Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Biology and Health)
The Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Biology and Health) is a four-year programme that prepares students for environmental health, biological environmental management and public health roles. Students study environmental biology, environmental health, public health, ecology and pollution. The programme focuses on the biological and health dimensions of environmental issues.
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 9 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 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 health assessment, biological monitoring, public health, sanitation, pollution control and environmental risk assessment. They learn to assess environmental health risks, monitor biological indicators, manage sanitation and develop health interventions. The programme covers environmental biology, public health, ecology, environmental chemistry and health policy.
In Kenya, environmental health is critical for public health and disease prevention. The Ministry of Health, county governments and NEMA require environmental health professionals. Kenya's challenges with waterborne diseases, sanitation and pollution create demand. Graduates find roles in Ministry of Health, county governments, NEMA, public health organisations and consulting firms.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, health assessments, industrial attachment and research projects. Students analyse environmental health data, conduct field surveys, assess health risks and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.
Graduates pursue careers as environmental health officers, public health officers, biological environmental analysts, sanitation officers and health consultants. Some work for the Ministry of Health or county governments. Others join NEMA, NGOs or consulting firms.
This programme is ideal for individuals with biology aptitude, health awareness and environmental interest.
What you study
10 subjects- Environmental Biology and Ecology
- Environmental Health and Public Health
- Environmental Microbiology
- Pollution and Health
- Sanitation and Waste Management
- Environmental Toxicology
- Epidemiology and Disease Control
- Water Quality and Health
- Environmental Law and Health Policy
- Research Methods and Biostatistics
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Environmental Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of environmental studies and health linkages. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Environmental Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Biology: Biological principles in environmental contexts and ecosystems Covers cellular processes, organismal biology, and ecological relationships.
Environmental Microbiology
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Microorganisms in environment, water and soil microbiology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Environmental Health and Public Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental Health and Public Health: Environmental health principles, public health and disease prevention Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practi...
Ecology and Biodiversity
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ecosystem ecology, population dynamics and biodiversity. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Pollution and Health
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Pollution sources, health impacts and pollution control. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Sanitation and Waste Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Sanitation and Waste Management: Sanitation systems, waste management and environmental hygiene Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Environmental Toxicology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Toxic substances in environment and health effects. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cou...
Epidemiology and Disease Control
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Epidemiology and Disease Control: Disease patterns, environmental epidemiology and control measures Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Water Quality and Health
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Water Quality and Health: Water quality standards, waterborne diseases and water treatment Covers clinical principles, patient care protocols, and evidence-based practice.
Environmental Law and Health Policy
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Law and Health Policy: Environmental health legislation, public health policy and regulations Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on environmental biology and health. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Specialisations
Pollution Control
Specialization in Pollution Control, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Epidemiology
Specialization in Epidemiology, 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 Health
Specialization in Environmental Health, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Public Health
Specialization in Public Health, 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.
Water and Sanitation
Specialization in Water and Sanitation, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Environmental Toxicology
Specialization in Environmental Toxicology, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on environmental biology or public health with afternoon laboratory sessions, fieldwork or health assessments. Students may analyse water samples, conduct health surveys, assess environmental risks or work on public health projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Combines biology, health and environmental science | Fieldwork and laboratory work can be demanding |
| Relevant to Kenya's public health and environmental challenges | Some positions may require public health registration |
| Diverse career paths in health and environment sectors | Exposure to health hazards requires safety protocols |
| Opportunity to improve public health through environmental action | Funding for health 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 health organisations 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 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
10 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
- 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
- Komaza Scholarship Program
RollingPartialKomaza
KES 50,000 to 150,000 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 9 institutionsIncluding Chuka University, Maasai Mara University, Kabarak University.
Including Chuka University, Maasai Mara University, Kabarak University.
Including Chuka University, Maasai Mara University, Kabarak University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals 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 rolesPublic Health Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Implements public health programmes and environmental health interventions
Environmental Health Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages environmental health programmes and disease prevention
Sanitation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages sanitation programmes and waste management
Biological Environmental Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Analyses biological indicators of environmental health
Health Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides consulting on environmental health and public health
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as environmental health officers, public health officers, biological environmental analysts, sanitation officers and health consultants in Ministry of Health, county governments, NEMA, public health organisations and consulting firms.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Tools you will learn
R
Analytics
Python
Code
Google Earth Engine
Cloud
AutoCAD
Design
ArcGIS
Gis
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Environmental health is just about cleaning
Environmental health covers disease prevention, sanitation, pollution control and public health.
There are no jobs in environmental health
Ministry of Health, county governments and NEMA create demand.
Environmental biology and health is the same as medicine
The programme focuses on environmental factors affecting health, not clinical medicine.
Environmental health is only for rural areas
Environmental health is critical in both urban and rural settings.