Agriculture

Master of Science in Livestock Science

The Master of Science in Livestock Science is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in livestock production, animal nutrition, breeding, and livestock systems management. The programme combines animal science with production systems, research methods, and practical application in livestock management.

Core areas include livestock production systems, animal nutrition, animal breeding and genetics, animal physiology, pasture management, livestock health, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, field work, laboratory sessions, and research.

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

Students develop competencies in livestock production analysis, nutritional management, breeding programmes, pasture management, and livestock systems design. The programme includes coursework, examinations, field work, laboratory sessions, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates to address livestock production and food security challenges.

Egerton charges approximately KES 188,650/year (KES 377,300 total) through the Faculty of Agriculture, and JKUAT charges approximately KES 206,000/year (KES 412,000 total). Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours in agriculture, animal science, veterinary medicine, or related fields from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as livestock production specialists, animal nutritionists, breeding specialists, livestock farm managers, agricultural consultants, and lecturers in livestock science across government ministries, agricultural research institutions, livestock farms, NGOs, and universities.

Skills Required

Livestock Production Systems Analysis
Animal Nutrition and Feed Management
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Animal Physiology and Health Management
Pasture and Forage Management
Livestock Systems Design and Management
Livestock Economics and Marketing
Research Methods in Animal Science
Data Analysis for Livestock Systems
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Livestock Production Systems
Animal Nutrition and Feed Management
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Animal Physiology and Health
Pasture and Forage Management
Livestock Economics and Marketing
Research Methods in Animal Science
Livestock Systems Modelling
Sustainable Livestock Management
Thesis Research

Certifications

KALRO Research Certification
ILRI Professional Certification

Specializations

Animal Nutrition

Focuses on animal nutrition, covering feed, digestion, metabolism, formulation, and managing animal nutrition.

Animal Breeding and Genetics

Examines animal breeding and genetics, covering selection, breeding, genetics, improvement, and managing breeding programmes.

Livestock Production Systems

Covers livestock production systems, covering design, management, efficiency, sustainability, and managing production systems.

Pasture Management

Focuses on pasture management, covering agronomy, production, quality, conservation, and managing pastures.

Animal Physiology

Examines animal physiology, covering reproduction, growth, health, adaptation, and managing animal physiology.

Livestock Health Management

Covers livestock health management, covering disease, prevention, treatment, biosecurity, and managing livestock health.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 206,000
Private, up to: Ksh 195,000
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Livestock Production Systems
Animal Nutrition and Feed Management
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Animal Physiology and Health
Pasture and Forage Management
Livestock Economics and Marketing
Research Methods in Animal Science
Livestock Systems Modelling
Sustainable Livestock Management
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Livestock Production Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines systems, design, management, efficiency, sustainability, and managing livestock production.
Animal Nutrition and Feed Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers feed, digestion, metabolism, formulation, rationing, and managing animal nutrition.
Research Methods in Animal Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, animal research methods, and conducting research, preparing students for their thesis.
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines selection, breeding, genetics, improvement, programmes, and managing breeding.
Animal Physiology and Health
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers reproduction, growth, health, adaptation, disease, and managing animal physiology.
Pasture and Forage Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines agronomy, production, quality, conservation, utilisation, and managing pastures.
Livestock Economics and Marketing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers economics, marketing, policy, value chains, trade, and managing livestock economics.
Sustainable Livestock Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines sustainability, practices, environment, climate, resilience, and managing sustainable livestock systems.
Livestock Systems Modelling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers modelling, simulation, prediction, analysis, software, and managing livestock system models.
Livestock Health and Biosecurity
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines disease, prevention, treatment, biosecurity, epidemiology, and managing livestock health.
Climate Change and Livestock Production
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers climate, impacts, adaptation, mitigation, resilience, and managing climate change in livestock.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a livestock science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and livestock science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Animal Nutrition
Focuses on animal nutrition, covering feed, digestion, metabolism, formulation, and managing animal nutrition.
Animal Breeding and Genetics
Examines animal breeding and genetics, covering selection, breeding, genetics, improvement, and managing breeding programmes.
Livestock Production Systems
Covers livestock production systems, covering design, management, efficiency, sustainability, and managing production systems.
Pasture Management
Focuses on pasture management, covering agronomy, production, quality, conservation, and managing pastures.
Animal Physiology
Examines animal physiology, covering reproduction, growth, health, adaptation, and managing animal physiology.
Livestock Health Management
Covers livestock health management, covering disease, prevention, treatment, biosecurity, and managing livestock health.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Livestock Science programme combines lectures, field work, laboratory sessions, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover livestock production systems, animal nutrition, breeding, physiology, and pasture management. Livestock production sessions examine systems, design, management, efficiency, sustainability, and managing production. Animal nutrition sessions cover feed, digestion, metabolism, formulation, rationing, and managing nutrition. Breeding sessions cover selection, genetics, improvement, programmes, and managing breeding. Physiology sessions cover reproduction, growth, health, adaptation, and managing physiology. Pasture management sessions cover agronomy, production, quality, conservation, and managing pastures. Livestock health sessions cover disease, prevention, treatment, biosecurity, and managing health. Livestock economics sessions cover economics, marketing, policy, value chains, and managing livestock economics. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Field work provides hands-on experience with farm visits, livestock assessments, and pasture evaluations. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with feed analysis, blood sampling, and reproductive technology. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and debating current issues in livestock science. Guest lectures from experienced animal scientists, livestock managers, and researchers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a livestock science topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for livestock professionals with Kenya's growing livestock sector and food security needs.
Programme offered by two public universities (Egerton, JKUAT), providing institutional choice.
Egerton offers competitive fees at approximately KES 188,650/year.
Graduates can work with KALRO, ILRI, FAO, and other leading research institutions.

