Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Leather Production and Processing

The Bachelor of Science in Leather Production and Processing is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in leather production and processing. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Leather Technology, Leather Processing, Tanning Processes, Leather Chemistry, Leather Goods Manufacturing, Quality Control. 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 Environmental Management in Tanning, Raw Materials and Hides, Leather Production and Processing Project, Tanning Processes, Leather Chemistry. 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 General Practice, Tanning Technology, Leather Goods Manufacturing. 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 Leather Production and Processing pursue careers as Leather Quality Controller, Leather Goods Manufacturer, Leather Technologist, Tanning Supervisor. 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: Moderate

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

Leather Technology
Leather Processing
Tanning Processes
Leather Chemistry
Leather Goods Manufacturing
Quality Control

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Leather Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of leather technology, leather industry, and leather processing principles.
Leather Chemistry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Leather chemistry, tanning chemistry, and chemical processes in leather production.
Raw Materials and Hides
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Raw Materials and Hides: Hides and skins, raw material quality, and raw material preservation. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Tanning Processes
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Tanning Processes: Tanning methods, tanning operations, and tanning process control. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Leather Processing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Leather Processing: Leather processing techniques, finishing, and leather treatment. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Leather Quality Control
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Quality testing, quality standards, and quality assurance in leather production.
Leather Goods Manufacturing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Leather Goods Manufacturing: Leather goods design, manufacturing techniques, and product development. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Footwear Technology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Footwear Technology: Footwear design, footwear manufacturing, and footwear technology. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Leather Machinery
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Leather Machinery: Leather processing machinery, equipment operation, and maintenance. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Management in Tanning
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental Management in Tanning: Environmental impacts, waste management, and sustainable tanning practices. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Leather Industry Economics
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Leather Industry Economics: Leather industry economics, business management, and leather trade. Covers economic theory, market analysis, and policy evaluation.
Leather Production and Processing Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Leather Production and Processing Project: Independent project on leather production or processing topic. Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

Tanning Technology
Focus on tanning processes, tanning chemistry, and tanning 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.
Leather Goods Manufacturing
Specialization in leather goods design, manufacturing techniques, and product development. 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.
Quality Control
Focus on quality testing, quality standards, and quality assurance in leather 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.
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 tanning operations, and engage in leather processing activities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in adding value to hides and skins and supporting the leather industry.
Growing demand for leather professionals due to leather industry development.
Hands-on experience with tanning operations and leather processing.

Against it

Leather processing involves chemical processes requiring safety precautions.
Leather industry faces challenges from environmental regulations and competition.

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

Public324k to 324k

324k at University of Nairobi324k 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

UoN Leather Sci & Tech 324K/yr (vetmedicine.uonbi.ac.ke). Egerton/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 Leather Technology, Chemistry, Animal Science, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

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

How you are assessed

4 components

Industrial Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of industrial skills in tanning operations, leather processing, and quality control.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on leather production or processing topic.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and laboratory reports throughout the semester.
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

Leather Quality Controller
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Conduct quality tests, ensure quality standards, and implement quality control.
Leather Goods Manufacturer
Medium demandKsh 53,000 to Ksh 118,000
Manufacture leather goods, design leather products, and manage production.
Leather Technologist
Medium demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Oversee leather processing, implement tanning processes, and ensure leather quality.
Tanning Supervisor
Medium demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Supervise tanning operations, manage tanning processes, and ensure production efficiency.
Leather Industry Consultant
Low demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide consulting services on leather technology, processing, and leather industry development.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in leather production, processing, and leather goods manufacturing across Kenya's leather industry.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

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