Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Extension Education

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Extension Education is a degree programme that combines agricultural extension services with education principles to prepare graduates for agricultural training and advisory roles. The programme is offered at the University of Eldoret, preparing graduates for careers in agricultural extension education, farmer training, agricultural advisory services and rural development.

The curriculum covers agricultural extension, extension education, crop production, animal husbandry, soil science, agricultural communication, adult learning, curriculum development, teaching methods, rural sociology, community development, technology transfer, research methods and project management. Students develop competencies in extension education and agricultural advisory services.

Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, field visits to farming communities, extension teaching practicals, industrial attachment and research projects. The practical approach ensures graduates can deliver extension education, train farmers, facilitate agricultural programmes and promote technology adoption in rural communities.

The programme emphasises the critical role of extension education in transforming Kenya's agricultural sector, where effective farmer training and advisory services are essential for productivity improvement. Students learn about adult learning principles, communication strategies, participatory approaches and the integration of technology in extension delivery.

Graduates are equipped to work in county agricultural departments, agricultural training institutions, non-governmental organisations, agricultural research institutions, community-based organisations and international development agencies. They play a critical role in farmer education and technology transfer.

Career opportunities exist in county governments, agricultural training institutions, NGOs, research institutions, community-based organisations and development agencies. Graduates work as extension education officers, agricultural trainers, advisory officers, community development specialists and project coordinators across the agricultural and education sectors.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 371,000
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, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Agricultural Extension
Extension Education
Crop Production
Animal Husbandry
Soil Science
Agricultural Communication
Adult Learning
Curriculum Development
Teaching Methods
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Agricultural Extension Principles and Communication
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Extension education principles, communication strategies and adult learning methods.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Crop Production and Animal Husbandry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of crop production, animal husbandry and agricultural production systems.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Information Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications, data processing, and digital literacy for academic and professional use.
Rural Sociology and Community Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Rural sociology, community structures, participatory approaches and development planning.
Soil Science and Plant Pathology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Soil Science and Plant Pathology: Soil properties, soil management, plant diseases and pest management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Curriculum Development and Teaching Methods
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Curriculum design, teaching methods, instructional materials and assessment in extension education.
Technology Transfer and Innovation in Agriculture
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Technology transfer mechanisms, innovation adoption and agricultural innovation systems.
Agricultural Economics and Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural economics principles, policy analysis and agricultural development frameworks.
Research Methods and Extension Education Project
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, data collection and a project applying extension education principles.

Specialisations

Extension Education and Farmer Training
Focus on adult learning, curriculum development, teaching methods and farmer training programme design.
Agricultural Communication and ICT in Extension
Specialisation in agricultural communication, digital extension tools and ICT-enabled advisory services.
Rural Development and Community Development
Focus on rural livelihoods, community participation, participatory rural appraisal and development planning.
Agricultural Technology Transfer
Specialisation in technology transfer mechanisms, innovation adoption and agricultural innovation systems.
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.
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 extension education lectures, developing farmer training materials, practising teaching methods in agricultural topics, studying rural sociology and conducting field visits to farming communities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.

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

Public282k to 371k

282k at Egerton University371k at University of Nairobi

Private188k to 188k

188k at Kabarak 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 281,740/yr; UoN 371,000/yr (KUCCPS). Kabarak 188,100/yr (Kabarak fee structure).

Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. DAAD offers scholarships for agricultural and education students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
DAAD Scholarship

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
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: KCSE C+ (Plus) OR A Level with two principal passes; OR a relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate and CUE.

How you are assessed

2 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the University of Eldoret under the School of Agriculture and Biotechnology.

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

4 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as extension education officers, agricultural trainers, advisory officers and community development specialists in county governments, training institutions, NGOs and development agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for extension data management, training planning and project budgeting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for extension education research and impact assessment.
PowerPoint
Software
Presentation tool for farmer training and extension education sessions.
QGIS
Software
GIS software for agricultural mapping and extension service planning.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.
ArcGIS
Software
GIS software for agricultural land mapping and analysis.
Microsoft PowerPoint
SoftwarePrimary
Presentation software for extension education and farmer training.
Google Classroom
Software
Online learning platform for agricultural education delivery.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agricultural extension education is just about teaching farming.
The programme covers adult learning, curriculum development, communication strategies, rural sociology and technology transfer.
Graduates only work as extension officers.
Graduates work in county governments, agricultural training institutions, NGOs, research institutions and development agencies.
Extension education is outdated in the digital age.
Extension education is evolving with digital tools, e-learning platforms and ICT-enabled advisory services.
The programme is only for students from farming backgrounds.
The programme is open to all students and covers education principles applicable to any agricultural training context.