Agriculture

Bachelor of Education (Agriculture)

The Bachelor of Education (Agriculture) is a four-year degree programme offered at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. The curriculum covers agricultural science, crop production, animal husbandry, soil science, agricultural economics, educational psychology, teaching methodology, curriculum development, assessment and evaluation, educational foundations, research methods, and agricultural extension. Students develop skills in agricultural science instruction, lesson planning, classroom management, practical farm demonstrations, student assessment, curriculum design, agricultural extension, educational leadership, and research methodology.

Graduates pursue careers as agriculture teachers, secondary school teachers, agricultural extension officers, education officers, curriculum developers, and agricultural trainers. They find employment in public and private secondary schools, agricultural training institutions, county governments, NGOs, and agricultural organisations. The programme is offered at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton (private, KES 178,800 per year) in Nandi County.

The university is a Seventh-day Adventist institution with a strong agricultural science tradition. Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) with strong passes in science subjects, particularly Biology and Chemistry or Physical Sciences.

Skills RequiredAgricultural science instructionLesson planningClassroom managementPractical farm demonstrationsStudent assessmentCurriculum designAgricultural extensionEducational leadershipResearch methodologyLaboratory managementKey SubjectsAgricultural ScienceCrop ProductionAnimal HusbandrySoil ScienceAgricultural EconomicsEducational PsychologyTeaching MethodologyCurriculum DevelopmentAssessment and EvaluationAgricultural ExtensionCertificationsTeacher Registration - Teachers Service Commission (TSC)Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) CertificationGoogle Certified EducatorSpecializationsCrop Science EducationFocus on teaching crop production, agronomy, and horticulture in secondary schools.

Animal Science EducationFocus on teaching livestock production, animal husbandry, and poultry science. Soil Science EducationFocus on teaching soil management, conservation, and fertility in agricultural education.

Agricultural Economics EducationFocus on teaching farm business management and agricultural economics. Agricultural ExtensionFocus on supporting farmers and rural communities through agricultural extension services.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 275,400
Private, up to: Ksh 188,100
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Agricultural Science
Crop Production
Animal Husbandry
Soil Science
Agricultural Economics
Educational Psychology
Teaching Methodology
Curriculum Development
Assessment and Evaluation
Agricultural Extension

Modules

12 in the programme

Agricultural Science Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to agricultural science, crop and animal production principles, and agricultural systems.
Educational Psychology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories of learning, adolescent development, motivation, and classroom behaviour management.
Crop Production and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Crop science, agronomy, crop protection, and sustainable crop production practices.
Teaching Methodology for Agriculture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Pedagogical methods for teaching agriculture, including practical demonstrations and farm-based learning.
Animal Husbandry and Production
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Livestock production, poultry science, dairy farming, and animal health management.
Soil Science and Conservation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Soil properties, fertility management, conservation practices, and sustainable land use.
Curriculum Development and Design
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of curriculum design, the Kenyan agricultural education curriculum, and CBC alignment.
Agricultural Economics and Farm Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Farm business management, agricultural economics, budgeting, and enterprise planning.
Assessment and Evaluation in Education
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of assessment, test construction, practical evaluation, and competency-based assessment.
Agricultural Extension and Communication
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Extension methods, farmer education, communication skills, and rural development strategies.
Research Methods in Agricultural Education
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Research design, data collection, and analysis methods applied to agricultural education research.
Teaching Practice and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice at a secondary school and a final-year agricultural education research project.

Specialisations

Crop Science Education
Focus on teaching crop production, agronomy, and horticulture in secondary schools. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Animal Science Education
Focus on teaching livestock production, animal husbandry, and poultry science. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Soil Science Education
Focus on teaching soil management, conservation, and fertility in agricultural education. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Agricultural Economics Education
Focus on teaching farm business management and agricultural economics. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Agricultural Extension
Focus on supporting farmers and rural communities through agricultural extension services. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Sustainable Agriculture Education
Focus on teaching environmentally sustainable farming practices and conservation agriculture. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day combines agricultural science lectures, laboratory practicals, and education theory sessions. Morning sessions cover crop science, animal husbandry, and soil science, while afternoons focus on teaching methodology, lesson planning, and micro-teaching. Students participate in farm practicals, laboratory experiments, and teaching practice at partner schools. The programme emphasises both agricultural science competence and pedagogical skill development.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique programme combining agricultural science with teacher education for niche career opportunities.
Agriculture is a growing sector in Kenya with increasing demand for qualified educators.
Practical training includes farm work, laboratory sessions, and supervised teaching practice.
UEAB has a strong agricultural science tradition with established farm facilities.

Against it

Only offered at one private university, limiting choice and increasing cost.
Private university tuition at KES 178,800/year is higher than public university alternatives.
May require relocation to Nandi County for on-campus study.
Limited to agriculture teaching, which may narrow career options compared to general B.Ed programmes.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses

Public166k to 275k

166k at Egerton University275k at University of Eldoret

Private110k to 188k

110k at Mount Kenya University188k at Kabarak University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Egerton 165.8K; UoEldoret 275.4K/yr. Kabarak 188.1K; MKU 110K/yr. Src: eafinder, educationnewshub

HELB loans and Higher Education Fund (HEF) support are available for qualifying Kenyan students. County government bursaries may also be available.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
Government bursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University
TSC Teacher Training Support
BursaryKenyan
Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KACE with at least two principal passes in science subjects; OR a relevant diploma in agricultural education or education from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, lesson plans, farm practical reports, and agriculture assignments throughout the semester.
Practical Examinations and Farm Demonstrations
Practical20% of the mark
Laboratory practicals, farm demonstrations, and micro-teaching assessments.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Teaching Practice and Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Supervised teaching practice at a secondary school plus a final-year agricultural education research project.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Agriculture Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches agriculture and related science subjects in secondary schools, preparing students for KCSE.
Agricultural Extension Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Supports farmers and rural communities through agricultural extension and advisory services.
Secondary School Teacher
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches science subjects including agriculture in secondary schools.
Agricultural Trainer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 160,000
Trains farmers, agricultural workers, and students in agricultural practices and technologies.
Curriculum Developer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs and evaluates agricultural education curricula at KICD or educational institutions.
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Works in government education or agriculture offices supporting policy implementation.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as agriculture teachers in secondary schools and agricultural extension officers. Demand is moderate with opportunities in both teaching and agricultural development sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft PowerPoint
PresentationPrimary
Presentation tool for lesson delivery, visual aids, and agricultural content creation.
Google Classroom
Learning managementPrimary
Learning management platform for organising classes, assignments, and student communication.
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Spreadsheet tool for farm budgeting, data analysis, and agricultural record-keeping.
Khan Academy
Educational resource
Online educational platform with science teaching resources and subject content support.
Zoom
Communication
Video conferencing tool for online teaching and remote learning.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This degree only leads to farming, not teaching.
The programme specifically prepares graduates to teach agriculture in secondary schools, combining education theory with agricultural science.
Agriculture teaching has limited career opportunities.
Graduates can work as teachers, extension officers, curriculum developers, agricultural trainers, and education consultants.
Only offered at one university, so it must be limited.
The University of Eastern Africa, Baraton is a CUE-accredited private university with a strong agricultural science tradition.
Agriculture education is outdated in the digital age.
Modern agriculture education incorporates technology, precision farming, sustainability, and climate-smart agriculture.