Programme Overview
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) is a 6 years professional programme for which the students are awarded the degrees in Medicine and Surgery upon successful completion of the programme. Current statistics show that the doctor – to – potential patients’ ratio is still very low in the Eastern Africa region. In Uganda, there is only one doctor for every 24,700 potential patients. This is to be compared with that of other third world countries such as Bolivia, Honduras, and India where there is one doctor for every 2,000 to 3,000 potential patients. Therefore there is a need to train more and more doctors. However, the more important question to be answered from a needs assessment regards the type of training such doctors require to make them functionally suitable to face the challenges of the 21st century. It has become clear from feedback obtained systematically and anecdotally from the communities served by the doctors that more innovative learning and teaching strategies as outlined, later on, is required to adequately prepare the doctors for the challenges they will need in their professional practice. Moreover, the majority of the few doctors available serve the minority of the Ugandan community living in urban areas while the minority of the doctors are the ones that serve the majority of the community living in rural areas.
What You Will Learn
By the end of the programme, students are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, practical skills and professional conduct required for effective work in Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
Course Structure and Learning Experience
The learning experience is organised to move students from foundational knowledge into applied, supervised and professionally oriented practice.
Foundation sciences
Students begin with the scientific and professional foundations required for health training.
Pre-practice preparation
Learning moves into practical, laboratory or simulated tasks that prepare students for supervised practice.
Applied practice
Students engage with discipline-specific practical work, field exposure or clinical learning where applicable.
Community orientation
The programme connects professional practice with prevention, service and community realities.
Research and professional readiness
Students consolidate learning through research, professional conduct and career preparation.
Admission Requirements
Five (5) entry points are available for persons wishing to enter the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) programme:
Holder of the Advanced (“A”) Level Certificate:
In order to be eligible for direct entry into the MBChB prgoramme, a candidate must have:
- Sat and passed the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) examination or its equivalent and obtained a certificate in it with passes in at least five subjects taken at the same sitting.
- Sat and passed the Uganda Advanced Level School Certificate of Education (UACE) or its equivalent with at least two (2) principal passes in Biology and Chemistry, and at least one (1) subsidiary pass in either Physics or Mathematics.
- A minimum mean grade of B and minimum of B in relevant subjects which include English/Kiswahili, Mathematics/Physics/Physical sciences, Biology and Chemistry to enroll for Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum mean grade of B. Secondary school results must be equated by Uganda National Examinations Board.
Holders of School Certificate Graded in Percentages and average Points
- In order to be eligible for direct entry into the MBChB programme, a candidate whose final high school marks are graded in percentages and average point systems such as in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Burundi must have their grades first equated or standardized by UNEB before seeking KIU admission.
Holders of Diploma in Medical Sciences:
In order to be eligible for admission into the MBChB programme, a candidate must:
- Possess a good diploma or its equivalent in a health-related field such as Clinical Medicine, Medical Laboratory Technology, Radiography, public health, Dental Health, Advanced Nursing, Registered Nursing and Pharmacy Technology.
- Be registered with the relevant professional council of the home country where applicable.
- The institution from which such a qualification was obtained must be recognized by KIU Senate.
- Possess a Bachelors degree in science disciplines at least at the level of second-class lower division or its equivalent.
- Have obtained the above qualification from a recognized institution of higher learning in his/her country, which is recognized by KIU Senate.
Transfers from other Programmes within KIU
- Admission into the MBChB programme by transfer from other programmes within KIU will be in accordance with the transfer rules as described in the Rules and Regulations Governing assessment and examinations for undergraduate students of KIU-WC.
- Start from year one semester one of this programme, if he/she was discontinued from the programme from the institution he/she is transferring from. Exemptions from any of the multi-professional training programme courses shall be considered by the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences Board and a recommendation made, in regard to each course, to the campus Board. The campus Board may approve or vary the recommendation.
- Be considered for advanced standing admission (admission at a level beyond year one semester one of the programme) by the faculty of Biomedical Sciences Board/ Faculty of clinical Medicine and Dentistry Boards as the specific case may require, and a recommendation made to senate through the campus Board regarding the level of entry into the programme and the courses he/she has to be exempted if any. The campus Board and senate may approve or vary the recommendation.
- Original O’ Level certificate or its equivalent.
- Original A’ Level certificate, where applicable.
- Academic transcripts for the years attended in the Institution he/she is transferring from.
- A Letter of Good standing from the Institution he/she is transferring from, for those in category
Fees and Application Guidance
Tuition, functional fees and any programme-specific charges are confirmed by KIU Admissions and Finance for each intake. Applicants should review the current fee schedule before submitting an application.