Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Dryland Natural Resource Management

The Bachelor of Science in Dryland Natural Resource Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in dryland natural resource management. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Dryland Natural Resource Management, Rangeland Management, Water Resources, Soil Conservation, Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainable Land Use. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Restoration Ecology, Rangeland Ecology and Management, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Community-Based Natural Resource Management, Natural Resource Policy and Governance. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Water Resources, Rangeland Management, Biodiversity Conservation. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Dryland Natural Resource Management pursue careers as Environmental Consultant, Natural Resource Manager, Conservation Officer, Rangeland Officer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 371,000
Private, up to: Ksh 178,800
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 8 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Dryland Natural Resource Management
Rangeland Management
Water Resources
Soil Conservation
Biodiversity Conservation
Sustainable Land Use

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Dryland Natural Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Dryland Natural Resource Management: Overview of dryland natural resources, ecosystems, and management principles. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisati...
Rangeland Ecology and Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Rangeland Ecology and Management: Rangeland ecology, grazing management, and sustainable rangeland use. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Water Resources Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Water resources assessment, water management, and water conservation in drylands.
Soil and Land Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Soil and Land Management: Soil conservation, land degradation assessment, and sustainable land use. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Biodiversity Conservation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Biodiversity Conservation: Biodiversity assessment, conservation strategies, and ecosystem management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Dryland Ecology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Dryland Ecology: Dryland ecosystems, ecological processes, and ecosystem services. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Community-Based Natural Resource Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Community-Based Natural Resource Management: Community-based approaches, participatory management, and local governance. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational conte...
Restoration Ecology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Restoration of degraded lands, rehabilitation techniques, and ecosystem restoration.
Climate Change and Natural Resources
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Climate Change and Natural Resources: Climate change impacts on natural resources and adaptation strategies. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Natural Resource Policy and Governance
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Policy frameworks, governance structures, and legal aspects of natural resource management.
Resource Economics
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Economic valuation of natural resources, cost-benefit analysis, and resource economics.
Dryland Natural Resource Management Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Dryland Natural Resource Management Project: Independent project on dryland natural resource management topic. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engage...

Specialisations

Water Resources
Specialization in water resources assessment, management, and conservation. 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.
Rangeland Management
Focus on rangeland ecology, grazing management, and sustainable rangeland use. 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.
Biodiversity Conservation
Focus on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, and protected area management. 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.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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

Students attend lectures, conduct fieldwork in dryland ecosystems, participate in resource assessments, and engage in conservation activities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in conserving dryland natural resources and ecosystems.
Growing demand for natural resource management professionals due to environmental degradation.
Fieldwork provides direct experience with dryland ecosystems and conservation.

Against it

Fieldwork can be physically demanding and requires working in remote areas.
Natural resource management can be challenging due to competing land uses.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses

Public307k to 371k

307k at Egerton University371k at University of Nairobi

Private86k to 179k

86k at Lukenya University179k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton

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

Egerton 307K, UoN 371K (related). Lukenya 86K, UEAB 179K. KUCCPS, uonbi.ac.ke

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders in Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Geography, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Biology
C+
Chemistry/Geography
C+
Mathematics/Physics
C
English/Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on dryland natural resource management topic.
Field Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of field skills in resource assessment, conservation, and management.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and field reports throughout the semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Environmental Consultant
Medium demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide consulting services on natural resource management and environmental conservation.
Natural Resource Manager
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage natural resources, implement conservation strategies, and ensure sustainable use.
Conservation Officer
Medium demandKsh 53,000 to Ksh 118,000
Implement conservation measures, protect biodiversity, and manage protected areas.
Rangeland Officer
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Manage rangelands, implement grazing plans, and support pastoral communities.
Water Resource Specialist
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 122,000
Assess water resources, implement water management, and ensure water security.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in dryland natural resource management, conservation, and environmental management across Kenya's environmental sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for extension data management, project planning and rural development budgeting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for rural development research and extension impact assessment.
QGIS
Software
GIS software for agricultural mapping and extension service planning.
PowerPoint
Software
Presentation tool for farmer training and extension education sessions.
KoboToolbox
Software
Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.