Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Animal Production and Health Management

The Bachelor of Science in Animal Production and Health Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in animal production and health management. 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 Livestock Production Systems, Herd Health Management, Animal Breeding and Genetics. 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 Production and Health Management pursue careers as Animal Production Officer, Livestock Extension Officer, Farm Manager, Herd Health Manager. 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
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

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

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.
Pasture and Feed Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Pasture establishment, forage conservation, feed production and nutritional management of livestock.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project on an animal production or health management topic, culminating in a written report.

Specialisations

Livestock Production Systems
Specialisation in livestock production management, including dairy, beef, poultry and pig production systems.
Herd Health Management
Focus on managing health at herd level, including vaccination programmes, disease prevention and production optimisation.
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.
Disease Control and Epidemiology
Focus on disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, epidemiological methods and zoonotic disease control.
Pasture and Feed Management
Specialisation in pasture management, feed production and nutritional management of livestock. 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 production and health management, conducting laboratory practicals on parasitology and microbiology, visiting livestock farms for field demonstrations, and analysing production and herd health data.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines animal production and health management 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 security initiatives.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.
Offered at Kenyatta University, a well-established institution with strong agricultural science facilities.

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 349 health sciences courses

Public275k to 324k

275k at Kenyatta University324k 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

UoN Sch II:324K/yr. KU:275.4K/yr. Private (KeMU/Kabarak) unverified.

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

TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University
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.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.

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 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 production, health management 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 production or health management topic, including field data collection and written report.
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Kenyatta 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

Animal Production Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Advises farmers on livestock production, nutrition, breeding and disease prevention to improve productivity in county livestock departments.
Livestock Extension Officer
High demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 95,000
Provides extension services to farmers on livestock production, herd health and management practices.
Farm Manager
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Manages commercial livestock farms, overseeing animal health, production, breeding and operational efficiency.
Herd Health Manager
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manages herd health programmes, implements vaccination schedules and monitors disease status on commercial farms.
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 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.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as animal production officers, livestock extension officers, herd health managers, farm managers 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 Production and Health Management is a business degree.
It is a science degree focused on livestock production, animal health management and disease control.
Graduates can practise as veterinary surgeons.
Graduates work as animal production and health officers under the supervision of registered veterinary surgeons. They cannot practise as full veterinarians without further training.
The programme only covers animal production.
The programme covers both production and health management, including disease diagnosis, pharmacology, epidemiology and herd health.
Career opportunities are limited to farming.
Graduates work in veterinary departments, pharmaceutical companies, dairy and poultry enterprises, research institutions, breeding stations and NGOs.