Agriculture

Master in Marine Biodiversity, Conservation and Fisheries

The Master in Marine Biodiversity, Conservation and Fisheries at the University of Nairobi is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced study of marine ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and fisheries management. The programme prepares graduates for careers in marine research, fisheries management, conservation, environmental consultancy, and blue economy development.

The curriculum covers marine biology, fisheries science, biodiversity conservation, marine ecology, oceanography, aquaculture, marine resource management, research methods, and environmental impact assessment. Students develop practical skills in marine field research, data analysis, species identification, and ecosystem monitoring.

Admission requires a bachelor's degree with at least an Upper Second Class Honours in biological sciences, fisheries, zoology, or a related discipline from a recognised university. Applicants with a Lower Second Class Honours and at least two years of relevant work or research experience may also be considered. The programme is offered full-time over two years.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered through the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Nairobi's Chiromo Campus. The programme collaborates with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) for research and fieldwork opportunities.

Career prospects include roles in marine research, fisheries management, biodiversity conservation, environmental consultancy, aquaculture, ocean governance, and academia. Graduates work in research institutions, government fisheries departments, environmental agencies, NGOs, international organisations, and universities requiring marine science expertise.

The programme addresses Kenya's growing blue economy agenda, with the country's extensive Indian Ocean coastline supporting diverse marine ecosystems, fisheries, and emerging sectors including aquaculture, marine tourism, and offshore energy. With increasing pressure on marine resources from overfishing, climate change, and pollution, demand for qualified marine biodiversity and fisheries professionals continues to grow in both public and private sectors.

Skills Required

Marine biodiversity assessment
Fisheries science and management
Marine ecology and ecosystem analysis
Conservation biology
Marine field research methods
Aquaculture techniques
Environmental impact assessment
Oceanographic data analysis
GIS for marine spatial planning
Research methodology in marine science

Key Subjects

Marine Biology
Fisheries Science and Management
Marine Ecology
Biodiversity Conservation
Oceanography
Aquaculture
Marine Resource Management
Research Methods in Marine Science
Environmental Impact Assessment
Marine Spatial Planning

Certifications

WIOMSA Marine Science Certification
IUCN Conservation Certification
FAO Fisheries Professional Certification
KMFRI Research Affiliation

Specializations

Marine Biology and Ecology

Focuses on the study of marine organisms, their ecosystems, and ecological processes in the Indian Ocean environment.

Fisheries Management

Covers fisheries science, stock assessment, sustainable harvesting, and management of marine and freshwater fisheries resources.

Marine Conservation

Examines marine biodiversity conservation, protected area management, and threatened species protection.

Aquaculture

Focuses on marine and freshwater aquaculture, including hatchery management, fish health, and sustainable aquaculture practices.

Marine Resource Management

Covers integrated marine resource management, marine spatial planning, and blue economy policy development.

Oceanography and Climate

Examines physical and chemical oceanography, climate change impacts on marine ecosystems, and ocean-atmosphere interactions.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 361,500
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Marine Biology
Fisheries Science and Management
Marine Ecology
Biodiversity Conservation
Oceanography
Aquaculture
Marine Resource Management
Research Methods in Marine Science
Environmental Impact Assessment
Marine Spatial Planning

Modules

11 in the programme

Marine Biology and Ecology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of marine organisms, their ecosystems, and ecological processes in the Indian Ocean, including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds.
Fisheries Science and Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of fisheries science, stock assessment, sustainable harvesting, and management of marine fisheries resources.
Biodiversity Conservation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and practice of biodiversity conservation, including protected area design, species conservation, and ecosystem-based management.
Research Methods in Marine Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methodology for marine science, including field sampling, experimental design, statistical analysis, and academic writing.
Oceanography
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Physical and chemical oceanography, including ocean circulation, water chemistry, and ocean-atmosphere interactions affecting marine ecosystems.
Aquaculture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and practices of marine and freshwater aquaculture, including hatchery management, fish health, and sustainable aquaculture systems.
Marine Resource Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Integrated marine resource management, marine spatial planning, and blue economy policy for sustainable ocean governance.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Methods for assessing environmental impacts of marine and coastal development, including EIA frameworks and marine ecosystem valuation.
Coral Reef Ecology and Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Ecology of coral reef ecosystems, reef health monitoring, and management strategies for coral reef conservation in the Western Indian Ocean.
Climate Change and Marine Ecosystems
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Climate change impacts on marine ecosystems, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and adaptation strategies for coastal communities.
Thesis / Research Project
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research thesis on a marine biodiversity, conservation, or fisheries topic, conducted under faculty supervision and assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Marine Biology and Ecology
Focuses on the study of marine organisms, their ecosystems, and ecological processes in the Indian Ocean environment.
Fisheries Management
Covers fisheries science, stock assessment, sustainable harvesting, and management of marine and freshwater fisheries resources.
Marine Conservation
Examines marine biodiversity conservation, protected area management, and threatened species protection.
Aquaculture
Focuses on marine and freshwater aquaculture, including hatchery management, fish health, and sustainable aquaculture practices.
Marine Resource Management
Covers integrated marine resource management, marine spatial planning, and blue economy policy development.
Oceanography and Climate
Examines physical and chemical oceanography, climate change impacts on marine ecosystems, and ocean-atmosphere interactions.

