Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Oceanography

The Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Oceanography is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in fisheries and oceanography. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Fisheries, Oceanography, Marine Biology, Aquatic Ecosystems, Sustainable Fisheries, Marine Resource Management. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Statistics for Agricultural Research, Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness Finance and Accounting, Agribusiness Information Systems. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Fisheries and Oceanography, Marine Biology, Fisheries Biology, Fisheries Technology, Chemical Oceanography. 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 Physical Oceanography, Fisheries Management, Marine Biology. 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 Fisheries and Oceanography pursue careers as Oceanographer, Fisheries Officer, Fisheries Manager, Marine Consultant. 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: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 8 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Fisheries
Oceanography
Marine Biology
Aquatic Ecosystems
Sustainable Fisheries
Marine Resource Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Fisheries and Oceanography
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Fisheries and Oceanography: Overview of fisheries, oceanography, and marine resource management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Physical Oceanography
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Physical Oceanography: Ocean physics, ocean currents, waves, and marine physical processes. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Marine Biology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Marine Biology: Marine organisms, marine ecosystems, and biological oceanography. Covers cellular processes, organismal biology, and ecological relationships.
Fisheries Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Fisheries Management: Fisheries principles, stock assessment, and fisheries management strategies. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Chemical Oceanography
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Chemical Oceanography: Marine chemistry, ocean chemistry, and chemical processes in oceans. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Fisheries Biology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Fish biology, fish ecology, and population dynamics. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, co...
Marine Ecology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Marine Ecology: Marine ecosystems, ecological processes, and marine biodiversity. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Aquaculture
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Aquaculture: Aquaculture principles, fish farming, and aquaculture systems. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Fisheries Technology
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Fishing gear, fishing methods, and fisheries technology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Marine Conservation
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Marine Conservation: Marine conservation, protected areas, and marine ecosystem protection. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Fisheries Economics
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Fisheries Economics: Fisheries economics, cost-benefit analysis, and fisheries business management. Covers economic theory, market analysis, and policy evaluation.
Fisheries and Oceanography Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent project on fisheries or oceanography topic. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...

Specialisations

Physical Oceanography
Specialization in ocean physics, ocean currents, and marine physical processes. 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
Focus on fisheries principles, stock assessment, and fisheries management strategies. 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.
Marine Biology
Focus on marine organisms, marine ecosystems, and biological oceanography. 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.

A day as a student

Students attend lectures, conduct fieldwork in marine environments, participate in fisheries assessments, and engage in oceanographic research.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in managing marine resources and ensuring sustainable fisheries.
Growing demand for fisheries professionals due to increasing marine resource needs.
Fieldwork provides direct experience with marine environments and oceanographic research.

Against it

Marine work can be challenging due to sea conditions and remote locations.
Fisheries management can be complex due to overfishing and ecosystem changes.

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 available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 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
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

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 Fisheries, Marine Science, Biology, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Biology
C+
Chemistry
C
Mathematics/Physics
C
English/Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and laboratory reports throughout the semester.
Field Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of field skills in fisheries assessments, oceanographic measurements, and marine research.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on fisheries or oceanography topic.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Oceanographer
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Study ocean systems, conduct oceanographic research, and assess marine conditions.
Fisheries Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage fisheries, enforce regulations, and support sustainable fishing practices.
Fisheries Manager
High demandKsh 57,000 to Ksh 123,000
Manage fishing operations, oversee fish stocks, and ensure sustainable fisheries.
Marine Consultant
Medium demandKsh 62,000 to Ksh 135,000
Provide consulting services on fisheries, oceanography, and marine resource management.
Marine Biologist
Medium demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Study marine organisms, conduct marine research, and support marine conservation.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in fisheries, oceanography, and marine resource management across Kenya's marine sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Google Earth
Gis
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
QGIS
GisPrimary
R
Analytics