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Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Breeding and Genetics

The Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Breeding and Genetics is a doctoral programme offered at JKUAT and the University of Nairobi. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in animal genetics, breeding programmes and genomic selection for livestock improvement. The programme combines quantitative genetics with molecular biology to develop improved livestock breeds for Kenya and East Africa.

Duration
3-4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 428,000
Ksh 1,284,000 to Ksh 1,712,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 168,000
Ksh 504,000 to Ksh 672,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 428,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,284,000 to Ksh 1,712,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 168,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of Masters Degree or above, plus 1 subject grade. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3-4 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 3 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students engage with advanced topics in quantitative genetics, molecular genetics, animal breeding programmes, genomic selection, population genetics, bioinformatics, livestock production systems and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops breeding strategies for indigenous and exotic livestock breeds adapted to Kenyan conditions.

Kenya's livestock sector contributes significantly to the agricultural GDP, with dairy, beef, sheep, goats and poultry production being major enterprises. The need for improved breeds, disease resistance and climate adaptation creates demand for doctoral-level breeding and genetics expertise. The programme supports Kenya's livestock improvement agenda and food security goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework, laboratory sessions and supervised research. At the University of Nairobi, the programme is coded J86 with tuition fees of KSh 396,000 per year. Students use molecular biology techniques, analyse genetic data and conduct breeding experiments. The programme is offered full-time and part-time with a minimum duration of three years.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, animal breeding researchers, geneticists at livestock breeding companies, livestock policy advisors and conservation geneticists. They work in universities, KALRO, Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre, breeding companies and international research organisations.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in animal science, genetics, veterinary medicine or biotechnology who wish to contribute original research to livestock genetic improvement.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Quantitative Genetics
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Animal Breeding Programmes
  • Genomic Selection
  • Population Genetics
  • Bioinformatics for Animal Genetics
  • Livestock Production Systems
  • Research Methods in Animal Science
  • Conservation Genetics
  • Genetic Improvement Strategies

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Advanced Quantitative Genetics

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Statistical genetics applied to animal breeding and selection, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.

  • Molecular Genetics of Livestock

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Molecular techniques for studying animal genomes, covering genetic principles, molecular techniques, and their application in heredity and biotechnology research.

  • Animal Breeding Programme Design

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Design and evaluation of livestock breeding programmes, covering design principles, methodologies, and practical approaches to creating effective solutions in professional contexts.

  • Genomic Selection

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Genomic tools for genetic improvement of livestock, covering theoretical foundations, practical methodologies, and contemporary research developments relevant to doctoral study in this area.

  • Population Genetics

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Genetic variation in animal populations and conservation, covering genetic principles, molecular techniques, and their application in heredity and biotechnology research.

  • Research Methods in Animal Science

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research design and methodology for animal genetics research, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level.

  • Departmental Seminars

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Research presentations and peer review of doctoral work, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in.

  • Thesis Research

    Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore

    Doctoral thesis research and dissertation writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.

Specialisations

  • Genomic Selection

    Genomic tools for livestock improvement

  • Poultry Genetics

    Genetic improvement of poultry

  • Indigenous Breed Conservation

    Conservation genetics of indigenous livestock

  • Dairy Cattle Breeding

    Genetic improvement of dairy cattle

A day as a student

A typical day involves extracting DNA from animal tissue samples, running PCR and gel electrophoresis, analysing genetic data using bioinformatics tools, reviewing literature on animal genetics, attending seminars on breeding programmes, meeting with supervisors to discuss experimental results, and visiting livestock breeding stations for field research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
ILRI headquartered in Nairobi provides world-class research collaborationLaboratory research requires expensive molecular biology equipment
Kenya's livestock sector is large and growing, creating demandAnimal breeding experiments require long timeframes
Research directly improves livestock productivity and food securityLimited number of supervisors with genetics specialisation

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
Public170k to 428k
170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology428k at University of Nairobi
Private150k to 168k
150k at Mount Kenya University168k at Kenya Methodist 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 428,000/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT ~170K/yr. Private: KeMU 168,000, MKU 150,000/yr

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. ILRI provides research grants and collaboration opportunities for livestock genetics research in Africa.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • ILRI Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • ILRI Research Grant

    Grant

    Livestock researchers in Africa

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
Masters Degreeminimum entry
Alternative entry

Holder of relevant Masters degree from a recognised university. Must submit a research proposal.

Subject requirements
MSc in Animal Science, Animal Breeding, Genetics, Veterinary Medicine or related fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 3 institutions
January 20273 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, University of Embu, Egerton University.

May 20273 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, University of Embu, Egerton University.

September 20273 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, University of Embu, Egerton University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Laboratory reports, genetic analysis exercises and seminar presentations

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before departmental panel

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at JKUAT and the University of Nairobi (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, programme code J86). ILRI provides research collaboration opportunities.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Conservation Geneticist

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Conserving indigenous animal genetic resources

  • Breeding Company Geneticist

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Designing breeding programmes at livestock breeding companies

  • Animal Breeding Researcher

    High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000

    Research at KALRO, ILRI and international research institutes

  • University Professor

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in animal science and genetics departments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, animal breeding researchers, geneticists at breeding companies and conservation geneticists. They work at KALRO, ILRI, KAGRC, universities and breeding companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Animal breeding and genetics is just about mating animals.

    The field uses quantitative genetics, molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics to develop breeding strategies.

  • There is no demand for animal genetics PhDs in Kenya.

    Kenya's livestock sector and indigenous breed conservation create strong demand for genetics expertise.

  • Animal genetics research is not relevant to developing countries.

    Research focuses on indigenous breed improvement, disease resistance and climate adaptation.

  • Only veterinarians study animal genetics.

    The programme attracts animal scientists, biotechnologists and geneticists.

Further reading

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