Environmental Science

Bachelor of Environmental Management

The Bachelor of Environmental Management is a four-year programme that prepares students for environmental management, sustainability and conservation roles. Students study environmental management, resource conservation, environmental policy, sustainability and environmental planning. The programme focuses on practical management of environmental resources and systems.

Students develop competencies in environmental management planning, resource conservation, environmental impact assessment, sustainability implementation, environmental auditing and policy development. They learn to develop environmental management plans, conduct audits, assess impacts and implement sustainability programmes. The programme covers environmental science, management, law, economics and planning.

In Kenya, environmental management is critical for sustainable development and compliance with environmental regulations. NEMA requires environmental professionals for EIA and environmental audits. Kenya's green economy strategy and climate commitments create demand. Graduates find roles in NEMA, environmental consulting firms, corporate sustainability departments, NGOs and county governments.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, fieldwork, case studies, environmental audits, industrial attachment and research projects. Students conduct environmental assessments, develop management plans, audit facilities and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental managers, sustainability managers, environmental auditors, environmental consultants and conservation managers. Some work for NEMA or consulting firms. Others join corporate organisations, NGOs or county governments.

This programme is ideal for individuals with environmental awareness, management skills and interest in sustainability.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 184,150
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

Environmental Management Systems
Environmental Impact Assessment and Auditing
Natural Resource Management
Environmental Law and Policy
Sustainability and Green Economy
Pollution Control and Waste Management
Environmental Economics
Climate Change Management
GIS for Environmental Planning
Research Methods and Statistics

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Environmental Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Environmental Management: Fundamentals of environmental management and sustainability principles Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Environmental Science and Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Science and Ecology: Ecological principles, ecosystems and environmental processes Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Environmental Law and Policy
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental Law and Policy: Environmental legislation, regulations and policy frameworks Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
EIA methodologies, environmental audits and compliance. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Natural Resource Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Natural Resource Management: Management of water, forests, wildlife, minerals and land resources Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Pollution Control and Waste Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Pollution Control and Waste Management: Pollution monitoring, waste management systems and environmental quality Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Environmental Management Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental Management Systems: ISO 14001, EMS implementation and environmental management standards Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Sustainability and Green Economy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Sustainability and Green Economy: Sustainability principles, green economy strategies and circular economy Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Climate Change Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Climate Change Management: Climate adaptation, mitigation, carbon management and climate policy Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Environmental Economics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Economic valuation of environment, natural resource economics and cost-benefit analysis
GIS for Environmental Planning
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
GIS for Environmental Planning: GIS applications in environmental planning and resource management Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on environmental management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cours...

Specialisations

Environmental Auditing
Specialization in Environmental Auditing, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Environmental Compliance
Specialization in Environmental Compliance, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Conservation Management
Specialization in Conservation Management, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Sustainability Management
Specialization in Sustainability Management, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Climate Change Management
Specialization in Climate Change Management, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Waste Management
Specialization in Waste Management, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on environmental management or policy with afternoon fieldwork, case studies or environmental audits. Students may conduct environmental assessments, develop management plans, audit facilities or work on sustainability projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Practical management focus for environmental careers
Growing demand for environmental compliance and sustainability
Diverse career paths in government, corporate and consulting
Relevant to Kenya's green economy strategy

Against it

Fieldwork can be physically demanding
Some positions require NEMA registration as lead expert
Funding for environmental programmes can fluctuate
May require additional certifications for specialised roles

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

Public245k to 324k

245k at Kenyatta University324k at University of Nairobi

Private121k to 184k

121k at Mount Kenya University184k at Kabarak 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

KU 244.8K/yr (ku.ac.ke). UoN 324K/yr (Schedule II). MKU 121.2K/yr, Kabarak 184K/yr.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some environmental NGOs and consulting firms offer internship stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C+
Biology or Chemistry or Physics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+
Geography or any Group III
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark
Fieldwork and Project Work
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Conservation Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages conservation programmes and natural resources
Environmental Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages environmental programmes and compliance in organisations
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides environmental consulting including EIA and management plans
Sustainability Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Implements sustainability strategies in corporate organisations
Environmental Auditor
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conducts environmental audits and compliance assessments

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as environmental managers, sustainability managers, environmental auditors, environmental consultants and conservation managers in NEMA, consulting firms, corporate organisations, NGOs and county governments.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R
Analytics
Python
Code
Google Earth Engine
Cloud
AutoCAD
Design
ArcGIS
Gis

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental management is just about picking litter
Environmental management involves planning, policy, auditing, sustainability and resource management.
There are no jobs in environmental management
NEMA, consulting firms, corporates and NGOs create demand for environmental managers.
Environmental management is only for environmentalists
Environmental management is relevant to all organisations requiring compliance and sustainability.
Environmental management is not a management field
The programme combines management principles with environmental science for practical application.