Agriculture

Master of Science (Applied Entomology)

The Master of Science in Applied Entomology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in insect science, pest management, and vector control. The programme combines entomological theory with practical pest management and vector control applications.

Core areas include insect taxonomy, insect ecology, pest management, vector biology, biological control, integrated pest management, agricultural entomology, medical entomology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both entomological theory and practical laboratory and field application.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Mount Kenya University, and Technical University of Kenya. UoN and KU are public, MKU is private, and TU-K is public. All offer the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes.

Students develop competencies in insect identification, pest management, vector control, biological control, IPM strategies, insect ecology, agricultural entomology, medical entomology, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, field work, examinations, and thesis.

KU charges approximately KES 326,400/year. MKU charges KES 59,550/semester (~KES 119,100/year). TU-K charges approximately KES 116,300/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in zoology, agriculture, biological sciences, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division.

Graduates pursue careers as entomologists, pest management specialists, vector control officers, agricultural consultants, research officers, and lecturers in entomology and biological sciences.

Skills Required

Insect Taxonomy and Identification
Pest Management and Control
Vector Biology and Vector Control
Biological Control Methods
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Insect Ecology and Behaviour
Agricultural Entomology
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Research Methods in Entomology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Insect Ecology and Behaviour
Pest Management and Control
Vector Biology and Vector Control
Biological Control Methods
Integrated Pest Management
Agricultural Entomology
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Research Methods in Entomology
Thesis Research

Certifications

Entomological Society of Kenya (ESK)
Society for Vector Ecology (SOVE)

Specializations

Agricultural Entomology

Focuses on agricultural pests, covering crop pests, pest management, IPM in agriculture, and managing agricultural pest control.

Medical Entomology

Examines disease vectors, covering vector biology, vector control, mosquito ecology, and managing vector-borne disease control.

Biological Control

Covers biological control, covering natural enemies, biocontrol agents, biocontrol methods, and managing biological control programmes.

Integrated Pest Management

Focuses on IPM, covering IPM strategies, pest monitoring, pest thresholds, and managing integrated pest management programmes.

Insect Ecology

Examines insect ecology, covering insect populations, insect communities, insect-environment interactions, and managing insect ecological research.

Apiculture and Sericulture

Covers beekeeping and silk production, covering bee management, silk worm rearing, insect farming, and managing apiculture and sericulture enterprises.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
Private, up to: Ksh 150,000
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

