Bachelor of Science in Animal Health
The Bachelor of Science in Animal Health is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in animal health. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 324,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,296,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 178,800 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) mean grade at KCSE or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 12 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 5 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Diseases, Parasitology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Epidemiology. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Disease Diagnosis, Animal Nutrition, Epidemiology, Herd Health Management. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.
Throughout the programme, students study Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Animal Nutrition, General Microbiology, Parasitology, Animal Diseases. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.
The programme offers specialisations in Herd Health Management, Disease Control and Epidemiology, Meat Inspection and Food Safety. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Animal Health pursue careers as Animal Health Officer, Veterinary Assistant, Meat Inspector, Livestock Production Officer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.
What you study
10 subjects- Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Animal Diseases
- Parasitology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Epidemiology
- Herd Health Management
- Meat Inspection
- Veterinary Public Health
- Animal Nutrition
Modules
12 in the programmeAnimal Anatomy and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Structure and function of body systems in domestic animals including livestock and poultry.
Animal Nutrition
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of animal nutrition, feed formulation and nutritional requirements of different livestock species.
General Microbiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Microorganisms of veterinary importance, bacterial and viral pathogens affecting livestock.
Parasitology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Internal and external parasites of livestock, their life cycles, diagnosis and control methods.
Animal Diseases
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Major infectious and non-infectious diseases of livestock, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment.
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Veterinary drugs, their actions, dosage, administration and toxicity in animals.
Epidemiology and Disease Control
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, epidemiological methods and control strategies.
Herd Health Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Management of health at herd level, vaccination programmes, biosecurity and production optimisation.
Meat Inspection and Food Safety
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Meat inspection procedures, food safety standards and quality assurance in animal product processing.
Veterinary Public Health
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Interface between animal and human health, zoonotic diseases and food safety regulation.
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of animal breeding, genetic improvement and breeding programmes for livestock.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project on an animal health topic, culminating in a written report.
Specialisations
Herd Health Management
Focus on managing health at the herd level, including vaccination programmes, disease prevention and production optimisation.
Disease Control and Epidemiology
Specialisation in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, epidemiological methods and zoonotic disease control.
Meat Inspection and Food Safety
Focus on meat inspection, food safety standards and quality assurance in animal product 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.
Veterinary Public Health
Concentration on the interface between animal and human health, zoonotic diseases and food safety regulation.
Animal Nutrition and Production
Focus on animal nutrition, feed formulation and livestock production systems. 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 lectures on animal diseases and pharmacology, conducting laboratory practicals on parasitology and microbiology, visiting livestock farms for field demonstrations, participating in meat inspection practicals and analysing epidemiological data.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Growing demand for animal health professionals due to expanding livestock sector and increasing focus on food safety. | Graduates cannot practise as full veterinary surgeons without further training in Veterinary Medicine. |
| Practical skills in disease diagnosis, meat inspection and herd health management are directly applicable in the field. | Fieldwork can be physically demanding and may involve working in remote rural areas. |
| Opportunities in both public and private sectors including veterinary departments, pharmaceutical companies and NGOs. | — |
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
UoN Sch II:324K/yr. KU:275.4K/yr. MKU:125K/yr. UEAB:178.8K/yr.
Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships and county government bursaries.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries
Scholarships
4 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.
TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University
Scholarships you could apply for
10 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
Diploma holders in Animal Health, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture or related fields with Credit pass from recognised institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 5 institutionsIncluding South Eastern Kenya University, Maasai Mara University, Meru University of Science and Technology.
Including South Eastern Kenya University, Maasai Mara University, Meru University of Science and Technology.
Including South Eastern Kenya University, Maasai Mara University, Meru University of Science and Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests and Practical Examinations
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, laboratory practical assessments and field reports throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Comprehensive written and practical examinations covering animal health, disease control and livestock production.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised attachment with a veterinary department, farm or animal health organisation, assessed through logbook and written report.
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Independent research project on an animal health topic, including field data collection and written report.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. This programme must be offered by a CUE-accredited university.
Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB)
Professional
Graduates working in veterinary-related roles may register with KVB for professional recognition as animal health technicians.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Kisii University and Egerton University. Graduates working in veterinary-related roles may register with the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) for professional recognition.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesAnimal Health Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides animal health services, implements vaccination programmes and advises farmers on disease control in county livestock departments.
Veterinary Assistant
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 85,000
Assists veterinary surgeons in clinical practice, animal handling and treatment under supervision.
Meat Inspector
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 110,000
Conducts meat inspection at abattoirs and slaughterhouses to ensure food safety and compliance with public health standards.
Livestock Production Officer
High demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 95,000
Advises farmers on livestock production, nutrition and breeding to improve productivity in county agricultural offices.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 90,000
Supports animal health research projects at KALRO, universities or research institutions through data collection and analysis.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as animal health officers, veterinary assistants, livestock production officers, meat inspectors and food safety officers in veterinary departments, county governments, pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Aquaculture TechnologistAgriculture3Low exposure
- Climate-Resilient Seed BreederAgriculture3Low exposure
- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Veterinary Public OfficerAgriculture3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for herd health records, disease surveillance data and farm management.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for epidemiological research and animal health data analysis.
R
Software
Programming language for epidemiological modelling and statistical analysis.
QGIS
Software
GIS software for disease mapping, surveillance and spatial epidemiology.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and animal health assessments.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Animal Health is the same as Veterinary Medicine.
Animal Health focuses on herd health management, disease control and livestock production. Veterinary Medicine is a separate, longer degree leading to qualification as a veterinary surgeon.
Graduates can treat animals as veterinarians.
Graduates work as animal health officers and veterinary assistants under the supervision of registered veterinary surgeons. They cannot practise as full veterinarians without further training.
The programme is only for students from farming backgrounds.
The programme is open to all students meeting entry requirements and covers scientific principles applicable in any context.
Career opportunities are limited to rural areas.
Graduates work in veterinary departments, pharmaceutical companies, meat processing firms, dairy enterprises, research institutions and NGOs in both urban and rural settings.