Master of Science in Agricultural Sciences (Agricultural Economics)
The Master of Science in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics is designed to educate and equip professionals with advanced analytical, quantitative, and policy-oriented skills needed to address persistent and emerging economic challenges within the agricultural sector. The programme prepares graduates who can critically analyse agricultural markets, evaluate policies, guide agribusiness investment decisions, and support evidence-based planning to enhance productivity, profitability, sustainability, and rural livelihoods.
Building on the broad foundation provided by undergraduate agricultural programmes such as crop science, agronomy, agricultural economics, agribusiness management, agricultural extension, plant breeding, and seed systems the MSc in Agricultural Economics enables students to specialise in understanding and applying economic principles to agricultural production, resource allocation, agrifood value chains, agricultural finance, and rural development.
The programme responds to the growing demand for highly skilled agricultural economists in government ministries, local governments, NGOs, international development agencies, research organisations, financial institutions, and private sector agribusinesses. It also provides a strong foundation for students aspiring to an academic career, recognising that a master’s degree is the minimum qualification for entry into university teaching and research.
Students develop competencies aligned with the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) graduate expectations. These include the ability to critically engage with economic theory and empirical evidence, analyse and address complex agricultural and rural development problems, make data-driven and economically sound decisions, model agricultural systems, design and implement economic research, and effectively communicate results to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
To support this development, the programme integrates training in research methodology, quantitative analysis, econometrics, agricultural policy analysis, project planning and appraisal, agribusiness management, and applied economic modelling. Students gain skills in data collection, statistical software, cost–benefit analysis, value chain analysis, market assessment, and evaluation of agricultural programmes and investments.
The expected outcomes of the MSc in Agricultural Economics align with international and regional development frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 2: Zero Hunger), the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). These frameworks emphasize evidence-based policy formulation, enhanced agricultural productivity, efficient market systems, and investment in human capital for agricultural transformation.
At the national level, the programme contributes directly to Uganda’s Vision 2040, the National Development Plan III, the Plan for Modernization of Agriculture, and the Parish Development Model. These policies highlight the need for professionals who can drive economic analysis, support planning and budgeting, develop competitive value chains, enhance market access, guide agribusiness investment, and improve household incomes and resilience.
Overview
| Code | MAE |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Study time | Fulltime |
| Intake | August |
Entry requirements
Admission to the Master of Science in Agriculture (Agricultural Economics) follows the general regulations of Kabale University and the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Applicants must:
- Hold an honours Bachelor’s degree in any of the following fields, or an equivalent qualification from a recognised university:
- BSc Agriculture
- BSc Agribusiness
- BSc Biological Sciences
- BSc Forestry
- BSc Environmental Science
- BSc Agricultural Economics
- Or any other agriculture-related degree deemed equivalent.
- Applicants with a pass degree may be considered if they have:
- Substantial professional experience in agricultural economics, agribusiness, value chain management, or related fields, or
- A relevant Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.
International applicants must provide evidence of equivalence to the above qualifications and meet the university’s requirements for international admissions.
Fees structure
| Tuition Fees per Semester (East African) | UGX 1,500,000 |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees per Semester (Non East Africans) | UGX 2,250,000 |
| Fieldwork/School Practice/Industrial Training/Internship/COBERS Fees (per year) | UGX 1,000,000 (Years 1&2) |
Functional Fees
| Compulsory fees | UGX |
| Application fee | 50,000 |
| Registration fees (per Academic Year) | 60,000 |
| Identity Card (Payable once in the 1st Semester) | 20,000 |
| Student Manual (Payable once in the 1st Semester) | 20,000 |
| Library fee (per Academic Year) | 50,000 |
| Medicare fee (per semester) | 30,000 |
| Computer Laboratory fee (per Academic Year) | 100,000 |
| Laboratory Fee for MSc in Chemistry (Per semester) | 200,000 |
| Examination fee (per semester) | 100,000 |
| Innovation fund (per year) | 100,000 |
| Research fee (per Academic Year) | 200,000 |
| Development Fund (per Academic Year) | 100,000 |
| Student Games Union fee (Academic Year) | 20,000 |
| Student Guild fee (per Academic Year) | 20,000 |
| Contribution to the Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA) (per Academic Year) | 2,000 |
| Certification (per copy) | 5,000 |
| Graduation fee (Payable on Completion of Studies) | |
| a) Ceremony | 80,000 |
| b) Transcript | 50,000 |
| c) Certificate | 50,000 |
| d) Convocation | 20,000 |
| Total | 200,000 |
| Consequential fees | |
| Late Registration (per semester; after the deadline for official registration) | 50,000 |
| Replacement of Transcript (per issue) | 50,000 |
| Replacement of other University Credentials (Admission Letter, Identity Card, Library Card, etc…) | 20,000 |
