Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension is a programme that combines agricultural science with education and extension methodology. Offered at Egerton University, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in agricultural education, extension and training.

The curriculum covers crop science, animal science, soil science, agricultural economics, educational psychology, curriculum development, teaching methods for agriculture, extension methods, communication skills, programme planning, evaluation, rural sociology, agricultural policy, research methods and teaching practice. Students develop both agricultural and pedagogical skills.

Kenya's agricultural transformation, the demand for qualified agricultural educators and the need for effective extension services create demand for graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, field practicals, micro-teaching, teaching practice and extension fieldwork.

Graduates are prepared for careers as agricultural education teachers, extension officers, training officers, agricultural project officers, 4-K club coordinators, agricultural college lecturers, education officers and development workers. They work in secondary schools, agricultural training institutions, county governments, NGOs, Ministry of Agriculture and international organisations.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 8. TSC registration required for teaching roles.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 372,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Crop Science
Animal Science
Educational Psychology
Curriculum Development
Teaching Methods for Agriculture
Extension Methods
Communication Skills
Programme Planning
Rural Sociology
Agricultural Economics

Modules

12 in the programme

Crop and Animal Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of crop and livestock production. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework...
Soil Science and Fertility
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Soil properties, fertility and conservation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework...
Farm Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Farm planning, economics and management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and...
Principles of Education and Pedagogy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational theory, learning and teaching principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, c...
Agricultural Extension and Communication
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural Extension and Communication: Extension methods, farmer communication and technology adoption Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Teaching Methods and Practice
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Teaching strategies, lesson planning and teaching practice. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Community Development
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Community mobilisation, participation and development. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, ...
Agricultural Research Methods
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural Research Methods: Research design, data collection and analysis in agriculture Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Curriculum Development and Instruction
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Curriculum design, instructional materials and assessment. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
ICT in Education
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Use of technology in teaching and extension. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework...
Agricultural Entrepreneurship
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship in agriculture and agribusiness. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cours...
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Year Research Project: Independent research on agricultural education and extension Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

Agricultural Education
Teaching 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.
Agricultural Extension
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.
Rural Development
Community development. 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 Training
Training and capacity building. 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.
Crop Production
Specialization in Crop Production, preparing graduates for careers such as agricultural-scientist. 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 Production
Specialization in Animal Production, preparing graduates for careers such as animal-scientist. 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.
Community Development
Specialization in Community Development, preparing graduates for careers such as community-development-officer.
Agribusiness
Specialization in Agribusiness, preparing graduates for careers such as agribusiness-manager. 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.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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 involves attending agriculture and education lectures, working in agricultural laboratories, preparing lesson plans for agricultural subjects, participating in micro-teaching, studying extension methods, conducting field visits to farms, and preparing for teaching practice.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines teaching qualification with agricultural expertise
TSC registration with stable career benefits
Extension services in high demand with devolution
High demand for extension and agriculture teachers

Against it

Teaching salaries have limited growth potential
Extension roles may require working in remote areas
Dual qualification may limit specialisation depth
Extension work may involve field work in rural areas

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

Public184k to 372k

184k at Meru University of Science and Technology372k at University of Nairobi

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

UoN ~372K/yr, KU 275,400/yr, Meru 183,600/yr (uonbi.ac.ke, ku.ac.ke, educationnewshub).

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available for eligible students.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

5 recorded

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
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in agricultural education, agriculture or education from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

Biology
C+
Chemistry
C+
Mathematics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

5 components

Teaching Practice
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised teaching in schools
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework30% of the mark
Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Teaching Practice and Extension Activities
Coursework40% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Egerton, UoN, KU and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 8. TSC registration required.

Accredited by

Teachers Service Commission
ProfessionalRequired
Statutory body responsible for teacher registration and employment in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Training Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Agricultural training
Agricultural Project Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Agricultural project management
Agricultural Education Teacher
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000
Teaching agriculture in secondary schools
Extension Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Agricultural extension services
Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 220,000
Ministry of Agriculture
Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Coordinates community development programmes
Agribusiness Advisor
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Advises farmers and agribusinesses on farm enterprise development
Agriculture Teacher
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches agriculture in secondary schools and colleges

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as agricultural education teachers, extension officers and training officers in secondary schools, county governments and NGOs.

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
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for agricultural research data.
ArcGIS
Software
GIS software for agricultural land mapping and analysis.
Microsoft PowerPoint
SoftwarePrimary
Presentation software for extension education and training.
Google Classroom
Software
Online learning platform for agricultural education delivery.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agricultural education is just about farming.
The programme covers education theory, extension methodology, communication and rural development.
Graduates only become teachers.
Graduates work in extension, training, project management and development.
Agricultural extension is outdated.
Extension services remain critical for agricultural transformation and technology transfer.
This is less rigorous than pure agriculture.
The programme includes full agricultural science alongside education training.