Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Food Science & Quality Assurance

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in food science and quality assurance. It develops expertise in food chemistry, food microbiology, food processing, quality control, and food safety while building technical skills for ensuring food quality and safety.

Students analyse food products, design quality control systems, implement food safety measures, evaluate food quality, conduct food research, apply quality assurance principles, manage food processing, and develop food safety standards. They also strengthen analytical thinking, technical skills, communication, teamwork, and food safety abilities.

Kenya requires food science and quality assurance to ensure food safety, improve food quality, and support the food industry, creating demand for professionals who can implement quality control, ensure food safety, manage food processing, and support food industry development.

The programme combines coursework, laboratory sessions, food processing practice, quality control assessments, and research projects. Students gain hands-on experience through food analysis, quality testing, and food safety inspections.

Graduates pursue careers as food scientists, quality assurance officers, food safety officers, food technologists, and quality control managers across food companies, regulatory agencies, research institutions, and the food industry.

The programme is ideal for students interested in food science, quality assurance, food safety, food processing, and ensuring food quality.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 115,100
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

Food Science
Quality Assurance
Food Safety
Food Chemistry
Food Microbiology
Food Processing

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Food Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Food Science: Overview of food science, food systems, and food quality principles. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Food Chemistry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Food Chemistry: Food composition, food chemistry, and chemical analysis of foods. Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Food Microbiology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Food Microbiology: Food microorganisms, foodborne pathogens, and microbiological analysis. Covers cellular processes, organismal biology, and ecological relationships.
Food Processing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Food Processing: Food processing technologies, preservation methods, and processing operations. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Quality Assurance
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Quality Assurance: Quality assurance principles, quality control systems, and quality management. Covers quality standards, inspection methods, and continuous improvement processes.
Food Safety
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Food Safety: Food safety principles, HACCP, and food safety management systems. Covers safety regulations, risk assessment, and workplace hazard management.
Food Analysis
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Food Analysis: Food analysis methods, instrumental analysis, and quality testing. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Food Laws and Regulations
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Food Laws and Regulations: Food legislation, regulatory frameworks, and compliance requirements. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Food Packaging
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Food Packaging: Food packaging materials, packaging technology, and packaging quality. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Sensory Evaluation
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Sensory Evaluation: Sensory analysis, sensory evaluation methods, and product testing. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Food Quality Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Food Quality Management: Quality management systems, ISO standards, and quality improvement. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Food Science and Quality Assurance Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Food Science and Quality Assurance Project: Independent project on food science or quality assurance topic. Covers quality standards, inspection methods, and continuous improvement processes.

Specialisations

Food Chemistry
Focus on food composition, food chemistry, and chemical analysis of foods. 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.
Food Processing
Focus on food processing technologies, preservation methods, and processing operations. 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.
Food Microbiology
Specialization in food microorganisms, foodborne pathogens, and microbiological analysis. 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 laboratory analysis, participate in food processing, and engage in quality control activities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in ensuring food safety and quality for public health.
Growing demand for food science professionals due to food industry growth.
Hands-on laboratory experience with food analysis and quality testing.

Against it

Food safety work requires strict adherence to protocols and regulations.
Food industry can be competitive with pressure for cost reduction.

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

Public226k to 324k

226k at JKUAT324k at University of Nairobi

Private115k to 115k

115k at Mount Kenya University115k at Mount Kenya University

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 324K, JKUAT 226K, Egerton 307K/yr (official/KUCCPS). MKU 115K/yr. Daystar unverified.

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

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

4 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
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+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, 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

End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Laboratory Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of laboratory skills in food analysis, quality testing, and safety procedures.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and laboratory reports throughout the semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on food science or quality assurance topic.

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

Quality Assurance Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Implement quality control systems, ensure product quality, and manage quality assurance.
Food Safety Officer
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Ensure food safety, implement HACCP, and manage food safety systems.
Food Scientist
High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Conduct food research, develop food products, and improve food quality.
Food Technologist
High demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 122,000
Develop food processing technologies, manage production, and improve food products.
Quality Control Manager
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manage quality control departments, implement quality systems, and ensure compliance.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in food science, quality assurance, and food safety across Kenya's food industry.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for extension data management, project planning and rural development budgeting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for rural development research and extension impact assessment.
QGIS
Software
GIS software for agricultural mapping and extension service planning.
PowerPoint
Software
Presentation tool for farmer training and extension education sessions.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.