Frequently Asked Questions
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
What is a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree?
This is a six-year, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree programme designed to prepare medical doctors who are well grounded with knowledge, competencies and skills in humanities, social sciences, and medical sciences. The MBChB curriculum provides a general professional education and fosters students' ability to learn through problem-based learning and self-directed, independent study. It is based on the principles of adult learning and incorporates concepts of best evidence in medical education.
What are the prerequisites for applying to a MBChB program?
All candidates to the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree programme must satisfy the minimum stipulated admission requirements:
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) holders: Minimum university admission requirement is C+. Additionally, applicants should possess an aggregate grade of B plain in the following cluster of subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics; and English or Kiswahili. OR
Advanced Level Certificate holders: A minimum of 2 principal passes in Biology, Chemistry, and a subsidiary pass in either Mathematics or Physics. OR
International Baccalaureate (IB): Grade 5 and above in International Baccalaureate (IB). OR
Diploma in Medical Sciences: A minimum “O” level division II Pass or C+ (plus) mean grade and credit pass C+ in the cluster subjects (English or Kiswahili, Mathematics or Physics, Chemistry and Biology) in KCSE in addition to a three-year diploma with a minimum of a credit pass from a medical training institution recognized by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board. OR
Undergraduate degree: Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in Biological/ Clinical Sciences or related qualifications from a recognized University.
Note:
1. Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree in Biological/ Clinical Sciences or related qualifications from a recognized University.
2. Applicants who are writing their certification exams in the summer of 2025 may apply provisionally provided they meet the minimum requirements. However, an official admission letter will only be issued upon submission of final results, which must be received no later than Friday, August 8, 2025.
3. Students who have studied outside East Africa are encouraged to apply. However, apart from those with A-Level and IB qualifications, all other applicants are required to have their academic credentials equated by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) or the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). This ensures proper assessment and recognition of their qualifications during the admission process.
How long does it take to complete a MBChB program?
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) is a six-year programme.
What career opportunities are available for graduates with a MBChB degree?
Graduates with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree have a wide range of career opportunities available to them in the field of medicine. Some of these career paths include:
General Practitioner (GP): Many MBChB graduates choose to work as general practitioners, providing primary healthcare services to patients of all ages in community clinics, private practices, or group practices. GPs diagnose and treat a variety of acute and chronic illnesses, manage preventive care, and refer patients to specialists when needed.
Speciality Medicine: MBChB graduates can pursue specialised medical careers by completing postgraduate training (residency) in various medical specialities. Specialities may include internal medicine, paediatrics, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, dermatology, radiology, anaesthesiology, neurology, oncology, cardiology, and many others.
Surgeon: MBChB graduates who complete additional training in surgery can become surgeons, specialising in areas such as general surgery, orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiovascular surgery, plastic surgery, urology, or otolaryngology (ENT). Surgeons perform surgical procedures to treat injuries, diseases, or deformities in patients.
Hospitalist: Hospitalists are physicians who specialize in caring for hospitalized patients. They coordinate and manage inpatient care, collaborate with specialists and other healthcare providers, and oversee patients' treatment plans from admission to discharge. Hospitalists may work in academic medical centres, community hospitals, or speciality hospitals.
Emergency Medicine Physician: MBChB graduates can pursue careers in emergency medicine, providing acute medical care to patients in emergency departments (EDs) or trauma centres. Emergency physicians diagnose and treat a wide range of medical emergencies, stabilise critically ill or injured patients, and coordinate care with other specialists.
Medical Researcher: MBChB graduates interested in advancing medical knowledge and contributing to scientific discovery may pursue careers in medical research. They may work in academic institutions, research hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, or government agencies, conducting clinical trials, translational research, or basic science research.
Public Health Physician: MBChB graduates with an interest in population health and preventive medicine may pursue careers in public health. Public health physicians work to improve the health of communities through disease prevention, health promotion, policy development, and health education initiatives.
Medical Educator: MBChB graduates with a passion for teaching and mentoring may pursue careers in medical education. They may work as medical school faculty members, residency program directors, or continuing medical education (CME) instructors, educating future generations of physicians and healthcare professionals.
Global Health Practitioner: MBChB graduates may work in global health settings, providing medical care, health education, and humanitarian assistance in underserved or resource-limited areas around the world. They may work for international NGOs, humanitarian organizations, or government agencies.
These are just a few examples of the diverse career opportunities available to graduates with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree. The field of medicine offers a wide range of specialities and practice settings, allowing physicians to pursue rewarding careers that align with their interests, skills, and values.
Is the programme online or hybrid?
Hybrid
What support services are available for MBChB students, such as financial assistance or career counselling?
Student counsellors at AKU provide psychological support to students and medical trainees undergoing personal, social, or academic challenges, or common mental health concerns including (but not limited to) adjustment issues, stress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
AKU has a Financial Assistance Programme that aims to assist students who have limited financial need to support the cost of their education. Currently, MBChB are eligible for partial scholarship. Upon admissions, students are encouraged to apply for financial assistance. Allocation is done on need basis.
Can I pursue a master's or doctoral degree in medicine after completing a MBChB program?
Yes, you can specialise in various medicine programmes available at the Aga Khan University, including:
Anaesthesiology (offered in Nairobi, Kenya)
Anatomic Pathology (offered in Nairobi, Kenya)
Clinical Pathology (offered in Nairobi, Kenya)
Family Medicine (offered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania & Nairobi, Kenya)
General Surgery (offered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania & Nairobi, Kenya)
Imaging and Diagnostic Radiology (offered in Nairobi, Kenya)
Internal Medicine (offered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania & Nairobi, Kenya)
Obstetrics and Gynaecology (offered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania & Nairobi, Kenya)
Paediatrics and Child Health (offered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania & Nairobi, Kenya)
