Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Technology is a programme that provides comprehensive training in livestock production, animal breeding and animal health technology. Offered at Egerton University, University of Nairobi, JKUAT, Kenyatta University, Maseno University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in animal science and livestock production.

The curriculum covers animal nutrition, animal breeding, animal physiology, livestock production, poultry science, dairy science, beef production, pig production, sheep and goat production, animal health, pasture management, animal biotechnology, meat science, animal products technology, research methods and a research project. Students develop scientific and practical skills in animal production.

Kenya's livestock sector, the demand for animal protein and the growth of commercial livestock farming create demand for animal science graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, farm practicals, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as animal scientists, livestock managers, farm managers, breeding specialists, nutritionists, animal health technologists, meat inspectors, livestock consultants and extension officers. They work in livestock farms, dairy companies, breeding centres, research institutions, government, NGOs and as consultants.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. 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 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 178,800
Job market: High

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 Nutrition
Animal Breeding
Animal Physiology
Livestock Production
Poultry Science
Dairy Science
Beef Production
Animal Health
Pasture Management
Meat Science

Modules

10 in the programme

Animal Nutrition
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Feed and nutrition. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Animal Breeding
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Genetics and breeding. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Animal Physiology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Physiological processes. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Livestock Production
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Livestock management systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...
Poultry Science
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Poultry production. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Dairy Science
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Dairy production. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Beef Production
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Beef cattle management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Animal Health
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Animal health management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Pasture Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Forage production. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
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

Animal Breeding
Genetics and breeding. 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.
Dairy Science
Dairy production. 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.
Poultry Science
Poultry production. 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.
Animal Nutrition
Feed and nutrition. 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 animal science lectures, working in nutrition and physiology laboratories, conducting farm practicals with livestock, studying breeding principles, researching animal production systems, and preparing for industrial attachment on livestock farms.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's livestock sector is significant and growing
Practical skills with direct industry application
Diverse career paths in dairy, beef, poultry and research

Against it

Some roles require working in rural areas
Working with animals can be physically demanding
Livestock sector vulnerable to diseases and drought

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

Private109k to 179k

109k 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:109.1K/yr. UEAB:178.8K/yr.

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

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
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, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in animal health, agriculture or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 8.

Biology
C+
Chemistry
C+
Mathematics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Laboratory and Farm Practicals
Practicum20% of the mark
Lab and farm sessions
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Egerton, UoN, JKUAT, KU, Maseno and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and English or Kiswahili. 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

Animal Scientist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Animal science research
Livestock Manager
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Livestock farm management
Extension Officer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Livestock extension services
Farm Manager
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 280,000
Commercial farm management
Breeding Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Animal breeding

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as animal scientists, livestock managers and farm managers in livestock farms, dairy companies and research institutions.

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

Animal science is just about herding cattle.
The programme covers genetics, nutrition, physiology, biotechnology and product technology.
Animal science graduates become herdsmen.
Graduates work as scientists, managers, consultants and researchers.
Livestock farming is backward in Kenya.
Kenya has a growing commercial livestock sector with modern farming practices.
This is the same as veterinary medicine.
Animal science focuses on production and management, while veterinary medicine focuses on treatment.