Agriculture

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine

The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine is a programme that provides comprehensive training in animal health, disease diagnosis and treatment. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Egerton University, Kenyatta University, Murang'a University of Technology and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in veterinary medicine, animal health and public health.

The curriculum covers veterinary anatomy, veterinary physiology, veterinary biochemistry, veterinary microbiology, veterinary parasitology, veterinary pathology, veterinary pharmacology, veterinary surgery, veterinary medicine, theriogenology (animal reproduction), public health and preventive medicine, veterinary epidemiology, fish diseases, wildlife diseases, poultry diseases, clinical rotations, research methods and a research project. Students develop clinical and diagnostic skills through intensive practical training.

Kenya's livestock sector, wildlife conservation, poultry industry and public health needs create strong demand for veterinary medicine graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratories, clinical rotations in veterinary hospitals, fieldwork, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as veterinary surgeons, veterinary officers, animal health officers, public health officers, veterinary researchers, livestock consultants, poultry veterinarians, wildlife veterinarians and veterinary educators. They work in the Directorate of Veterinary Services, county governments, Kenya Wildlife Service, research institutions, universities, private practice, pharmaceutical companies and abattoirs.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B in Biology, B- in Chemistry, B- in Mathematics or Physics, and C+ in English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 2.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 442,850
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Veterinary Anatomy
Veterinary Physiology
Veterinary Microbiology
Veterinary Pathology
Veterinary Pharmacology
Veterinary Surgery
Veterinary Medicine
Theriogenology
Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Veterinary Epidemiology

Modules

10 in the programme

Veterinary Anatomy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Animal body structure. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Veterinary Physiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Animal body function. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Veterinary Microbiology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Animal pathogens. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...
Veterinary Pathology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Animal disease. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinat...
Veterinary Pharmacology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Animal drug therapy. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Veterinary Surgery
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Surgical techniques. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Veterinary Medicine
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Internal medicine. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
Theriogenology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Animal reproduction. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Public Health and Preventive Medicine
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Public health. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinati...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Surgery
Veterinary surgery. 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.
Theriogenology
Animal reproduction. 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.
Public Health
Veterinary public health. 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.
Wildlife Medicine
Wildlife health. 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

A typical day involves attending veterinary lectures, working in anatomy dissection labs, studying microbiology, conducting clinical rotations in veterinary hospitals, learning surgical techniques, researching animal diseases, studying pharmacology, examining animals, and working on veterinary research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand in livestock and wildlife sectors
KVB registration enables professional practice
Diverse career paths in practice, research, wildlife and public health

Against it

Demanding 5-year programme
Clinical work involves exposure to animal diseases
Some roles require working in remote rural areas

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

Public312k to 443k

312k at Egerton University443k 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 312,340/yr, UoN 442,850/yr (KUCCPS). Private: no private university accredited for BVM.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Livestock and pharmaceutical organisations may offer sponsorships.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students in veterinary medicine
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
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+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with B in Biology, B- in Chemistry, B- in Mathematics or Physics, and C+ in English or Kiswahili. Diploma in animal health, veterinary medicine or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 2.

Biology
B
Chemistry
B-
Mathematics or Physics
B-
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Clinical and Laboratory Practicals
Practicum30% of the mark
Clinical rotations and lab sessions
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination40% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB). Offered at UoN, Egerton, KU, MUT and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B in Biology, B- in Chemistry, B- in Mathematics or Physics, and C+ in English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 2. KVB registration required for professional practice.

Accredited by

Kenya Veterinary Board
ProfessionalRequired
Statutory body responsible for regulation of veterinary practice in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Public Health Officer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Veterinary public health
Wildlife Veterinarian
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 400,000
Wildlife veterinary
Veterinary Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Veterinary research
Veterinary Surgeon
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 400,000
Veterinary practice
Veterinary Officer
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 300,000
Public veterinary service

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as veterinary surgeons, veterinary officers and public health officers in the Directorate of Veterinary Services, county governments and private practice.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Stethoscope
Medical equipmentPrimary
Primary diagnostic tool.
KenyaEMR
Health is
Electronic medical records.
Surgical Instruments
Medical equipmentPrimary
Surgical tools and equipment.
Laparoscopic Equipment
Medical equipment
Minimally invasive surgery systems.
PACS
Imaging systemPrimary
Picture Archiving and Communication System.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Veterinary medicine is just about treating pets.
The programme covers livestock, wildlife, poultry, fish, public health and preventive medicine.
There are no veterinary jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's livestock sector and wildlife conservation create strong demand.
Veterinary medicine is less rigorous than human medicine.
Veterinary medicine is equally demanding, covering multiple species and public health.
Veterinarians only work in rural areas.
Graduates work in cities, research, pharmaceuticals, wildlife and public health.