Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Management

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Conservation and Management is a programme that provides comprehensive training in environmental protection, natural resource management and conservation. Offered at Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Egerton University, Maseno University, Moi University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in environmental management and conservation.

The curriculum covers environmental science, conservation biology, natural resource management, environmental policy, environmental impact assessment, pollution control, waste management, biodiversity conservation, climate change, environmental law, GIS, community conservation, watershed management, environmental economics, research methods and a research project. Students develop analytical and management skills for environmental conservation.

Kenya's environmental challenges, conservation needs and regulatory requirements create demand for environmental conservation graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, fieldwork, laboratory sessions, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as environmental officers, conservation officers, environmental impact assessors, natural resource managers, environmental consultants, sustainability officers, NEMA compliance officers and NGO programme officers. They work in NEMA, county governments, conservation NGOs, consulting firms, manufacturing, research institutions and international organisations.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology or Geography, Chemistry or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

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, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Environmental Science
Conservation Biology
Natural Resource Management
Environmental Impact Assessment
Pollution Control
Waste Management
Biodiversity Conservation
Climate Change
Environmental Law
GIS

Modules

10 in the programme

Environmental Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental fundamentals. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Conservation Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Biodiversity conservation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Natural Resource Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Resource management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
EIA methods. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinations.
Pollution Control
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Pollution management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Waste Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Waste management systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Biodiversity Conservation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Biodiversity protection. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Climate Change
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Climate science and adaptation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Environmental Law
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Legal framework. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Climate Change Adaptation
Climate adaptation. 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 Impact Assessment
EIA practice. 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.
Natural Resource Management
Resource 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.
Waste Management
Waste 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.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending environmental lectures, conducting field surveys, studying environmental policy, performing environmental impact assessments, using GIS for mapping, researching climate change, analysing pollution data, and working on conservation research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand due to environmental regulations
Diverse career paths across sectors
Socially impactful and meaningful work

Against it

Fieldwork can be physically demanding
Some roles require working in remote areas
Public sector salaries may be modest

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 and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Conservation NGOs may offer fieldwork support.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology or Geography, Chemistry or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in environmental science, forestry, wildlife or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Biology or Geography
C+
Chemistry or Mathematics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Field and Laboratory Practicals
Practicum10% of the mark
Field surveys and lab sessions
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at multiple public and private universities. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology or Geography, Chemistry or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

EIA Specialist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Environmental impact assessment
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conservation management
Sustainability Officer
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 300,000
Corporate sustainability
Environmental Officer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Environmental management
Environmental Consultant
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 380,000
Environmental consulting

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as environmental officers, conservation officers and environmental consultants in NEMA, NGOs, consulting firms and county governments.

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

Environmental conservation is just about planting trees.
The programme covers policy, EIA, pollution control, climate change and natural resource management.
There are no jobs in environmental conservation.
NEMA compliance, EIA requirements and corporate sustainability create strong demand.
Environmental management is not a real science.
The programme integrates biology, chemistry, GIS, economics and law.
Conservation is only for NGOs.
Graduates work in government, manufacturing, consulting, research and international organisations.