A day as a student

A typical day combines theoretical study with practical marine research. Mornings involve lectures on marine biology, fisheries science, oceanography, or conservation biology at Chiromo Campus. Afternoons include laboratory sessions for species identification, water quality analysis, or ecological data analysis. Fieldwork is a significant component, with trips to the Kenyan coast for marine sampling, coral reef surveys, and fisheries assessments. Students collaborate with KMFRI for research projects and may participate in oceanographic expeditions. Independent reading, data analysis, and thesis research occupy significant time, with access to the university's biological sciences laboratories and marine research equipment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Strong career demand driven by Kenya's blue economy agenda and growing marine conservation needs.
Collaboration with KMFRI provides access to marine research facilities and fieldwork opportunities along the Kenyan coast.
UoN's Chiromo Campus has established biological sciences faculty and research infrastructure.
Interdisciplinary curriculum covering biology, conservation, fisheries, and oceanography.

Against it

Only offered at one institution, limiting choice for prospective students.
Programme cost of KES 731,000 total is relatively high compared to other MA programmes.
Fieldwork along the coast requires travel and additional costs not included in tuition.
Specialised marine research equipment and laboratory facilities may be limited compared to dedicated marine science institutions.

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

Public110k to 362k

110k at Rongo University362k 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

UoN ~361.5K/yr (FST comparable, uonbi.ac.ke). Rongo 110K/yr (eafinder.com). Private unverified.

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students. WIOMSA provides research grants for marine science in the Western Indian Ocean region. KMFRI may offer training support for research collaboration. International organisations including FAO and UNESCO IOC may provide fellowship opportunities.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
WIOMSA Research Grants
KMFRI Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities. Applicants must meet HELB eligibility criteria.
WIOMSA Marine Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 500,000
WIOMSA provides research grants for marine science research in the Western Indian Ocean region, supporting postgraduate research projects.
KMFRI Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 400,000Kenyan
KMFRI may provide training support for research collaboration with the institute, particularly for staff and affiliated researchers.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is open to graduates from biological sciences, fisheries, zoology, marine biology, environmental science, and related disciplines. Holders of postgraduate diplomas in relevant fields may also be considered. The programme is offered full-time over two years at the University of Nairobi's Chiromo Campus, with collaboration with KMFRI for marine fieldwork.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Ongoing assessment through laboratory reports, field reports, research assignments, seminar presentations, and practical examinations throughout each semester.
End-of-Semester Examination
Examination60% of the mark
Written examination conducted at the end of each semester for each course unit.
Fieldwork Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Assessment of marine field research skills through fieldwork reports, sampling exercises, and practical fieldwork at coastal research sites.
Thesis / Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research thesis on a marine biodiversity, conservation, or fisheries topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya's statutory body for university quality assurance. The University of Nairobi is a CUE-accredited public university.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation required for all university programmes in Kenya. The University of Nairobi is a CUE-accredited public university.
Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Association (WIOMSA)
Professional alignment
Regional marine science association. Graduates may access WIOMSA professional networks, research grants, and certification programmes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Marine Research Scientist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 320,000
Conducts marine research on biodiversity, fisheries, and ecosystems for research institutions, government agencies, and international organisations.
Fisheries Management Officer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages fisheries resources, implements sustainable harvesting policies, and monitors fish stocks for government fisheries departments.
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages marine protected areas, implements conservation programmes, and monitors biodiversity for conservation organisations and government agencies.
Aquaculture Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 290,000
Develops and manages aquaculture operations, provides technical support for fish farming, and ensures sustainable aquaculture practices.
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides environmental impact assessment, marine resource consultancy, and advisory services for coastal development projects.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in marine research, fisheries management, biodiversity conservation, environmental consultancy, aquaculture, ocean governance, and academia across research institutions, government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R Studio
Statistical softwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing environment for marine data analysis, ecological modelling, and fisheries stock assessment.
ArcGIS
Gis softwarePrimary
GIS software for marine spatial planning, habitat mapping, and geographic analysis of marine ecosystems.
PRIMER
Ecological analysis software
Specialised software for ecological data analysis, multivariate community analysis, and biodiversity assessment in marine research.
SPSS
Statistical software
Statistical analysis software for quantitative marine science research and fisheries data analysis.
Google Earth Engine
Remote sensing platform
Cloud-based platform for satellite imagery analysis of marine environments, including ocean colour and sea surface temperature monitoring.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Marine science is only about studying fish.
Marine science encompasses biodiversity, ecology, oceanography, conservation, aquaculture, and resource management, covering the entire marine ecosystem.
There are no career opportunities in marine science in Kenya.
Kenya's blue economy agenda creates demand for marine scientists in fisheries management, conservation, aquaculture, environmental consultancy, and ocean governance.
Marine research requires going to sea constantly.
While fieldwork is important, much marine science involves laboratory analysis, data modelling, policy work, and conservation planning.
Fisheries management is only about catching fish.
Fisheries management involves stock assessment, ecosystem approaches, policy development, community engagement, and sustainable resource governance.
Marine conservation is opposed to fishing communities.
Modern marine conservation works with fishing communities through co-management, sustainable livelihoods, and integrated coastal zone management.
Aquaculture is not relevant to Kenya.
Aquaculture is a growing sector in Kenya, with marine aquaculture, prawn farming, and integrated mariculture systems expanding along the coast.