Agriculture

Diploma in Dairy Technology

The Diploma in Dairy Technology is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in milk processing, dairy product manufacturing, quality assurance and dairy plant operations. Offered at Egerton University, the programme prepares students for careers in Kenya's growing dairy processing industry.

The curriculum covers dairy chemistry, dairy microbiology, milk processing, dairy product manufacturing (cheese, butter, yoghurt, ghee, powdered milk), dairy plant engineering, dairy equipment maintenance, quality assurance and food safety, dairy plant hygiene, milk collection and handling, dairy business management, dairy by-products utilisation, packaging technology, refrigeration and cold chain management, communication skills, ICT and entrepreneurship. Students develop both technical processing and quality control skills.

Kenya's dairy industry is one of the largest in East Africa, with growing demand for processed milk and dairy products. The programme responds to the need for trained professionals who can operate dairy processing plants, ensure product quality and safety, and support the growth of the dairy value chain.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, pilot plant practicals, factory visits, case studies, projects and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in milk processing, product manufacturing and quality testing through laboratory sessions and attachment at dairy processing plants, research stations or quality control laboratories.

Graduates pursue careers as dairy technologists, quality assurance assistants, dairy plant operators, production supervisors, milk grading officers and dairy extension assistants in dairy processing companies, research institutions, government agencies and dairy cooperatives. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Dairy Technology or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have an interest in food science, aptitude for laboratory work and practical skills. The programme is suitable for students seeking technical careers in dairy processing and food manufacturing.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 64,120
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Dairy Chemistry and Microbiology
Milk Processing and Dairy Product Manufacturing
Dairy Plant Engineering and Equipment Maintenance
Quality Assurance and Food Safety in Dairy
Dairy Plant Hygiene and Sanitation
Milk Collection, Handling and Cold Chain Management
Dairy By-products Utilisation and Packaging
Dairy Business Management and Entrepreneurship

Modules

8 in the programme

Dairy Chemistry and Microbiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers milk composition, dairy chemistry, dairy microbiology, milk-borne pathogens, microbial spoilage, fermentation and starter cultures.
Milk Processing and Product Manufacturing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers milk reception, pasteurisation, homogenisation, separation, and manufacturing of liquid milk, cream, butter, cheese and yoghurt.
Dairy Plant Engineering and Equipment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers dairy plant engineering, processing equipment, heat exchangers, separators, refrigeration systems, CIP systems and equipment maintenance.
Quality Assurance and Food Safety
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers quality assurance principles, food safety management, HACCP, milk quality testing, adulteration detection, hygiene and sanitation.
Dairy Product Manufacturing and Packaging
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers advanced dairy product manufacturing including powdered milk, ghee, ice cream, condensed milk, packaging technology and shelf-life extension.
Dairy By-products and Waste Utilisation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers whey utilisation, dairy by-products processing, waste management, effluent treatment and environmental compliance in dairy plants.
Dairy Business Management and Extension
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers dairy business management, milk marketing, dairy cooperatives, entrepreneurship, communication skills, ICT and dairy extension.
Industrial Attachment and Project
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at a dairy processing plant or quality control laboratory, assessed through an attachment report and a dairy technology project.

Specialisations

Dairy Processing
Focuses on milk processing operations, product manufacturing and plant management for careers as dairy technologists.
Quality Assurance
Specialises in milk quality testing, food safety and quality management for careers as quality assurance assistants.
Dairy Plant Engineering
Focuses on dairy equipment operation, maintenance and refrigeration for careers as dairy plant operators.
Dairy Business
Specialises in dairy business management, marketing and extension for careers in dairy cooperatives and marketing.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on dairy chemistry or dairy microbiology, followed by a laboratory session testing milk quality or manufacturing dairy products. Afternoon sessions may include a pilot plant practical on pasteurisation, a factory visit to a dairy processing plant, or a group exercise on quality assurance. Students also work on dairy processing projects and quality control exercises.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's dairy industry is one of the largest in East Africa, offering diverse career opportunities.
The programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical laboratory and pilot plant sessions.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Dairy Technology or related degree programmes.

Against it

The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.
Career opportunities are primarily within the dairy processing sector, which may be limited in some regions.

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

Public64k to 64k

64k at Dairy Training Institute Naivasha64k at Dairy Training Institute Naivasha

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

DTI Naivasha 64K/yr (mwafrikah.com). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans. Egerton University offers bursaries for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Certificate in Dairy Technology or related field from a recognised institution, or relevant experience in dairy processing.

English or Kiswahili
C-
Mathematics or Physics
C-
Biology or Agriculture
C-
Chemistry
C-

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering dairy chemistry, microbiology and milk processing.
Laboratory and Pilot Plant Practicals
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory sessions including milk quality testing, product manufacturing and equipment operation.
Dairy Technology Project
Project50% of the mark
A practical project on a dairy technology topic, assessed through a report and demonstration.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a dairy processing plant or quality control laboratory.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Egerton University.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Egerton University.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Dairy Technologist
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Operates dairy processing equipment, manages milk processing operations, ensures product quality and supports dairy product manufacturing.
Quality Assurance Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 100,000
Tests milk and dairy products for quality, conducts laboratory analyses, monitors hygiene standards and prepares quality reports.
Dairy Plant Operator
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 95,000
Operates processing equipment, monitors production lines, manages CIP cycles, maintains plant hygiene and supports production operations.
Milk Grading Officer
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 85,000
Grades raw milk at collection centres, tests milk quality, rejects substandard milk, maintains records and advises farmers on milk hygiene.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as dairy technologists, quality assurance assistants and dairy plant operators in processing companies, research institutions and government agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Dairy technology is just about milking cows.
The programme focuses on milk processing, dairy product manufacturing, quality assurance and plant operations, not farm-level milk production.
Dairy technology has limited career opportunities.
Kenya's dairy processing industry is growing, with opportunities in processing companies, research, quality control, extension and cooperatives.
Dairy technology is the same as dairy farm management.
Dairy technology focuses on post-farm-gate processing and manufacturing, while dairy farm management focuses on farm operations and animal husbandry.
You need to come from a farming background to study dairy technology.
The programme is open to all students who meet entry requirements, regardless of their background.