Art and Design

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 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.

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

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 programme

Spatial 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

Kenya's urbanisation creates demand for planners
GIS skills are in high demand
Combines planning with design for spatial development

Against it

May require postgraduate qualifications for senior roles
Bureaucratic processes in government planning
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 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

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 recorded

County 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

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

Internship 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

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

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
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

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.