Environmental Science

Bachelor of Environmental Studies and Community Development

The Bachelor of Environmental Studies and Community Development is a four-year programme that prepares students for community-based environmental management and development. Students study environmental science, community development, natural resource management, social sciences and sustainability. The programme combines environmental knowledge with community development skills for grassroots environmental action.

Students develop competencies in community environmental management, participatory resource management, community development, environmental education, livelihood improvement and sustainability practices. They learn to engage communities, develop environmental programmes, manage resources sustainably and promote community development. The programme covers environmental science, community development, sociology, economics and project management.

In Kenya, community-based environmental management is critical for sustainable development. Kenya's community conservancies, forest associations and water resource user groups create demand. NGOs and county governments require professionals who can bridge environmental and community development. Graduates find roles in NGOs, county governments, community conservancies, KFS, KWS and development organisations.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, fieldwork, community engagement, case studies, industrial attachment and research projects. Students conduct community assessments, develop environmental programmes, engage communities and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as community development officers, environmental education officers, conservation officers, project officers and sustainability coordinators. Some work for NGOs or county governments. Others join community conservancies, KFS, KWS or development organisations.

This programme is ideal for individuals with environmental awareness, community engagement skills and passion for sustainable development.

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
Community Development Theory and Practice
Natural Resource Management
Participatory Environmental Management
Environmental Education and Communication
Project Management and Planning
Sustainable Livelihoods
Environmental Law and Policy
Sociology and Community Studies
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Environmental Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Environmental Studies: Fundamentals of environmental science and human-environment interactions Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management prac...
Community Development Theory
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Community development principles, theories and approaches. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Ecology and Ecosystems
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Ecological principles, ecosystems and biodiversity. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cou...
Sociology and Community Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Social structures, community dynamics and social research. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Natural Resource Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Natural Resource Management: Management of water, forests, wildlife and community resources Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Participatory Environmental Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Participatory approaches, community-based natural resource management and stakeholder engagement
Environmental Education and Communication
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental education methods, communication strategies and awareness creation
Project Management and Planning
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Sustainable Livelihoods
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Sustainable Livelihoods: Livelihood strategies, poverty-environment linkages and sustainable development Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Law and Policy
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental Law and Policy: Environmental legislation, community rights and environmental governance Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Climate Change and Community Adaptation
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Climate Change and Community Adaptation: Climate impacts on communities and community-based adaptation strategies Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Year Research Project: Independent research on environmental studies and community development Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

Community Conservation
Specialization in Community Conservation, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Climate Change Adaptation
Specialization in Climate Change Adaptation, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Community Project Management
Specialization in Community Project Management, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Sustainable Livelihoods
Specialization in Sustainable Livelihoods, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Participatory Resource Management
Specialization in Participatory Resource Management, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Environmental Education
Specialization in Environmental Education, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on environmental science or community development with afternoon fieldwork, community engagement or project work. Students may conduct community assessments, develop environmental programmes, engage communities or work on development projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines environmental knowledge with community development skills
Relevant to Kenya's community-based conservation model
Diverse career paths in NGOs, government and conservation
Opportunity to make grassroots environmental impact

Against it

Fieldwork and community engagement can be challenging
Funding for community programmes can be limited
Some positions may require additional training
Community work requires patience and cultural sensitivity

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 NGOs and development organisations 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

4 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
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
NGAAF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Women, youth and persons with disabilities from vulnerable backgrounds

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

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

Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages conservation programmes with community participation
Project Officer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 170,000
Manages environmental and community development projects
Environmental Education Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Delivers environmental education and awareness programmes
Community Development Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Facilitates community development and environmental programmes
Sustainability Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Coordinates sustainability programmes with community engagement

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as community development officers, environmental education officers, conservation officers, project officers and sustainability coordinators in NGOs, county governments, community conservancies, KFS, KWS and development organisations.

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

Community development is just about helping people
Community development involves structured planning, environmental management, economics and social science.
Environmental studies and community development is not a serious degree
The programme integrates environmental science with social science for sustainable development.
There are no jobs in this field
NGOs, county governments and conservation organisations create demand.
Community development is only for rural areas
Community development is relevant in both urban and rural environmental management.