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.
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 16 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 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.
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 programmeIntroduction 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary approach covering science, policy and management | May be less specialised than pure environmental science degrees |
| Relevant to Kenya's sustainable development agenda | Fieldwork can be physically demanding |
| Diverse career paths in government, NGOs and consulting | Some positions may require additional certifications |
| Opportunity to contribute to environmental protection | 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 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 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 recordedHigher 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
Scholarships you could apply for
14 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
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
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 16 institutionsIncluding Machakos University, Maasai Mara University, University of Kabianga.
Including Machakos University, Maasai Mara University, University of Kabianga.
Including Machakos University, Maasai Mara University, University of Kabianga.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous 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
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 rolesEnvironmental 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- 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 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.