Art and Design

Bachelor of Arts in Science, Urban Design and Development

The Bachelor of Arts in Science, Urban Design and Development is a multidisciplinary programme that combines urban design with development studies. The programme prepares graduates for careers in urban planning, city development and spatial planning.

The curriculum covers urban design, urban planning, spatial planning, city development, urban sociology, urban economics, housing, land use planning, transportation planning, environmental planning, GIS and remote sensing, urban infrastructure, community development, project management, urban governance, research methods, and a research project. Students develop both design and development planning skills.

The programme is designed to produce graduates who can design and manage urban spaces and development. The programme addresses Kenya's rapid urbanisation and the need for planned urban development.

Graduates are prepared for careers as urban designers, urban planners, spatial planners, city development officers, housing officers, transportation planners, GIS analysts, project managers, development officers, research officers and consultants. They work in county governments, urban planning agencies, real estate, research institutions, NGOs, consulting firms and international organisations.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in Mathematics or Geography.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 342,550
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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Urban Design
Urban Planning
Spatial Planning
Urban Sociology
Urban Economics
Housing
Land Use Planning
Transportation Planning
GIS and Remote Sensing
Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Urban Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Designing urban spaces. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Urban Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Planning urban areas. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Spatial Planning
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Spatial planning principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Urban Sociology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Social dynamics in cities. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Urban Economics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Economics of urban areas. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Housing
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Housing policy and development. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Land Use Planning
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Planning land use. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
Transportation Planning
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Planning urban transport. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
GIS and Remote Sensing
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Geographic information systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Research Methods
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methodology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...

Specialisations

GIS
Focus on geographic information systems. 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.
Spatial Planning
Focus on spatial planning. 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.
Urban Design
Focus on designing urban spaces. 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.
Transportation Planning
Focus on urban transport. 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.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on urban design and development, studying spatial planning, researching urban economics, working with GIS tools, studying housing, analysing transportation systems, researching land use, studying urban sociology, participating in design studios, and engaging with current urban development issues. Students undertake internships and fieldwork.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's rapid urbanisation creates demand for planners
Combines design with development for urban transformation
GIS skills are in high demand

Against it

May require postgraduate qualifications for senior roles
Some positions are in challenging urban environments
Requires competence in both design and analysis
Bureaucratic processes in government planning

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public306k to 343k

306k at Kenyatta University343k at University of Nairobi

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 306K, UoN 342.6K/yr (educationnewshub/KU). Private unverified.

Government scholarships under the new funding model cover 53-82% of tuition for needy students in public universities. HELB provides loans up to KSh 60,000 per year.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes at recognised institutions
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKenyan
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities, assessed through Means Testing Instrument
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+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Mathematics or Geography. KACE with two principal passes. Diploma in planning, geography or related field from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular design projects, tests, presentations and class participation
End of Semester Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Final written and practical examinations
Internship and Research Project
Practical30% of the mark
Internship and urban development research project

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE C+ with C+ in Mathematics or Geography.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

City Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages city development
Urban Designer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs urban spaces
Spatial Planner
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000
Plans spatial development
Urban Planner
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000
Plans urban development
GIS Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Analyses geographic data

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as urban designers, urban planners, spatial planners and city development officers in county governments, planning agencies and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
SPSS
Data analysis
Google Workspace
Collaboration
KOBO Toolbox
Data collection
SPSS/Stata
Statistical software
Gender research data analysis.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Urban design is just about making cities look nice.
The programme covers spatial planning, urban economics, housing, transportation and environmental planning.
This is the same as architecture.
While related, urban design focuses on the broader urban environment and development, not individual buildings.
There are no jobs in urban planning.
Kenya's rapid urbanisation creates demand for trained urban planners and designers.
Urban planning is only for government.
Graduates work in real estate, consulting, research and international organisations.