Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Program Offered at Egerton University

Bachelors Degree 4 years Fulltime Fee: on application Intake: Ongoing

Bachelors Degree (Accredited by: Egerton University)

About Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Bachelors Degree program.

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM&S) is a professional degree programme designed to train veterinarians with adequate theoretical, practical, technological knowledge and skills in the treatment and control of animal diseases. Early part of the BVM&S programme will cover pre-clinical courses (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, parasitology, immunology and animal production sciences. The later part comprises clinical courses (medicine, theriogenology, therapeutics, surgery and public health).

Since its inception in 1939, Egerton University has continuously trained competent diploma graduates in Animal Husbandry and Health from East and Central African region. The BVM&S programme is in response to the increasing demand of veterinarians to address animal health issues in the horn of Africa. Kenya‘s economy depends largely on agriculture. The rapid annual population growth of 3.4% (2009 population census), requires a 4.0% growth in food production. The country‘s average Gross Domestic Product from Agriculture is 42%., while contribution from the livestock sector to the total Gross Domestic Product is only 10% (Republic of Kenya, 2002). This puts a high demand on livestock production, which has resulted to major changes in animal production systems, tending towards intensification. These changes are posing new challenges in animal disease management requiring an understanding in veterinary medicine. In the last three decades the effectiveness of animal health services delivery has seriously declined in developing countries, especially in Africa. This could be attributed to high cost of inputs and veterinary services, emerging livestock diseases due to climate change and shortage of veterinarians to mitigate food security. The general trend in services delivery in Kenya is towards privatization of veterinary practice. There is therefore a need to train more veterinarians equipped to meet challenges in the detection and control of endemic and emerging animal diseases. Kenya‘s 2030 vision is anchored on three key pillars: economic, social and political governance. The university is strategizing to make direct contributions to the social pillar specifically the education sector vision which is to have globally competitive quality education, training and research for sustainable livestock through this veterinary programme. Egerton University is endowed with qualified academic staff and ample teaching facilities including a demonstration and commercial farm, modern abattoir, diagnostic and research
laboratories, as well as a community based ambulatory clinical service ideally suitable for veterinary training in the region.

Objectives of Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery

The broad aim of the BVM&S programme is to produce qualified and practically competent veterinarians who will contribute to the development of the animal industry so as to provide more animal products to the people and significantly contribute to the national gross domestic product.

The specific objectives are:

  • To provide opportunities for training of veterinary professionals required to contribute to extension of animal health services, research, public health and development in the public and private sectors of the animal resource industry.
  • To provide holders of Diploma in Animal Health and Production and other relevant qualification an opportunity for further training at undergraduate level in veterinary medicine and surgery.
  • To contribute to additional training opportunities for veterinary medicine and surgery for communities in the East and Central Africa region.

Entry requirements for Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery

All candidates must satisfy the following requirements:

  • Obtain minimum University admission requirement.
  • n addition, they must have at least C+ grade in the following subjects drawn from the K.C.S.E (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination) or its equivalent: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/Physics and English.
  • Be holders of A-level or its equivalent with two principals and one subsidiary pass, one of which must be in biology and others from chemistry, physics and mathematics.
  • Diploma holders who have passed with a minimum of credit in Animal Health, Animal Husbandry, Wildlife Management, Range Management and related disciplines from recognized institutions subject to Senate approval.
  • Be holders of a degree in Biological Sciences from institutions recognized by Egerton University senate.

Mininum Entry Requirements for Bachelor's Degree at Egerton University
The entry requirements set out below are only minimum, and they in no way entitle an applicant to a place in the University. Applicants must:

  • Have the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with an average grade C+ (C plus)passed at one sitting from at least seven subjects drawn from subject groupings as specified by the Kenya National Examinations Council or its equivalent.

OR

  • Have one of the following combinations of passes in the Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education examination:
  • Two (2) Principal passes obtained at the same sitting.

OR

  • Egerton University Statutes 2008 43
  • Two (2) Principal passes obtained at different sittings provided the passes are of Grade C or higher.

OR

  • Hold a Diploma of Egerton University with a 'Credit' pass or higher or an equivalent
  • Qualification from a recognized institution in the relevant field of specialization acceptable to Senate. Those with a 'Pass' Diploma will be considered if they have at least two years relevant experience after graduation.

AND
Meet additional entry requirements as may be specified by the respective Department, Faculty, School or Institute.

To be admitted for a PRE-SERVICE DEGREE PROGRAM, a prospective candidate must have all the requirements set up by the joint Admission Board (JAB), with a prospective IN-SERVICE student must have completed a diplomaprogram in the relevant field and graduated with at least a CREDIT.

Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Course Subjects

The degree is a five year program leading to the award of Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVM & S). Each academic year consists of two (2) semesters.
The programme is designed to take ten (10) semesters each of (17) seventeen weeks and two field attachments of eight weeks (8) each at the end of 3rd and 4th year. All courses in the programme are compulsory. Completion of all prescribed courses is mandatory before graduation.
The maximum duration of the programme is 20 semesters.Credit transfer for non-VMED courses may be considered for up to 30% of the total C.F. of the programme
Exemptions for Credit transfer must have attained a minimum grade of B (credit), or equivalent in the course units for which exemption is applied.
v) The minimum total credit factors for the BVM & S programme is 244.

About Egerton University

Egerton University is the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya. It was founded as a Farm School in 1939 by Lord Maurice Egerton of Tatton, a British national who settled in Kenya in the 1920s.

Egerton University has three (3) Campuses and one Campus College.

The main Campus is based at ... read more