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Asked by dear20yet to Arnold, Edna, Elkana, Gliday, Jacinta, Michael, Mike, Mmboyi, Sally on 8 Jul 2025.
Question: Am i able to pursue a different course and still purse medicine?
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Michael Kimwele answered on 8 Jul 2025:
Yes, you can pursue a different course and still pursue medicine in Kenya, but there are some important things to consider depending on your current academic background and the path you want to take:
Option 1: Direct Entry to Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB)To be admitted to MBChB directly, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) and universities require:
Minimum KCSE Requirements:Mean Grade: B (Plain) and above
B in Biology
B in Chemistry
B in English or Kiswahili
B in Mathematics or Physics
If you already meet these, you can apply even if you’ve done a different course before.
Option 2: Graduate Entry (Second Degree Pathway)
Some universities allow graduate entry into medicine if you have a related degree, especially in:
Biomedical Sciences
Nursing
Pharmacy
Clinical Medicine
Biochemistry
This option may allow exemptions or a shorter course duration (but not always in Kenya—more common abroad).
Option 3: Bridging Courses (Limited Use in Kenya)
In some cases, if you missed one subject (e.g., Physics or Chemistry), you might be allowed to bridge that subject. However, bridging is not widely accepted for MBChB admission in Kenya’s public universities.
Things to Consider:
Admission is very competitive.
KUCCPS and private universities may have slightly different requirements.
Some universities like UON, Moi, Egerton, Kenyatta, Mount Kenya, Uzima, or Kenya Methodist University offer the course.
Medicine takes at least 6 years.
What You Can Do Now:
Check if your KCSE grades qualify you.
Contact the medical schools directly for specific admissions advice.
If you don’t meet the KCSE cut-off, consider:
Repeating KCSE
Studying medicine abroad
Pursuing a related course and moving into a health career another way (e.g., Clinical Officer, Nursing, Public Health, etc.)
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Arnold Lambisia answered on 8 Jul 2025:
Honestly this is quite a challenge. Medicine is quite intensive in terms of time spent in class and rotations in the hospitals as part of your training. If you have both courses running at the same time in the university, you might run into issues around clashing classes, cats and exams leading to missed classes or exams. You can pursue short courses that are self paced taking a few hours of your time in the evening during the week or the weekend to boost your knowledge and skill set.
What most people have done is pursue a different course before the undergraduate medicine degree or after finishing you medicine degree you can pursue any other degree that you want either at an undergraduate, masters or PhD level.
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Jacinta Nzilani answered on 8 Jul 2025:
Hey,
This question actually takes me back to high school when I was torn between wanting to do law and something else. Let me tell you, I would have died trying to juggle both! 😅 Each course is demanding in its own way, it takes up your time and drains your brain, literally.So, no, I wouldn’t advise doing that. Medicine is already such a demanding course that requires a ton of focus, time, and brainpower. It’s better to pursue one thing at a time and give it your all.
Trust me, focusing on one goal will set you up for success! 🙌
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Sally Odunga answered on 8 Jul 2025:
Yes, nothing is impossible. However, keep in mind that studying medicine is very demanding. It requires a significant amount of time, with assignments, exams, and other responsibilities. That said, if you are able to take on a minor course and manage your time well, it can work. I have friends who successfully pursued medicine alongside a course in Information Technology (IT). So it can be done.
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