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Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery

The Bachelor Of Science In Veterinary Medicine And Surgery is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in veterinary medicine and surgery. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 5 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Surgery, Animal Health, Animal Diseases, Veterinary Pharmacology, Clinical Practice. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Agricultural Entrepreneurship, Agricultural Mechanization, Agricultural Policy, Agricultural Science, Animal Science. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Project, Introduction to Veterinary Medicine, Animal Reproduction, Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary Medicine. 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 Animal Production, Veterinary Surgery, Veterinary Medicine. 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 Veterinary Medicine And Surgery pursue careers as Veterinary Doctor, Veterinary Researcher, Veterinary Consultant, Veterinary Surgeon. 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
5 years
Public, up to
Ksh 524,000
Job market
High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode
Full-time
Attachment
12 months
Average class
25 students
Award
Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Veterinary Surgery
  • Animal Health
  • Animal Diseases
  • Veterinary Pharmacology
  • Clinical Practice

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Veterinary Medicine

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Introduction to Veterinary Medicine: Overview of veterinary medicine, animal health, and veterinary ethics. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Veterinary Anatomy

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Veterinary Anatomy: Animal anatomy, comparative anatomy, and anatomical structures. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Veterinary Physiology

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Veterinary Physiology: Animal physiology, body functions, and physiological processes. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Veterinary Pathology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Veterinary Pathology: Animal diseases, disease mechanisms, and pathological changes. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Veterinary Pharmacology

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Veterinary Pharmacology: Veterinary drugs, drug actions, and pharmacological principles. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Veterinary Surgery

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Veterinary Surgery: Surgical techniques, surgical procedures, and surgical management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Veterinary Medicine

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Veterinary Medicine: Internal medicine, disease diagnosis, and medical treatment. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Animal Reproduction

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Animal Reproduction: Reproductive physiology, breeding management, and reproductive disorders. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Veterinary Microbiology

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Veterinary Microbiology: Animal microorganisms, infectious diseases, and microbiological diagnosis. Covers cellular processes, organismal biology, and ecological relationships.

  • Veterinary Parasitology

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Veterinary Parasitology: Animal parasites, parasitic diseases, and parasitic control. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Clinical Practice

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Clinical Practice: Clinical skills, case management, and clinical decision-making. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Project

    Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

    Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Project: Independent project on veterinary medicine or surgery topic. Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

  • Animal Production

    Focus on livestock production, herd health, and production medicine. 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.

  • Veterinary Surgery

    Focus on surgical techniques, surgical procedures, and surgical 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.

  • Veterinary Medicine

    Specialization in internal medicine, disease diagnosis, and medical treatment. 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 clinical practice, participate in animal handling, and engage in veterinary research.

The trade offs

In its favour

  • Critical role in ensuring animal health and preventing zoonotic diseases.
  • Growing demand for veterinary professionals due to livestock production and pet ownership.
  • Combines medical knowledge with animal care for comprehensive veterinary understanding.

Against it

  • Veterinary work can be emotionally demanding and requires dealing with animal suffering.
  • Veterinary practice requires long hours and emergency response availability.

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
Public516k to 524k
516k at Egerton University524k 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 516.3K/yr, UoN ~524K/yr (UoN vet page). Private: no private BVM in Kenya (tuko.co.ke).

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

Funding options

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

5 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

  • AMREF International University Scholarships

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Health sciences students demonstrating financial need

  • Ministry of Health Kenya Scholarships

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Healthcare workers sponsored by national or county governments

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

  • Biology

    C+

  • Chemistry

    C+

  • Physics/Mathematics

    C+

  • English/Kiswahili

    C

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Clinical Practice Assessments

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Evaluation of clinical skills, surgical procedures, and animal handling.

  • 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 veterinary medicine or surgery 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) and Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB).

Accredited by

  • Commission for University Education

    NationalRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

  • Kenya Veterinary Board

    ProfessionalRequired

    Professional accreditation for veterinary medicine programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Veterinary Doctor

    High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 150,000

    Diagnose animal diseases, perform surgeries, and provide veterinary care.

  • Veterinary Researcher

    Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000

    Conduct veterinary research, develop treatments, and advance veterinary science.

  • Veterinary Consultant

    Medium demandKsh 68,000 to Ksh 145,000

    Provide consulting services on animal health, veterinary medicine, and animal welfare.

  • Veterinary Surgeon

    High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Perform surgical procedures, manage surgical cases, and provide surgical care.

  • Animal Health Officer

    High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Implement animal health programmes, prevent diseases, and ensure animal welfare.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in veterinary medicine, animal health, and clinical practice across Kenya's veterinary sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • EpiCollect

    Analytics

  • DHIS2

    DatabasePrimary

  • Microsoft Excel

    SpreadsheetPrimary

  • Herdbook

    Database

  • FarmERP

    Cloud

  • IDEXX VetLab

    Medical

  • Feed formulation software (e.g., Brill, Format, Alltech)

    Analytics

  • Format Feed Formulation

    Analytics

Certifications

Industry links

Related courses

Further reading

Keep this

Fees and entry marks for Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.

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