Agriculture

Master of Science in Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics

The Master of Science in Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, animal health economics, and One Health approaches. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in disease control, veterinary public health, animal health policy, and epidemiological research.

Core areas include veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, animal health economics, disease modelling, zoonotic diseases, One Health, biostatistics, research methods, and veterinary policy. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical epidemiological applications.

The programme is offered by Zetech University, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, and University of Kabianga, with University of Nairobi as a college. UoN offers MSc Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (MVEE), course code J526, through its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, with total fees of KES 797,000 for 2 years.

Students develop competencies in epidemiological methods, disease surveillance, economic analysis, outbreak response, data analysis, and research. The programme includes coursework, field epidemiology, laboratory practicals, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. UoN MVEE total fees are KES 797,000 (~KES 398,500/year). Entry requires Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine or related field with Upper Second or equivalent.

Graduates pursue careers as veterinary epidemiologists, disease surveillance officers, animal health economists, and researchers in veterinary services, government, international organisations, and research institutions.

Skills Required

Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance
Outbreak Investigation and Response
Animal Health Economics and Cost-Benefit Analysis
Disease Modelling and Risk Analysis
Zoonotic Disease and One Health Approaches
Biostatistics and Epidemiological Data Analysis
Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety
Transboundary Animal Disease Management
Veterinary Policy and Disease Control Planning
Veterinary Epidemiology Research Methods

Key Subjects

Veterinary Epidemiology
Disease Surveillance
Animal Health Economics
Outbreak Investigation
Zoonotic Diseases and One Health
Disease Modelling
Biostatistics
Transboundary Animal Diseases
Veterinary Public Health
Veterinary Epidemiology Research Methods

Certifications

WOAH Veterinary Epidemiology Certification
KVA Veterinary Practice Certification

Specializations

Disease Surveillance

Focuses on disease surveillance, surveillance systems, disease reporting, early warning, outbreak detection, and designing and managing disease surveillance systems.

Animal Health Economics

Examines animal health economics, cost-benefit analysis, disease impact assessment, economic evaluation, veterinary economics, and analysing economic aspects of animal health.

Zoonotic Diseases

Covers zoonotic diseases, One Health, zoonosis surveillance, rabies, brucellosis, RVF, and understanding and managing zoonotic diseases.

Disease Modelling

Focuses on disease modelling, mathematical modelling, risk analysis, spatial epidemiology, predictive modelling, and modelling disease dynamics.

Transboundary Diseases

Examines transboundary animal diseases, FMD, PPR, CBPP, emergency preparedness, response, and managing transboundary animal disease threats.

Veterinary Public Health

Covers veterinary public health, food safety, meat hygiene, milk safety, antimicrobial resistance, and protecting public health through veterinary practice.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 398,500
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

