Best Health Science Colleges in Kenya for Admissions

The demand for skilled health professionals in Kenya continues to rise, with counties, NGOs, and hospitals all seeking trained practitioners across nursing, laboratory science, nutrition, and community health. For students, this translates into stronger placement opportunities - provided they choose the right institution and apply on time.

This guide lists the best health science colleges in Kenya for admissions, focusing on entry requirements, intake schedules, and application support. Unlike traditional “ranking” lists, this article is admission-oriented - helping you understand where, when, and how to apply.

Why Admissions Matter More Than Rankings?

Choosing a top institution is important, but applying early often makes the bigger difference. Many colleges close their January or May intakes by mid-December, and slots for competitive diplomas like Clinical Medicine, Nursing, or Nutrition fill up quickly.

A good admissions plan helps you:

• Avoid delays caused by incomplete documents or missed cut-offs.
• Access scholarships or early-bird slots.
• Secure timely placement for your first clinical attachment.

So this list doesn’t just tell you who’s the best - it tells you who’s ready to admit you in 2025, and what you need to prepare.

Key Admission Factors We Considered

Before compiling the list, we evaluated each college on:

1. Accreditation: Verified by TVETA or relevant sectoral boards like NCK, KNDI, or KMLTTB.
2. Transparency: Availability of clear entry requirements, fees, and intake dates online.
3. Admissions Support: Accessibility of online or WhatsApp-based application help.
4. Intake Frequency: Number of intakes per year (colleges with 3 - 4 cycles scored higher).
5. Placement Readiness: Institutions that align academic calendars with hospital rotations.

Best Health Science Colleges in Kenya for Admissions

Here is the list of top medical health sciences college is Kenya and East Africa to consider for admissions.

1. ICMHS - Imperial College of Medical & Health Sciences (Thika)

Why ICMHS tops the admission list: ICMHS stands out for its streamlined digital admissions and transparent eligibility guidelines per course. Students can apply, pay via M-Pesa, and receive confirmation without physical travel.

• Intakes: January, March, May, and September.
• Popular Courses: Diploma in Clinical Medicine, Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics, Diploma in Community Health, Diploma in Health Records & IT.
• Entry Requirements: KCSE C (Diploma) / C- or D+ (Certificate), depending on programme.
• Admission Support: WhatsApp + email onboarding with counsellors.
• Highlight: Published list of 150+ partner hospitals for clinical rotations ensures early planning post-admission.

🟢 Why Apply: Multi-intake calendar and guided onboarding make ICMHS ideal for students applying from remote counties or working professionals seeking career entry in healthcare.

2. Thika School of Medical and Health Sciences

Thika School combines broad course availability with physical campuses across multiple counties - making it one of the most accessible options for 2025 applicants.

• Intakes: January, May, and September.
• Courses: Physiotherapy, Clinical Medicine, Nutrition, Medical Laboratory Technology.
• Admissions Process: Manual or online submission via official portal.
• Entry Requirements: KCSE C (Diploma), D+ (Certificate).
• Unique Advantage: Hospital-based structure simplifies placement planning once admitted.

Why Apply: If you prefer a branch near your county, Thika offers multiple locations including Mombasa, Kisumu, and Kitui.

3. Nazareth Medical College - Kiambu

Nazareth attracts applicants who value faith-based education with strong clinical mentorship.

• Intakes: January & September.
• Programmes: Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing, Nutrition, Clinical Medicine.
• Entry Requirements: KCSE C (plain) with sciences; nursing-specific subject grades as per NCK.
• Admissions Process: Physical application or direct drop-off at Nazareth Hospital.
• Highlight: On-campus hospital exposure during admission week itself.

Why Apply: Perfect for students seeking integrated nursing or clinical exposure in a smaller, ethics-driven community.

4. Outspan Medical College - Nyeri

As part of the Outspan Hospital group, Outspan’s admission process integrates directly with hospital rotations.

• Intakes: January, May, and September.
• Courses: Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition, Lab Science.
• Entry Requirements: KCSE C (Diploma), D+ (Certificate).
• Admissions Channel: Online forms + PDF submission via portal.
• Highlight: Applicants automatically join a “Career Readiness Orientation” week post-admission.

Why Apply: Outspan remains one of the most organized private institutions for students who want admission + internship alignment from day one.

5. Amref International University (AMIU) - Nairobi

Amref’s health science wing targets applicants seeking degree progression or NGO-aligned diplomas.

