Agriculture

Master of Science in Aquaculture

The Master of Science in Aquaculture is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in fish farming, aquatic resource management, and fisheries development. The programme combines aquaculture science theory with practical fish production and resource management application.

Core areas include aquaculture systems, fish biology, fish nutrition, water quality management, fish health, hatchery management, fisheries management, aquaculture economics, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both aquaculture theory and practical field and laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the Department of Biology, Maseno University, and Karatina University. All are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in aquaculture systems, fish biology, fish nutrition, water quality management, fish health, hatchery management, fisheries management, aquaculture economics, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, fieldwork, laboratory work, and a supervised research thesis.

UoN charges approximately KES 365,500/year (KES 731,000 total) for biological sciences programmes with aquaculture specialisation. Maseno and Karatina universities offer related programmes with fees estimated at approximately KES 326,400/year. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in biological sciences, zoology, fisheries, aquaculture, environmental sciences, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as aquaculture managers, fisheries officers, fish health specialists, hatchery managers, aquatic researchers, and lecturers in aquaculture across fish farms, government fisheries departments, research institutions, NGOs, and universities.

Skills Required

Aquaculture Systems and Fish Farming
Fish Biology and Aquatic Ecology
Fish Nutrition and Feed Formulation
Water Quality Management and Monitoring
Fish Health and Disease Management
Hatchery Management and Fish Breeding
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Aquaculture Economics and Business Planning
Research Methods in Aquaculture
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Aquaculture Systems and Fish Farming
Fish Biology and Aquatic Ecology
Fish Nutrition and Feed Formulation
Water Quality Management and Monitoring
Fish Health and Disease Management
Hatchery Management and Fish Breeding
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Aquaculture Economics and Business Planning
Research Methods in Aquaculture
Thesis Research

Certifications

KMFRI Aquaculture Research Certification
State Department for Fisheries Certification

Specializations

Fish Health Management

Focuses on fish health management, covering fish diseases, diagnostics, treatment, prevention, biosecurity, and managing fish health.

Hatchery Management

Examines hatchery management, covering broodstock, spawning, larval rearing, seed production, and managing hatcheries.

Fish Nutrition

Covers fish nutrition, covering feed formulation, nutritional requirements, feeding strategies, feed quality, and managing fish nutrition.

Aquaculture Systems

Focuses on aquaculture systems, covering pond culture, cage culture, recirculating systems, integrated systems, and managing aquaculture systems.

Fisheries Management

Examines fisheries management, covering stock assessment, fisheries policy, sustainable fishing, and managing fisheries.

Aquaculture Economics

Covers aquaculture economics, covering business planning, investment analysis, marketing, economics, and managing aquaculture economics.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 365,500
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

Aquaculture Systems and Fish Farming
Fish Biology and Aquatic Ecology
Fish Nutrition and Feed Formulation
Water Quality Management and Monitoring
Fish Health and Disease Management
Hatchery Management and Fish Breeding
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Aquaculture Economics and Business Planning
Research Methods in Aquaculture
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Aquaculture Systems and Fish Farming
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines pond culture, cage culture, recirculating systems, integrated systems, aquaponics, and managing aquaculture systems.
Fish Biology and Aquatic Ecology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers fish anatomy, physiology, ecology, taxonomy, behaviour, adaptation, and managing fish biology.
Research Methods in Aquaculture
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, field methods, and conducting aquaculture research, preparing students for their thesis.
Fish Nutrition and Feed Formulation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines nutritional requirements, feed formulation, feeding strategies, feed quality, digestibility, and managing fish nutrition.
Water Quality Management and Monitoring
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers water chemistry, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, ammonia, monitoring, and managing water quality.
Fish Health and Disease Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines fish diseases, diagnostics, treatment, prevention, biosecurity, parasitology, and managing fish health.
Hatchery Management and Fish Breeding
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers broodstock selection, spawning, larval rearing, seed production, genetics, and managing hatcheries.
Fisheries Management and Stock Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines stock assessment, fisheries policy, sustainable fishing, gear technology, and managing fisheries.
Aquaculture Economics and Business Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers business planning, investment analysis, marketing, production economics, and managing aquaculture economics.
Limnology and Aquatic Environment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines limnology, freshwater ecology, lake systems, river systems, productivity, and managing aquatic environments.
Environmental Impact of Aquaculture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental impact, sustainability, EIA, waste management, carrying capacity, and managing environmental impact.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on an aquaculture topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and aquaculture knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Fish Health Management
Focuses on fish health management, covering fish diseases, diagnostics, treatment, prevention, biosecurity, and managing fish health.
Hatchery Management
Examines hatchery management, covering broodstock, spawning, larval rearing, seed production, and managing hatcheries.
Fish Nutrition
Covers fish nutrition, covering feed formulation, nutritional requirements, feeding strategies, feed quality, and managing fish nutrition.
Aquaculture Systems
Focuses on aquaculture systems, covering pond culture, cage culture, recirculating systems, integrated systems, and managing aquaculture systems.
Fisheries Management
Examines fisheries management, covering stock assessment, fisheries policy, sustainable fishing, and managing fisheries.
Aquaculture Economics
Covers aquaculture economics, covering business planning, investment analysis, marketing, economics, and managing aquaculture economics.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Aquaculture programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork at fish farms and water bodies, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover aquaculture systems, fish biology, fish nutrition, water quality, and fish health. Aquaculture systems sessions examine pond culture, cage culture, recirculating systems, integrated systems, and managing aquaculture systems. Fish biology sessions cover fish anatomy, physiology, ecology, taxonomy, behaviour, and managing fish biology. Fish nutrition sessions cover nutritional requirements, feed formulation, feeding strategies, feed quality, and managing fish nutrition. Water quality sessions cover water chemistry, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, ammonia, monitoring, and managing water quality. Fish health sessions cover fish diseases, diagnostics, treatment, prevention, biosecurity, and managing fish health. Hatchery management sessions cover broodstock, spawning, larval rearing, seed production, and managing hatcheries. Fisheries management sessions cover stock assessment, fisheries policy, sustainable fishing, and managing fisheries. Aquaculture economics sessions cover business planning, investment analysis, marketing, economics, and managing aquaculture economics. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with water quality analysis, fish dissection, disease diagnosis, feed analysis, and plankton identification. Fieldwork at fish farms and water bodies provides hands-on experience with fish sampling, pond management, cage operations, water sampling, and hatchery operations. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with feed formulation, fish breeding, disease treatment, and system design. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in aquaculture. Guest lectures from experienced aquaculturists, fisheries officers, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on an aquaculture topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Steady demand for aquaculture professionals with growing blue economy focus, food security initiatives, fish farming promotion, and fisheries management in Kenya.
Programme offered by three public universities (UoN, Maseno, Karatina), providing institutional choice.
UoN offers verified fees at approximately KES 365,500/year for biological sciences with aquaculture specialisation.
Strong industry links with KMFRI and State Department for Fisheries providing research collaboration and career opportunities.

