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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.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 324,000
Ksh 1,296,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

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.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 6 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 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.

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 favourAgainst it
Kenya's Blue Economy agenda creates opportunitiesFieldwork involves working near water bodies
Growing aquaculture sector with government supportLimited number of universities offering the programme
Specialised field with less competitionSome 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

Scholarships you could apply for

13 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
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.

Subject requirements
BiologyC+
ChemistryC+
MathematicsC+
English or KiswahiliC+

When it next starts

Taught at 6 institutions
January 20276 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Maseno University, Egerton University.

May 20276 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Maseno University, Egerton University.

September 20276 institutions

Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Maseno University, Egerton University.

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

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

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.

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

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.

Further reading

Read next