Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in environmental health. 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 Health, Public Health, Sanitation, Disease Prevention, Pollution Control, Health Promotion. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Sanitation & Hygiene, Occupational Health & Safety, Disease Prevention, Environmental Legislation, Health Inspection. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Food Safety and Hygiene, Air Pollution and Health, Environmental Health Research Methods, Occupational Health, Vector Control. 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 and Sanitation, Food Safety, Vector Control. 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 Environmental Health pursue careers as Public Health Inspector, Environmental Health Officer, Sanitation Officer, Environmental Health Consultant. 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 280,400
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 Health
Public Health
Sanitation
Disease Prevention
Pollution Control
Health Promotion

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Environmental Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of environmental health, health risks, and environmental determinants of health.
Environmental Epidemiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Epidemiological methods, disease patterns, and environmental health investigations.
Water and Sanitation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Water quality, sanitation systems, and waste management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Air Pollution and Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Air Pollution and Health: Air pollution sources, health impacts, and pollution control strategies. Covers clinical principles, patient care protocols, and evidence-based practice.
Food Safety and Hygiene
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Food Safety and Hygiene: Food safety principles, hygiene practices, and foodborne disease prevention. Covers safety regulations, risk assessment, and workplace hazard management.
Vector Control
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Vector Control: Vector biology, vector-borne diseases, and vector control strategies. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Occupational Health
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Occupational Health: Workplace health, occupational hazards, and occupational safety. Covers clinical principles, patient care protocols, and evidence-based practice.
Environmental Toxicology
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Toxicology: Toxic substances, health effects, and toxicological assessment. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Health Promotion
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Health Promotion: Health promotion principles, behaviour change, and community health education. Covers clinical principles, patient care protocols, and evidence-based practice.
Environmental Health Law
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Environmental Health Law: Environmental health legislation, regulations, and enforcement. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Environmental Health Research Methods
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Environmental Health Research Methods: Research design and methods for environmental health studies. Covers quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Environmental Health Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent project on environmental health topic. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cour...

Specialisations

Water and Sanitation
Focus on water quality, sanitation systems, and 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.
Food Safety
Specialization in food safety, hygiene practices, and foodborne disease prevention. 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.
Vector Control
Focus on vector biology, vector-borne diseases, and vector control strategies. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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 field health assessments, participate in sanitation inspections, and engage in health promotion activities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in protecting public health and preventing disease.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Growing demand for environmental health professionals due to increasing health challenges.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.
Fieldwork provides direct experience with health assessments and community engagement.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.
Environmental health work can be challenging due to poor infrastructure and limited resources.

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

Public275k to 324k

275k at Kenyatta University324k at University of Nairobi

Private152k to 280k

152k at Kenya Methodist University280k 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 275K, UoN 324K/yr (KUCCPS/Schedule II). KeMU 152K, Daystar 280K/yr (KUCCPS).

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

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

4 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
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.
Kenya Counselling and Psychological Association (KCPA) Student Support
BursaryKenyan
Students pursuing counselling and psychology programmes

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 Health, Public Health, Biology, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

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

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and practical reports throughout the semester.
Field Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of field skills in health assessments, inspections, and health promotion.
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 environmental health topic.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.
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

8 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.
Public Health Inspector
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Conduct health inspections, enforce health regulations, and ensure compliance.
Environmental Health Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Implement environmental health programmes, conduct inspections, and protect public health.
Sanitation Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Implement sanitation programmes, manage waste systems, and ensure proper sanitation.
Environmental Health Consultant
Medium demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide consulting services on environmental health and public health protection.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in environmental health, public health, and sanitation across Kenya's health sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

OSH Assessment Tools
Equipment
Risk assessment tools and safety inspection checklists.
Environmental Sampling Kit
EquipmentPrimary
Equipment for environmental sampling and health inspections.
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for environmental health data analysis and surveillance reporting.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical analysis software for public health research data.
ArcGIS
Software
GIS software for disease mapping and environmental health surveillance.
EpiInfo
Software
Public health surveillance software for outbreak investigation and data management.
Microsoft Word
Software
Word processing for health inspection reports and environmental assessments.