Agriculture

Master of Science in Soil Sciences

The Master of Science in Soil Sciences is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in soil science, soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil physics, soil biology, and land resource management. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in soil management, agricultural productivity, environmental conservation, and land use planning.

Core areas include soil science, soil fertility, soil chemistry, soil physics, soil biology, soil classification, soil survey, land evaluation, soil conservation, soil-plant relationships, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical soil science applications.

The programme is offered by Rongo University, Kirinyaga University, and Pwani University, with Egerton University as a college. Egerton offers MSc Soil Science through its Faculty of Agriculture. UoN offers MSc Soil Science with total tuition KES 305,000 for 2 years. KU offers MSc Integrated Soil Fertility Management. Chuka offers MSc Soil Science.

Students develop competencies in soil analysis, fertility management, soil classification, land evaluation, conservation planning, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, field surveys, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. UoN MSc Soil Science total tuition is KES 305,000 (~KES 152,500/year). Egerton offers MSc Soil Science with full-time and part-time modes. Entry requires Bachelor's degree in agriculture, soil science, environmental science, or related fields with Upper Second or Lower with experience.

Graduates pursue careers as soil scientists, soil fertility specialists, land resource officers, environmental consultants, and lecturers in agricultural organisations, government, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Soil Analysis and Laboratory Techniques
Soil Fertility Management and Fertiliser Use
Soil Classification and Survey
Soil Chemistry and Nutrient Management
Soil Physics and Water Management
Soil Biology and Microbial Ecology
Land Evaluation and Land Use Planning
Soil Conservation and Erosion Control
Soil-Plant Relationships and Nutrient Cycling
Soil Science Research Methods

Key Subjects

Soil Science
Soil Fertility
Soil Chemistry
Soil Physics
Soil Biology
Soil Classification and Survey
Land Evaluation
Soil Conservation
Soil-Plant Relationships
Soil Science Research Methods

Certifications

IUSS Soil Science Certification
KALRO Soil Management Certification

Specializations

Soil Fertility

Focuses on soil fertility, nutrient management, fertilisers, organic matter, soil amendments, ISFM, and managing and improving soil fertility for crop production.

Soil Chemistry

Examines soil chemistry, soil pH, cation exchange, nutrient availability, soil reactions, chemical properties, and understanding soil chemical processes.

Soil Physics

Covers soil physics, soil water, soil structure, soil texture, porosity, permeability, soil temperature, and understanding soil physical properties.

Soil Biology

Focuses on soil biology, soil microorganisms, soil fauna, microbial ecology, decomposition, nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae, and understanding soil biological processes.

Soil Survey and Classification

Examines soil survey, soil classification, soil mapping, soil taxonomy, WRB, land evaluation, and classifying, surveying, and evaluating soils.

Soil Conservation

Covers soil conservation, erosion control, terracing, contour farming, agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and conserving and protecting soils.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 188,650
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

