Agriculture

Master of Science in Plant Breeding

The Master of Science in Plant Breeding is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in plant genetics, crop improvement, and agricultural biotechnology. The programme provides specialised training in plant breeding principles, molecular genetics, biotechnology, seed science, and crop improvement for food security.

Core areas include advanced plant breeding, molecular genetics and bioinformatics, biotechnology and cytogenetics, biometrical genetics, breeding for stress resistance, seed science and technology, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, field experiments, and research.

The programme is offered by Chuka University, the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and the University of Embu. All are public universities offering plant breeding programmes over two years through full-time and part-time study, combining coursework with field and laboratory research.

Students develop competencies in plant breeding, molecular genetics, biotechnology, seed technology, stress resistance breeding, biometrical genetics, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory and field work, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for agricultural research, seed industry, and academic roles.

Chuka University charges approximately KES 130,000 per year while the University of Nairobi charges approximately KES 432,500 per year. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Agriculture, Botany, or a related plant science from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as plant breeders, agricultural researchers, seed technologists, biotechnologists, crop improvement specialists, and lecturers across agricultural research institutions, seed companies, universities, government agencies, and NGOs.

Skills Required

Advanced Plant Breeding and Genetics
Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics
Plant Biotechnology and Cytogenetics
Biometrical Genetics and Quantitative Breeding
Breeding for Biotic and Abiotic Stress Resistance
Seed Science and Technology
Plant Physiology and Metabolism
Crop Pest Management
Research Methods in Agricultural Sciences
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Advanced Plant Breeding and Genetics
Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics
Plant Biotechnology and Cytogenetics
Biometrical Genetics and Quantitative Breeding
Breeding for Biotic and Abiotic Stresses
Seed Science and Technology
Advanced Plant Physiology and Metabolism
Crop Pest Management
Research Methods in Agricultural Sciences
Thesis Research

Certifications

KEPHIS Seed Certification
KALRO Professional Membership

Specializations

Molecular Plant Breeding

Focuses on molecular plant breeding, covering molecular, genetics, markers, selection, and managing molecular plant breeding.

Crop Improvement

Examines crop improvement, covering crops, improvement, breeding, yields, and managing crop improvement.

Seed Science and Technology

Covers seed science, covering seeds, technology, production, quality, and managing seed science and technology.

Biotechnology and Cytogenetics

Focuses on biotechnology, covering biotechnology, cytogenetics, mutation, tissue culture, and managing plant biotechnology.

Stress Resistance Breeding

Examines stress resistance breeding, covering stress, resistance, biotic, abiotic, and managing breeding for stress resistance.

Breeding East African Crops

Covers East African crops, covering crops, breeding, varieties, adaptation, and managing breeding of East African crops.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 432,500
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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Plant Breeding and Genetics
Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics
Plant Biotechnology and Cytogenetics
Biometrical Genetics and Quantitative Breeding
Breeding for Biotic and Abiotic Stresses
Seed Science and Technology
Advanced Plant Physiology and Metabolism
Crop Pest Management
Research Methods in Agricultural Sciences
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Biometrics for Agricultural Sciences
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biometrics, statistics, experimental design, analysis, and managing biometrics for agricultural sciences.
Advanced Plant Physiology and Metabolism
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers physiology, metabolism, growth, development, and managing advanced plant physiology and metabolism.
Seed Science and Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines seeds, technology, production, quality, and managing seed science and technology.
Research Methods and Scientific Communication
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research, design, methods, ethics, and conducting research in agricultural sciences, preparing students for their thesis.
Biotechnology, Cytogenetics and Mutation Breeding
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biotechnology, cytogenetics, mutation, tissue culture, and managing biotechnology, cytogenetics and mutation breeding.
Advanced Plant Breeding
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers breeding, genetics, selection, crosses, and managing advanced plant breeding principles and methods.
Molecular Genetics and Bioinformatics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines molecular, genetics, markers, bioinformatics, and managing molecular genetics and bioinformatics.
Biometrical Genetics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers biometrical, genetics, quantitative, statistics, and managing biometrical genetics and quantitative breeding.
Breeding East African Crops
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines East African crops, breeding, varieties, adaptation, and managing breeding of East African crops.
Breeding for Biotic and Abiotic Stresses
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers stress, resistance, biotic, abiotic, and managing breeding for biotic and abiotic stress resistance.
Crop Pest Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines crop pests, management, control, protection, and managing crop pest management.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a plant breeding topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant breeding knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Molecular Plant Breeding
Focuses on molecular plant breeding, covering molecular, genetics, markers, selection, and managing molecular plant breeding.
Crop Improvement
Examines crop improvement, covering crops, improvement, breeding, yields, and managing crop improvement.
Seed Science and Technology
Covers seed science, covering seeds, technology, production, quality, and managing seed science and technology.
Biotechnology and Cytogenetics
Focuses on biotechnology, covering biotechnology, cytogenetics, mutation, tissue culture, and managing plant biotechnology.
Stress Resistance Breeding
Examines stress resistance breeding, covering stress, resistance, biotic, abiotic, and managing breeding for stress resistance.
Breeding East African Crops
Covers East African crops, covering crops, breeding, varieties, adaptation, and managing breeding of East African crops.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Plant Breeding programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, field experiments, seminars, group discussions, and independent study. Sessions cover plant breeding, molecular genetics, biotechnology, and seed science. Plant breeding sessions examine breeding, genetics, selection, crosses, and managing plant breeding. Molecular genetics sessions cover molecular, genetics, markers, bioinformatics, and managing molecular genetics. Biotechnology sessions cover biotechnology, cytogenetics, tissue culture, mutation, and managing plant biotechnology. Seed science sessions cover seeds, technology, production, quality, and managing seed science and technology. Stress resistance sessions cover stress, resistance, biotic, abiotic, and managing breeding for stress resistance. Biometrical genetics sessions cover biometrical, genetics, quantitative, statistics, and managing biometrical genetics. Plant physiology sessions cover physiology, metabolism, growth, development, and managing plant physiology. Research methods sessions cover research, design, methods, ethics, and conducting research in agricultural sciences. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in molecular techniques, tissue culture, and genetic analysis. Field experiments provide practical experience in crossing, selection, and evaluation of breeding lines. Seminars provide opportunities for presenting research findings and discussing current issues in plant breeding. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a plant breeding topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme directly addresses food security, a critical challenge in Kenya and East Africa.
Programme offered at multiple public universities providing choice and flexibility.
Graduates are eligible for KEPHIS seed certification and KALRO professional membership.
High job market demand for plant breeding professionals in Kenya's agricultural sector.

