Environmental Science

Bachelor of Environmental Studies

The Bachelor of Environmental Studies is a four-year programme that prepares students for environmental management, policy and sustainability roles. Students study environmental science, policy, management, conservation and sustainability. The programme provides an interdisciplinary approach combining natural and social sciences for environmental problem-solving.

Students develop competencies in environmental analysis, policy development, conservation planning, sustainability management and environmental education. They learn to assess environmental issues, develop policies, manage resources and promote sustainable practices. The programme covers environmental science, ecology, environmental law, policy and management.

In Kenya, environmental studies is relevant to the country's sustainable development agenda. NEMA, KWS, KFS and environmental NGOs create demand. Kenya's constitutional environmental rights and climate commitments require skilled professionals. Graduates find roles in government agencies, NGOs, consulting firms, research institutions and county governments.

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

Graduates pursue careers as environmental officers, conservation managers, policy analysts, sustainability officers and environmental educators. Some work for NEMA or KWS. Others join NGOs, consulting firms or educational institutions.

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

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 Science and Ecology
Environmental Policy and Law
Natural Resource Management
Conservation and Biodiversity
Environmental Impact Assessment
Climate Change and Sustainability
Environmental Economics
Community Development and Environment
GIS for Environmental Management
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Environmental Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Interdisciplinary foundations of environmental studies and human-environment interactions
Ecology and Ecosystems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ecosystem structure, function and ecological principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Environmental Chemistry
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental Chemistry: Chemical processes in the environment and pollution fundamentals Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Environmental Policy and Law
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental legislation, policy frameworks and governance. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Natural Resource Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Natural Resource Management: Management of water, forests, wildlife and other natural resources Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Conservation and Biodiversity
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Conservation and Biodiversity: Biodiversity conservation, protected areas and conservation strategies Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
EIA principles, methodologies and environmental legislation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Climate Change and Sustainability
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Climate Change and Sustainability: Climate science, impacts, adaptation and sustainability principles Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Economics
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental Economics: Economic valuation of environment, cost-benefit analysis and green economics Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Community Development and Environment
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Community-based conservation, environmental education and participatory management
GIS for Environmental Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
GIS for Environmental Management: GIS applications in environmental analysis and resource mapping Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on an environmental studies topic. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...

Specialisations

Sustainability
Specialization in Sustainability, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist. 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 Policy
Specialization in Environmental Policy, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Community Conservation
Specialization in Community Conservation, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Climate Change
Specialization in Climate Change, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist. 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 Education
Specialization in Environmental Education, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Conservation Management
Specialization in Conservation Management, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on environmental policy or ecology with afternoon fieldwork, case studies or project work. Students may conduct field surveys, analyse environmental data, develop management plans or work on sustainability projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Interdisciplinary approach covering science, policy and management
Relevant to Kenya's sustainable development agenda
Diverse career paths in government, NGOs and consulting
Opportunity to contribute to environmental protection

Against it

May be less specialised than pure environmental science degrees
Fieldwork can be physically demanding
Some positions may require additional certifications
Funding for environmental programmes can fluctuate

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

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

Environmental Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages environmental programmes and compliance in organisations
Sustainability Officer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Implements sustainability programmes in organisations
Conservation Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages conservation programmes and protected areas
Environmental Educator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Educates communities and organisations on environmental issues
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Analyses and develops environmental policies

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as environmental officers, conservation managers, policy analysts, sustainability officers and environmental educators in government agencies, NGOs, consulting firms, research institutions 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 studies is just about nature walks
Environmental studies covers policy, law, economics, management and science.
There are no jobs in environmental studies
Government agencies, NGOs and consulting firms create demand for environmental professionals.
Environmental studies is not a serious degree
The programme integrates natural and social sciences for environmental problem-solving.
Environmental work is only for activists
Environmental professionals work in management, policy, consulting, research and education.