Veterinary Epidemiology
Disease Surveillance
Animal Health Economics
Outbreak Investigation
Zoonotic Diseases and One Health
Disease Modelling
Biostatistics
Transboundary Animal Diseases
Veterinary Public Health
Veterinary Epidemiology Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Principles of Veterinary Epidemiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines epidemiological principles, study designs, measures of disease frequency, causal inference, bias, confounding, and understanding veterinary epidemiological methods.
Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Investigation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers surveillance systems, passive and active surveillance, early warning, outbreak detection, field investigation, case definition, control measures, and investigating and responding to outbreaks.
Animal Health Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines cost-benefit analysis, disease impact assessment, economic evaluation, partial budgeting, cost-effectiveness, and analysing economic aspects of animal health and disease control.
Zoonotic Diseases and One Health
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers zoonotic diseases, rabies, brucellosis, RVF, anthrax, trypanosomiasis, One Health approach, AMR, human-animal-environment interface, and managing zoonotic diseases.
Disease Modelling and Risk Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines mathematical modelling, SIR models, risk analysis, spatial epidemiology, predictive modelling, GIS, and modelling disease dynamics and risk.
Transboundary Animal Diseases
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers FMD, PPR, CBPP, ASF, emergency preparedness, response, contingency planning, and managing transboundary animal disease threats.
Biostatistics and Epidemiological Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines statistical methods, study design, sample size, data analysis, R, STATA, regression, survival analysis, and analysing epidemiological data.
Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers food safety, meat hygiene, milk safety, AMR, foodborne diseases, abattoir inspection, and protecting public health through veterinary practice.
Disease Control Programmes and Policy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines disease control programmes, vaccination strategies, control policies, programme evaluation, veterinary policy, and designing and implementing disease control programmes.
Veterinary Epidemiology Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for veterinary epidemiology, study design, field methods, data collection, ethical considerations, and conducting veterinary epidemiology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Advanced Topics in Veterinary Epidemiology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines advanced topics including molecular epidemiology, spatial epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, AMR surveillance, and emerging topics in veterinary epidemiology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a veterinary epidemiology and economics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Disease Surveillance
Focuses on disease surveillance, surveillance systems, disease reporting, early warning, outbreak detection, and designing and managing disease surveillance systems.
Animal Health Economics
Examines animal health economics, cost-benefit analysis, disease impact assessment, economic evaluation, veterinary economics, and analysing economic aspects of animal health.
Zoonotic Diseases
Covers zoonotic diseases, One Health, zoonosis surveillance, rabies, brucellosis, RVF, and understanding and managing zoonotic diseases.
Disease Modelling
Focuses on disease modelling, mathematical modelling, risk analysis, spatial epidemiology, predictive modelling, and modelling disease dynamics.
Transboundary Diseases
Examines transboundary animal diseases, FMD, PPR, CBPP, emergency preparedness, response, and managing transboundary animal disease threats.
Veterinary Public Health
Covers veterinary public health, food safety, meat hygiene, milk safety, antimicrobial resistance, and protecting public health through veterinary practice.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics programme begins with morning lectures on veterinary epidemiology, disease surveillance, or animal health economics. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical epidemiological applications. Veterinary epidemiology sessions cover epidemiological principles, study designs, measures of disease frequency, causal inference, bias, confounding, and understanding epidemiological methods. Disease surveillance sessions examine surveillance systems, passive and active surveillance, syndromic surveillance, early warning, outbreak detection, and designing and managing surveillance systems. Outbreak investigation sessions cover outbreak detection, field investigation, case definition, descriptive epidemiology, analytical epidemiology, control measures, and investigating and responding to outbreaks. Animal health economics sessions examine cost-benefit analysis, disease impact assessment, economic evaluation, partial budgeting, cost-effectiveness, and analysing economic aspects of animal health. Disease modelling sessions cover mathematical modelling, SIR models, risk analysis, spatial epidemiology, predictive modelling, and modelling disease dynamics. Zoonotic disease sessions examine rabies, brucellosis, RVF, anthrax, trypanosomiasis, Q fever, and understanding and managing zoonotic diseases. One Health sessions cover One Health approach, human-animal-environment interface, AMR, zoonosis control, and applying One Health in practice. Transboundary disease sessions examine FMD, PPR, CBPP, ASF, emergency preparedness, response, and managing transboundary animal disease threats. Biostatistics sessions cover statistical methods, study design, sample size, data analysis, R, STATA, and analysing epidemiological data. Veterinary public health sessions examine food safety, meat hygiene, milk safety, AMR, foodborne diseases, and protecting public health through veterinary practice. Field epidemiology practicals provide hands-on experience with outbreak investigation, surveillance, data collection, and field research. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with diagnostic methods, serology, PCR, and disease confirmation. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering veterinary epidemiology research methods, study design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from UoN faculty, DVS officials, KVA experts, WOAH representatives, FAO advisors, and international epidemiology experts provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's livestock industry, zoonotic disease threats, transboundary diseases, food safety, One Health, and export requirements create high demand for qualified veterinary epidemiology professionals.
UoN offers MSc Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (MVEE) through its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine with established programmes and KES 797,000 total fees.
Career opportunities with DVS, KVA, WOAH, FAO, Africa CDC, WHO, research institutions, and county governments.
Programme addresses Kenya's animal disease control, zoonotic disease threats, food safety, One Health, and livestock export requirements.

Against it

Programme primarily targets veterinary graduates, which may exclude graduates from other fields.
UoN total fees of KES 797,000 are relatively expensive compared to other public university postgraduate programmes.
Field epidemiology requires access to field sites, transport, and laboratory facilities, which may be limited.
Niche programme with fewer positions compared to broader veterinary or public health programmes.