Soil Science
Soil Fertility
Soil Chemistry
Soil Physics
Soil Biology
Soil Classification and Survey
Land Evaluation
Soil Conservation
Soil-Plant Relationships
Soil Science Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Soil Science and Pedology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines soil formation, soil profiles, soil minerals, soil organic matter, soil properties, pedology, weathering, and understanding soils.
Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers soil fertility, nutrient management, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients, fertilisers, organic matter, ISFM, and managing and improving soil fertility.
Soil Chemistry and Chemical Processes
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines soil pH, cation exchange capacity, soil reactions, nutrient availability, soil chemistry, salinity, sodicity, redox, and understanding soil chemical processes.
Soil Physics and Water Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers soil water, soil structure, soil texture, porosity, permeability, infiltration, soil temperature, soil aeration, and understanding soil physical properties.
Soil Biology and Microbial Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines soil microorganisms, soil fauna, microbial ecology, decomposition, nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae, rhizosphere, and understanding soil biological processes.
Soil Classification, Survey and Mapping
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers soil taxonomy, WRB, soil classification, soil survey, soil mapping, remote sensing, GIS, and classifying, surveying, and mapping soils.
Land Evaluation and Land Use Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines land evaluation, land capability, land suitability, FAO framework, land use planning, land use types, and evaluating land for various uses.
Soil Conservation and Erosion Control
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers erosion, erosion control, terracing, contour farming, agroforestry, conservation agriculture, gully control, wind erosion, and conserving and protecting soils.
Soil-Plant Relationships and Nutrient Cycling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines nutrient uptake, nutrient cycling, rhizosphere, plant nutrition, nutrient deficiency, toxicity, soil-plant interactions, and understanding soil-plant relationships.
Soil Science Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for soil science, experimental design, field and laboratory methods, data analysis, statistical methods, GIS, and conducting soil science research, preparing students for their thesis.
Soil Pollution and Environmental Quality
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines soil pollution, heavy metals, pesticides, soil contamination, soil remediation, environmental quality, and managing and remediating polluted soils.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a soil science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and soil science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Soil Fertility
Focuses on soil fertility, nutrient management, fertilisers, organic matter, soil amendments, ISFM, and managing and improving soil fertility for crop production.
Soil Chemistry
Examines soil chemistry, soil pH, cation exchange, nutrient availability, soil reactions, chemical properties, and understanding soil chemical processes.
Soil Physics
Covers soil physics, soil water, soil structure, soil texture, porosity, permeability, soil temperature, and understanding soil physical properties.
Soil Biology
Focuses on soil biology, soil microorganisms, soil fauna, microbial ecology, decomposition, nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae, and understanding soil biological processes.
Soil Survey and Classification
Examines soil survey, soil classification, soil mapping, soil taxonomy, WRB, land evaluation, and classifying, surveying, and evaluating soils.
Soil Conservation
Covers soil conservation, erosion control, terracing, contour farming, agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and conserving and protecting soils.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Soil Sciences programme begins with morning lectures on soil chemistry, soil physics, or soil fertility. Students engage in theoretical discussions on soil properties, processes, and management. Soil science sessions cover soil formation, soil profiles, soil minerals, soil organic matter, soil properties, and understanding soils. Soil fertility sessions examine soil fertility, nutrient management, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients, fertilisers, organic matter, ISFM, and managing and improving soil fertility. Soil chemistry sessions cover soil pH, cation exchange capacity, soil reactions, nutrient availability, soil chemistry, salinity, sodicity, and understanding soil chemical processes. Soil physics sessions examine soil water, soil structure, soil texture, porosity, permeability, infiltration, soil temperature, soil aeration, and understanding soil physical properties. Soil biology sessions cover soil microorganisms, soil fauna, microbial ecology, decomposition, nitrogen fixation, mycorrhizae, rhizosphere, and understanding soil biological processes. Soil classification sessions examine soil taxonomy, WRB, soil classification, soil orders, diagnostic horizons, and classifying soils. Soil survey sessions cover soil survey, soil mapping, remote sensing, GIS, land evaluation, soil interpretation, and surveying and mapping soils. Land evaluation sessions examine land evaluation, land capability, land suitability, FAO framework, land use planning, and evaluating land for various uses. Soil conservation sessions cover erosion, erosion control, terracing, contour farming, agroforestry, conservation agriculture, gully control, and conserving and protecting soils. Soil-plant relationship sessions examine nutrient uptake, nutrient cycling, rhizosphere, plant nutrition, nutrient deficiency, toxicity, and understanding soil-plant relationships. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with soil analysis, pH measurement, nutrient analysis, texture analysis, CEC determination, and soil characterisation. Field surveys provide hands-on experience with soil profile description, soil sampling, soil mapping, and land evaluation. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering soil science research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from Egerton faculty, KALRO researchers, KSS surveyors, NEMA officials, and international soil science experts provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's food security needs, soil degradation, fertiliser use, land use planning, environmental conservation, and climate change create high demand for qualified soil science professionals.
UoN offers MSc Soil Science at KES 305,000 total, and Egerton offers MSc Soil Science through its Faculty of Agriculture, providing accessible training.
Career opportunities with KALRO, KSS, NEMA, MoA, agricultural companies, research institutions, and international organisations like FAO and IUSS.
Programme addresses Kenya's soil fertility, food security, land degradation, conservation, and sustainable land management needs.

