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 short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 64,120 a year at a public institution, Ksh 192,360 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 3 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.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 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.
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 programmeDairy 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's dairy industry is one of the largest in East Africa, offering diverse career opportunities. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options. |
| The programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical laboratory and pilot plant sessions. | Career opportunities are primarily within the dairy processing sector, which may be limited in some regions. |
| Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Dairy Technology or related degree programmes. | — |
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
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 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
8 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
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- 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
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Komaza Scholarship Program
RollingPartialKomaza
KES 50,000 to 150,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Certificate in Dairy Technology or related field from a recognised institution, or relevant experience in dairy processing.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Egerton University.
Including Egerton University.
Including Egerton University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous 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
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 rolesDairy 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- 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
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.