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 short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 524,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 2,620,000 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 5 years, full-time, with 12 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 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 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.
What you study
6 subjects- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Surgery
- Animal Health
- Animal Diseases
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Clinical Practice
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Critical role in ensuring animal health and preventing zoonotic diseases. | Veterinary work can be emotionally demanding and requires dealing with animal suffering. |
| Growing demand for veterinary professionals due to livestock production and pet ownership. | Veterinary practice requires long hours and emergency response availability. |
| Combines medical knowledge with animal care for comprehensive veterinary understanding. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 303 agriculture coursesAnnual 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 recordedHigher 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
Scholarships you could apply for
11 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Diploma holders in Animal Health, Animal Science, Biology, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding University of Nairobi, Egerton University.
Including University of Nairobi, Egerton University.
Including University of Nairobi, Egerton University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsClinical 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
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.
Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE) and Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesVeterinary 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- Aquaculture TechnologistAgriculture3Low exposure
- Climate-Resilient Seed BreederAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary Public OfficerAgriculture3Low exposure
- Veterinary OfficerAgriculture7Low exposure
- Farm Insurance AssessorAgriculture11Low exposure
- Value Chain AnalystAgriculture12Low exposure
- Agricultural EconomistAgriculture13Low exposure
- Agroecological Farming SpecialistAgriculture13Low exposure
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
Common misconceptions
Pets only need veterinary care when they're sick
Preventive care is essential for pets of all ages. Many conditions like kidney disease, heart disease, and early-stage cancers can be asymptomatic initially. Regular wellness visits enable early intervention.
Natural remedies are safer and as effective as prescription medications
Many natural remedies lack scientific backing and can be harmful. Garlic for fleas or other home treatments can be toxic. Evidence-based veterinary treatments are safer and more effective.
Blood work is only necessary for senior pets
Animals of all ages need regular testing, not just senior pets. Young animals can have underlying health issues that benefit from early detection through routine blood work.
Lumps and bumps are a normal part of aging
While benign masses are common in older pets, assuming every lump is harmless is dangerous. Only diagnostic evaluation like cytology or biopsy can determine if a mass is malignant.
Indoor pets don't need vaccines or parasite screening
Indoor pets can still be exposed to disease vectors like mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks. People can bring pathogens into homes. Routine vaccination and screening remain essential.
Grains and byproducts are bad for pets
Properly cooked grains are highly digestible and uncommon allergens. Byproducts are nutrient-rich organ meats. These ingredients provide balanced nutrition in commercial pet foods.