Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture is a programme that provides comprehensive training in fish production, aquatic resource management and aquaculture technology. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Egerton University, Kenyatta University, Maseno University, JKUAT and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in fisheries and aquaculture.

The curriculum covers fish biology, aquaculture, fisheries management, fish nutrition, fish health, fish breeding, pond management, fish processing, water quality management, aquatic ecology, fisheries economics, fisheries policy, GIS for fisheries, marine biology, research methods and a research project. Students develop scientific and practical skills for fish production and management.

Kenya's Blue Economy agenda, the growth of aquaculture and fisheries development create demand for fisheries and aquaculture graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork at fish farms and lakes, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as fisheries officers, aquaculture managers, fish farm managers, fisheries researchers, fish health specialists, fish processing technologists, fisheries consultants and extension officers. They work in the State Department for Fisheries, county governments, fish farms, research institutions, NGOs, international organisations and as entrepreneurs.

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
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Fish Biology
Aquaculture
Fisheries Management
Fish Nutrition
Fish Health
Fish Breeding
Pond Management
Fish Processing
Water Quality Management
Aquatic Ecology

Modules

10 in the programme

Fish Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fish anatomy and physiology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Aquaculture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fish farming systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Fisheries Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Wild fisheries management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Fish Nutrition
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Fish feed and nutrition. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Fish Health
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Fish diseases and health. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Fish Breeding
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Fish genetics and breeding. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Pond Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Aquaculture pond management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Fish Processing
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Fish processing and preservation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...
Water Quality Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Water quality for aquaculture. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...
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

Fish Processing
Fish 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.
Aquaculture
Fish farming. 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.
Fisheries Management
Wild fisheries. 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.
Fish Health
Fish disease 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 fisheries lectures, working in aquaculture laboratories, conducting field practicals at fish farms, studying fish biology, researching water quality, learning fish breeding techniques, visiting fish processing facilities, and working on fisheries research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's Blue Economy agenda creates opportunities
Growing aquaculture sector with government support
Specialised field with less competition

Against it

Fieldwork involves working near water bodies
Limited number of universities offering the programme
Some roles require working in remote areas

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

Public277k to 324k

277k at Egerton 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

Egerton 276.7K/yr (educationnewshub), UoN 324K/yr (Schedule II). Private unverified.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Blue Economy initiatives may offer additional support.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students

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 fisheries, aquaculture, animal health 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

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

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at UoN, Egerton, KU, Maseno, JKUAT 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

Fisheries Researcher
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 300,000
Fisheries research
Aquaculture Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Fish farm management
Fish Farm Manager
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Commercial fish farming
Fish Processing Technologist
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Fish processing
Fisheries Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Fisheries management

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as fisheries officers, aquaculture managers and fish farm managers in the State Department for Fisheries, fish farms and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SafetyCulture (iAuditor)
Analytics
QGIS
Engineering
Google Earth Engine
CloudPrimary
Kipos
Analytics
FoodDocs
Analytics
Google Workspace
Cloud
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
KoboToolbox
Database

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Fisheries is just about fishing.
The programme covers aquaculture, fish health, breeding, processing, economics and policy.
There are no careers in fisheries in Kenya.
Kenya's Blue Economy agenda creates demand for fisheries professionals.
Fisheries graduates only work at lakes.
Graduates work in fish farms, research, processing, government and consulting.
Aquaculture is not profitable in Kenya.
Aquaculture is a growing sector with government support and investment.