Agriculture

Master of Science in Horticulture

The Master of Science in Horticulture is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in horticultural science, crop production, plant breeding, post-harvest technology, and landscape management. The programme combines horticultural theory with practical field work, laboratory research, and application to address challenges in food production and ornamental plant industries.

Core areas include horticultural science, fruit and vegetable production, floriculture, plant breeding, post-harvest technology, plant protection, biotechnology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, field work, and research.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Egerton University as MSc in Horticulture. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in horticultural crop production, plant improvement, post-harvest management, and sustainable horticultural practices. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory sessions, field work, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates to address contemporary horticultural challenges.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total) for MSc in Horticulture. Egerton University fees not independently verified. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours in horticulture, agriculture, botany, or related fields from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as horticultural scientists, crop production managers, plant breeders, post-harvest technologists, landscape managers, agricultural consultants, and lecturers in horticulture across agricultural companies, research institutions, government ministries, NGOs, flower farms, and universities.

Skills Required

Horticultural Crop Production and Management
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Post-Harvest Technology and Handling
Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture
Plant Protection and Pest Management
Horticultural Biotechnology
Landscape Design and Management
Greenhouse and Irrigation Management
Research Methods in Horticultural Science
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Horticultural Crop Production and Management
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Post-Harvest Technology and Handling
Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture
Plant Protection and Pest Management
Horticultural Biotechnology
Landscape Design and Management
Greenhouse and Irrigation Management
Research Methods in Horticultural Science
Thesis Research

Certifications

ISHS Horticulture Certification
KALRO Research Certification

Specializations

Fruit Science

Focuses on fruit science, covering production, breeding, physiology, post-harvest, and managing fruit crops.

Vegetable Science

Examines vegetable science, covering production, breeding, physiology, post-harvest, and managing vegetable crops.

Floriculture

Covers floriculture, covering production, breeding, marketing, post-harvest, and managing ornamental crops.

Plant Breeding

Focuses on plant breeding, covering genetics, selection, hybridisation, biotechnology, and managing plant improvement.

Post-Harvest Technology

Examines post-harvest technology, covering handling, storage, processing, quality, and managing post-harvest.

Landscape Horticulture

Covers landscape horticulture, covering design, planning, management, conservation, and managing landscapes.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 435,000
Job market: High

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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Horticultural Crop Production and Management
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Post-Harvest Technology and Handling
Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture
Plant Protection and Pest Management
Horticultural Biotechnology
Landscape Design and Management
Greenhouse and Irrigation Management
Research Methods in Horticultural Science
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Horticultural Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines principles, physiology, genetics, ecology, and managing horticultural science.
Fruit and Vegetable Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers fruits, vegetables, production systems, orchard management, and managing fruit and vegetable production.
Research Methods in Horticultural Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, horticultural research methods, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Plant Breeding and Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines genetics, selection, hybridisation, biotechnology, and managing plant improvement.
Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers production, breeding, marketing, post-harvest, export, and managing ornamental crops.
Post-Harvest Technology and Handling
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines handling, storage, processing, quality, packaging, and managing post-harvest.
Plant Protection and Pest Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers pests, diseases, IPM, biocontrol, quarantine, and managing plant protection.
Horticultural Biotechnology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines tissue culture, molecular, transformation, markers, and managing horticultural biotechnology.
Greenhouse and Irrigation Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers structures, environment, irrigation, fertigation, automation, and managing greenhouse production.
Landscape Design and Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines design, planning, management, conservation, and managing landscapes.
Sustainable Horticulture and Climate Adaptation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sustainability, climate, water, soil, biodiversity, and managing sustainable horticulture.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a horticulture topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and horticultural knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Fruit Science
Focuses on fruit science, covering production, breeding, physiology, post-harvest, and managing fruit crops.
Vegetable Science
Examines vegetable science, covering production, breeding, physiology, post-harvest, and managing vegetable crops.
Floriculture
Covers floriculture, covering production, breeding, marketing, post-harvest, and managing ornamental crops.
Plant Breeding
Focuses on plant breeding, covering genetics, selection, hybridisation, biotechnology, and managing plant improvement.
Post-Harvest Technology
Examines post-harvest technology, covering handling, storage, processing, quality, and managing post-harvest.
Landscape Horticulture
Covers landscape horticulture, covering design, planning, management, conservation, and managing landscapes.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Horticulture programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field work, practical workshops, and independent study. Sessions cover horticultural science, crop production, plant breeding, post-harvest technology, and landscape management. Horticultural science sessions examine principles, physiology, genetics, ecology, and managing horticultural science. Crop production sessions cover fruits, vegetables, flowers, production systems, and managing crop production. Plant breeding sessions cover genetics, selection, hybridisation, biotechnology, and managing plant improvement. Post-harvest sessions cover handling, storage, processing, quality, and managing post-harvest. Floriculture sessions cover production, breeding, marketing, post-harvest, and managing ornamental crops. Plant protection sessions cover pests, diseases, IPM, biocontrol, and managing plant protection. Biotechnology sessions cover tissue culture, molecular, transformation, and managing horticultural biotechnology. Landscape sessions cover design, planning, management, conservation, and managing landscapes. Greenhouse sessions cover structures, environment, irrigation, fertigation, and managing greenhouse production. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with plant tissue culture, molecular techniques, and post-harvest analysis. Field work provides hands-on experience with crop production, pest management, and post-harvest handling. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with greenhouse management, irrigation systems, and landscape design. Guest lectures from experienced horticulturists, breeders, and industry professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a horticulture topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for horticulture professionals with Kenya's growing floriculture, fruit, and vegetable export industry.
Programme offered by two public universities (JKUAT, Egerton), providing institutional choice.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 178,500/year (KES 357,000 total).
Kenya's floriculture industry is a major export earner, providing strong career opportunities for horticulture graduates.