| Retake/Supplementary/Missed/Special Exam fee (per course) | 50,000 |
| To be remitted to NCHE via www.ura.go.ug | |
| Contribution to National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) Collections (per Academic Year) | 20,000 |
Fees Structure 2025-2026
Course details
- LH Lecture Hours
- CH Contact Hours
- TH Tutorial Hours
- CU Credit Units
| Course Code | LH | TH | CH | CU | ||
| YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1 CORE COURSES | ||||||
| MAE8111 | Advanced Microeconomics, | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| MAE8112 | Advanced Production Economics | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| MAE8113 | Biometrics | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| MAE8114 | Advanced Macro-economics | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| MCAR8008 | Computer applications in research | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| MAE8115 | Agricultural Development and Policy Analysis | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| Total | 24 | |||||
| SEMESTER 2 | ||||||
| MAE8121 | Quantitative methods | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| MAE8122 | Advanced Econometrics | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| MAE8123 | Behavioural Economics | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| MAE8124 | Research Methods | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| ABE8304 | Scholarly writing and publication skills | 4 | ||||
| MAE8125 | Agricultural marketing and Development | 45 | 30 | 60 | 4 | |
| 24 | ||||||
| YEAR 2 | ||||||
| MAE8211 | Dissertation | 5 | ||||
| MAE8212 | Agricultural Project Planning and Management | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 | |
| MAE8213 | Economics of Livestock Management and Production
|
30 | 30 | 45 | 3 | |
| One elective course | ||||||
| MAE8214 | Agribusiness Financial Management | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 | |
| MAE8215 | Resource Economics | 30 | 30 | 45 | 3 | |
| Total | 14 | |||||
L = Lecture hours, CH = Contact Hours, PH = Practical hour, CU = Credit Units.
CREDIT UNITS: 60
Career opportunities
Graduates of the MSc in Agriculture (Agricultural Economics) acquire advanced analytical, quantitative, and policy skills that prepare them for diverse professional roles in agricultural development, agribusiness, economic planning, and research. Career opportunities include:
Agricultural Economists / Economic Analysts
Providing economic analysis on agricultural production, market performance, resource allocation, and farm-level or sector-wide productivity. Supporting evidence-based planning in government, private sector, and development agencies.
Policy Analysts / Policy Advisors
Supporting ministries, local governments, NGOs, and international organisations with policy analysis and formulation on agriculture, food security, resource management, trade, value chains, and rural development.
Agribusiness and Value Chain Specialists
Analysing value chains, identifying investment opportunities, supporting agribusiness development, improving farm-to-market linkages, and advising on competitiveness and market access.
Agricultural Finance and Investment Officers
Working with financial institutions, development banks, microfinance organisations, and investment firms in areas such as agricultural credit evaluation, risk assessment, enterprise appraisal, and agricultural insurance.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Experts
Designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for agricultural, agribusiness, and rural development programmes; conducting economic impact assessments and cost-effectiveness analyses.
Programme Planners, Managers, and Project Economists
Designing, managing, budgeting, and evaluating development projects, agribusiness interventions, market development programmes, and agricultural commercialisation initiatives.
Market and Trade Analysts
Analysing market dynamics, price trends, competitiveness, cross-border trade, and international commodity markets to inform policy and investment decisions.
Research Officers / Econometricians
Designing and conducting empirical research in agricultural economics, development economics, food systems, environmental economics, trade, and rural livelihoods in universities, research institutes, and international agencies.
Consultants in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Development
Providing technical expertise to government agencies, NGOs, private sector firms, and development partners in areas such as feasibility studies, financial modelling, value chain development, and policy analysis.
Academic and Scholarly Careers
Joining higher education institutions as lecturers or researchers, publishing scientific work in agricultural economics, and contributing to teaching and mentorship in universities and research organisations.
Target Audience
The MSc in Agriculture (Agricultural Economics) targets graduates and professionals seeking to specialise in economic analysis, agribusiness development, agricultural policy, and rural economic transformation. The programme is suitable for:
Fresh graduates
Individuals with undergraduate degrees in agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness, economics, agronomy, environmental sciences, rural development, or related fields who wish to deepen their analytical and economic expertise.
Professionals in the agricultural sector
Those already working in:
- Government ministries (e.g., MAAIF, Ministry of Finance)
- Local governments (planning units, production departments)
- NGOs and civil society organisations
- Research institutions (e.g., NARO, CGIAR centres)
- Private sector agribusiness and financial institutions
who require advanced training in agricultural economics, economic modelling, or policy analysis. - Self-employed practitioners / agribusiness innovators
Entrepreneurs, consultants, or practitioners seeking to strengthen their capacity in agribusiness planning, investment analysis, market evaluation, and agricultural economic decision-making.