Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Applied Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Fisheries and Aquaculture is a four-year programme that prepares students for fisheries management, aquaculture production, fish processing and aquatic resource conservation. Students study fish biology, aquaculture systems, fisheries management, fish nutrition, breeding, water quality, fish processing, aquatic ecology and research. The programme provides practical skills for sustainable fish production and aquatic resource management.

Students develop competencies in fish farming, hatchery management, fish nutrition, breeding, water quality management, fisheries conservation, fish processing, marketing and research. They learn to design and manage aquaculture systems, assess fish stocks, improve fish production, process fish products and support sustainable fisheries. The programme covers aquaculture, fisheries, fish biology, nutrition, breeding, processing and aquatic ecology.

In Kenya, fisheries and aquaculture is important for food security, livelihoods and the economy, especially around Lake Victoria, Lake Naivasha, the coast and inland dams. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Chuka University, Moi University and other institutions offer this programme. Graduates find roles in fisheries departments, aquaculture farms, fish processing companies, research institutes, NGOs and environmental agencies.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory practicals, farm visits, field work, industrial attachment and research projects. Students manage fish ponds, conduct water quality tests, process fish products and undertake a final research project.

Graduates pursue careers as fisheries officers, aquaculture managers, hatchery managers, fish nutritionists, fish processing technologists, extension officers and conservation officers. Some work in government. Others join aquaculture enterprises, fish processing, research or NGOs.

This programme is ideal for individuals with interest in aquatic life, fish production, sustainable food systems and aquatic resource management.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 170,700
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

Fish Biology and Taxonomy
Aquaculture Systems and Management
Fish Nutrition and Feeding
Fish Breeding and Hatchery Management
Fisheries Management and Conservation
Water Quality and Aquatic Environment
Fish Processing and Technology
Aquatic Ecology
Fisheries Economics and Marketing
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Fish Biology and Taxonomy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fish anatomy, physiology, classification and identification. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Aquaculture Systems and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Pond, cage, tank and recirculating aquaculture systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Fish Nutrition and Feeding
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Nutrients, feed formulation, feeding strategies and growth. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Fish Breeding and Hatchery Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Fish Breeding and Hatchery Management: Reproduction, hatchery operations, seed production and breeding Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Fisheries Management and Conservation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Fisheries Management and Conservation: Fish stock assessment, regulations, conservation and sustainable harvesting Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Water Quality and Aquatic Environment
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Water Quality and Aquatic Environment: Water chemistry, quality monitoring, pollution and aquatic health Covers quality standards, inspection methods, and continuous improvement processes.
Fish Processing and Technology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Fish Processing and Technology: Post-harvest handling, processing, preservation, quality and safety Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Aquatic Ecology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Aquatic Ecology: Aquatic ecosystems, food webs, biodiversity and conservation Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Fisheries Economics and Marketing
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Fisheries Economics and Marketing: Fish value chains, marketing, economics and entrepreneurship Covers market analysis, consumer behaviour, branding, and promotional strategies.
Aquaculture Engineering
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Aquaculture Engineering: Design, construction and management of aquaculture facilities Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Fisheries Extension and Community Development
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Extension methods, community engagement and farmer training. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research in fisheries and aquaculture. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cour...

Specialisations

Fisheries Management
Specialization in Fisheries Management, preparing graduates for careers such as fisheries-officer. 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.
Hatchery Management
Specialization in Hatchery Management, preparing graduates for careers such as aquaculture-specialist.
Fish Processing
Specialization in Fish Processing, preparing graduates for careers such as food-technologist. 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.
Fish Nutrition
Specialization in Fish Nutrition, preparing graduates for careers such as aquaculture-specialist. 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.
Aquatic Conservation
Specialization in Aquatic Conservation, preparing graduates for careers such as conservation-officer.
Aquaculture Production
Specialization in Aquaculture Production, preparing graduates for careers such as aquaculture-specialist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines fisheries and aquaculture lectures with practical sessions at ponds, hatcheries or laboratories. Students may feed fish, test water quality, manage hatcheries, process fish or conduct aquatic surveys.

The trade offs

In its favour

Relevant to Kenya's growing aquaculture sector
Practical and field-based training
Diverse careers in production, research and management
Contributes to food security and livelihoods

Against it

Aquaculture can be capital-intensive and weather-dependent
Field work may be in remote or water-based locations
Fish farming involves risk of disease and market fluctuations
Some roles require postgraduate training for research leadership

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

Public277k to 324k

277k at Egerton University324k at University of Nairobi

Private121k to 171k

121k at Mount Kenya University171k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

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 276,740/yr (educationnewshub). UoN 324,000/yr (UoN schedule). MKU 121,200, UEAB 170,700/yr.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some fisheries research institutes and aquaculture companies offer internships.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

English or Kiswahili
C+
Biology or Biological Sciences
C+
Chemistry or Physical Sciences
C
Mathematics A/B or Geography
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Final Examination
Coursework30% of the mark
Laboratory and Field Practicals
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Fisheries Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages fisheries resources and regulations
Fish Nutritionist
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Formulates fish feeds and advises on nutrition
Fish Processing Technologist
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Processes and ensures quality of fish products
Hatchery Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Manages fish seed production and hatcheries
Aquaculture Manager
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 230,000
Manages fish farming operations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as fisheries officers, aquaculture managers, hatchery managers, fish nutritionists, fish processing technologists, extension officers and conservation officers in fisheries departments, aquaculture farms, fish processing companies, research institutes, NGOs and environmental agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Farm financial modelling and analysis.
QuickBooks
Accounting
Agribusiness accounting.
SAP Agricultural Contract Management
Erp
Agricultural contract and supply management.
R
AnalyticsPrimary
QGIS
Analytics

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Fisheries and aquaculture is only about fishing
It includes fish farming, hatchery management, nutrition, breeding, processing, marketing, conservation and research.
Aquaculture is not profitable in Kenya
Aquaculture is growing and offers profitable opportunities in fish farming and value addition.
Fisheries jobs are only at the coast or lake
Aquaculture and fisheries extension work exists across Kenya, including inland counties.
You don't need a degree to farm fish
Professional aquaculture management requires knowledge of biology, nutrition, water quality, business and sustainability.