Agriculture

Master of Science in Applied Veterinary Parasitology

The Master of Science in Applied Veterinary Parasitology is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in veterinary parasitology, parasite control, and livestock disease management. The programme combines parasitological theory with practical veterinary and laboratory application.

Core areas include veterinary parasitology, helminthology, protozoology, entomology, epidemiology, parasite control, molecular parasitology, immunoparasitology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both parasitological theory and practical laboratory and field work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the School of Biological Sciences, and JKUAT. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in veterinary parasitology, helminthology, protozoology, entomology, epidemiology, parasite control, molecular parasitology, immunoparasitology, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, fieldwork, and a supervised research thesis.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total) for similar programmes. UoN charges approximately KES 433,500/year for science programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in veterinary medicine, biological sciences, zoology, or related fields with at least one unit in parasitology from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as veterinary parasitologists, research scientists, livestock health officers, diagnostic laboratory managers, consultants, and lecturers in parasitology across veterinary services, research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, livestock industry, and universities.

Skills Required

Veterinary Parasitology and Parasite Identification
Helminthology and Trematode Management
Protozoology and Protozoan Disease Control
Veterinary Entomology and Vector Control
Parasite Epidemiology and Surveillance
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostics
Immunoparasitology and Vaccine Development
Parasite Control and Drug Resistance Management
Research Methods in Parasitology
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Veterinary Parasitology and Parasite Identification
Helminthology and Trematode Management
Protozoology and Protozoan Disease Control
Veterinary Entomology and Vector Control
Parasite Epidemiology and Surveillance
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostics
Immunoparasitology and Vaccine Development
Parasite Control and Drug Resistance Management
Research Methods in Parasitology
Thesis Research

Certifications

KVA Professional Registration
WAAVP Membership

Specializations

Helminthology

Focuses on helminthology, covering trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, helminth diagnosis, anthelmintic resistance, and managing helminthology.

Protozoology

Examines protozoology, covering protozoan parasites, diagnosis, treatment, pathogenesis, and managing protozoology.

Veterinary Entomology

Covers veterinary entomology, covering arthropod vectors, tick-borne diseases, insect pests, vector control, and managing veterinary entomology.

Molecular Parasitology

Focuses on molecular parasitology, covering molecular diagnostics, taxonomy, genomics, drug targets, and managing molecular parasitology.

Immunoparasitology

Examines immunoparasitology, covering immune response to parasites, vaccine development, immunodiagnostics, and managing immunoparasitology.

Parasite Epidemiology

Covers parasite epidemiology, covering disease surveillance, risk factors, transmission dynamics, control programmes, and managing parasite epidemiology.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 398,500
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

Veterinary Parasitology and Parasite Identification
Helminthology and Trematode Management
Protozoology and Protozoan Disease Control
Veterinary Entomology and Vector Control
Parasite Epidemiology and Surveillance
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostics
Immunoparasitology and Vaccine Development
Parasite Control and Drug Resistance Management
Research Methods in Parasitology
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Veterinary Parasitology and Parasite Identification
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines parasite identification, life cycles, pathogenesis, diagnosis, host-parasite relationships, and managing veterinary parasitology.
Helminthology and Trematode Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, helminth diagnosis, anthelmintic resistance, and managing helminthology.
Research Methods in Parasitology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, field methods, and conducting parasitology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Protozoology and Protozoan Disease Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines protozoan parasites, diagnosis, treatment, pathogenesis, and managing protozoology.
Veterinary Entomology and Vector Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers arthropod vectors, tick-borne diseases, insect pests, vector control, and managing veterinary entomology.
Parasite Epidemiology and Surveillance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines disease surveillance, risk factors, transmission dynamics, control programmes, and managing parasite epidemiology.
Molecular Parasitology and Diagnostics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers molecular diagnostics, taxonomy, genomics, drug targets, PCR, and managing molecular parasitology.
Immunoparasitology and Vaccine Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines immune response to parasites, vaccine development, immunodiagnostics, and managing immunoparasitology.
Parasite Control and Drug Resistance Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers drug treatment, resistance management, integrated control, vaccination, environmental management, and managing parasite control.
Zoonotic Parasites and Public Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines zoonotic parasites, public health impact, One Health approach, food-borne parasites, and managing zoonotic parasitology.
Livestock Parasitology and Production Impact
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers livestock parasites, production losses, economic impact, farm-level control, and managing livestock parasitology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a veterinary parasitology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and parasitology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Helminthology
Focuses on helminthology, covering trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, helminth diagnosis, anthelmintic resistance, and managing helminthology.
Protozoology
Examines protozoology, covering protozoan parasites, diagnosis, treatment, pathogenesis, and managing protozoology.
Veterinary Entomology
Covers veterinary entomology, covering arthropod vectors, tick-borne diseases, insect pests, vector control, and managing veterinary entomology.
Molecular Parasitology
Focuses on molecular parasitology, covering molecular diagnostics, taxonomy, genomics, drug targets, and managing molecular parasitology.
Immunoparasitology
Examines immunoparasitology, covering immune response to parasites, vaccine development, immunodiagnostics, and managing immunoparasitology.
Parasite Epidemiology
Covers parasite epidemiology, covering disease surveillance, risk factors, transmission dynamics, control programmes, and managing parasite epidemiology.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Applied Veterinary Parasitology programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover veterinary parasitology, helminthology, protozoology, entomology, and molecular parasitology. Veterinary parasitology sessions examine parasite identification, life cycles, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and managing veterinary parasitology. Helminthology sessions cover trematodes, cestodes, nematodes, helminth diagnosis, anthelmintic resistance, and managing helminthology. Protozoology sessions cover protozoan parasites, diagnosis, treatment, pathogenesis, and managing protozoology. Veterinary entomology sessions cover arthropod vectors, tick-borne diseases, insect pests, vector control, and managing veterinary entomology. Epidemiology sessions cover disease surveillance, risk factors, transmission dynamics, control programmes, and managing parasite epidemiology. Molecular parasitology sessions cover molecular diagnostics, taxonomy, genomics, drug targets, PCR, and managing molecular parasitology. Immunoparasitology sessions cover immune response to parasites, vaccine development, immunodiagnostics, and managing immunoparasitology. Parasite control sessions cover drug treatment, resistance management, integrated control, vaccination, and managing parasite control. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with parasite identification, culture, staining, molecular techniques, and serological testing. Fieldwork provides hands-on experience with parasite surveillance, vector collection, farm visits, and livestock sampling. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with anthelmintic testing, diagnostic methods, and parasite control planning. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in veterinary parasitology. Guest lectures from experienced parasitologists, veterinarians, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a veterinary parasitology topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand for parasitology professionals with growing livestock industry, food safety concerns, zoonotic disease threats, and research demand in Kenya.
Programme offered by two public universities (UoN, JKUAT), providing institutional choice with different fee levels.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 178,500/year for similar programmes.
Graduates are eligible for KVA professional registration and WAAVP membership, enhancing career prospects.

