Environmental Science

Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Geography)

The Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Geography) is a four-year programme that prepares students for environmental management with a geography focus. Students study physical geography, environmental science, GIS, climatology and resource management. The programme combines geographical analysis with environmental management for spatial environmental problem-solving.

Students develop competencies in spatial analysis, GIS, environmental mapping, climate analysis, land use assessment and resource management. They learn to analyse spatial environmental data, create maps, assess land use and manage resources. The programme covers physical geography, environmental science, GIS, climatology and environmental planning.

In Kenya, geographical environmental analysis is critical for land management, climate adaptation and resource planning. Kenya's diverse landscapes and climate challenges require spatial analysis skills. County governments, NEMA, KFS and research institutions require geography-focused environmental professionals. Graduates find roles in county governments, NEMA, KFS, research institutions and consulting firms.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, fieldwork, GIS practicals, laboratory sessions, industrial attachment and research projects. Students use GIS software, conduct field surveys, analyse spatial data and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental geographers, GIS analysts, environmental planners, climate analysts and resource managers. Some work for county governments or NEMA. Others join KFS, research institutions or consulting firms.

This programme is ideal for individuals with spatial awareness, geographical interest and environmental concern.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 264,000
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Physical Geography and Geomorphology
Environmental Science and Ecology
GIS and Remote Sensing
Climatology and Climate Change
Biogeography and Biodiversity
Land Use and Resource Management
Environmental Impact Assessment
Spatial Analysis and Modelling
Environmental Planning
Research Methods and Statistics

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Environmental Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Environmental Studies: Fundamentals of environmental studies and geographical perspectives Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Physical Geography
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Landforms, geomorphology, weathering and earth processes. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Environmental Science Basics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental science principles and ecological concepts. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
GIS and Remote Sensing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
GIS fundamentals, remote sensing and spatial data analysis. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Climatology and Climate Change
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Climatology and Climate Change: Climate systems, climate variability, climate change and impacts Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Biogeography and Biodiversity
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Biogeography and Biodiversity: Distribution of life, biodiversity patterns and conservation Covers spatial analysis, human-environment interactions, and geographic methods.
Land Use and Resource Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Land use systems, resource management and spatial planning. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Impact Assessment: EIA principles, spatial assessment and environmental legislation Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Spatial Analysis and Modelling
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Spatial Analysis and Modelling: Spatial statistics, terrain analysis and environmental modelling Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Planning
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental Planning: Environmental planning principles, land use planning and management Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Hydrology and Water Resources
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Hydrology and Water Resources: Hydrological processes, water resources management and watershed analysis Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on environmental geography. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, course...

Specialisations

Climatology
Specialization in Climatology, 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 Mapping
Specialization in Environmental Mapping, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Specialization in GIS and Spatial Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Land Use Planning
Specialization in Land Use Planning, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Hydrology
Specialization in Hydrology, 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.
Biogeography
Specialization in Biogeography, 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.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on physical geography or climatology with afternoon GIS practicals, fieldwork or spatial analysis. Students may use GIS software, conduct field surveys, analyse satellite imagery or work on environmental mapping projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Combines geography with environmental management skills
GIS skills are in high demand across sectors
Relevant to Kenya's climate and land use challenges
Diverse career paths in government, research and consulting

Against it

Fieldwork can be physically demanding
GIS software and equipment can be expensive
Some positions may require additional certifications
Career progression may require postgraduate study

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 264k

245k at Kenyatta University264k at University of Nairobi

Private109k to 243k

109k at Mount Kenya University243k at Daystar 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

UoN BSc Geography 264K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke), KU 244.8K (ku.ac.ke). Daystar 242.8K (KUCCPS), MKU 109.1K (spas.mku.ac.ke).

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some environmental 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

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) Training Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Students in geospatial sciences, GIS and remote sensing
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+
Geography
C+
Biology or Chemistry or Physics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

GIS Practicals and Fieldwork
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% 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 Geographer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Analyses spatial environmental patterns and processes
Climate Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Analyses climate data and develops adaptation strategies
Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages natural resources using spatial analysis
GIS Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Manages and analyses geographic information systems
Environmental Planner
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Develops environmental and land use plans

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as environmental geographers, GIS analysts, environmental planners, climate analysts and resource managers in county governments, NEMA, KFS, research institutions and consulting firms.

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

Geography is just about knowing places
Geography involves spatial analysis, environmental science, GIS and climate studies.
There are no jobs in environmental geography
County governments, NEMA, KFS and research institutions create demand.
Environmental geography is the same as environmental science
Environmental geography adds spatial analysis and GIS to environmental studies.
GIS is just about making maps
GIS involves spatial analysis, modelling and decision support systems.