Kenya Medical Training College (the best) – KMTC offers the course in the following campuses:
- KMTC Nairobi Campus
- KMTC Nakuru Campus
- KMTC Kisumu Campus
- KMTC Nyeri Campus
- KMTC Manza Campus
- KMTC Mombasa Campus
- The Eldoret National Polytechnic
- Kisii National Polytechnic
- Kisiwa Technical Training Institute
- The Kisumu National Polytechnic
- The Kabete National Polytechnic
- Nairobi Technical Training Institute
- Joseph’s Nyabondo Medical Training College
- The Nyeri National Polytechnic
- Rift Valley Technical Training Institute
- Thika Technical Training Institute
- Technical University of Mombasa
- Technical University of Kenya
- Mt Kenya University
- Kenya Methodist University
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Pharmacy course outline in Kenya
Here is a list of the pharmacy units that you will be covering if you are studying for a diploma or degree in pharmacy in Kenya:
Bachelor of pharmacy course outline in Kenya
- Human Anatomy I
- Biochemistry I
- Chemistry I
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Basic Life Support
- Human Anatomy II
- Biochemistry II
- Medical Physiology I
- Chemistry II
- Human Anatomy III
- Biochemistry III
- Medical Physiology II
- Chemistry III
- Biochemistry IV
- Medical Physiology III
- Pathology I
- Chemistry IV
- Chemistry V
- Microbiology I
- Medical Physiology V
- Pathology II
- Biochemistry V
- Medical Physiology VI
- Microbiology II
- Pharmacology I
- Pharmaceutics I
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry I
- Pharmacognosy I
- Pharmacology II
- Pharmaceutics II
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry II
- Pharmacognosy II
- Pharmacology III
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry III
- Pharmacognosy III
- Social and Behavioral Pharmacy
- Pharmacology IV
- Pharmaceutics III
- Clinical Pharmacy I
- Pharmacognosy IV
- Pharmacology V
- Pharmaceutics IV
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry IV
- Clinical Pharmacy II
- Clinical Pharmacy III
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Pharmacy Management
- Attachment
- Research Methods and Project
- Pharmaceutics V
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry V
- Project and Attachment
- Pharmacology VI
- Pharmaceutics VI
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry VI
- Pharmacy Law and Ethics
- Pharmacology VII
- Pharmaceutics VII
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry VII
- Clinical Pharmacy IV
- Oncology
Diploma in pharmacy course outline in Kenya
- Basic Mathematics
- Social Psychology
- Entrepreneurship
- Computer Applications
- Christian Beliefs
- HIV/AIDS
- Community Skills
- Human Anatomy
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology
- Medical Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Social and Administrative Pharmacy I
- Pharmacy Practice Experience I
- Social and Administrative Pharmacy II
- Inorganic Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Pharmacognosy
- Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Organic Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Drug Supply Management I
- Pharmaceutics I
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry I
- Drug Supply Management II
- Pharmacy Practice Experience II
- Pharmaceutics II
- Organic Pharmaceuticals Chemistry II
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics II
- Social Admin
- Pharmacy III
- Pharmaceutics III
- Pharmacy Practice Experience
- Research Project
Career opportunities with a pharmacy qualification
- Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical technologist
- Hospital/clinical pharmacist
- Community pharmacist
- Consultant pharmacist
Pharmacy course requirements in Kenya – Wrap up
To summarize, the following are the pharmacy course requirements in Kenya:
A KCSE mean grade of C (plain), with C (plain) in English/Kiswahili, Chemistry/Physical Science, Biology/Biological Sciences, and Mathematics/Physics/Physical Sciences, is required for a diploma in pharmacy.
A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) with C+ (plus) in Biology, Chemistry, English/Kiswahili, and in Mathematics/Physics is required for a degree in pharmacy.
Also, remember that there is no pharmacy certificate in Kenya (no institution is accredited to offer the course).
So, you can only enroll in a diploma or degree program.
All the best!
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