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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 324,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,296,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 184,150 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. 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 4 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Climate Change Analyst, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeIntroduction 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Combines environmental science with planning skills | Fieldwork can be physically demanding |
| Relevant to Kenya's urbanisation and environmental challenges | May require additional certifications for professional planning |
| Diverse career paths in government and consulting | Planning positions may be limited in some counties |
| Opportunity to shape sustainable development | 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 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
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 recordedHigher 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
Scholarships you could apply for
9 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
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- University of Eldoret TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullUniversity of Eldoret / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- 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
- Kenyatta University Scholarship
Before semesterPartialKenyatta University
30 to 50% tuition waiver
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 4 institutionsIncluding Pwani University, University of Eldoret, Kenyatta University.
Including Pwani University, University of Eldoret, Kenyatta University.
Including Pwani University, University of Eldoret, Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsFinal 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
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesLand 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- Climate Change AnalystEnvironmental Science10Low exposure
- Wildlife Corridors EcologistEnvironmental Science10Low exposure
- Finance AnalystEnvironmental Science11Low exposure
- Mangrove Restoration SpecialistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Mine Reclamation SpecialistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Riparian Restoration EcologistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Urban Forestry SpecialistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Water Treatment OperatorEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
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.