Agriculture

Masters of Science in Agricultural Entomology

The Masters of Science in Agricultural Entomology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in insect pest management, crop protection, and entomological research. The programme provides specialised training in insect taxonomy, pest ecology, biological control, and integrated pest management.

Core areas include insect taxonomy and systematics, pest ecology and management, biological control, integrated pest management, agricultural acarology, insect pathology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, field collections, and research.

The programme is offered by JKUAT as a public institution. Kenyatta University offers MSc in Agronomy with an Entomology option through the School of Pure and Applied Sciences. The University of Nairobi offers MSc in Entomology covering agricultural, medical, and veterinary components. Programmes are available over two years.

Students develop competencies in insect identification, pest management, biological control, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, field collections, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for entomology and crop protection roles.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 140,000 per year while KU charges approximately KES 163,200 per year. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Agriculture, Entomology, Zoology, Biological Sciences, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as entomologists, crop protection officers, pest management consultants, agricultural researchers, extension officers, and lecturers across agricultural research institutes, farms, government agencies, NGOs, and universities.

Skills Required

Insect Taxonomy and Identification
Pest Ecology and Population Dynamics
Biological Control Methods
Integrated Pest Management
Insect Pathology and Microbial Control
Agricultural Acarology
Pesticide Science and Resistance Management
Entomological Research Methods
Insect Collection and Curation
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Insect Taxonomy and Identification
Pest Ecology and Population Dynamics
Biological Control Methods
Integrated Pest Management
Insect Pathology and Microbial Control
Agricultural Acarology
Pesticide Science and Resistance Management
Entomological Research Methods
Insect Collection and Curation
Thesis Research

Certifications

ESK Professional Membership
icipe Training Certification

Specializations

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics

Focuses on insect taxonomy, covering insect, taxonomy, systematics, identification, classification, and managing insect taxonomy and systematics.

Biological Control

Examines biological control, covering biological, control, natural, enemies, and managing biological control methods.

Integrated Pest Management

Covers integrated pest management, covering integrated, pest, management, control, and managing integrated pest management.

Insect Pathology

Focuses on insect pathology, covering insect, pathology, microbial, control, and managing insect pathology and microbial control.

Pesticide Science

Examines pesticide science, covering pesticide, science, resistance, management, and managing pesticide science and resistance management.

Agricultural Acarology

Covers agricultural acarology, covering agricultural, acarology, mites, ticks, and managing agricultural acarology and mite management.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 326,400
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 Identification
Pest Ecology and Population Dynamics
Biological Control Methods
Integrated Pest Management
Insect Pathology and Microbial Control
Agricultural Acarology
Pesticide Science and Resistance Management
Entomological Research Methods
Insect Collection and Curation
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines insect taxonomy, covering insect, taxonomy, systematics, identification, and managing insect taxonomy and systematics.
Pest Ecology and Population Dynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers pest ecology, covering pest, ecology, population, dynamics, and managing pest ecology and population dynamics.
Biological Control Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biological control, covering biological, control, natural, enemies, and managing biological control methods.
Integrated Pest Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers integrated pest management, covering integrated, pest, management, control, and managing integrated pest management.
Insect Morphology and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines insect morphology, covering insect, morphology, physiology, anatomy, and managing insect morphology and physiology.
Agricultural Acarology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers agricultural acarology, covering agricultural, acarology, mites, ticks, and managing agricultural acarology and mite management.
Insect Pathology and Microbial Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines insect pathology, covering insect, pathology, microbial, control, and managing insect pathology and microbial control.
Research Methods in Entomology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research, methods, entomology, statistics, and conducting research in entomology, preparing students for their thesis.
Pesticide Science and Resistance Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines pesticide science, covering pesticide, science, resistance, management, and managing pesticide science and resistance management.
Insect-Plant Interactions
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers insect-plant interactions, covering insect, plant, interactions, ecology, and managing insect-plant interactions.
Vector and Medical Entomology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines vector entomology, covering vector, medical, entomology, disease, and managing vector and medical entomology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an agricultural entomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and entomology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Insect Taxonomy and Systematics
Focuses on insect taxonomy, covering insect, taxonomy, systematics, identification, classification, and managing insect taxonomy and systematics.
Biological Control
Examines biological control, covering biological, control, natural, enemies, and managing biological control methods.
Integrated Pest Management
Covers integrated pest management, covering integrated, pest, management, control, and managing integrated pest management.
Insect Pathology
Focuses on insect pathology, covering insect, pathology, microbial, control, and managing insect pathology and microbial control.
Pesticide Science
Examines pesticide science, covering pesticide, science, resistance, management, and managing pesticide science and resistance management.
Agricultural Acarology
Covers agricultural acarology, covering agricultural, acarology, mites, ticks, and managing agricultural acarology and mite management.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field collections, and independent study. Sessions cover insect taxonomy, pest ecology, biological control, integrated pest management, and insect pathology. Taxonomy sessions examine insect, taxonomy, systematics, identification, and managing insect taxonomy and systematics. Pest ecology sessions cover pest, ecology, population, dynamics, and managing pest ecology and population dynamics. Biological control sessions cover biological, control, natural, enemies, and managing biological control methods. IPM sessions cover integrated, pest, management, control, and managing integrated pest management. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience in insect identification, specimen curation, and bioassay techniques. Field collections provide practical experience in insect sampling and pest assessment. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on an agricultural entomology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses demand for pest management professionals in Kenya's agriculture sector.
Two public universities confirmed offering related programmes, providing options for students.
Programme integrates taxonomy, biological control, IPM, and pesticide science.
icipe, a world-class insect research centre, is based in Nairobi providing networking opportunities.

