Skip to content
Pathrel
Start free
All courses
Environmental Science

Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Natural Resource Management

The Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Natural Resource Management is a four-year degree programme that combines geographical science with natural resource management and IT skills.

Duration
4 Years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 224,400
Ksh 897,600 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 224,400 a year at a public institution, Ksh 897,600 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 9 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The curriculum covers introduction to geography, map interpretation, physical geography, spatial organisation, earth science systems, climatology, remote sensing, cartography, geomorphology, agricultural geography, forestry and forest management, economics of natural resources, hydrology, population geography, water resources management, biogeography, GIS, environmental conservation, environmental policy, environmental impact assessment, disaster.

Students develop competencies in spatial analysis, GIS and remote sensing, natural resource assessment, environmental impact assessment, field research, data analysis, and IT applications in resource management. The programme integrates IT skills throughout, including database management, multimedia, and information security.

Graduates pursue careers as natural resource managers, GIS analysts, environmental officers, conservation officers, researchers, and consultancy officers. They find employment in government ministries, NEMA, KFS, county governments, NGOs, research institutions, and private consultancies.

The programme is offered at Maseno University and Tom Mboya University. Maseno University charges KSH 224,000 per year (KUCCPS programme code 1229692).

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in Geography and C in Mathematics, following KUCCPS cluster requirements for geography-related programmes.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Introduction to Geography
  • Physical Geography
  • Climatology
  • Remote Sensing
  • Cartography
  • Geomorphology
  • Natural Resources Management
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Geoinformatics

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Geography

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Foundational concepts and principles of geography, including spatial analysis and human-environment interactions.

  • Introduction to Environmental Studies

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Introduction to Environmental Studies: Introduction to environmental systems, issues, and management principles. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management pra...

  • Fundamentals of Physical Geography

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Study of Earth's physical systems including lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.

  • Climatology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Study of climate systems, weather patterns, and climate change, with emphasis on tropical climates.

  • Remote Sensing

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Principles and applications of satellite and aerial remote sensing for environmental monitoring and resource mapping.

  • Geomorphology

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Study of landforms and the processes that shape them, including weathering, erosion, and deposition.

  • Economics of Natural Resources Management

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Economic principles applied to natural resource management, including resource valuation and sustainability.

  • Spatial Analysis Using GIS

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Application of GIS technology for spatial data analysis in natural resource management contexts.

  • Industrial Attachment

    Year 3Semester 36 creditsCore

    Practical attachment in an organisation requiring geographical and natural resource management skills.

  • Environmental Impact Assessment and SEA

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Methods and procedures for environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment of development projects.

  • Integrated Natural Resources Management

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Integrated approaches to managing natural resources, balancing ecological, economic, and social objectives.

  • Geoinformatics Applied to Natural Resources Management

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Advanced application of geoinformatics technologies for natural resource mapping, monitoring, and management.

Specialisations

  • Physical Geography

    Study of natural Earth systems including geomorphology, climatology, hydrology, and biogeography. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

  • Natural Resource Management

    Sustainable management of natural resources including water, forests, minerals, wildlife, and land. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

  • GIS and Geoinformatics

    Application of GIS, remote sensing, and geoinformatics for spatial data analysis and resource mapping.

  • Environmental Management

    Environmental conservation, policy, impact assessment, and disaster management. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

  • IT for Resource Management

    Application of information technology, database management, and multimedia for natural resource data management.

A day as a student

A typical day combines geographical science with natural resource management and IT skills. Morning sessions cover physical geography, climatology, or natural resource economics, while afternoons focus on GIS labs, remote sensing practicals, or fieldwork. Students use GIS software, analyse satellite imagery, conduct field surveys, and develop resource management plans. The programme includes field trips to study landforms, environmental issues, and resource management practices across Kenya.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
IT integration throughout the programme enhances graduates' competitiveness in technology-driven resource management fields.Programme is offered at only two universities, limiting institutional choice.
Comprehensive curriculum covering physical geography, environmental management, and natural resource economics.Higher fees compared to plain BA Geography programmes at other universities.
Industrial attachment provides practical experience in real organisations.Heavy workload combining geography, natural resources, and IT may be challenging for some students.
Maseno University's location near Lake Victoria Basin provides unique field study opportunities.Fieldwork can be physically demanding and may require travel to remote areas.

