University of Nairobi School of Medicine

The Faculty operates across several campuses in Nairobi, primarily the KNH and Chiromo campuses.

• Human Anatomy Laboratory (Chiromo): A world-class facility where students spend their first two years studying the foundations of medicine.
• UNITID Bio-containment Lab: A state-of-the-art research facility for high-risk pathogens and tropical infectious diseases.
• KAVI Institute of Clinical Research: An award-winning center globally recognized for its HIV vaccine trials.
• Surgical Skills Lab: The first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, allowing students and practitioners to hone complex surgical techniques.
• FHS Library: A specialized medical library with 24-hour access to high-impact clinical databases like PubMed and ScienceDirect.
• Herbal Medicine Research Lab: Focused on integrating traditional medicine with modern clinical practices.
• Medical Skills Laboratory: A simulation hub used for Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).
• Faculty Gym & Sports Fields: Facilities for physical well-being located within the KNH residential area.
• ICT & E-Learning Centre: Supports the university's transition to digital medical records and telemedicine training.
• Center for HIV/AIDS Research and Training (CHART): A dedicated hub for the faculty’s extensive epidemiology and research projects.

Students have access to the most diverse patient population in East Africa through multiple clinical sites:

• Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH): The primary 1,800-bed teaching hospital. Students rotate through specialized units like the Renal Unit, Heart Unit, and Burn Centre.
• Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital: The national psychiatric referral center, used for the clinical psychiatry rotation.
• UoN Dental Hospital: A specialized facility for dental surgery students on the KNH campus.
• Various County Hospitals: Senior students often rotate through hospitals in Nairobi and Kiambu for community-based health clerkships.

Fees at UoN depend on the student's entry mode: Regular (Government-sponsored) or Module II (Self-sponsored).

Scholarship

• Higher Education Loans Board (HELB): The primary source of funding for Kenyan medical students.
• HEF Funding: New tiered government grants based on the student's financial vulnerability.
• University of Nairobi Alumni Association (UONAA) Bursaries: Awarded annually to high-achieving, needy medical students.
• Rattansi Educational Trust: A major external donor providing grants to UoN students for decades.
• Research Fellowships: Available for post-graduate students through partnerships with the University of Washington and Oxford University.

• The Vibe: The KNH campus is a city within a city. It is located just minutes from Nairobi’s Central Business District.
• Connectivity:
• Public Transport: All major "Matatu" routes serving Ngong Road and Upper Hill stop at the hospital gates.
• Internal Shuttle: Connects students between the Chiromo and KNH campuses.
• Safety: The medical campus is gated and highly secure, but vigilance is required in the surrounding urban areas.

• Accommodation: Pre-clinical students live at Chiromo Campus. Clinical students move to hostels at the KNH Campus (e.g., Clinical Mess Hostels). All have strict access control and CCTV.
• Dining: The "Clinical Mess" is a famous social and dining hub where students get affordable, hot meals between hospital shifts.
• Vibe: Serious, fast-paced, and highly clinical. The UNSA (University of Nairobi Students Association) and the Association of Medical Students (AMS) are central to student life.
• Professional Groups: Students are encouraged to join specialized clubs like the Neurosurgery Club or the Emergency Medicine Society.

• Admission Requirements (MBChB):
• KCSE: Minimum Mean Grade of C+ (plus) with a mandatory B (plain) in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/Physics, and English/Swahili.
• Alternate Entry: Diploma in Medical Sciences with a C+ mean grade or a relevant Biological Sciences degree.
• International Students: UoN is home to over 40 nationalities, with a dedicated International Students Office to assist with visas and induction.