Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Rural Development
The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Rural Development is a degree programme that combines agricultural science with rural development principles to prepare graduates for the agricultural and rural development sector. The programme is offered at Murang'a University of Technology, preparing graduates for careers in agricultural production, rural development, community mobilisation and agricultural advisory services.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 371,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,484,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 119,100 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 19 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cloud Security Engineer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers crop production, animal husbandry, soil science, agricultural economics, plant pathology, agricultural extension, rural sociology, community development, agricultural communication, technology transfer, participatory rural appraisal, project management, research methods and agricultural policy. Students develop competencies in agricultural production and rural development planning.
Throughout the programme, students engage in lectures, field visits to farming communities, extension practicals, industrial attachment and research projects. The practical approach ensures graduates can deliver agricultural advisory services, facilitate community development, implement rural development programmes and promote agricultural technology adoption.
The programme emphasises the critical role of agriculture in rural transformation, where improved agricultural practices and community engagement are essential for sustainable rural development. Students learn about rural livelihoods, agricultural value chains, community participation and the factors shaping rural development in Kenya.
Graduates are equipped to work in county agricultural departments, non-governmental organisations, agricultural research institutions, community-based organisations, international development agencies and farmer organisations. They play a critical role in promoting agricultural development and rural transformation.
Career opportunities exist in county governments, NGOs, research institutions, community-based organisations, development agencies and farmer organisations. Graduates work as agricultural development officers, rural development officers, extension officers, project coordinators and community development specialists across the agricultural and development sectors.
What you study
10 subjects- Crop Production
- Animal Husbandry
- Soil Science
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Extension
- Rural Sociology
- Community Development
- Agricultural Communication
- Technology Transfer
- Project Management
Modules
8 in the programmeCrop Production and Animal Husbandry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of crop production, animal husbandry and agricultural production systems.
Soil Science and Plant Pathology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Soil Science and Plant Pathology: Soil properties, soil management, plant diseases and pest management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Agricultural Extension and Communication
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Extension education principles, communication strategies and adult learning methods.
Agricultural Economics and Policy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Agricultural economics principles, policy analysis and agricultural development frameworks.
Rural Sociology and Community Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Rural sociology, community structures, participatory approaches and development planning.
Technology Transfer and Innovation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Technology transfer mechanisms, innovation adoption and agricultural innovation systems.
Research Methods and Development Project
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, data collection and a project applying agriculture and rural development principles.
Project Management and Participatory Appraisal
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Project Management and Participatory Appraisal: Participatory rural appraisal, project planning, implementation and evaluation. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and s...
Specialisations
Agricultural Production and Extension
Focus on crop production, animal husbandry, extension services and technology transfer. 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 and Community Development
Specialisation in rural livelihoods, community participation, participatory rural appraisal and development planning.
Agricultural Policy and Project Management
Focus on agricultural policy analysis, project planning and rural development project management. 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 and Enterprise Development
Specialisation in agricultural economics, enterprise development and value chain management. 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 rural development lectures, conducting field visits to farming communities, studying rural sociology and community development, developing project proposals and analysing agricultural data.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). | Limited programme specialisation options may be available. |
| Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding. | 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 coursesAnnual 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 307,340/yr; UoN 371,000/yr (KUCCPS). MKU 119,100/yr (MKU prospectus).
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 development students.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
DAAD Scholarship
Scholarships
4 recordedTAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University
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.
Scholarships you could apply for
13 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
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.
When it next starts
Taught at 19 institutionsIncluding Kenya Methodist University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Taita Taveta University.
Including Kenya Methodist University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Taita Taveta University.
Including Kenya Methodist University, Multimedia University of Kenya, Taita Taveta University.
How you are assessed
2 componentsContinuous 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
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Murang'a University of Technology.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesGraduate 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 agricultural development officers, rural development officers, extension officers and project coordinators in county governments, NGOs, research institutions and development agencies.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Embedded Firmware EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Embedded Linux DeveloperTechnology15Low exposure
- Forensic DNA ScientistScience15Low exposure
- Neuromorphic Computing ResearcherScience15Low exposure
- Site Reliability EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Applied Cryptography EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for agricultural data management, project planning and rural development budgeting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for rural development research and agricultural data analysis.
QGIS
Software
GIS software for agricultural mapping and rural development planning.
PowerPoint
Software
Presentation tool for farmer training and community development sessions.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and rural development needs assessment.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Agriculture and rural development is just about farming.
The programme covers rural sociology, community development, extension services, technology transfer and project management.
Graduates only work in rural areas.
Graduates work in county governments, NGOs, research institutions, development agencies and consulting firms.
Rural development has limited career prospects.
Rural development is a priority area in Kenya's development agenda, creating demand for professionals in government, NGOs and private sector.
The programme is less rigorous than other agriculture degrees.
The programme covers the same agricultural fundamentals with additional specialisation in rural development and community engagement.