Agriculture

Master of Science (Animal Nutrition)

The Master of Science in Animal Nutrition is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in animal nutrition, feed science, and livestock production. The programme combines nutritional science with animal physiology and feed technology.

Core areas include animal nutrition and metabolism, feed resources and evaluation, advanced animal physiology, nutritional biochemistry, biotechnology in animal nutrition, livestock production systems, ruminant and non-ruminant nutrition, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both nutritional theory and practical feed analysis.

The programme is offered by Egerton University, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, and University of Eldoret. All are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes.

Students develop competencies in animal nutrition, feed formulation, nutritional biochemistry, feed resource evaluation, ruminant and non-ruminant nutrition, biotechnology applications, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, examinations, and thesis.

Egerton University charges approximately KES 188,650/year for Faculty of Agriculture masters. KU, JKUAT, and UoE also offer the programme. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in animal production, agriculture, veterinary medicine, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division.

Graduates pursue careers as animal nutritionists, feed formulators, livestock production managers, agricultural consultants, research officers, and lecturers in animal nutrition and livestock production.

Skills Required

Animal Nutrition and Metabolic Analysis
Feed Formulation and Resource Evaluation
Advanced Animal Physiology
Nutritional Biochemistry
Biotechnology in Animal Nutrition
Ruminant and Non-Ruminant Nutrition
Livestock Production Systems Management
Feed Processing and Technology
Research Methods in Animal Science
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Animal Nutrition and Metabolism
Animal Feed Resources, Evaluation and Processing
Advanced Animal Physiology
Nutritional Biochemistry
Biotechnology in Animal Nutrition
Livestock Production Systems and Management
Ruminant Nutrition and Feeding
Non-Ruminant Nutrition and Feeding
Research Methods and Biostatistics
Thesis Research

Certifications

KAAA Professional Membership
KSP Professional Membership

Specializations

Ruminant Nutrition

Focuses on ruminant nutrition, covering rumen physiology, ruminant feed formulation, pasture management, and managing ruminant nutrition programmes.

Non-Ruminant Nutrition

Examines non-ruminant nutrition, covering monogastric nutrition, poultry nutrition, swine nutrition, and managing non-ruminant feeding.

Feed Technology and Processing

Covers feed technology, covering feed processing, feed manufacturing, feed quality control, and managing feed production operations.

Nutritional Biochemistry

Focuses on nutritional biochemistry, covering metabolic pathways, nutrient metabolism, biochemical analysis, and managing nutritional biochemistry research.

Biotechnology in Animal Nutrition

Examines biotechnology applications, covering feed additives, enzymes, probiotics, biotechnology tools, and managing biotechnology in animal nutrition.

Livestock Production Management

Covers livestock production, covering production systems, herd management, production efficiency, and managing livestock production operations.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 433,500
Job market: Moderate

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

Animal Nutrition and Metabolism
Animal Feed Resources, Evaluation and Processing
Advanced Animal Physiology
Nutritional Biochemistry
Biotechnology in Animal Nutrition
Livestock Production Systems and Management
Ruminant Nutrition and Feeding
Non-Ruminant Nutrition and Feeding
Research Methods and Biostatistics
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Biostatistics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines statistical methods, biostatistics, experimental design, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting animal science data.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, scientific writing, and conducting animal nutrition research, preparing students for their thesis.
Animal Nutrition and Metabolism
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines nutritional requirements, nutrient metabolism, energy metabolism, protein metabolism, and managing animal nutrition and metabolism.
Animal Feed Resources, Evaluation and Processing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers feed resources, feed evaluation, feed processing, feed quality, and managing animal feed resources and processing.
Advanced Animal Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines digestive physiology, metabolic physiology, reproductive physiology, environmental physiology, and managing advanced animal physiology.
Nutritional Biochemistry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers metabolic pathways, nutrient metabolism, biochemical analysis, vitamin and mineral metabolism, and managing nutritional biochemistry.
Biotechnology in Animal Nutrition
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines feed additives, enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics, biotechnology tools, and managing biotechnology applications in animal nutrition.
Livestock Production Systems and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers production systems, herd management, production efficiency, sustainable production, and managing livestock production systems.
Ruminant Nutrition and Feeding
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines rumen physiology, ruminant feed formulation, pasture management, ruminant feeding systems, and managing ruminant nutrition.
Non-Ruminant Nutrition and Feeding
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers monogastric nutrition, poultry nutrition, swine nutrition, non-ruminant feed formulation, and managing non-ruminant nutrition.
Research Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal and thesis, including research design, literature review, methodology, and presentation.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an animal nutrition topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and animal nutrition knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Ruminant Nutrition
Focuses on ruminant nutrition, covering rumen physiology, ruminant feed formulation, pasture management, and managing ruminant nutrition programmes.
Non-Ruminant Nutrition
Examines non-ruminant nutrition, covering monogastric nutrition, poultry nutrition, swine nutrition, and managing non-ruminant feeding.
Feed Technology and Processing
Covers feed technology, covering feed processing, feed manufacturing, feed quality control, and managing feed production operations.
Nutritional Biochemistry
Focuses on nutritional biochemistry, covering metabolic pathways, nutrient metabolism, biochemical analysis, and managing nutritional biochemistry research.
Biotechnology in Animal Nutrition
Examines biotechnology applications, covering feed additives, enzymes, probiotics, biotechnology tools, and managing biotechnology in animal nutrition.
Livestock Production Management
Covers livestock production, covering production systems, herd management, production efficiency, and managing livestock production operations.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Animal Nutrition programme combines lectures, laboratory practicals, field visits, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover animal nutrition, feed science, physiology, biochemistry, and biotechnology. Animal nutrition sessions examine nutritional requirements, feed formulation, nutrient metabolism, and managing animal nutrition. Feed resources sessions cover feed evaluation, feed processing, feed quality, and managing feed resources. Physiology sessions cover digestive physiology, metabolic physiology, reproductive physiology, and managing animal physiology. Nutritional biochemistry sessions cover metabolic pathways, nutrient metabolism, biochemical analysis, and managing nutritional biochemistry. Biotechnology sessions cover feed additives, enzymes, probiotics, biotechnology tools, and managing biotechnology in nutrition. Ruminant nutrition sessions cover rumen physiology, ruminant feed formulation, pasture management, and managing ruminant nutrition. Non-ruminant nutrition sessions cover monogastric nutrition, poultry nutrition, swine nutrition, and managing non-ruminant feeding. Livestock production sessions cover production systems, herd management, production efficiency, and managing livestock production. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory practicals provide hands-on experience with feed analysis, nutritional analysis, and laboratory techniques. Field visits provide practical experience with feed manufacturing, livestock farms, and research stations. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in animal nutrition. Guest lectures from experienced nutritionists, feed manufacturers, and livestock researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on an animal nutrition topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for animal nutritionists in Kenya's expanding livestock and feed manufacturing sector.
Programme is offered by multiple universities (Egerton, KU, JKUAT, UoE), providing institutional choice.
Programme combines nutritional science with biotechnology and feed technology, providing versatile skills.
Egerton University offers affordable fees at approximately KES 188,650/year.