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

Public150k to 399k

150k at University of Kabianga399k 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 797K/2yr=398K/yr(phpt.uonbi.ac.ke).Kabianga~150K/yr unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. FAO supports animal health and food security. WOAH supports veterinary epidemiology capacity building. Africa CDC supports One Health. The programme's veterinary epidemiology focus attracts animal health, One Health, and international funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
FAO Animal Health Funding
WOAH Veterinary Epidemiology Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate veterinary epidemiology studies at recognised universities.
FAO Animal Health Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
FAO supports animal health and food security in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate research in veterinary epidemiology.
WOAH Veterinary Epidemiology Funding
FellowshipKsh 400,000
WOAH supports veterinary epidemiology capacity building globally, providing fellowships and funding for postgraduate study and research.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme primarily targets veterinary graduates (BVM) but may accept graduates from related health, biological, or agricultural sciences with relevant experience. UoN offers MVEE through its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. 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, epidemiological exercises, surveillance reports, economic analyses, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering epidemiology, surveillance, economics, zoonotic diseases, and modelling, conducted at end of each semester.
Field and Laboratory Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of field epidemiology, outbreak investigation, surveillance exercises, laboratory work, and practical reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a veterinary epidemiology and economics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). UoN offers MSc Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (MVEE), course code J526, through its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate veterinary epidemiology and economics training. DVS oversees animal disease control in Kenya, and WOAH and FAO support veterinary epidemiology internationally.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers MSc Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (MVEE), course code J526, through its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate veterinary epidemiology and economics training.
Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB)
Professional accreditation
KVB regulates veterinary practice in Kenya. Graduates working in veterinary epidemiology may benefit from KVB registration and knowledge of veterinary regulations.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Veterinary Epidemiologist
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Conducts veterinary epidemiology, overseeing disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, research, and supporting disease control and prevention.
Disease Surveillance Officer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages disease surveillance, overseeing surveillance systems, data collection, analysis, reporting, and supporting early warning and response.
Animal Health Economist
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses animal health economics, overseeing cost-benefit analysis, disease impact assessment, economic evaluation, and supporting animal health policy.
One Health Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Applies One Health approaches, overseeing zoonotic disease control, AMR, human-animal-environment interface, and supporting One Health programmes.
Veterinary Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts veterinary research, overseeing research projects, epidemiological studies, disease studies, and supporting veterinary science research.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches veterinary epidemiology in universities, conducting research and training future veterinary epidemiology professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as veterinary epidemiologists, disease surveillance officers, and animal health economists in veterinary services, government, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R Statistical Computing
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source statistical computing for epidemiological data analysis, disease modelling, survival analysis, spatial analysis, and research data analysis.
STATA
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for epidemiological data analysis, study design, regression, survival analysis, survey analysis, and epidemiological research.
ArcGIS
Software
GIS software for spatial epidemiology, disease mapping, risk mapping, outbreak mapping, and spatial analysis of disease patterns.
EpiInfo
Software
Epidemiological software for outbreak investigation, surveillance, data collection, analysis, and public health epidemiology applications.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Veterinary epidemiology is just about treating sick animals.
The programme involves disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, economics, modelling, One Health, policy, and research, covering comprehensive veterinary epidemiology.
This programme is only for veterinary surgeons.
While designed for veterinarians, the programme may accept graduates from related health, biological, or agricultural sciences with relevant experience.
There is limited demand for veterinary epidemiologists in Kenya.
Kenya's livestock industry, zoonotic disease threats, transboundary diseases, food safety, One Health, and export requirements create high demand for qualified veterinary epidemiology professionals.
Animal health economics is not important.
Economic analysis is critical for disease control decisions, resource allocation, policy development, and demonstrating the value of veterinary interventions.
Veterinary epidemiology is only about animal diseases.
Veterinary epidemiology covers zoonotic diseases, One Health, food safety, AMR, and public health, not just animal diseases.
A master's in veterinary epidemiology is redundant after a veterinary degree.
The master's provides specialised epidemiology skills, economic analysis, research capability, and career progression to senior epidemiology and disease control positions.