Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Production

The Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Production is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in animal health and production. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

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 Breeding, Animal Disease Diagnosis, 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, Livestock Production Systems, Disease Control and Epidemiology. 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 and Production pursue careers as Animal Health and Production Officer, Livestock Extension Officer, Farm Manager, Meat Inspector. 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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 178,800
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 12 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Animal Anatomy and Physiology
Animal Diseases
Parasitology
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Epidemiology
Herd Health Management
Livestock Production Systems
Animal Breeding
Meat Hygiene

Modules

12 in the programme

Animal 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.
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of animal breeding, genetic improvement and breeding programmes for livestock.
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.
Livestock Production Systems
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Dairy, beef, poultry and pig production systems, management practices and production economics.
Meat Hygiene and Food Safety
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Meat inspection procedures, food safety standards and quality assurance in animal product processing.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project on an animal health or production topic, culminating in a written report.

Specialisations

Herd Health Management
Focus on managing health at herd level, including vaccination programmes, disease prevention and production optimisation.
Livestock Production Systems
Specialisation in livestock production management, including dairy, beef, poultry and pig production systems.
Disease Control and Epidemiology
Focus on disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, epidemiological methods and zoonotic disease control.
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Concentration on animal breeding principles, genetic improvement and breeding programme 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.
Meat Hygiene 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.
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 lectures on animal diseases and production, conducting laboratory practicals on parasitology and microbiology, visiting livestock farms for field demonstrations, participating in meat inspection practicals and analysing production data.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines animal health and production skills, making graduates versatile in the livestock sector.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Growing demand for livestock professionals due to expanding commercial farming and food safety requirements.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.
Offered at three universities, providing flexibility in institution choice.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.
Graduates cannot practise as full veterinary surgeons without further training in Veterinary Medicine.

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

Public275k to 324k

275k at Kenyatta University324k at University of Nairobi

Private125k to 179k

125k at Mount Kenya University179k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

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 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 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
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.
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+ (Plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders in Animal Health, Animal Production, Agriculture or related fields with Credit pass from recognised institutions may also apply. A degree in a Biological Science from a recognised institution may also be considered.

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
Continuous 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, production and disease control.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised attachment with a veterinary department, livestock farm or animal health organisation, assessed through logbook and written report.
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Independent research project on an animal health or production topic, including field data collection and written report.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenyatta University and Chuka University. Graduates working in veterinary-related roles may register with the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) for professional recognition.

Accredited by

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.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
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.
Animal Health and Production Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Provides animal health services, advises on livestock production and implements disease control programmes in county livestock departments.
Livestock Extension Officer
High demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 95,000
Advises farmers on livestock production, nutrition, breeding and disease prevention to improve productivity.
Farm Manager
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Manages commercial livestock farms, overseeing animal health, production, breeding and operational efficiency.
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.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 90,000
Supports livestock research projects at KALRO, universities or research institutions through data collection and analysis.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as animal health and production officers, livestock extension officers, farm managers, meat inspectors and breeding technicians in veterinary departments, county governments, pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for herd health records, production data and farm management.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for livestock research and production data analysis.
R
Software
Programming language for epidemiological modelling and statistical analysis.
QGIS
Software
GIS software for disease mapping, farm planning and spatial analysis.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and livestock health assessments.
QuickBooks
Software
Accounting software for livestock farm financial management.
ArcGIS
Software
GIS software for farm mapping and grazing land analysis.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Animal Health and Production is the same as Veterinary Medicine.
This programme focuses on herd health management, livestock production and disease control. Veterinary Medicine is a separate, longer degree leading to qualification as a veterinary surgeon.
Graduates can practise as veterinary surgeons.
Graduates work as animal health and production officers under the supervision of registered veterinary surgeons. They cannot practise as full veterinarians without further training.
The programme only covers disease treatment.
The programme covers both animal health and production, including nutrition, breeding, pasture management and livestock production systems.
Career opportunities are limited to rural farming areas.
Graduates work in veterinary departments, pharmaceutical companies, meat and dairy processing firms, research institutions, breeding stations and NGOs in both urban and rural settings.