Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Analysis Program Offered at University of Nairobi

Postgraduate Diploma 1 Year Fulltime Fee: on application Intake: Ongoing

Postgraduate Diploma (Accredited by: University of Nairobi)

About Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Analysis Postgraduate Diploma program.

Over the last few decades, Kenya has experienced a rapid growth in the Pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, with more than thirty drug manufacturing industries producing drugs for local use and for export. In addition, Kenya imports a large proportion of the drugs used within the country with majority of them being generics. This calls for vigilance in the analytical aspects of drug regulation and requires hands on specialists who can ensure the quality of drugs in the market.

The country currently is experiencing a shortage of pharmaceutical analysts with less than twenty pharmaceutical analysts with the relevant postgraduate training in place. The postgraduate diploma in pharmaceutical analysis programme at the University of Nairobi is designed to build capacity in the field of quality assurance and quality control of pharmaceuticals and related products. On completion of the course, the graduates will be expected to be pharmaceutical and related manufacturing processes and in drug regulatory affairs.

Objectives of Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Analysis

The objectives of the Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Analysis course are to provide student with:

a) The knowledge and skills to carry out quality assurance of pharmaceuticals and related products.


b) The knowledge and skills required in the quality control of pharmaceuticals and related products.


c) The technical skills and ability to carry out basic research in pharmaceutical analysis.


d) The knowledge and skills in drug manufacture, drug registration and drug distribution regulations.

Entry requirements for Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Analysis

The minimum requirements into the postgraduate diploma in Pharmaceutical Analysis are:

Holders of a bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nairobi or any other institution


recognized by the senate of University of Nairobi.


Holders of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry (Analytical Chemistry option), Biochemistry or Food Science Technology of Nairobi or from other institutions recognised by the University of Nairobi Senate with at least two years working experience in a pharmaceutical.



Holders of Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry (Analytical Chemistry option), Biochemistry or Food Science Technology of pass Qualification from the University of Nairobi or from other institutions recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate with at least three years working experience in a pharmaceutical laboratory.



A candidate may be exempted from some course units from institutions recognized by the University of Nairobi Senate, subject to the following conditions;




  1. Must have passed in similar course units at postgraduate diploma or higher level.



  2. Request for exemption should be made in writing on admission, addressed to the Director, Board of postgraduate studies, through Dean, school of pharmacy and should be accompanied by the relevant course(s).



  3. Payment of the prescribed exemption fees.



  4. No candidates shall be exempted for more than one third of the total number of units required in the course.



  5. The units UDA 720-Research project, shall not be transferable or exempted.

Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Analysis Course Subjects

The Post graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Analysis course at the University of Nairobi is taught on a full-time or part-time programme that shall run over a minimum of 2 semesters and a maximum of 6 semesters each of 15 weeks.


The course shall be conducted through lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory practicals.


The course shall consist of 9 course units and a research project.


The minimum number of course taken in a semester shall be 2


Course Outline


semester i


Titrimetric, Gravimetric and Thermal methods, Electrochemical methods, Introduction of Chromatographic methods, Spectroscopic methods, Research Methodology, Biostatistics and drug Information.


Semister ii


Instrumental Chromatographic methods, Biological methods, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing practicals, Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs, Research project.

About University of Nairobi

The University of Nairobi is a world-class university committed to scholarly excellence. University of Nairobi mission is to provide quality university education and training and to embody the aspirations of the Kenyan people and the global community through creation, preservation, integration, transmission and utilization of knowledge.

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