Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Environment Lands and Sustainable Infrastructure

The Bachelor of Science in Environment Lands and Sustainable Infrastructure is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in environment lands and sustainable infrastructure. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Environmental Management, Land Use Planning, Sustainable Infrastructure, Environmental Impact Assessment, Sustainability, Green Infrastructure. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Statistics for Agricultural Research, Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness Finance and Accounting, Agribusiness Information Systems. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Sustainable Infrastructure, Introduction to Environmental Management, Environmental Policy and Governance, Energy and Environment, Water Resources Management. 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 Sustainable Infrastructure, Environmental Impact Assessment, Land Use Planning. 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 Environment Lands and Sustainable Infrastructure pursue careers as Sustainability Officer, Infrastructure Planner, Environmental Consultant, Environmental Planner. 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 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 221,400
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

Environmental Management
Land Use Planning
Sustainable Infrastructure
Environmental Impact Assessment
Sustainability
Green Infrastructure

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Environmental Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of environmental management, environmental systems, and sustainability principles.
Land Use Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Land Use Planning: Land use planning principles, zoning, and sustainable land use strategies. Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Sustainable Infrastructure
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Sustainable infrastructure design, green infrastructure, and infrastructure planning.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental Impact Assessment: EIA principles, impact assessment methods, and environmental audit. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Environmental Science
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Science: Environmental systems, ecology, and environmental processes. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Urban Planning
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Urban Planning: Urban planning principles, sustainable cities, and urban development. Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Water Resources Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Water Resources Management: Water resources assessment, water management, and water infrastructure. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Waste Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Waste Management: Waste management systems, recycling, and sustainable waste disposal. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Energy and Environment
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Energy and Environment: Energy systems, renewable energy, and energy efficiency in infrastructure. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Policy and Governance
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental Policy and Governance: Environmental policy frameworks, governance structures, and legal aspects. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management prac...
Sustainability Assessment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Sustainability Assessment: Sustainability assessment methods, indicators, and reporting. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Environmental Infrastructure Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent project on environmental management or sustainable infrastructure topic.

Specialisations

Land Use Planning
Focus on land use planning, zoning, and sustainable land development. 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.
Sustainable Infrastructure
Specialization in sustainable infrastructure design, green infrastructure, and infrastructure planning.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Focus on EIA principles, impact assessment methods, and environmental audit. 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 on environmental sites, participate in planning projects, and engage in infrastructure assessment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in planning sustainable infrastructure and protecting the environment.
Growing demand for environmental planners due to increasing development and environmental concerns.
Combines environmental science with planning and infrastructure development.

Against it

Environmental planning can be complex due to competing interests and regulations.
Infrastructure projects require long planning horizons and significant coordination.

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 324k

245k at Kenyatta University324k at University of Nairobi

Private109k to 221k

109k at Mount Kenya University221k 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

KU Env Sci 245K (ku.ac.ke). UoN 324K (Schedule II). MKU 109K, Daystar 221K/yr.

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 Environmental Science, Geography, Planning, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

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

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and project reports throughout the semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on environmental management or sustainable infrastructure topic.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Field Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of field skills in environmental assessment, land use planning, and infrastructure evaluation.

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

Sustainability Officer
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 118,000
Implement sustainability programmes, assess environmental impacts, and support green development.
Infrastructure Planner
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Plan infrastructure projects, ensure sustainability, and coordinate development.
Environmental Consultant
Medium demandKsh 62,000 to Ksh 135,000
Provide consulting services on environmental management and sustainable infrastructure.
Environmental Planner
High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Develop environmental plans, implement sustainability strategies, and advise on development.
Land Use Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage land use, implement zoning, and support sustainable land development.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in environmental management, land use planning, and sustainable infrastructure across Kenya's environmental sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Earth
Gis
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
QGIS
GisPrimary
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
R
Analytics