Pharmacy Course Requirements in Kenya

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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