Against it

Programme requires agriculture, soil science, or related background, which may exclude some graduates.
Laboratory work requires access to soil analysis laboratories, analytical equipment, and GIS software, which may be limited.
No private universities listed, limiting options for students preferring private institution environments.
Field surveys require access to field sites, transport, and soil survey equipment, which may be limited.

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

Public120k to 189k

120k at Rongo University189k at Egerton University

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. Rongo, MKU, Kabarak unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KALRO supports agricultural research including soil science. FAO supports soil management and food security. IUSS supports soil science professional development. The programme's soil science focus attracts agricultural, environmental, and international funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KALRO Research Funding
FAO Soil Management Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate soil science studies at recognised universities.
KALRO Research Funding
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
KALRO supports agricultural research including soil science and soil fertility, providing funding for postgraduate research in soil science.
FAO Soil Management Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
FAO supports soil management and food security in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate research in soil science and land management.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from agriculture, soil science, environmental science, forestry, geography, geology, range management, wildlife management, agricultural engineering, biological sciences, and related fields. UoN requires Upper Second in relevant field or Lower with 2 years experience. Egerton requires Upper Second or Lower with 2 years experience. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time modes.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, field reports, soil analysis projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering soil chemistry, physics, biology, fertility, classification, and conservation, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory and Field Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory work, soil analysis, field surveys, soil profile description, soil mapping, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a soil science topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and soil science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Egerton offers MSc Soil Science through its Faculty of Agriculture. UoN offers MSc Soil Science at KES 305,000 total. KU offers MSc Integrated Soil Fertility Management. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate soil science training. KALRO supports soil science research, and KSS conducts soil survey and mapping in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Egerton offers MSc Soil Science through its Faculty of Agriculture. UoN offers MSc Soil Science at KES 305,000 total. KU offers MSc Integrated Soil Fertility Management. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate soil science training.
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Professional accreditation
NEMA regulates environmental management in Kenya. Graduates working in land evaluation, EIA, or environmental management may benefit from NEMA knowledge and certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Soil Scientist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Conducts soil science research, overseeing soil analysis, fertility studies, soil surveys, and supporting soil management and research.
Soil Fertility Specialist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages soil fertility programmes, overseeing fertiliser recommendations, ISFM, nutrient management, and supporting soil fertility and productivity.
Land Resource Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages land resources, overseeing land evaluation, land use planning, soil survey, and supporting land resource management.
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Provides environmental consultancy, overseeing soil assessment, EIA, land evaluation, contamination, and supporting environmental management.
Extension Officer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Provides agricultural extension, overseeing soil management advisory, fertility training, conservation, and supporting farmers.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches soil science in universities, conducting research and training future soil science professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as soil scientists, soil fertility specialists, and land resource officers in agricultural organisations, government, and research institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
GIS software for soil mapping, land evaluation, spatial analysis, soil survey, and mapping and analysing soils spatially.
R Statistical Computing
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing for soil science data, fertility data, experimental analysis, and research data analysis.
GENSTAT
Software
Statistical software for soil science research, field trial analysis, fertility experiments, and statistical modelling in soil science.
Google Earth Engine
Software
Cloud-based geospatial platform for soil mapping, remote sensing, land cover, and spatial analysis in soil science.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Soil science is just about dirt.
The programme involves soil chemistry, physics, biology, fertility, classification, conservation, land evaluation, and research, covering comprehensive soil science.
This programme is only for agriculture graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from agriculture, soil science, environmental science, forestry, geography, geology, and related fields.
There is limited demand for soil scientists in Kenya.
Kenya's food security needs, soil degradation, fertiliser use, land use planning, environmental conservation, and climate change create high demand for qualified soil science professionals.
Soil science is only about fertiliser recommendations.
Soil science covers chemistry, physics, biology, classification, survey, conservation, land evaluation, and soil-plant relationships, not just fertiliser recommendations.
Soil conservation is only about terracing.
Soil conservation involves erosion control, conservation agriculture, agroforestry, cover crops, mulching, gully control, and integrated land management, not just terracing.
A master's in soil science is redundant after a bachelor's in agriculture.
The master's provides specialised soil science skills, analytical expertise, research capability, and career progression to senior soil science and land management positions.