Against it

KU, JKUAT, and UoE fees not independently verified for this exact programme, limiting fee comparison.
No private university confirmed offering this exact programme, limiting options for private institution preference.
Programme is specialised, limiting career options to animal nutrition and related fields.
Laboratory practicals and field visits may require travel to research stations and farms, which can be challenging for some students.

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 434k

110k at Rongo University434k 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 ~433.5K/yr (animalproduction.uonbi.ac.ke). Rongo 110K/yr (eafinder.com). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KALRO may provide training support for agricultural research staff. FAO may provide training support for agricultural development professionals. Some agricultural organisations and feed companies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KALRO Training Support
FAO Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KALRO Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization supports training for agricultural research staff.
FAO Training Support
GrantKsh 200,000
Food and Agriculture Organization provides training support for agricultural development professionals in developing countries.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Most universities require Upper Second Class Honours in agriculture, animal production, or veterinary medicine. Lower Second Division holders with two years of relevant experience are considered. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, case studies, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering animal nutrition, feed science, physiology, biochemistry, and biotechnology in animal nutrition.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, feed analysis, nutritional analysis, and demonstrating animal nutrition practical skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an animal nutrition topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and animal nutrition knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Egerton University, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, and University of Eldoret (all public) offer MSc in Animal Nutrition. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in animal nutrition. Graduates are eligible for KAAA professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Egerton University, Kenyatta University, JKUAT, and University of Eldoret (all public) offer MSc in Animal Nutrition. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in animal nutrition. Graduates are eligible for KAAA professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Animal Nutritionist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages animal nutrition programmes, overseeing feed formulation, nutritional analysis, and managing animal nutrition services.
Feed Formulator
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Formulates animal feeds, overseeing feed design, feed quality, nutritional balance, and managing feed formulation operations.
Livestock Production Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages livestock production operations, overseeing production systems, herd management, feeding programmes, and managing livestock production.
Agricultural Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 600,000
Consults on animal nutrition and livestock production, providing advisory services, nutritional consulting, and technical guidance.
Animal Science Research Officer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts animal nutrition research, overseeing research design, data collection, analysis, and managing research activities.
Animal Nutrition Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches animal nutrition at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, laboratory supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for animal nutrition research, data analysis, and analysing and interpreting research data for thesis.
Feed Formulation Software
Software
Feed formulation software for animal nutrition, covering feed design, nutritional balancing, cost optimisation, and managing feed formulation.
Laboratory Equipment
Equipment
Laboratory equipment for feed analysis, covering proximate analysis, nutrient analysis, fibre analysis, and managing laboratory analysis.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet software for nutritional data management, feed formulation, budgeting, and managing animal nutrition data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Animal nutrition is just about feeding animals.
Animal nutrition covers comprehensive nutritional science including metabolic pathways, feed formulation, nutrient biochemistry, and biotechnology applications in animal feeding.
This programme is only for those working in livestock farming.
Animal nutrition skills are valuable in feed manufacturing, research, consulting, academia, and any organisation involved in animal production and nutrition.
Animal nutrition has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing livestock industry and feed manufacturing sector, demand for qualified animal nutritionists is increasing in Kenya.
This programme is not relevant to modern agriculture.
Animal nutrition is critical to modern livestock production, feed efficiency, environmental sustainability, and food security.
Feed formulation is simple and doesn't require postgraduate training.
Advanced feed formulation requires understanding of nutritional biochemistry, metabolism, feed chemistry, and biotechnology that this programme provides.
Animal nutrition is only about commercial livestock.
Animal nutrition covers all animal species including livestock, poultry, fish, and companion animals, with diverse career opportunities.