Against it

JKUAT fees are higher at approximately KES 206,000/year compared to Egerton.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Programme requires agriculture or animal science background, limiting access for non-related graduates.
Field work may require travel to remote farms, adding logistical costs.

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

Public189k to 206k

189k at Egerton University206k at JKUAT

Private119k to 195k

119k at Mount Kenya University195k at Kabarak 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

Egerton ~188.7K/yr (FoA 2024) verified. JKUAT, MKU, Kabarak unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Egerton and JKUAT may offer scholarships for eligible students. ILRI may offer research grants for livestock research. Some agricultural companies, NGOs, and government agencies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Egerton University Scholarship
ILRI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Egerton University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 188,650Kenyan
Egerton University offers scholarships for eligible postgraduate students.
ILRI Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
ILRI provides research grants for livestock research and training in developing countries.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Egerton and JKUAT require a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in a relevant field. Lower Second Class may be considered with at least two years of relevant experience. Holders of Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine are also eligible. 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, field reports, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering livestock production, nutrition, breeding, and pasture management.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through field work, laboratory work, farm visits, and demonstrating livestock science skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a livestock science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and livestock science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Egerton University (public) offers MSc in Livestock Production Systems through the Faculty of Agriculture, and JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Livestock Production Systems. Both programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in livestock science. Graduates are eligible for KALRO research certification and ILRI professional certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Egerton University (public) offers MSc in Livestock Production Systems through the Faculty of Agriculture, and JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Livestock Production Systems. Both programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in livestock science. Graduates are eligible for KALRO research certification and ILRI professional certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Livestock Production Specialist
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages livestock production, overseeing systems, design, management, and managing livestock production.
Animal Nutritionist
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages animal nutrition, overseeing feed, formulation, rationing, and managing nutrition programmes.
Breeding Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages breeding programmes, overseeing selection, genetics, improvement, and managing breeding.
Livestock Farm Manager
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages livestock farm operations, overseeing production, health, staff, and managing farm operations.
Agricultural Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Provides agricultural consulting, overseeing advisory, assessment, strategy, and managing consulting.
Livestock Science Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches livestock science 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 research data.
R
Software
R for statistical computing and modelling, covering data, statistics, modelling, and managing livestock data.
Feed Formulation Software
Software
Feed formulation software for nutrition management, covering formulation, rationing, optimisation, and managing feed.
Livestock Recording Systems
Software
Livestock recording systems for farm management, covering records, performance, tracking, and managing livestock data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Livestock science is just about keeping animals.
Livestock science covers comprehensive production systems, nutrition, breeding, physiology, and research beyond just keeping animals.
This programme is only for farmers.
Livestock science skills are valuable for researchers, consultants, managers, and policy analysts beyond just farmers.
Animal nutrition is just about feeding.
Animal nutrition covers comprehensive feed science, digestion, metabolism, formulation, and rationing beyond just feeding.
Animal breeding is just about mating.
Animal breeding covers comprehensive genetics, selection, improvement, and programme management beyond just mating.
Pasture management is just about growing grass.
Pasture management covers comprehensive agronomy, quality, conservation, and sustainability beyond just growing grass.
This programme has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Livestock science graduates work in diverse sectors including research, farming, consulting, government, and education.