Against it

Maseno and Karatina university fees not independently verified, requiring prospective students to confirm directly.
The exact programme name may vary across institutions, potentially causing confusion for prospective students.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires biological sciences, zoology, fisheries, or environmental background, 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

Public326k to 366k

326k at Maseno University366k 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

Unverified; kept existing. Maseno masters ~150K/yr (educationnewshub).

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. KMFRI and fisheries research organisations may provide research support. Some aquaculture companies and development organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
KMFRI 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.
KMFRI Research Support
GrantKsh 250,000Kenyan
KMFRI and partner organisations may provide research support for aquaculture and fisheries 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 biological sciences, zoology, fisheries, or related fields. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience or postgraduate diplomas 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 aquaculture systems, fish biology, nutrition, water quality, fish health, and hatchery management.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, water quality analysis, fish dissection, disease diagnosis, fieldwork, and demonstrating aquaculture skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on an aquaculture topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and aquaculture knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, Maseno University, and Karatina University (all public) offer MSc in Aquaculture or related fisheries programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in aquaculture and fisheries. Graduates are eligible for KMFRI aquaculture research certification and State Department for Fisheries certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Maseno University, and Karatina University (all public) offer MSc in Aquaculture or related fisheries programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in aquaculture and fisheries. Graduates are eligible for KMFRI aquaculture research certification and State Department for Fisheries certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Aquaculture Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages aquaculture operations, overseeing fish production, staff, finance, systems, and managing aquaculture operations.
Fisheries Officer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages fisheries operations, overseeing stock assessment, licensing, enforcement, community engagement, and managing fisheries.
Fish Health Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages fish health, overseeing disease diagnosis, treatment, prevention, biosecurity, and managing fish health.
Hatchery Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages hatchery operations, overseeing breeding, larval rearing, seed production, quality, and managing hatchery operations.
Aquatic Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts aquatic research, overseeing research design, fieldwork, analysis, publication, and managing aquatic research.
Aquaculture Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches aquaculture at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, field supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R
SoftwarePrimary
R for aquaculture data analysis, covering statistical analysis, growth modelling, production data, and managing research data.
QGIS
Software
QGIS for spatial analysis, covering site selection, water body mapping, farm mapping, and managing spatial data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering experimental data, survey data, and managing research data.
AquaCrop
Software
FAO AquaCrop for aquaculture modelling, covering production modelling, yield prediction, and managing aquaculture data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Aquaculture is just about fish farming.
Aquaculture covers comprehensive fish biology, nutrition, water quality, health, hatchery management, fisheries, economics, and research beyond just fish farming.
This programme is only for those from fishing communities.
Aquaculture skills are valuable for research, policy, industry, consulting, conservation, and academia for professionals from any background.
Aquaculture has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing blue economy focus, food security initiatives, fish farming promotion, and fisheries management, demand for aquaculture professionals is steady in Kenya.
Fish health is just about treating sick fish.
Fish health covers comprehensive disease diagnosis, prevention, biosecurity, immunology, parasitology, and epidemiology.
Hatchery management is just about breeding fish.
Hatchery management covers comprehensive broodstock selection, spawning, larval rearing, nutrition, seed production, and quality control.
Water quality is just about checking oxygen.
Water quality covers comprehensive chemistry, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, ammonia, nitrite, alkalinity, and monitoring systems.