Bachelor of Global Environmental Change and Sustainability
The Bachelor of Global Environmental Change and Sustainability is a four-year programme that prepares students for addressing global environmental challenges and promoting sustainability. Students study climate change, biodiversity loss, sustainability science, environmental policy and global environmental governance. The programme focuses on understanding and responding to global environmental change.
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 242,800 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 3 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 change analysis, sustainability assessment, climate action, environmental policy, conservation planning and sustainable development. They learn to assess environmental changes, develop sustainability strategies, analyse climate data and implement conservation programmes. The programme covers environmental science, climate change, sustainability, policy and global governance.
In Kenya, global environmental change including climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation is a critical challenge. Kenya's climate commitments including the Nationally Determined Contributions and green economy strategy create demand. Graduates find roles in NEMA, Ministry of Environment, NGOs, international organisations, research institutions and consulting firms.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, fieldwork, case studies, industrial attachment and research projects. Students analyse environmental data, assess climate impacts, develop sustainability plans and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.
Graduates pursue careers as sustainability officers, climate change officers, environmental policy analysts, conservation officers and environmental consultants. Some work for government agencies or NGOs. Others join international organisations, research institutions or consulting firms.
This programme is ideal for individuals with environmental awareness, global perspective and passion for sustainability.
What you study
10 subjects- Global Environmental Change
- Climate Science and Climate Change
- Sustainability Science and Practice
- Biodiversity and Conservation
- Environmental Policy and Governance
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Environmental Economics
- Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Research Methods and Statistics
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Global Environmental Change
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Global Environmental Change: Fundamentals of global environmental change and earth systems Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Environmental Science Basics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental science principles and ecological concepts. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Climate Science and Climate Change
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Climate Science and Climate Change: Climate systems, greenhouse gases, climate change science and impacts Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Biodiversity and Conservation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Biodiversity and Conservation: Biodiversity loss, conservation strategies and protected areas Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Sustainability Science and Practice
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Sustainability Science and Practice: Sustainability principles, frameworks and sustainable development Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Policy and Governance
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental Policy and Governance: International environmental governance, policy and agreements Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Sustainable Development Goals
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
SDGs, implementation strategies and progress monitoring. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Climate Adaptation and Mitigation: Climate adaptation strategies, mitigation measures and resilience Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Economics
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental Economics: Economic valuation of environment, green economy and carbon economics Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
EIA principles, methodologies and environmental legislation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Global Environmental Governance
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Global Environmental Governance: International environmental agreements, institutions and governance Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Year Research Project: Independent research on environmental change and sustainability Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.
Specialisations
Sustainable Development
Specialization in Sustainable Development, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Biodiversity Conservation
Specialization in Biodiversity 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.
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.
Green Economy
Specialization in Green Economy, 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.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on climate change or sustainability with afternoon fieldwork, case studies or project work. Students may analyse climate data, assess environmental changes, develop sustainability plans or work on conservation projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Addresses critical global and national environmental challenges | Fieldwork can be physically demanding |
| Relevant to Kenya's climate commitments and green economy | Funding for environmental programmes can fluctuate |
| Diverse career paths in government, NGOs and international organisations | Some positions depend on donor funding |
| Opportunity to contribute to global sustainability | May require postgraduate study for advanced roles |
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 (ku.ac.ke), UoN 324K (uonbi.ac.ke). Daystar 242.8K (KUCCPS), MKU 109.1K (spas.mku.ac.ke).
Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some environmental NGOs and international 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
3 recordedHigher 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
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Scholarships you could apply for
12 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
- 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
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 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 3 institutionsIncluding University of Nairobi, University of Eldoret, Kenyatta University.
Including University of Nairobi, University of Eldoret, Kenyatta University.
Including University of Nairobi, University of Eldoret, Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Fieldwork and Project Work
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 Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides consulting on sustainability and environmental management
Sustainability Officer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Implements sustainability programmes in organisations
Climate Change Officer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages conservation programmes and biodiversity
Environmental Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Analyses and develops environmental policy
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as sustainability officers, climate change officers, environmental policy analysts, conservation officers and environmental consultants in NEMA, Ministry of Environment, NGOs, international organisations, research institutions and consulting firms.
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
Sustainability is just about recycling
Sustainability covers climate, biodiversity, policy, economics and social development.
There are no jobs in environmental change
Government, NGOs, international organisations and companies require sustainability professionals.
Environmental change is not relevant to Kenya
Kenya is highly vulnerable to climate change and environmental degradation.
Sustainability is just activism
Sustainability involves science, policy, economics and management.