The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) offers one of the broadest portfolios of health-related programmes in Kenya, designed to supply the country and region with skilled health professionals across clinical, technical and allied disciplines.
With 126 academic courses structured at certificate, diploma and higher diploma levels, KMTC aims to meet evolving workforce needs in the health sector.
Levels of training and entry requirements
• Certificate Programmes – Typically two years (2½ years for nursing) and the most accessible entry point for high school graduates. Applicants require a minimum Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade of C- minus (C-), with specific subject combinations depending on the course.
• Diploma Programmes – Usually three years (3½ for some nursing streams). Entry requires a KCSE mean grade of C (plain) with defined subject requirements in sciences and English/Kiswahili.
• Higher Diploma Programmes – One-year specialist qualifications for those holding relevant diplomas plus usually at least two years’ work experience.
• Short Courses – Short-term training (from weeks to a few months) that targets specific skills such as basic life support, infection control or echocardiography.
Core Courses and Career Paths
KMTC’s academic programmes span clinical, technical and community health disciplines.
1. Clinical Medicine and Nursing: Diploma and higher diploma pathways prepare learners for roles as clinical officers, nurses and specialised practitioners. Graduates work in hospitals, clinics, community health services and emergency care. Demand remains high in both public and private sectors, especially in rural and underserved regions.
2. Medical Laboratory Sciences and Radiography: These programmes train students in diagnostic services — from analysing patient samples to performing imaging tests. Highly technical and practical, these roles are essential in modern healthcare and command competitive salaries, particularly with additional certification.
3. Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology: Diploma courses equip learners to work in drug dispensing, hospital pharmacy units and pharmaceutical distribution. Marketability is strong in clinical settings, community pharmacies and regulatory bodies.
4. Allied Health and Therapy Professions: Courses such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, optometry and nutrition and dietetics develop specialists who support rehabilitation, preventive care and wellness services. These fields are growing as healthcare shifts towards holistic and long-term care models.
5. Health Records, IT and Administration: Health informatics and records management are increasingly important as facilities adopt digital systems. Graduates qualify for roles in hospital administration, data analysis and health information systems.
What Makes Each Course Stand Out
• Clinical and nursing courses are foundational to Kenya’s health system, with broad employment prospects.
• Technical diagnostics (labs and imaging) align with global health trends in personalised patient care.
• Allied health disciplines address preventive and rehabilitative needs, often with less competition for jobs.
• Short courses and higher diplomas offer opportunities for upskilling existing practitioners.
Marketability
Demand for KMTC graduates remains robust in public hospitals, private clinics, NGOs and international health programmes. Professions such as nursing, clinical medicine, medical laboratory sciences and pharmacy are traditionally well-employed, while specialised and allied health roles are gaining traction as Kenya expands universal health coverage.
NOTE: Prospective students should review specific entry requirements and career outcomes on the official KMTC or KUCCPS portals before application to align training with personal goals.