Against it

Small fee difference between JKUAT (KES 140,000/year) and KU (KES 163,200/year).
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Laboratory and field sessions may require access to insectaries and research stations.
Career paths may be more specialised compared to broader agriculture 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 courses

Public179k to 326k

179k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology326k at Kenyatta 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); JKUAT 357K/2=178.5K/yr. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may offer scholarships for eligible students. icipe may offer fellowships for entomological research and education.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
icipe Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 163,200Kenyan
JKUAT and KU may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate entomology students.
icipe Fellowship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
icipe may offer fellowships for entomological research and education.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT and KU require at least Upper Second Class Honours in a relevant field. Lower Second Class may be considered with relevant experience. 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, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering insect taxonomy, pest ecology, biological control, and integrated pest management.
Practical Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through insect identification, specimen curation, and bioassay projects.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an agricultural entomology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and entomology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Agricultural Entomology. KU (public) offers MSc in Agronomy with Entomology option. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in agricultural entomology. Graduates may interact with ESK for professional membership and icipe for training certification. The programme aligns with CUE, KALRO, icipe, and ESK entomology frameworks.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Agricultural Entomology. KU (public) offers MSc in Agronomy with Entomology option. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in agricultural entomology. Graduates may interact with ESK for professional membership and icipe for training certification. The programme aligns with CUE, KALRO, icipe, and ESK entomology frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Entomologist
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts entomological research, covering entomologist, research, insects, pests, and managing entomological research.
Crop Protection Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages crop protection, covering crop, protection, officer, pests, and managing crop protection programmes.
Pest Management Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides pest management consulting, covering pest, management, consultant, advisory, and managing pest management consulting.
Agricultural Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Conducts agricultural research, covering agricultural, researcher, research, entomology, and managing agricultural entomology research.
Extension Officer
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides agricultural extension, covering extension, officer, agriculture, pest, and managing agricultural extension on pest management.
Agriculture Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches entomology at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R Statistical Software
SoftwarePrimary
R for entomological research data analysis, covering R, statistics, data, analysis, entomology, and managing entomological research data analysis.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for entomology research data analysis, covering statistics, data, analysis, entomology, and managing entomological statistics.
GIS Software
Software
GIS for pest distribution mapping and spatial analysis, covering GIS, pest, distribution, mapping, and managing pest distribution mapping.
Microscope Imaging Software
Software
Microscope imaging for insect identification and morphology analysis, covering microscope, imaging, insect, identification, and managing insect identification.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Agricultural entomology is just about killing insects.
Agricultural entomology covers insect taxonomy, ecology, biological control, and beneficial insect conservation beyond just pest control.
This programme is only for agriculture graduates.
The programme is for professionals from biology, zoology, environmental science, and related fields, not just agriculture graduates.
Agricultural entomology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Entomology professionals are in demand in research institutes, pest control companies, and agriculture as Kenya addresses food security.
This programme is the same as general biology.
MSc in Agricultural Entomology focuses specifically on insect pests and their management in agricultural systems, while general biology covers all organisms.
Entomology is outdated in the age of chemical pesticides.
Modern entomology integrates biological control, IPM, and sustainable pest management with traditional and chemical approaches.
You need to work with insects to study this programme.
The programme is accessible to graduates from various science fields seeking entomology specialisation, not just experienced entomologists.