Agriculture

Master of Science in Veterinary Surgery

The Master of Science in Veterinary Surgery is a postgraduate programme that trains graduate veterinarians in specialised surgical skills, advanced surgical techniques, and veterinary surgical specialisations. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in specialist surgical practice, research, and teaching in veterinary surgery.

Core areas include principles of veterinary surgery, diagnostic imaging, soft tissue surgery, orthopaedics and dentistry, anaesthesiology, emergency and critical care, surgical research, and teaching methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and extensive practical surgical 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 Master of Veterinary Surgery (MVETSURG), course code J541, through its Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, with total fees of KES 1,445,000 for 2 years.

Students develop competencies in surgical techniques, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesia, orthopaedic procedures, dental procedures, emergency care, and surgical research. The programme includes coursework, clinical practicals, surgical rotations, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. UoN MVETSURG total fees are KES 1,445,000 (~KES 722,500/year). Entry requires Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) with Upper Second or equivalent, as the programme builds on veterinary clinical knowledge.

Graduates pursue careers as specialist veterinary surgeons, veterinary anaesthetists, veterinary orthopaedic surgeons, and university lecturers in specialist practice, referral hospitals, universities, and research institutions.

Skills Required

Advanced Veterinary Surgical Techniques
Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and Radiography
Soft Tissue Surgery and Abdominal Surgery
Veterinary Orthopaedics and Fracture Repair
Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery
Veterinary Anaesthesiology and Pain Management
Emergency and Critical Care in Veterinary Medicine
Surgical Decision Making and Pre-operative Planning
Post-operative Management and Surgical Aftercare
Veterinary Surgery Research Methods

Key Subjects

Principles of Veterinary Surgery
Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
Soft Tissue Surgery
Veterinary Orthopaedics and Dentistry
Veterinary Anaesthesiology
Emergency and Critical Care
Surgical Pathology
Surgical Anatomy
Surgical Research Methods
Veterinary Practice Management

Certifications

ACVS Veterinary Surgery Certification
KVB Veterinary Specialist Registration

Specializations

Soft Tissue Surgery

Focuses on soft tissue surgery, abdominal surgery, thoracic surgery, reconstructive surgery, oncologic surgery, and performing soft tissue surgical procedures.

Orthopaedics

Examines veterinary orthopaedics, fracture repair, joint surgery, arthroscopy, TPLO, orthopaedic conditions, and performing orthopaedic surgical procedures.

Dentistry

Covers veterinary dentistry, oral surgery, dental extraction, periodontal treatment, dental radiography, and performing dental and oral surgical procedures.

Anaesthesiology

Focuses on veterinary anaesthesiology, anaesthetic protocols, monitoring, pain management, local anaesthesia, and administering and monitoring anaesthesia.

Diagnostic Imaging

Examines diagnostic imaging, radiography, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, and using imaging for surgical diagnosis and planning.