• Intakes: January & May.
• Courses: Diploma in Community Health, Health Systems Management, Public Health.
• Admissions: Online applications through website; direct card/M-Pesa payment.
• Highlight: Recognized internationally through Amref’s NGO network.

Why Apply: Suited for students who see healthcare as both a local and global career path.

6. Pioneer International University - School of Health Sciences

Pioneer simplifies the admissions journey through its digital portal and flexible intakes.

• Intakes: January, May, and September.
• Courses: Public Health, Medical Lab Science, Environmental Health.
• Entry Requirements: KCSE C (Diploma), D+ (Certificate).
• Highlight: Option to upgrade from diploma to bachelor’s without reapplying.

Why Apply: Ideal for students planning to study continuously within one university system.

7. Clive Irvine College of Health Sciences - Chogoria

Affiliated with PCEA Chogoria Hospital, this institution offers structured, ethics-based training with early clinical exposure.

• Intakes: January & September.
• Courses: Nursing, Clinical Medicine, Nutrition.
• Entry Requirements: As per NCK/KNDI frameworks.
• Highlight: Personalized mentorship through hospital tutors during orientation.

Why Apply: Consistent mentorship and hospital attachment from semester one.

8. Outreach Health Sciences College - Machakos

A growing name for community health and public health diplomas, Outreach attracts students focused on grassroots care.

• Intakes: January, May, and September.
• Courses: Public Health, Health Records, Community Health.
• Admissions Mode: Walk-in or email registration with simple documentation.
• Highlight: Low student-teacher ratio enhances skill learning.

Why Apply: Great for students seeking personalized instruction and smaller classes.

9. Kenya Methodist University - School of Medicine & Health Sciences

KeMU runs recognized diploma and degree programs under the CUE and TVETA frameworks.

• Intakes: January, May, and September.
• Courses: Public Health, Laboratory Science, Nursing, Clinical Medicine.
• Entry Requirements: KCSE C for Diplomas; science minimums required.
• Highlight: Multi-campus access (Meru, Nairobi, Mombasa).

Why Apply: Blends private-university credibility with healthcare specialization.

10. Cicely McDonnell School of Nursing - Nairobi

This heritage institution under the Nairobi Hospital umbrella remains a respected choice for nursing-focused applicants.

• Intakes: April & September.
• Entry Requirements: KCSE C (plain) with Biology, Chemistry, English.
• Admissions: In-person at Nairobi Hospital Training Center.
• Highlight: Consistent NCK exam performance and mentorship under senior nurses.

Why Apply: Excellent for students exclusively targeting a nursing career in hospital settings.

Admission Deadlines Snapshot

(Verify dates directly with admission offices - subject to change.)

How To Prepare For Your 2025 College Application

1. Gather Documents Early: KCSE certificate, national ID, and birth certificate.
2. Budget for Registration Fees: Most colleges charge KES 1,500–3,000 non-refundable.
3. Confirm Accreditation: Verify on the official TVETA or NCK portals.
4. Apply to Multiple Colleges: Secure at least one backup option before deadlines.
5. Follow Up on Intake Confirmation: Colleges like ICMHS and Outspan provide real-time updates via SMS or email.

Why ICMHS Leads the Admission Season?

ICMHS’s multi-intake model ensures that late applicants can still secure a seat without losing a full academic year. Its transparent entry requirements, digital onboarding, and early rotation planning reduce the anxiety many students face after admission.

Additionally, its quarterly placements across counties make it one of the few institutions aligning admissions directly with real-world job readiness.

Conclusion

Kenya’s private health science colleges are entering a new phase of transparency - with clearer intakes, online systems, and better alignment between classroom and clinical experience.

As you prepare for the new sessions admissions, shortlist colleges that combine strong accreditation with practical learning and student-centric admissions.

Whether you choose a hospital-based model like Nazareth or a rotation-network college like ICMHS, act early. Most intakes close within 6 - 8 weeks of announcement - and the earlier you apply, the faster you start your healthcare journey.

FAQs

1. When do most health science colleges in Kenya open admissions?

Typically between October and December for the January intake, and again around March - April for May classes.

2. What is the minimum grade for a Diploma in Health Sciences?

Most diploma programmes require KCSE C (plain); certificate courses accept D+. Nursing has specific subject requirements under NCK.

3. Are online applications accepted?

Yes. Colleges like ICMHS, Pioneer, and Amref allow full online registration and M-Pesa payment.

4. How many intakes does ICMHS offer in a year?

Four - January, March, May, and September - one of the most flexible in the sector.

5. Can I apply to more than one college?

Absolutely. Many students apply to two or three institutions and finalize after admission confirmation.