Engineering

Bachelor of Arts in Planning

The Bachelor of Arts in Planning is a four-year degree programme that trains professional planners in urban and regional planning. The curriculum covers planning theory, urban planning principles, rural planning, land economics, transportation planning, environmental planning, quantitative techniques, GIS, land survey, research methods, and project planning. Students develop competencies in spatial analysis, land use planning, transportation planning, environmental assessment, GIS, research, and project management.

The programme combines lectures, studio sessions, fieldwork, and professional attachment. Graduates pursue careers as urban planners, regional planners, transportation planners, environmental planners, and planning consultants. They find employment in county governments, national government ministries, planning consultancies, real estate firms, and international development organisations.

The programme is offered at the University of Nairobi (KSH 342,550/year, KUCCPS code 1263165) and Maseno University (KSH 306,000/year, KUCCPS code 1229765, as Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning with IT). Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Planners Registration Board of Kenya. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in cluster subjects including Mathematics, Geography, and English or Kiswahili.

Skills RequiredSpatial analysisLand use planningTransportation planningEnvironmental planningGISResearch methodsProject managementUrban designKey SubjectsPlanning TheoryUrban Planning PrinciplesRural PlanningLand EconomicsTransportation PlanningEnvironmental PlanningQuantitative TechniquesGISLand SurveyResearch MethodsCertificationsRegistered Planner (Planners Registration Board of Kenya)GIS Certification (ESRI)SpecializationsUrban PlanningFocus on planning of urban areas, including land use, zoning, transport, and infrastructure planning.

Regional PlanningFocus on planning at the regional level, including regional development, resource management, and inter-county planning. Transportation PlanningFocus on planning transport systems, including road networks, public transport, and traffic management.

Environmental PlanningFocus on integrating environmental considerations into planning, including environmental impact assessment and sustainable development.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 342,550
Private, up to: Ksh 170,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Planning Theory
Urban Planning Principles
Rural Planning
Land Economics
Transportation Planning
Environmental Planning
Quantitative Techniques
GIS
Land Survey
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of urban and regional planning, including planning history, theory, and practice.
Elements of Physical and Biological Environment
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Physical and biological environmental factors relevant to planning, including climate, geology, and ecology.
Quantitative Techniques for Planners
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical and mathematical methods for planning analysis, including demographics and data analysis.
Communication Skills for Planners
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills for Planners: Written, oral, and graphic communication skills for planning practice. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Rural Planning Principles and Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and techniques of rural planning, including rural development and service provision.
Planning Theory and Methodology I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theoretical foundations of planning, including rational, incremental, and advocacy planning models.
Urban Planning Principles and Techniques I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and techniques of urban planning, including land use, zoning, and density planning.
Land Economics and Administration
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Economic principles applied to land, including land values, property markets, and land administration.
Transportation Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Planning of transport systems, including road networks, public transport, and traffic management.
Planning Theory and Methodology II
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced planning theory, including implementation, evaluation, and planning law.
Environmental Planning
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Integration of environmental considerations into planning, including EIA and sustainable development.
Planning Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year planning project involving comprehensive plan preparation for a real site, including research, analysis, and presentation.

Specialisations

Urban Planning
Focus on planning of urban areas, including land use, zoning, transport, and infrastructure planning.
Regional Planning
Focus on planning at the regional level, including regional development, resource management, and inter-county planning.
Transportation Planning
Focus on planning transport systems, including road networks, public transport, and traffic management.
Environmental Planning
Focus on integrating environmental considerations into planning, including environmental impact assessment and sustainable development.
Rural Planning
Focus on planning for rural areas, including rural development, agricultural land use, and service provision.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, studio sessions, and fieldwork. Morning sessions cover planning theory, land economics, or transportation planning, while afternoons focus on studio work where students develop land use plans, zoning maps, and development proposals. Students use GIS software for spatial analysis and create planning drawings. Site visits to planned and unplanned areas provide practical exposure. Group projects involve developing comprehensive plans for real or hypothetical sites.

The trade offs

In its favour

Devolution has created planning positions in all 47 county governments.
Programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical studio work and field attachment.
Graduates can register with the Planners Registration Board of Kenya for professional recognition.
Urbanisation and infrastructure development in Kenya drive demand for planning expertise.

Against it

Programme is intensive with 70 course units including studio and fieldwork.
Tuition fees at UoN are relatively high compared to other BA programmes.
Professional registration requires additional experience after graduation.
Planning positions in some counties may be politically influenced.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public245k to 343k

245k at Kenyatta University343k at University of Nairobi

Private170k to 170k

170k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa170k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa

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 BA Planning 342.6K, KU Env Planning 244.8K/yr. CUEA 170K/yr. KUCCPS+univ sites

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available. Both universities offer internal bursaries for needy students.

Funding options

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

Scholarships

4 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
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.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in cluster subjects; OR KACE with two principal passes in Mathematics or Economics and any of Geography, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, or History; OR a relevant KNEC diploma in land surveying, building construction, architecture, or related fields with a credit pass; OR a degree from a recognised university in a relevant field.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Written assignments, class presentations, studio work, and field reports during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering planning theory, techniques, and applied topics.
Studio Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of planning studio projects, including plan preparation, drawings, and presentations.
Planning Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year comprehensive planning project for a real site, including research, analysis, plan preparation, and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and recognised by the Planners Registration Board of Kenya, the statutory body responsible for registering professional planners.

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.
Planners Registration Board of Kenya
Professional registration
Statutory body responsible for registering and regulating professional planners in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Urban Planner
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Plans and manages urban development, including land use, zoning, and infrastructure.
County Planner
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Works in county government planning departments, preparing spatial plans and development controls.
Transportation Planner
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 170,000
Plans transport systems, including road networks, public transport, and traffic management.
Planning Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Provides planning advisory services to private sector clients and development agencies.
Environmental Planner
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 160,000
Integrates environmental considerations into development planning and conducts EIAs.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Supports research on urban development, housing, and regional planning.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as urban and regional planners in county governments, planning consultancies, and development organisations. Demand is moderate, driven by devolution and urbanisation.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
Gis softwarePrimary
Industry-standard GIS software for spatial analysis, mapping, and land use planning.
QGIS
Gis software
Open-source GIS software for spatial analysis and mapping.
AutoCAD
Design softwarePrimary
CAD software for creating planning drawings, site plans, and layout designs.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Productivity suite for planning reports, presentations, and data analysis.
SPSS
Data analysis
Statistical analysis software for demographic and planning research.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Planning is the same as architecture.
Planning focuses on land use, spatial organisation, and development policy, while architecture focuses on building design.
There are no jobs for planners in Kenya.
Devolution has created planning positions in all 47 counties, and urbanisation drives demand in the private sector.
Planning is only about drawing maps.
Planning involves policy analysis, economic development, environmental assessment, community engagement, and project management.
Planners only work in government.
Planners work in private consultancies, NGOs, international organisations, and real estate firms.