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Insect Ecology and Behaviour
Pest Management and Control
Vector Biology and Vector Control
Biological Control Methods
Integrated Pest Management
Agricultural Entomology
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Research Methods in Entomology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines insect identification, classification, morphology, insect collections, and managing insect taxonomic identification.
Insect Ecology and Behaviour
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers insect populations, insect communities, insect-environment interactions, insect behaviour, and managing insect ecological research.
Pest Management and Control
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines pest control methods, chemical control, cultural control, pest economics, and managing pest control programmes.
Research Methods in Entomology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, and conducting entomological research, preparing students for their thesis.
Vector Biology and Vector Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers vector identification, vector ecology, vector-borne diseases, vector control methods, and managing vector control.
Biological Control Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines natural enemies, biocontrol agents, biocontrol methods, biocontrol ecology, and managing biological control programmes.
Integrated Pest Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers IPM strategies, pest monitoring, pest thresholds, IPM implementation, and managing integrated pest management programmes.
Agricultural Entomology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines crop pests, stored product pests, pest economic thresholds, crop protection, and managing agricultural pests.
Medical and Veterinary Entomology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers disease vectors, mosquito ecology, tick ecology, veterinary pests, and managing vector-borne disease and veterinary pests.
Insect Biotechnology and Molecular Entomology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines molecular entomology, insect genetics, insect biotechnology, genetic pest management, and managing molecular entomology research.
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 applied entomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and entomological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Agricultural Entomology
Focuses on agricultural pests, covering crop pests, pest management, IPM in agriculture, and managing agricultural pest control.
Medical Entomology
Examines disease vectors, covering vector biology, vector control, mosquito ecology, and managing vector-borne disease control.
Biological Control
Covers biological control, covering natural enemies, biocontrol agents, biocontrol methods, and managing biological control programmes.
Integrated Pest Management
Focuses on IPM, covering IPM strategies, pest monitoring, pest thresholds, and managing integrated pest management programmes.
Insect Ecology
Examines insect ecology, covering insect populations, insect communities, insect-environment interactions, and managing insect ecological research.
Apiculture and Sericulture
Covers beekeeping and silk production, covering bee management, silk worm rearing, insect farming, and managing apiculture and sericulture enterprises.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Applied Entomology programme combines lectures, laboratory practicals, field collection sessions, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover insect taxonomy, pest management, vector biology, biological control, and IPM. Insect taxonomy sessions examine insect identification, classification, morphology, and managing insect collections. Pest management sessions cover pest control methods, chemical control, cultural control, and managing pest control programmes. Vector biology sessions cover vector identification, vector ecology, vector-borne diseases, and managing vector control. Biological control sessions cover natural enemies, biocontrol agents, biocontrol methods, and managing biological control. IPM sessions cover IPM strategies, pest monitoring, pest thresholds, and managing integrated pest management. Agricultural entomology sessions cover crop pests, stored product pests, pest economic thresholds, and managing agricultural pests. Medical entomology sessions cover disease vectors, mosquito ecology, tick ecology, and managing vector-borne disease. Insect ecology sessions cover insect populations, insect communities, insect-environment interactions, and managing insect ecological research. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory practicals provide hands-on experience with insect identification, specimen preparation, and laboratory techniques. Field collection sessions provide practical experience with insect collection, field sampling, and field identification. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in entomology. Guest lectures from experienced entomologists, pest management specialists, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on an applied entomology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for entomologists in agriculture, public health, and environmental management in Kenya.
Programme is offered by multiple universities (UoN, KU, MKU, TU-K), providing institutional choice across public and private.
icipe headquartered in Nairobi provides world-class research collaboration and training opportunities.
MKU offers affordable fees at approximately KES 119,100/year for private institution option.

Against it

KU fees are relatively high at KES 326,400/year.
Programme is specialised, limiting career options to entomology and related fields.
Laboratory and field work may involve handling insects and chemicals, which may not appeal to all students.
Programme may overlap with MSc in Crop Protection or Medical Parasitology, causing confusion for prospective 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

Public232k to 326k

232k at Technical University of Kenya326k at Kenyatta University

Private150k to 150k

150k at Mount Kenya University150k at Mount Kenya University

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

KU 326.4K/yr (ku.ac.ke). TUK ~231.6K/yr (tukenya.ac.ke). MKU 150K/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. icipe provides training support for entomology researchers in Africa. KALRO may provide training support for agricultural research staff. Some agricultural organisations and pest control companies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
icipe Training Support
KALRO Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
icipe Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 250,000Kenyan
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology provides training support for entomology researchers in Africa.
KALRO Training Support
GrantKsh 150,000Kenyan
Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization supports training for agricultural research staff.

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 zoology, agriculture, or biological sciences with at least one entomology unit. Lower Second Division holders with 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, field collection reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering insect taxonomy, pest management, vector biology, biological control, and IPM.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, insect identification, specimen preparation, field collection, and demonstrating entomological skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an applied entomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and entomological knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Technical University of Kenya (all public) and Mount Kenya University (private) offer MSc in Applied Entomology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in entomology. Graduates are eligible for ESK and SOVE professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and Technical University of Kenya (all public) and Mount Kenya University (private) offer MSc in Applied Entomology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in entomology. Graduates are eligible for ESK and SOVE professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Entomologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts entomological work in research institutions, overseeing insect identification, pest research, and managing entomological activities.
Pest Management Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages pest control programmes, overseeing pest management, IPM implementation, and managing pest control operations.
Vector Control Officer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages vector control programmes, overseeing vector surveillance, vector control operations, and managing vector-borne disease prevention.
Agricultural Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Consults on pest management in agriculture, providing advisory services, pest management guidance, and technical support.
Entomology Research Officer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts entomological research, overseeing research design, data collection, analysis, and managing research activities.
Entomology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches entomology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, laboratory supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes