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 short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 442,850 a year at a public institution, Ksh 2,214,250 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ 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 3 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 Dental Ceramist, 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 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.
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 programmeVeterinary 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand in livestock and wildlife sectors | Demanding 5-year programme |
| KVB registration enables professional practice | Clinical work involves exposure to animal diseases |
| Diverse career paths in practice, research, wildlife and public health | 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 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 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 recordedHigher 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
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
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.
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 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
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
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.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesPublic 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- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
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.