Bachelor of Arts in Spatial Planning and Design
The Bachelor of Arts in Spatial Planning and Design is a programme that combines spatial planning with design. The programme prepares graduates for careers in urban planning, regional planning and spatial design.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 342,550 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,370,200 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ 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 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers spatial planning, urban planning, regional planning, land use planning, urban design, GIS and remote sensing, cartography, environmental planning, transportation planning, housing, planning law, development control, urban economics, demography, research methods, and a research project. Students develop both planning and design skills.
The programme is designed to produce graduates who can plan and design spatial environments for sustainable development. The programme addresses Kenya's rapid urbanisation and the need for planned spatial development.
Graduates are prepared for careers as spatial planners, urban planners, regional planners, GIS analysts, land use planners, city development officers, planning consultants, research officers, environmental planners and lecturers. They work in county governments, urban planning agencies, real estate, research institutions, 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.
What you study
10 subjects- Spatial Planning
- Urban Planning
- Regional Planning
- Land Use Planning
- Urban Design
- GIS and Remote Sensing
- Cartography
- Environmental Planning
- Transportation Planning
- Research Methods
Modules
10 in the programmeSpatial Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Planning spatial development. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...
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...
Regional Planning
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Planning regional development. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...
Land Use Planning
Year 2Semester 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...
Urban Design
Year 2Semester 23 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 ...
GIS and Remote Sensing
Year 2Semester 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...
Cartography
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Map making. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinations.
Environmental Planning
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Planning and environment. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Transportation Planning
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Planning transport. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
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
Regional Planning
Focus on regional development. 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.
Environmental Planning
Focus on environment. 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 Planning
Focus on urban areas. 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
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.
A day as a student
A typical day involves attending lectures on spatial planning and design, studying land use, working with GIS tools, researching urban planning, studying environmental planning, analysing transportation systems, researching housing, studying planning law, participating in design studios, and engaging with current planning and development issues. Students undertake internships and fieldwork.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's urbanisation creates demand for planners | May require postgraduate qualifications for senior roles |
| GIS skills are in high demand | Bureaucratic processes in government planning |
| Combines planning with design for spatial development | Requires competence in both planning and design |
| — | Some positions are in challenging environments |
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 coursesAnnual 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 342,550; KU BSc Spatial Planning 306,000/yr. Private unverified. Src: educationnewshub
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 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
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
Scholarships you could apply for
6 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
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.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Including Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
How you are assessed
3 componentsInternship and Research Project
Practical30% of the mark
Internship and planning research project
End of Semester Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Final written and practical examinations
Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular design projects, tests, presentations and class participation
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE C+ with C+ in Mathematics or Geography.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesSpatial 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
Planning Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides planning consultancy
GIS Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Analyses geographic data
Land Use Planner
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 280,000
Plans land use
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as spatial planners, urban planners, GIS analysts and land use planners in county governments, planning agencies and consulting firms.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Adolescent Mentorship OfficerSocial Sciences14Low exposure
- Correctional CounselorSocial Sciences15Low exposure
- Child Protection OfficerSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- CriminologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Human Rights InvestigatorSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Social GerontologistSocial Sciences16Low exposure
- Community Resilience SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
- Gender Integration SpecialistSocial Sciences17Low exposure
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
Spatial planning is just about drawing maps.
The programme covers planning law, urban economics, environmental planning, transportation and GIS.
This is the same as architecture.
Spatial planning focuses on the broader environment and land use, not individual buildings.
There are no jobs in planning.
Kenya's rapid urbanisation and devolution create demand for qualified planners.
Planning is only for government.
Graduates work in real estate, consulting, research and international organisations.