Kenyan students aspiring to pursue medical studies abroad will have an opportunity to begin their education in January 2027, with Grenada-based St. George’s University (SGU) opening applications for a new five-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) pathway at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom (UK).
The university has also announced scholarship opportunities worth up to US$80,000 (approximately Ksh10.3 million) for eligible international students seeking admission into its medical programmes.
In a press statement sent to Vantage Ke on Thursday, November 5, SGU said the new January intake would provide an alternative to the traditional September admission period, giving prospective medical students greater flexibility when planning their education.
The new entry route is particularly suited to students completing their A-levels or International Baccalaureate examinations in August, allowing them time to rest, travel or undertake internships before beginning their medical studies.
It also provides additional time to organise travel arrangements and secure the necessary visas ahead of enrolment.
"We recognize that students and parents are increasingly seeking greater flexibility in entry routes and intake timelines," remarked Johannes Kraus, Regional Director Africa, International Student Recruitment, at SGU.
"The new January 5-Year MD track intake through Northumbria University responds directly to this demand. It creates another viable option for eligible students who want greater control over when they begin their journey, ensuring they don't have to put their ambitions on hold for an entire year."
Alongside the new admission window, SGU is offering scholarships of up to US$80,000 to eligible international students.
According to the university, applicants will be assessed based on their academic performance, personal achievements and commitment to pursuing careers in medicine.
Students with relevant healthcare experience or involvement in community initiatives may also be considered for additional scholarship support following individual assessments.
However, SGU did not disclose the number of scholarships available, the application deadline or whether the maximum award would cover the entire five-year programme.
The institution said it was strengthening its engagement with international schools, education counsellors and families through school visits, information sessions and personalised guidance to help prospective students understand available medical education pathways.
SGU also highlighted its student support arrangements, which include dedicated international student support teams, country-specific peer support networks and campus orientation programmes intended to ease the transition for international students.
On clinical training, the university said its students benefit from rotations across a network of more than 75 affiliated hospitals and healthcare systems in the United States and the United Kingdom.
The institution, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, reported having more than 26,000 School of Medicine graduates practising across all 50 US states and in more than 50 countries worldwide.
SGU also described itself as the largest source of physicians for the US workforce, adding that it consistently places hundreds of graduates into US residency programmes each year.
Prospective Kenyan applicants will, however, need to establish the programme's admission requirements, total tuition costs and scholarship conditions before applying.
They should also independently confirm whether the qualification meets the requirements for recognition and registration with Kenya's Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) before committing to the programme.
