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Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Dryland Resource Management

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in dryland resource management. It develops expertise in dryland ecosystems, rangeland management, water resources, dryland agriculture, and environmental conservation while building comprehensive skills for sustainable management of dryland resources.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 371,000
Ksh 1,484,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 178,800
Ksh 715,200 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 371,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,484,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 178,800 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE 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 6 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 5 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students analyse dryland ecosystems, design resource management strategies, implement conservation techniques, evaluate resource sustainability, conduct dryland research, apply ecological principles, manage resource projects, and develop sustainable dryland practices. They also strengthen analytical thinking, resource management skills, communication, teamwork, and environmental abilities.

Kenya requires dryland resource management to support sustainable development, enhance environmental conservation, and promote resilience in arid and semi-arid regions, creating demand for professionals who can work in rangeland management, environmental conservation, water management, and support the agriculture and environmental sectors.

The programme combines coursework, fieldwork, laboratory work, research projects, and environmental training. Students gain hands-on experience through dryland management practice, rangeland assessment, and water resource management.

Graduates pursue careers as dryland resource managers, rangeland managers, environmental conservation officers, water resource specialists, and agricultural extension officers across government agencies, environmental organizations, agricultural institutions, and development NGOs.

The programme is ideal for students interested in dryland resource management, environmental conservation, rangeland management, water resources, and sustainable agriculture.

What you study

6 subjects
  • Dryland Resource Management
  • Dryland Ecosystems
  • Rangeland Management
  • Water Resources
  • Dryland Agriculture
  • Environmental Conservation

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Dryland Resource Management

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Comprehensive introduction to dryland resource management, covering dryland characteristics, dryland challenges, and approaches to sustainable dryland management.

  • Dryland Ecosystems

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Study of dryland ecosystems, covering ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity in drylands, and ecological processes in arid and semi-arid regions.

  • Rangeland Management

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Examination of rangeland management, covering rangeland ecology, forage management, grazing systems, and rangeland rehabilitation.

  • Water Resources Management

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Study of water resources in drylands, covering water harvesting, water conservation, irrigation, and sustainable water use.

  • Dryland Agriculture

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Analysis of dryland agriculture, covering drought-resistant crops, soil conservation, agricultural practices in arid regions, and food security.

  • Soil Management

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Development of soil management skills, covering soil conservation, soil fertility, land degradation, and soil rehabilitation in drylands.

  • Climate Change Adaptation

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Study of climate change impacts on drylands, covering adaptation strategies, resilience building, and climate-smart agriculture.

  • Pastoral Production Systems

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examination of pastoral production, covering livestock management in drylands, pastoral livelihoods, and pastoral development strategies.

  • Environmental Conservation

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Study of environmental conservation in drylands, covering biodiversity conservation, protected area management, and environmental restoration.

  • Community Development

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Analysis of community development in drylands, covering participatory approaches, community-based natural resource management, and livelihood support.

  • Dryland Resource Management Fieldwork

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Practical fieldwork where students apply learned methods in dryland management, rangeland assessment, and water resource management.

  • Dryland Resource Management Research Project

    Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

    Independent research project on dryland resource topic, demonstrating mastery of dryland management theory and practice.

Specialisations

  • Dryland Agriculture

    Focus on drought-resistant crops, soil conservation, and agricultural practices in arid regions. 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 Resources

    Specialization in water harvesting, water conservation, and sustainable water use in drylands. 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, forage management, and grazing systems for rangeland management careers.

  • 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, participate in laboratory work, and engage in environmental practice.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Growing importance of dryland management for climate resilience and sustainable development in arid regions.Dryland work often involves remote locations with challenging environmental conditions.
Opportunity to contribute to environmental conservation and support communities in vulnerable dryland regions.Dryland resource management requires understanding of complex ecological and socio-economic systems.
Fieldwork and laboratory work provide hands-on experience with dryland ecosystems and resource management.—

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. Lukenya 86K, UEAB 179K/yr. 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

Scholarships you could apply for

12 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSEminimum entry
Alternative entry

Diploma holders in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Subject requirements
Biology/Biological SciencesC
Chemistry/Physical SciencesC
Mathematics/Physics/Agriculture/GeographyC
Any Group III subjectC

When it next starts

Taught at 5 institutions
January 20275 institutions

Including Egerton University, South Eastern Kenya University, Kenyatta University.

May 20275 institutions

Including Egerton University, South Eastern Kenya University, Kenyatta University.

September 20275 institutions

Including Egerton University, South Eastern Kenya University, Kenyatta University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat30% of the mark

    Regular tests, assignments, and resource management exercises throughout the semester evaluating dryland knowledge and practical skills.

  • Research Project

    Project100% of the mark

    Independent research project on dryland resource topic, demonstrating mastery of dryland management theory and practice.

  • Fieldwork Assessments

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Evaluation of fieldwork skills, resource management work, and practical applications through dryland management practice and environmental projects.

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Exam70% of the mark

    Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of dryland ecosystems, rangeland management, and water resources.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    NationalRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Rangeland Manager

    Medium demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000

    Manage rangelands, coordinate grazing systems, and support rangeland rehabilitation and sustainable livestock production.

  • Agricultural Extension Officer

    High demandKsh 44,000 to Ksh 95,000

    Provide agricultural extension services, support farmers in dryland agriculture, and promote sustainable farming practices.

  • Environmental Conservation Officer

    Medium demandKsh 46,000 to Ksh 100,000

    Support environmental conservation, implement conservation programs, and work in environmental protection and restoration.

  • Water Resource Specialist

    Medium demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000

    Manage water resources in drylands, implement water harvesting and conservation, and support sustainable water use.

  • Dryland Resource Manager

    Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Manage dryland resources, develop sustainable management strategies, and support environmental conservation in arid regions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in dryland resource management and environmental conservation across Kenya's agriculture and environmental sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Microsoft Excel

    SoftwarePrimary

    Spreadsheet software for financial modelling, data analysis, accounting worksheets, and business reporting — essential for business graduates.

  • QuickBooks

    SoftwarePrimary

    Accounting software widely used by SMEs in Kenya for bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.

  • SAP ERP

    Software

    Enterprise resource planning software used by large organisations for integrated business management including finance, procurement, and HR modules.

  • Power BI

    Software

    Business analytics tool for data visualisation, dashboard creation, and business intelligence reporting.

  • Microsoft Office Suite

    Software

    Word processing, presentations, and communication tools essential for business documentation and reporting.

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Drylands are wastelands with no value

    Drylands are productive ecosystems supporting livelihoods, biodiversity, and important ecosystem services.

  • Dryland management is only about planting trees

    Dryland management involves water resources, soil conservation, rangeland management, and community engagement.

  • Drylands cannot support agriculture

    Drylands support drought-resistant crops, livestock production, and innovative agricultural practices.

  • Dryland management is only for rural areas

    Dryland management principles apply to urban planning, water management, and environmental policy.

  • Climate change makes dryland management impossible

    Climate change makes dryland management more critical for adaptation and resilience building.

  • Dryland management careers have limited opportunities

    Growing demand for dryland specialists in climate adaptation, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.

Further reading

Read next