Talk of the best medical colleges in Kenya, and the one that will undoubtedly stand on your bucket list is Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). And there is a good reason for this as the medical college offers several medical courses that guarantee immediate employment after completing studies. Among the best course levels offered by KMTC are the Higher Diploma courses that have increasingly become popular in 2025 as the demand for advanced medical training continues to rise in Kenya.
So, if you are planning to Join the Kenya Medical Training College and want to explore which higher diploma courses to choose in 2025, and maybe you are a little fuzzy about which courses to choose, well, you are in luck because this guide has made it easier for you. Below is everything that you need to know.
What Higher Diploma Courses Does KMTC Offer in 2025?
The higher diploma programs offered by KMTC are designed for professionals seeking to advance beyond the diploma level or those with relevant work experience who wish to specialize in a particular healthcare field. As of 2025, KMTC offers 29 higher diploma programs across various campuses throughout Kenya. These specialized courses typically require one to two years to complete, depending on the area of study, as shown in the table below:
| 1 | Higher Diploma in Critical Care Nursing | 1 year | Nairobi, Kilifi, Isiolo |
| 2 | Higher Diploma in Paediatric Nursing | 1 year | Kisumu |
| 3 | Higher Diploma in Palliative Care (Distance Learning) | 1 year | Nairobi |
| 4 | Higher Diploma in Nephrology Nursing | 1 year | Nairobi, Nakuru, Embu |
| 5 | Higher Diploma in Family Health Nursing (Distance Learning) | 1 year | Nairobi |
| 6 | Higher Diploma in Kenya Registered Nurse Anaesthesia | 1 year | Kisii, Mombasa |
| 7 | Higher Diploma in Ophthalmic Nursing | 1 year | Nairobi |
| 8 | Higher Diploma in Perioperative Nursing | 1 year | Nairobi |
| 9 | Higher Diploma in Oncology Nursing | 1 year | Mosoriot |
| 10 | Higher Diploma in Medical Social Work (Gender Based Violence) | 2 years | Karuri |
| 11 | Higher Diploma in Epidemiology | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 12 | Higher Diploma in Health Systems Management (Distance Learning) | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 13 | Higher Diploma in Health Administration | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 14 | Higher Diploma in Health Professions Education | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 15 | Higher Diploma in Addictive Sciences | 2 years | Mathare |
| 16 | Higher Diploma in Clinical Medicine & Surgery (Ophthalmology and Cataract Surgery) | 2 years | Eldoret |
| 17 | Higher Diploma in Clinical Medicine & Surgery (Advanced Refraction and Low Vision) | 2 years | Eldoret |
| 18 | Higher Diploma in Radiography & Imaging (Ultrasonography) | 2 years | Nairobi, Kisumu |
| 19 | Higher Diploma in Radiography & Imaging (Radiation Therapy) | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 20 | Higher Diploma in Radiography & Imaging (Computed Tomography) | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 21 | Higher Diploma in Radiography & Imaging (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 22 | Higher Diploma in Orthopedic Manual Therapy | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 23 | Higher Diploma in Neuro-rehabilitation | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 24 | Higher Diploma in Occupational Therapy (Community Based Rehabilitation) | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 25 | Higher Diploma in Occupational Therapy (Renal Rehabilitation) | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 26 | Higher Diploma in Optometry (Contact Lenses) | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 27 | Higher Diploma in Renal Pharmacy | 2 years | Nairobi |
| 28 | Higher Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics (Renal Nutrition) | 2 years | Karen (Nairobi) |
| 29 | Higher Diploma in Health Education and Promotion | 2 years | Nairobi |
Admission Requirements
Now, if you are going to study the above courses at any KMTC branch countrywide, the only criteria that you need to understand is what requirements each has to offer. The eligibility criteria for the various Higher diploma courses vary by the department and the course itself, but generally, they are as follows:
For Nursing-related Higher Diplomas:
- Diploma in Nursing or Community Health Nursing (KRN/KRCHN) or Diploma in Nursing (KRN/KRM)
- 1 year of post-graduation experience
- Registration with the Nursing Council of Kenya (implied requirement)
For Public Health Higher Diplomas:
- Diploma in relevant fields such as Environmental Health Sciences, KRCHN, Clinical Medicine, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Health Records & Information, or Community Oral Health (for Epidemiology)
- For Medical Social Work specialty: Diploma in Medical Social Work or any other health-related course from KMTC or recognized institution
For Health Administration-related Higher Diplomas:
- Diploma in a health-related course or BSc in a health-related course from a recognized institution
- For Health Administration specifically: Diploma in a health-related field or management-related field
For Clinical Medicine & Surgery Higher Diplomas:
- Diploma in Clinical Medicine & Surgery from KMTC or other recognized institution
- Registration with the Clinical Officers’ Council
- Two years of post-graduation experience in Clinical Medicine
For other specialized higher diplomas, you will also need a relevant diploma in the field you want to study and professional registration with relevant regulatory bodies. However, we encourage you to consult with the campus that offers the course to get any additional requirements specific to each program.
KMTC’s Higher Diploma fee structure
Another factor you need to consider when applying for any higher diploma courses at KMTC is the respective fee structure for that particular course, which is mainly influenced by the type of sponsorship ( Government or self-sponsored student).
In General, higher diploma courses cost between Kshs. 122,200 and Kshs. 185,000 annually, covering various extensions, including tuition, examination fees, library and ICT services, and other charges. In addition, there is also a separate one-time course application fee charged at Ksh 2,072.
How to Apply for Higher Diploma Courses
So long as you have met the course requirements and are ready to pay the application fee when promoted, then the rest of the how-to process for the application is easier than you think. The application process is done via the KMTC admissions portal during the application period; as of the writing of this article, the March 2025 intake has closed, with the final deadline being March 4, 2025. However, you can prepare for the September 2025 intake, which typically opens in July.
Below are the full application steps that you can do by yourself:
- Visit the KMTC admissions portal admissions.kmtc.ac.ke and click Register to create an account. You will need to provide your Full Name and email address and set a password.
- Make sure to follow the steps to fully activate your account by following the activation link sent to our email address.
- Once your account is activated, you can log in with your credentials. On your dashboard, click on Application and then Apply Preservic to start your application.
- Upload the necessary documents as prompted, such as copies of your academic certificates, identification documents, and all that is needed.
- Proceed to pay the application fee of Kshs. 2,072 using the payment options provided
- After completing all steps, submit your application and wait for further communication from KMTC by mail or Phone.
Wrapping-Up
Well, there you have it. Well, We hope this article has helped you better understand all the Higher Diploma courses KMTC offers in 2025. Remember, the ke to applying to this program is to ensure that you meet all the required requirements. If you have any difficulties, please comment below, and we will guide you.
