Environmental Science

Bachelor of Environmental Planning and Management

The Bachelor of Environmental Planning and Management is a four-year programme that prepares students for environmental planning, land use planning and environmental management. Students study environmental planning, land use, natural resource management, environmental impact assessment and spatial planning. The programme combines environmental science with planning and management skills.

Students develop competencies in environmental planning, land use planning, environmental impact assessment, spatial analysis, resource management and environmental policy. They learn to develop environmental plans, assess land use impacts, manage resources and implement environmental policies. The programme covers environmental science, planning theory, GIS, environmental law and management.

In Kenya, environmental planning is critical for sustainable land use and development. Kenya's rapid urbanisation, infrastructure development and environmental challenges require planning professionals. NEMA and county governments require environmental planners. Graduates find roles in county governments, NEMA, planning consultancies, NGOs and research institutions.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, fieldwork, studio sessions, GIS practicals, industrial attachment and research projects. Students develop environmental plans, use GIS software, conduct field surveys and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year planning or research project.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental planners, land use planners, environmental managers, planning consultants and resource managers. Some work for county governments or NEMA. Others join planning consultancies, NGOs or research institutions.

This programme is ideal for individuals with spatial awareness, environmental interest and planning aptitude.

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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Environmental Planning Theory and Practice
Land Use Planning and Management
Environmental Impact Assessment
Natural Resource Management
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Environmental Law and Policy
Urban and Regional Planning
Climate Change and Adaptation Planning
Environmental Economics
Research Methods and Statistics

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Environmental Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Environmental Planning: Fundamentals of environmental planning and management principles Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Environmental Science and Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ecological principles and environmental processes. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cour...
Planning Theory and Practice
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Planning theory, history and planning methodologies. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, co...
Land Use Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Land Use Planning: Land use classification, zoning, land use planning and management Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
GIS and Spatial Analysis: GIS fundamentals, spatial data analysis and mapping for planning Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental Impact Assessment: EIA methodologies, environmental legislation and assessment processes Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Natural Resource Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Natural Resource Management: Management of water, forests, wildlife, land and mineral resources Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Urban and Regional Planning
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Urban planning, regional development and spatial planning. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Environmental Law and Policy
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental legislation, policy frameworks and governance. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Climate Change and Adaptation Planning
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Climate Change and Adaptation Planning: Climate impacts, adaptation planning and resilience strategies Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Environmental Economics
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Economics: Economic valuation of environment and natural resource economics Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Final Year Planning/Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent environmental planning project or research. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...

Specialisations

Natural Resource Planning
Specialization in Natural Resource Planning, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Specialization in Environmental Impact Assessment, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Urban Environmental Planning
Specialization in Urban Environmental Planning, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Land Use Planning
Specialization in Land Use Planning, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Spatial Planning
Specialization in Spatial Planning, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Climate Adaptation Planning
Specialization in Climate Adaptation Planning, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on environmental planning or land use with afternoon studio sessions, GIS practicals or fieldwork. Students may develop environmental plans, use GIS software, conduct field surveys or work on planning projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines environmental science with planning skills
Relevant to Kenya's urbanisation and environmental challenges
Diverse career paths in government and consulting
Opportunity to shape sustainable development

Against it

Fieldwork can be physically demanding
May require additional certifications for professional planning
Planning positions may be limited in some counties
Planning processes can be politically complex

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 planning consultancies and NGOs 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
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties

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
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Studio Work and Fieldwork
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
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

Land Use Planner
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Plans and manages land use in counties and regions
Environmental Manager
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages environmental programmes and compliance
Planning Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides consulting on environmental planning and management
Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages natural resources and environmental assets
Environmental Planner
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Develops environmental plans and land use plans

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as environmental planners, land use planners, environmental managers, planning consultants and resource managers in county governments, NEMA, planning consultancies, NGOs and research institutions.

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 planning is just about zoning
Environmental planning covers land use, resource management, climate adaptation and sustainability.
There are no jobs in environmental planning
County governments, NEMA and planning consultancies create demand.
Environmental planning is the same as urban planning
Environmental planning focuses on environmental resources and sustainability within broader planning.
Planning is just drawing maps
Planning involves analysis, policy, stakeholder engagement and management.