Bachelor of Science in Environmental Economics and Policy
This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in environmental economics and policy. It develops expertise in environmental economics, policy analysis, environmental valuation, natural resource economics, and environmental governance while building comprehensive skills for analyzing environmental and economic issues effectively.
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 221,400 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 1 institution.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 environmental and economic needs, design policy strategies, implement economic techniques, evaluate environmental performance, conduct research, apply ethical principles, manage policy projects, and develop sustainable environmental practices. They also strengthen analytical thinking, economic skills, communication, teamwork, and policy abilities.
Kenya requires environmental economics and policy to support environmental protection, enhance economic analysis of environmental issues, and promote evidence-based environmental policy, creating demand for professionals who can work in environmental economics, policy analysis, natural resource management, and support the environmental and policy sectors.
The programme combines coursework, environmental practice, case studies, research projects, and policy training. Students gain hands-on experience through environmental analysis, policy research, and economic evaluation.
Graduates pursue careers as environmental economists, policy analysts, natural resource economists, environmental consultants, and policy advisors across environmental agencies, government departments, research institutions, and consulting firms.
The programme is ideal for students interested in environmental economics, policy analysis, environmental valuation, natural resource economics, and environmental governance.
What you study
6 subjects- Environmental Economics and Policy
- Environmental Economics
- Policy Analysis
- Environmental Valuation
- Natural Resource Economics
- Environmental Governance
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Environmental Economics and Policy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to environmental economics and policy, covering economic concepts, policy principles, and approaches to environmental analysis.
Environmental Economics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of environmental economics, covering environmental externalities, cost-benefit analysis, environmental valuation, and economic instruments.
Policy Analysis
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of policy analysis, covering policy evaluation, policy design, policy implementation, and policy impact assessment.
Environmental Valuation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of environmental valuation, covering contingent valuation, hedonic pricing, travel cost method, and ecosystem valuation.
Natural Resource Economics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of natural resource economics, covering resource economics, resource depletion, resource allocation, and sustainable resource use.
Environmental Governance
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of environmental governance skills, covering environmental institutions, governance frameworks, environmental regulation, and compliance.
Environmental Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of environmental law, covering environmental legislation, regulatory frameworks, compliance, and environmental litigation.
Climate Economics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of climate economics, covering climate change economics, carbon pricing, climate policy, and economic adaptation.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in environmental context.
Environmental Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in environmental economics and policy, covering environmental ethics, policy ethics, and ethical decision-making.
Environmental Economics and Policy Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical environmental work where students apply learned skills in environmental analysis, policy research, and economic evaluation.
Environmental Economics and Policy Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on environmental or policy topic, demonstrating mastery of environmental economics and policy theory and practice.
Specialisations
Environmental Economics
Focus on environmental externalities, cost-benefit analysis, and environmental valuation for environmental economics careers.
Natural Resource Economics
Focus on resource economics, resource depletion, and sustainable resource 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.
Policy Analysis
Specialization in policy evaluation, policy design, and policy impact assessment. 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 environmental analysis, participate in case studies, and engage in policy research.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Growing demand for environmental economists and policy analysts due to increasing environmental challenges and policy needs. | Environmental policy work requires strong quantitative skills and comfort with economic analysis. |
| Environmental economics and policy offer diverse career opportunities in government, research, and consulting. | Environmental economics requires continuous learning of new policy developments and economic methodologies. |
| Environmental analysis and policy research provide hands-on experience with economic evaluation and policy development. | — |
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 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 recordedHigher 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
6 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
- 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
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Diploma holders in Environmental Science, Economics, Natural Resource Management, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding The Co-operative University of Kenya.
Including The Co-operative University of Kenya.
Including The Co-operative University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
4 componentsEnd of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of environmental economics, policy analysis, and environmental valuation.
Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of environmental economics skills, analytical work, and practical applications through environmental analysis and case studies.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on environmental or policy topic, demonstrating mastery of environmental economics and policy theory and practice.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and environmental economics exercises throughout the semester evaluating knowledge and practical skills.
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 rolesEnvironmental Consultant
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide environmental expertise, consult on environmental economics, and support organizations in environmental improvement.
Natural Resource Economist
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Analyse natural resource economics, develop resource strategies, and support resource allocation and sustainable use.
Policy Advisor
Medium demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Advise on environmental policy, provide policy guidance, and support policy development and implementation.
Environmental Economist
High demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Analyse environmental economic issues, conduct economic analysis, and support environmental policy and economic decision-making.
Policy Analyst
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Analyse environmental policy, develop policy recommendations, and support policy development and implementation.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work in environmental economics and policy across Kenya's environmental and policy sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
- Franchise Operations ManagerBusiness18Low exposure
- Infrastructure Finance SpecialistBusiness18Low exposure
- Intermodal Reefer TechnicianBusiness18Low exposure
- Climate Risk UnderwriterBusiness19Low exposure
- Coldchain Logistics ManagerBusiness19Low exposure
- Municipal Finance SpecialistBusiness19Low exposure
- Islamic Banking SpecialistBusiness20Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Google Workspace
Cloud
Power BI
AnalyticsPrimary
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.
The programme is only for top-performing students.
While academic excellence is valued, the programme accepts students meeting the minimum KCSE requirements and supports diverse learners.
Graduates cannot find employment in Kenya.
Kenya's growing economy creates demand for qualified graduates across public, private, and NGO sectors.
The degree is not recognised internationally.
The programme is accredited by CUE and is recognised under regional and international qualification frameworks.