Against it

Egerton University specific horticulture fees not independently verified.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme requires agriculture or botany background, limiting access for non-related graduates.
Field work and laboratory sessions require significant time commitment beyond lectures.

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

Public130k to 435k

130k at Chuka University435k 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 ~435K/yr (plantscience.uonbi.ac.ke), Egerton ~189K, Chuka 130K. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer scholarships for eligible students. KALRO may offer research grants for horticultural research. Some agricultural companies and flower farms may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Scholarship
KALRO Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
KALRO Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
KALRO provides research grants for agricultural and horticultural research.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT and Egerton require Bachelor's degree with Upper Second in horticulture, agriculture, botany, or related fields, or Lower Second with at least two years of relevant work 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 reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering horticultural science, crop production, plant breeding, and post-harvest technology.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory work, field work, crop production, and demonstrating horticultural skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a horticulture topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and horticultural knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT and Egerton University (both public) offer MSc programmes in Horticulture through their respective Faculties of Agriculture. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in horticultural science. Graduates are eligible for ISHS horticulture certification and KALRO research certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT and Egerton University (both public) offer MSc programmes in Horticulture through their respective Faculties of Agriculture. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in horticultural science. Graduates are eligible for ISHS horticulture certification and KALRO research certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Horticultural Scientist
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts horticultural research, overseeing experiments, analysis, publications, and managing horticultural research.
Crop Production Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages crop production, overseeing planning, operations, quality, and managing horticultural production.
Plant Breeder
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Develops new plant varieties, overseeing breeding, selection, testing, and managing plant improvement.
Post-Harvest Technologist
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages post-harvest operations, overseeing handling, storage, processing, quality, and managing post-harvest.
Landscape Manager
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages landscapes, overseeing design, planning, maintenance, conservation, and managing landscapes.
Horticulture Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches horticulture at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
SPSS for statistical analysis, covering data, statistics, analysis, and managing horticultural research data.
R Studio
Software
R Studio for data analysis, covering statistics, modelling, genetics, and managing horticultural data.
GIS Software
Software
GIS software for horticultural mapping, covering spatial analysis, land use, and managing spatial data.
Drip Irrigation Design Software
Software
Drip irrigation design software for irrigation management, covering design, planning, and managing irrigation systems.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Horticulture is just about gardening.
Horticulture covers comprehensive crop science, breeding, biotechnology, post-harvest, and commercial production beyond just gardening.
This programme is only for farmers.
Horticulture skills are valuable for researchers, breeders, consultants, landscape managers, and educators beyond just farmers.
Plant breeding is just about crossing plants.
Plant breeding covers comprehensive genetics, selection, hybridisation, biotechnology, and molecular techniques beyond just crossing plants.
Post-harvest technology is just about storage.
Post-harvest technology covers comprehensive handling, storage, processing, quality, packaging, and distribution beyond just storage.
Floriculture is just about growing flowers.
Floriculture covers comprehensive production, breeding, marketing, post-harvest, and export management beyond just growing flowers.
Horticulture has limited career prospects.
Horticulture graduates work in diverse sectors including research, commercial farming, floriculture, landscaping, consulting, education, and government.