Emergency and Critical Care

Covers emergency surgery, critical care, trauma management, shock, resuscitation, and managing surgical emergencies and critical patients.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 722,500
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 8 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Principles of Veterinary Surgery
Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
Soft Tissue Surgery
Veterinary Orthopaedics and Dentistry
Veterinary Anaesthesiology
Emergency and Critical Care
Surgical Pathology
Surgical Anatomy
Surgical Research Methods
Veterinary Practice Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Principles of Veterinary Surgery
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines surgical principles, asepsis, wound healing, suture patterns, surgical instruments, haemostasis, tissue handling, and understanding veterinary surgical fundamentals.
Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers radiography, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, contrast studies, nuclear medicine, and using imaging for surgical diagnosis and planning.
Soft Tissue Surgery
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines abdominal surgery, thoracic surgery, reconstructive surgery, oncologic surgery, GI surgery, urogenital surgery, and performing soft tissue surgical procedures.
Veterinary Orthopaedics and Dentistry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers fracture repair, joint surgery, arthroscopy, TPLO, dental extraction, periodontal treatment, dental radiography, and performing orthopaedic and dental procedures.
Veterinary Anaesthesiology and Pain Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines anaesthetic protocols, pre-anaesthetic assessment, induction, maintenance, monitoring, pain management, local anaesthesia, epidural, and administering and monitoring anaesthesia.
Emergency and Critical Care
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers emergency surgery, trauma management, shock, resuscitation, triage, critical care monitoring, ventilator management, and managing surgical emergencies and critical patients.
Surgical Pathology and Anatomy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines surgical pathology, tumours, biopsy, histopathology, neoplasia, surgical anatomy, regional anatomy, and understanding pathology and anatomy relevant to surgery.
Advanced Soft Tissue and Oncologic Surgery
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers advanced soft tissue procedures, oncologic surgery, reconstructive techniques, skin flaps, grafts, enteric surgery, and performing advanced soft tissue surgical procedures.
Advanced Orthopaedic Surgery
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced fracture repair, plating, external fixators, joint surgery, arthroscopy, minimally invasive surgery, and performing advanced orthopaedic procedures.
Veterinary Surgery Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for veterinary surgery, clinical research, surgical outcome studies, evidence-based surgery, and conducting veterinary surgery research, preparing students for their thesis.
Equine and Large Animal Surgery
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines equine surgery, colic surgery, large animal orthopaedics, farm animal surgery, field anaesthesia, and performing surgery in equine and large animal species.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a veterinary surgery topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and surgical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Soft Tissue Surgery
Focuses on soft tissue surgery, abdominal surgery, thoracic surgery, reconstructive surgery, oncologic surgery, and performing soft tissue surgical procedures.
Orthopaedics
Examines veterinary orthopaedics, fracture repair, joint surgery, arthroscopy, TPLO, orthopaedic conditions, and performing orthopaedic surgical procedures.
Dentistry
Covers veterinary dentistry, oral surgery, dental extraction, periodontal treatment, dental radiography, and performing dental and oral surgical procedures.
Anaesthesiology
Focuses on veterinary anaesthesiology, anaesthetic protocols, monitoring, pain management, local anaesthesia, and administering and monitoring anaesthesia.
Diagnostic Imaging
Examines diagnostic imaging, radiography, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, and using imaging for surgical diagnosis and planning.
Emergency and Critical Care
Covers emergency surgery, critical care, trauma management, shock, resuscitation, and managing surgical emergencies and critical patients.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Veterinary Surgery programme begins with morning lectures on surgical principles, diagnostic imaging, or anaesthesiology. Students then transition to clinical practicals and surgical rotations. Principles of veterinary surgery sessions cover surgical principles, asepsis, wound healing, suture patterns, surgical instruments, haemostasis, and understanding surgical fundamentals. Diagnostic imaging sessions examine radiography, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, fluoroscopy, contrast studies, and using imaging for surgical diagnosis and planning. Soft tissue surgery sessions cover abdominal surgery, thoracic surgery, reconstructive surgery, oncologic surgery, GI surgery, urogenital surgery, and performing soft tissue surgical procedures. Orthopaedics sessions examine fracture repair, joint surgery, arthroscopy, TPLO, CRCL, OCD, DDH, orthopaedic conditions, and performing orthopaedic surgical procedures. Dentistry sessions cover oral surgery, dental extraction, periodontal treatment, dental radiography, endodontics, and performing dental and oral surgical procedures. Anaesthesiology sessions examine anaesthetic protocols, pre-anaesthetic assessment, induction, maintenance, monitoring, pain management, local anaesthesia, epidural, and administering and monitoring anaesthesia. Emergency and critical care sessions cover emergency surgery, trauma management, shock, resuscitation, triage, critical care monitoring, and managing surgical emergencies and critical patients. Surgical pathology sessions examine surgical pathology, tumours, biopsy, histopathology, neoplasia, and understanding surgical pathology. Surgical anatomy sessions cover surgical anatomy, regional anatomy, topographical anatomy, and understanding anatomy relevant to surgery. Clinical practicals provide hands-on experience with surgical procedures, anaesthesia, imaging, and patient management under supervision. Surgical rotations provide hands-on experience in different surgical specialisations including soft tissue, orthopaedics, dentistry, and anaesthesiology. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering veterinary surgery research methods, clinical research, and surgical outcome studies. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's growing pet ownership, livestock industry, wildlife conservation, and referral veterinary services create moderate demand for qualified veterinary surgery specialists.
UoN offers Master of Veterinary Surgery (MVETSURG) through its Department of Clinical Studies with established surgical training facilities and specialist faculty.
Career opportunities in specialist practice, referral hospitals, universities, research institutions, and international organisations like ACVS, ECVS, and WSAVA.
Programme provides specialised surgical skills enabling graduates to offer advanced surgical services and specialist referrals.