Against it

UoN fees are higher at approximately KES 433,500/year for science programmes.
Only two universities confirmed offering this programme, limiting institutional choice.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires veterinary medicine, biological sciences, or zoology background with parasitology units, which limits access for non-related graduates.

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 399k

179k at JKUAT399k 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 ~398.5K/yr (vetpathology.uonbi.ac.ke), JKUAT 178.5K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). Priv unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. KVA and veterinary research organisations may provide research support. Some pharmaceutical companies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
KVA Research Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
University of Nairobi offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
KVA Research Support
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
KVA and partner organisations may provide research support for veterinary and parasitology professionals.

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 veterinary medicine, biological sciences, or zoology with at least one parasitology unit. Lower Second Division holders with relevant research experience and publications 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 reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering veterinary parasitology, helminthology, protozoology, entomology, and molecular parasitology.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, parasite identification, fieldwork, molecular techniques, and demonstrating parasitology skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a veterinary parasitology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and parasitology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi and JKUAT (both public) offer MSc in Applied Veterinary Parasitology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in veterinary parasitology. Graduates are eligible for KVA professional registration and WAAVP membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi and JKUAT (both public) offer MSc in Applied Veterinary Parasitology. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in veterinary parasitology. Graduates are eligible for KVA professional registration and WAAVP membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Veterinary Parasitologist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts veterinary parasitology work, overseeing parasite identification, diagnosis, control, and managing veterinary parasitology.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts parasitology research, overseeing research design, experimentation, analysis, publication, and managing scientific research.
Livestock Health Officer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages livestock health, overseeing parasite control, disease surveillance, treatment, advisory, and managing livestock health.
Diagnostic Laboratory Manager
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages diagnostic laboratory, overseeing parasite testing, quality control, staff, equipment, and managing laboratory operations.
Veterinary Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Provides veterinary consulting, overseeing parasite control advisory, farm health planning, and managing veterinary consulting.
Parasitology Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches parasitology 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
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering epidemiological data, experimental data, and managing research data.
R
Software
R for statistical analysis, covering epidemiological modelling, parasitology data, and managing research data.
BLAST
Software
BLAST for sequence analysis, covering parasite identification, molecular taxonomy, and managing molecular data.
MEGA
Software
MEGA for molecular evolutionary analysis, covering phylogenetics, parasite taxonomy, and managing molecular data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Veterinary parasitology is just about worms.
Veterinary parasitology covers comprehensive helminthology, protozoology, entomology, molecular parasitology, immunoparasitology, and epidemiology beyond just worms.
This programme is only for veterinarians.
Parasitology skills are valuable for biological scientists, zoologists, public health professionals, researchers, and academics beyond just veterinarians.
Veterinary parasitology has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing livestock industry, food safety concerns, zoonotic disease threats, and research demand, opportunities for parasitology professionals are steady in Kenya.
Parasite control is just about deworming.
Parasite control covers comprehensive drug treatment, resistance management, integrated control, vaccination, environmental management, and surveillance.
Molecular parasitology is just about DNA testing.
Molecular parasitology covers comprehensive molecular diagnostics, taxonomy, genomics, drug targets, and molecular epidemiology.
Veterinary entomology is just about ticks.
Veterinary entomology covers comprehensive arthropod vectors, tick-borne diseases, insect pests, mites, flies, and vector control.