Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Human Ecology

The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Human Ecology is an interdisciplinary programme that combines agricultural science with human nutrition, food science and community development. Offered at Egerton University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers at the intersection of agriculture, nutrition and community health.

The curriculum covers crop science, soil science, animal science, human nutrition, food science, community nutrition, dietetics, agricultural extension, family studies, food safety, agricultural economics, food processing, community development, research methods and a research project. Students develop skills in both agricultural production and human nutrition.

Kenya's food security challenges, malnutrition concerns and the need for integrated approaches to agriculture and nutrition create demand for graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, field practicals, community outreach and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as agricultural extension officers, nutrition officers, community development officers, food security analysts, dietitians, food scientists, agricultural consultants and public health officers. They work in government ministries, county governments, NGOs, international organisations, research institutions and community organisations.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

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 371,000
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Crop Science
Human Nutrition
Food Science
Community Nutrition
Agricultural Extension
Food Safety
Agricultural Economics
Food Processing
Community Development
Family Studies

Modules

10 in the programme

Crop Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Crop production principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Human Nutrition
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Nutrition science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
Food Science
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Food processing and preservation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...
Community Nutrition
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Community nutrition interventions. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-o...
Agricultural Extension
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Farmer advisory services. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Food Safety
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Food safety and hygiene. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Agricultural Economics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Economics of food systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Food Processing
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Food processing technologies. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...
Community Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Community development practice. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Agricultural Extension
Farmer advisory. 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 Nutrition
Nutrition interventions. 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.
Food Science
Food processing. 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
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.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending agriculture and nutrition lectures, working in food science laboratories, conducting community nutrition assessments, studying crop science, researching food systems, participating in community outreach, and preparing for field attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Interdisciplinary programme addressing food and nutrition security
Diverse career paths in agriculture, nutrition and community development
Addresses critical national food security challenges

Against it

Broad curriculum may lack specialisation depth
Limited number of universities offering the programme
Some roles require working 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

Public277k to 371k

277k at Egerton University371k 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

Egerton 276,740/yr (KUCCPS); UoN 371,000/yr. Private: unverified.

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

4 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students
TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University

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 and Mathematics. Diploma in agriculture, nutrition, food science or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

Biology
C+
Chemistry
C+
Mathematics
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Laboratory and Field Practicals
Practicum10% of the mark
Lab and community practicals
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project

Accreditation

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

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Food Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Food science and processing
Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 220,000
Community development
Agricultural Extension Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Farmer advisory services
Nutrition Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Community nutrition
Food Security Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Food security analysis

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as agricultural extension officers, nutrition officers and community development officers in government, NGOs and community organisations.

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

This is just a nutrition degree.
The programme combines agriculture, food science, nutrition and community development.
Human ecology is not a real science.
Human ecology studies the relationship between humans, food systems and the environment.
Graduates only work in agriculture.
Graduates work in nutrition, public health, community development and food security.
This programme has limited career options.
The interdisciplinary nature creates diverse career paths.