Against it

Programme requires BVM degree, strictly limiting eligibility to veterinary graduates only.
UoN total fees of KES 1,445,000 are very expensive, making it one of the costliest postgraduate programmes in Kenya.
Small class size and specialised nature limit intake opportunities.
Requires access to surgical facilities, anaesthesia equipment, imaging equipment, and clinical cases, 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

Public150k to 723k

150k at University of Kabianga723k 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 1.445M/2yr=722K/yr(clinicalstudies.uonbi.ac.ke).Kabianga unverified

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KVA supports veterinary continuing education. ACVS supports veterinary surgery specialisation through fellowships. WSAVA supports small animal veterinary education. The programme's veterinary surgery focus attracts veterinary, specialist, and international funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KVA Veterinary Education Funding
ACVS Surgery Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate veterinary surgery studies at recognised universities.
KVA Veterinary Education Funding
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
KVA supports veterinary continuing education in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate study in veterinary surgery.
ACVS Surgery Fellowship
FellowshipKsh 500,000
ACVS supports veterinary surgery specialisation globally, providing fellowships and funding for postgraduate study and research in veterinary surgery.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme requires a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) as it builds on veterinary clinical knowledge and surgical skills. UoN offers MVETSURG through its Department of Clinical Studies. KVB registration may be required. Two-year full-time programme with clinical practicals and surgical rotations.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, surgical planning exercises, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering surgical principles, imaging, anaesthesiology, orthopaedics, and soft tissue surgery, conducted at end of each semester.
Clinical and Surgical Practical Assessment
Practical50% of the mark
Assessment of clinical practicals, surgical procedures, anaesthesia administration, imaging, and surgical skills through direct observation and case logs.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a veterinary surgery topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and surgical knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). UoN offers Master of Veterinary Surgery (MVETSURG), course code J541, through its Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate veterinary surgery training. KVB regulates veterinary practice in Kenya, and ACVS and ECVS support veterinary surgery specialisation internationally.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers Master of Veterinary Surgery (MVETSURG), course code J541, through its Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate veterinary surgery training.
Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB)
Professional accreditationRequired
KVB regulates veterinary practice in Kenya. Graduates must be registered with KVB to practise veterinary surgery. Specialist registration may be available for surgery specialists.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Specialist Veterinary Surgeon
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 800,000
Performs specialist surgical procedures, overseeing complex surgeries, surgical referrals, and supporting advanced veterinary surgical care.
Veterinary Anaesthetist
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 650,000
Administers anaesthesia, overseeing anaesthetic protocols, monitoring, pain management, and supporting safe anaesthesia in veterinary practice.
Veterinary Orthopaedic Surgeon
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 750,000
Performs orthopaedic surgery, overseeing fracture repair, joint surgery, arthroscopy, and supporting orthopaedic veterinary care.
Referral Practice Surgeon
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 700,000
Works in referral practice, overseeing surgical referrals, complex cases, specialist procedures, and supporting referral veterinary services.
Wildlife Veterinary Surgeon
Moderate demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 650,000
Performs surgery on wildlife, overseeing wildlife capture, treatment, conservation surgery, and supporting wildlife health and conservation.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches veterinary surgery in universities, conducting research and training future veterinary surgery professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as specialist veterinary surgeons, veterinary anaesthetists, and university lecturers in specialist practice, referral hospitals, and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Digital Radiography System
EquipmentPrimary
Digital radiography system for diagnostic imaging, radiographs, contrast studies, surgical planning, and diagnostic imaging in veterinary surgery.
Anaesthesia Monitor
EquipmentPrimary
Anaesthesia monitoring equipment for patient monitoring during surgery, including ECG, pulse oximetry, capnography, blood pressure, and anaesthesia monitoring.
Surgical Instruments Set
Equipment
Surgical instruments for veterinary surgery, including surgical kits, orthopaedic instruments, dental instruments, and surgical equipment.
Arthroscopy Equipment
Equipment
Arthroscopy equipment for minimally invasive joint surgery, arthroscopic procedures, and minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Veterinary surgery is just about operating on animals.
The programme involves diagnostic imaging, anaesthesiology, orthopaedics, dentistry, emergency care, research, and teaching, covering comprehensive veterinary surgery specialisation.
This programme is for any science graduate.
The programme requires a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) as it builds on veterinary clinical knowledge and skills.
There is limited demand for veterinary surgeons in Kenya.
Kenya's growing pet ownership, livestock industry, wildlife conservation, and referral veterinary services create moderate demand for qualified veterinary surgery specialists.
Veterinary surgery is the same as human surgery.
While principles overlap, veterinary surgery involves multiple species, different anatomy, different considerations, and unique challenges compared to human surgery.
A master's in veterinary surgery is redundant after a veterinary degree.
The master's provides specialised surgical skills, advanced techniques, research capability, and career progression to specialist surgical practice and academic positions.
Veterinary surgery is only for small animals.
Veterinary surgery covers small animals, large animals, equine, and wildlife surgery, not just small animal practice.