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
Public224k to 224k
224k at Maseno University224k at Maseno 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

Maseno BSc 224,400/yr (KUCCPS). KU/UoN don't offer this as BA. Private unverified. Src: educationnewshub

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Some environmental organisations offer internship stipends.

Funding options

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

  • KUCCPS Government Sponsorship

  • University Internal Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

  • Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) Training Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Students in geospatial sciences, GIS and remote sensing

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    Government subsidyKenyan

    Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points.

  • University Internal Bursaries

    University bursaryKenyan

    Registered students demonstrating financial need.

Scholarships you could apply for

9 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
C+ (Plus)minimum entry
Alternative entry

Credit pass at Ordinary Diploma in Environmental Science or related courses from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the Maseno University Senate.

When it next starts

Taught at 9 institutions
January 20279 institutions

Including Africa Nazarene University, Chuka University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

May 20279 institutions

Including Africa Nazarene University, Chuka University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

September 20279 institutions

Including Africa Nazarene University, Chuka University, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Coursework30% of the mark

    Regular written tests, practical assignments, GIS lab exercises, and field reports during the semester.

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Examination70% of the mark

    Comprehensive written examinations covering geographical theory, natural resource management, and IT applications.

  • Industrial Attachment Assessment

    Practical100% of the mark

    Assessment of attachment performance in a natural resource management organisation, including supervisor evaluation and report.

  • Fieldwork Project

    Project100% of the mark

    Field-based research project involving data collection, spatial analysis, and a written report.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

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.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

  • Natural Resource Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000

    Manages natural resources including water, land, forests, and minerals for government agencies or conservation organisations.

  • GIS Analyst

    High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Creates and analyses spatial data using GIS software for environmental and resource management applications.

  • Environmental Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000

    Monitors and manages environmental issues, conducts impact assessments, and ensures regulatory compliance.

  • Research Assistant

    Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 75,000

    Conducts geographical and natural resource research for academic institutions, NGOs, or research organisations.

  • Conservation Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 85,000

    Works on conservation projects, managing protected areas and biodiversity for government or NGOs.

  • Environmental Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000

    Provides environmental consulting services, including impact assessments and compliance audits, for private firms.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as natural resource managers, GIS analysts, environmental officers, and conservation officers. Demand is moderate with growing opportunities in environmental regulation and sustainable resource management.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • ArcGIS

    Gis softwarePrimary

    Industry-standard GIS software for spatial analysis, mapping, and natural resource data management.

  • QGIS

    Gis softwarePrimary

    Open-source GIS software for spatial analysis and environmental mapping.

  • Google Earth Engine

    Remote sensing

    Cloud-based platform for satellite imagery analysis and environmental monitoring.

  • Microsoft Excel

    Data analysis

    Spreadsheet software for data management and statistical analysis.

  • SPSS

    Statistical analysis

    Statistical analysis software for geographical and environmental research data.

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Geography and Natural Resource Management is just about studying maps.

    The programme involves advanced geospatial technologies, environmental science, resource economics, and IT skills for comprehensive resource management.

  • The IT component is just basic computer literacy.

    The programme includes database management, multimedia systems, information security, and e-commerce alongside GIS and geoinformatics.

  • Natural resource management graduates can only work for conservation organisations.

    Graduates find employment in government, county governments, private consultancies, research institutions, and international organisations.

  • The programme is less rigorous than pure environmental science.

    Students complete full modules in geology, hydrology, biogeography, and environmental impact assessment alongside IT and GIS components.

Further reading

Read next