Environmental Science

Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies (Arts)

The Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies (Arts) is a four-year degree programme that examines environmental issues from social, economic, and policy perspectives.

The curriculum covers environmental biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental impact assessment, environmental law and policy, natural resource management, environmental economics, community development, climate change, biodiversity conservation, environmental planning, and research methods.

Students develop competencies in environmental analysis, impact assessment, policy formulation, community mobilisation, research methodology, environmental monitoring, and sustainable resource management. The programme includes a mandatory practicum at the end of the third year, providing hands-on experience in an environmental organisation or community setting.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental officers, environmental impact assessment specialists, conservation officers, community development workers, environmental planners, and sustainability consultants. They find employment in government agencies, non-governmental organisations, environmental consulting firms, research institutions, and international development organisations.

The programme is offered at the University of Eldoret, which has a well-established School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management. The university's location in the Rift Valley region provides unique opportunities for field studies in diverse ecological settings.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring the programme meets national quality standards. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with strong performance in science and geography subjects, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of environmental studies.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Environmental Biology
Environmental Chemistry
Principles of Earth Science
Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit
Environmental Law and Policy
Natural Resource Management
Global Warming and Climate Change
Biodiversity Conservation
Community Development
Research Methods in Environmental Studies

Modules

12 in the programme

Environmental Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of biological principles in environmental contexts, including ecosystems, populations, and biodiversity.
Environmental Chemistry
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Chemical processes in the environment, including pollution, nutrient cycles, and environmental chemistry analysis.
Principles of Earth Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamental concepts of earth science, including geology, atmospheric processes, and earth systems.
Man and Environment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of human-environment interactions, including resource use, environmental degradation, and sustainability.
Environmental Ecology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of ecological principles, ecosystem dynamics, and ecological techniques for environmental analysis.
Global Warming and Climate Change
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Science of climate change, including causes, impacts, mitigation, and adaptation strategies.
Biodiversity Conservation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and practices of biodiversity conservation, including protected area management and species conservation.
Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and methods of environmental impact assessment, including EIA processes, regulations, and audit procedures.
Environmental Law and Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of environmental legislation, policy frameworks, and governance structures at national and international levels.
Practicum
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Mandatory practical attachment in an environmental organisation, community project, or conservation programme.
Environmental Planning and Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and tools for environmental planning, land use management, and natural resource allocation.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project on an environmental topic, culminating in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Environmental Policy and Governance
Study of environmental laws, policies, and governance frameworks at national and international levels.
Community Development and Environment
Approaches to community-based environmental management, sustainable livelihoods, and participatory resource management.
Environmental Planning and Management
Principles and tools for environmental planning, land use management, and natural resource allocation.
Climate Change and Sustainability
Study of climate change science, adaptation and mitigation strategies, and sustainability frameworks.
Biodiversity Conservation
Principles and practices of biodiversity conservation, including protected area management and species conservation.
Environmental Economics
Economic analysis of environmental issues, including natural resource valuation, cost-benefit analysis, and environmental accounting.

A day as a student

A typical day combines environmental science lectures with social science and policy courses. Morning sessions may cover environmental biology, chemistry, or earth science, while afternoons focus on environmental law, community development, or impact assessment. Field trips to local ecosystems, conservation areas, and community projects provide practical exposure to environmental challenges. The practicum in third year involves hands-on work with an environmental organisation, applying classroom knowledge to real-world environmental issues.

The trade offs

In its favour

Interdisciplinary approach combining science with social sciences provides a holistic understanding of environmental issues.
Growing demand for environmental professionals in Kenya due to increasing environmental regulation and climate change concerns.
University of Eldoret's location in the Rift Valley provides unique opportunities for field studies in diverse ecological settings.
Mandatory practicum provides practical experience and professional networking opportunities before graduation.

Against it

The programme is offered at a limited number of universities, reducing institutional choice.
Environmental positions in government and NGOs can be competitive, with many requiring postgraduate qualifications.
Field work and practicum may involve working in remote areas under challenging conditions.
Entry-level salaries in the environmental sector can be modest, particularly in non-governmental organisations.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 243k

105k at Mount Kenya University243k at Daystar 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

KU 153,000/yr; UoN 189,004/yr; MKU 105,000/yr; Daystar 242,800/yr. Src: educationnewshub.co.ke

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS placement. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Universities also offer internal bursaries for financially needy students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
University Internal Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need. Application through the respective university financial aid office.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities through KUCCPS or self-sponsored. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points and are placed in the programme through the central placement system.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: A Diploma or Higher Diploma in a relevant environmental discipline from a recognised institution; OR KACE with two principal passes in relevant subjects; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the University Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, laboratory reports, field assignments, and research papers conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering environmental science, policy, and management content.
Practicum Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of mandatory practicum performance in an environmental organisation, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Final-year independent research project on an environmental topic, culminating in a written dissertation.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Environmental Officer
High demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 90,000
Monitors and manages environmental compliance for organisations, government agencies, or consulting firms.
Environmental Impact Assessment Specialist
High demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 100,000
Conducts environmental impact assessments for development projects, requiring NEMA registration as a lead expert.
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Manages conservation programmes for wildlife services, forest services, or non-governmental conservation organisations.
Community Development Worker
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 75,000
Works with communities on sustainable development and environmental management projects.
Environmental Planner
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 95,000
Develops environmental plans and land use strategies for government agencies or consulting firms.
Sustainability Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 100,000
Advises organisations on sustainability practices, environmental compliance, and green business strategies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as environmental officers, impact assessment specialists, conservation officers, and community development workers. Demand is high due to increasing environmental regulation and sustainability requirements in Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

GIS Software
Spatial analysisPrimary
Geographic Information Systems software for environmental mapping, spatial analysis, and land use planning.
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations for environmental reporting, data analysis, and project management.
Google Earth
Spatial analysis
Satellite imagery and geographic visualisation tool for environmental monitoring and site assessment.
R Statistical Software
Statistical analysis
Open-source statistical software for environmental data analysis, modelling, and visualisation.
SPSS
Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis software for environmental research data analysis and interpretation.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental Studies (Arts) is not a real science degree.
The programme includes substantial science content including biology, chemistry, and earth science, combined with social science perspectives for a holistic understanding of environmental issues.
Environmental studies graduates cannot find jobs in Kenya.
Demand for environmental professionals is growing due to increasing environmental regulation, climate change concerns, and sustainability requirements across sectors.
The programme is only about planting trees and conservation.
The programme covers a wide range of topics including environmental policy, economics, impact assessment, climate change, and community development.
Environmental studies is less rigorous than environmental science.
The arts orientation adds policy, social, and economic dimensions to environmental understanding, requiring different but equally rigorous analytical skills.