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Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture and Landscaping Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Horticulture and Landscaping Technology is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in environmental horticulture and landscaping technology. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 275,400
Ksh 1,101,600 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 275,400 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,101,600 for the whole course.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 8 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 12 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Aquaculture Technologist, at 3 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The curriculum covers Environmental Horticulture, Landscaping, Landscape Design, Plant Propagation, Turf Management, Green Space Management. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Turf Management, Urban Landscaping, Environmental Horticulture Project, Environmental Landscaping, Horticultural Business 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 Landscape Design, Plant Production, Turf Management. 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 Horticulture and Landscaping Technology pursue careers as Landscape Architect, Horticulturist, Landscape Manager, Turf Manager. 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.

What you study

6 subjects
  • Environmental Horticulture
  • Landscaping
  • Landscape Design
  • Plant Propagation
  • Turf Management
  • Green Space Management

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Environmental Horticulture

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Overview of environmental horticulture, landscaping, and green space management.

  • Plant Propagation

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Plant Propagation: Plant propagation techniques, nursery management, and plant production. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Landscape Design

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Landscape Design: Landscape design principles, site planning, and landscape architecture. Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.

  • Horticultural Plants

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Horticultural Plants: Identification, selection, and management of horticultural plants. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Turf Management

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Turf Management: Turfgrass management, lawn care, and sports field maintenance. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.

  • Plant Health Management

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Plant Health Management: Plant health, pest management, and disease control in horticulture. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.

  • Irrigation Systems

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Irrigation Systems: Irrigation design, water management, and irrigation systems for landscapes. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Urban Landscaping

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Urban Landscaping: Urban landscaping, green infrastructure, and urban green spaces. Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.

  • Environmental Landscaping

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Environmental Landscaping: Environmental landscaping, ecological design, and sustainable landscapes. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.

  • Landscape Maintenance

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Landscape Maintenance: Landscape maintenance, pruning, and landscape care practices. Covers preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshooting, and reliability engineering.

  • Horticultural Business Management

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Business management for horticultural enterprises, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

  • Environmental Horticulture Project

    Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

    Environmental Horticulture Project: Independent project on environmental horticulture or landscaping topic. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.

Specialisations

  • Landscape Design

    Focus on landscape design principles, site planning, and landscape architecture. 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.

  • Plant Production

    Focus on plant propagation, nursery management, and horticultural plant production. 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.

  • Turf Management

    Specialization in turfgrass management, lawn care, and sports field maintenance. 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 fieldwork in landscapes, participate in plant propagation, and engage in landscaping projects.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Critical role in creating green spaces and improving environmental quality.Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.
Growing demand for landscaping professionals due to urban development.Landscaping work can be physically demanding and requires outdoor work.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.—
Hands-on experience with plant propagation and landscape design.—

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
Public275k to 275k
275k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology275k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

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

JKUAT 275K/yr (KUCCPS). Egerton/UoN don't offer this. Private: unverified.

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.

  • TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University

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

Subject requirements
BiologyC+
Chemistry/AgricultureC+
Mathematics/GeographyC
English/KiswahiliC

When it next starts

Taught at 12 institutions
January 202712 institutions

Including Chuka University, Rongo University, Maseno University.

May 202712 institutions

Including Chuka University, Rongo University, Maseno University.

September 202712 institutions

Including Chuka University, Rongo University, Maseno University.

How you are assessed

5 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments

    Coursework30% of the mark

    Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.

  • 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 practical skills in plant propagation, landscape design, and horticultural management.

  • Research Project

    Project100% of the mark

    Independent research project on environmental horticulture or landscaping topic.

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat30% of the mark

    Regular tests, assignments, and practical reports throughout the semester.

Accreditation

  • 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.

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

  • Landscape Architect

    High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000

    Design landscapes, plan green spaces, and create sustainable environments.

  • 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.

  • Horticulturist

    High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Manage horticultural plants, implement propagation techniques, and maintain plant health.

  • Landscape Manager

    High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000

    Manage landscaping projects, oversee maintenance, and ensure landscape quality.

  • Turf Manager

    Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000

    Manage turfgrass, maintain lawns and sports fields, and ensure turf quality.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in environmental horticulture, landscaping, and green space management across Kenya's horticultural sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Microsoft Excel

    SoftwarePrimary

    Spreadsheet for extension data management, project planning and rural development budgeting.

  • SPSS

    SoftwarePrimary

    Statistical analysis software for rural development research and extension impact assessment.

  • QGIS

    Software

    GIS software for agricultural mapping and extension service planning.

  • PowerPoint

    Software

    Presentation tool for farmer training and extension education sessions.

  • KoboToolbox

    Software

    Mobile data collection tool for field surveys and extension needs assessment.

  • AutoCAD

    SoftwarePrimary

    CAD software for landscape design and site planning.

  • SketchUp

    SoftwarePrimary

    3D modelling software for landscape visualisation and design.

  • ArcGIS

    Software

    GIS software for site analysis and environmental horticulture planning.

  • Adobe Photoshop

    Software

    Image editing software for landscape design presentations.

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • More fertilizer means better plant growth

    Excessive fertilizer can harm plants, cause nutrient imbalances, and pollute water. Plants need balanced nutrition, not excess.

  • Watering plants daily is always best

    Frequent shallow watering encourages shallow roots. Deep, infrequent watering promotes deeper, healthier root systems.

  • Native plants don't need care

    Native plants still need appropriate care, especially during establishment. They're adapted to local conditions but not maintenance-free.

  • Landscape fabric stops weeds forever

    Landscape fabric degrades over time and weeds can grow through it. Proper mulching and maintenance are more effective long-term.

  • Staking trees helps them grow stronger

    Staking can hinder proper trunk development. Trees develop stronger trunks when allowed to move naturally in wind.

  • Pruning stimulates growth

    Pruning at the wrong time or incorrectly can stress plants. Proper pruning is about plant health, not just stimulating growth.

Further reading

Read next