Against it

No private university confirmed offering this exact programme name.
Fees vary significantly, from KES 130,000/year at Chuka to KES 432,500/year at UoN.
Programme requires a relevant agriculture or plant science degree for entry.
Field and laboratory work components require significant time commitment alongside coursework.

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 433k

130k at Chuka University433k at University of Nairobi

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

UoN ~432.5K/yr, Chuka 130K/yr verified. MKU, Kabarak unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may offer scholarships for eligible students. KALRO may offer research grants for agricultural research. Some seed companies and international organisations like CIMMYT may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
KALRO Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Universities may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate agriculture students.
KALRO Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
KALRO may offer research grants for agricultural and plant breeding research.

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 at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant plant science or agriculture field. Lower Second Class may be considered with two years of relevant experience or a Postgraduate Diploma. Pass degree holders may be considered with five years of 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 reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering plant breeding, molecular genetics, biotechnology, and biometrical genetics.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory sessions and field experiments, demonstrating molecular techniques, tissue culture, and field breeding methods.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a plant breeding topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and plant breeding knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Chuka University, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and University of Embu (all public) offer MSc in Plant Breeding or Plant Breeding and Biotechnology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant breeding. Graduates may interact with KEPHIS for seed certification and KALRO for research collaboration. The programme aligns with FAO global agriculture standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Chuka University, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, and University of Embu (all public) offer MSc in Plant Breeding or Plant Breeding and Biotechnology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in plant breeding. Graduates may interact with KEPHIS for seed certification and KALRO for research collaboration. The programme aligns with FAO global agriculture standards.
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)
Professional accreditation
KEPHIS regulates plant health and seed quality in Kenya. Graduates working in seed production and certification should interact with KEPHIS.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Plant Breeder
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts plant breeding research, overseeing varieties, crosses, selection, and managing plant breeding programmes.
Agricultural Researcher
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts agricultural research, overseeing studies, experiments, publications, and managing agricultural research.
Seed Technologist
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages seed technology programmes, overseeing seeds, production, quality, and managing seed technology.
Biotechnologist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts plant biotechnology research, overseeing tissue culture, molecular, genetics, and managing plant biotechnology.
Crop Improvement Specialist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages crop improvement programmes, overseeing crops, improvement, varieties, and managing crop improvement.
Agriculture Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches plant breeding at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Molecular Markers Equipment
EquipmentPrimary
Molecular markers equipment for marker-assisted selection, covering PCR, markers, genotyping, and managing molecular plant breeding.
Tissue Culture Laboratory
Equipment
Tissue culture laboratory for plant micropropagation, covering culture, propagation, regeneration, and managing plant tissue culture.
SPSS
Software
SPSS for statistical analysis of breeding data, covering statistics, analysis, genetics, and managing biometrical genetics data.
Field Trial Management Software
Software
Field trial management software for breeding trials, covering trials, data, analysis, and managing field breeding experiments.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Plant breeding is just about crossing plants.
Plant breeding involves advanced molecular genetics, biotechnology, statistical genetics, and data analysis beyond just crossing plants.
This programme is only for farmers.
Plant breeding skills are valuable for researchers, biotechnologists, seed technologists, and policy makers beyond just farmers.
Plant breeding is outdated in the age of genetic engineering.
Plant breeding integrates molecular tools, marker-assisted selection, and genetic engineering with classical breeding, making it more advanced than ever.
Genetically modified crops make plant breeders unnecessary.
Plant breeders are essential for developing and evaluating all crop varieties, including GM crops, using both classical and molecular approaches.
Plant breeding has limited career opportunities in Kenya.
Kenya's agricultural sector, seed industry, and research institutions create strong demand for plant breeding professionals.
Plant breeding is only about increasing yields.
Plant breeding also focuses on nutritional quality, stress resistance, disease resistance, adaptation to climate change, and sustainability beyond just yields.