Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Resource Management

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in environmental resource management. It develops expertise in natural resource management, environmental conservation, resource economics, sustainable resource use, and environmental governance while building comprehensive skills for managing environmental resources effectively.

Students analyse environmental resource needs, design resource management strategies, implement conservation techniques, evaluate resource performance, conduct research, apply ethical principles, manage resource projects, and develop sustainable resource practices. They also strengthen analytical thinking, resource management skills, communication, teamwork, and conservation abilities.

Kenya requires environmental resource management to support resource conservation, enhance sustainable resource use, and promote environmental protection, creating demand for professionals who can work in natural resource management, environmental conservation, resource economics, and support the environmental and resource sectors.

The programme combines coursework, resource practice, case studies, research projects, and conservation training. Students gain hands-on experience through resource assessment, conservation practice, and environmental monitoring.

Graduates pursue careers as natural resource managers, environmental conservation officers, resource economists, environmental consultants, and policy analysts across environmental agencies, government departments, resource companies, and conservation organizations.

The programme is ideal for students interested in environmental resource management, natural resource management, environmental conservation, resource economics, and sustainable resource use.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 109,100
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Environmental Resource Management
Natural Resource Management
Environmental Conservation
Resource Economics
Sustainable Resource Use
Environmental Governance

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Environmental Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to environmental resource management, covering resource concepts, conservation principles, and approaches to sustainable resource use.
Natural Resource Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of natural resource management, covering natural resources, water resources, land resources, and resource utilization.
Environmental Conservation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of environmental conservation, covering conservation principles, conservation strategies, protected areas, and conservation planning.
Resource Economics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of resource economics, covering resource valuation, resource allocation, resource depletion, and sustainable resource economics.
Sustainable Resource Use
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of sustainable resource use, covering sustainable practices, resource efficiency, circular economy, and resource sustainability.
Environmental Governance
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of environmental governance skills, covering environmental institutions, governance frameworks, environmental regulation, and compliance.
Water Resource Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of water resource management, covering water resources, water conservation, irrigation, and water harvesting.
Land Resource Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of land resource management, covering land use planning, soil conservation, land degradation, and land restoration.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in resource context.
Resource Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in environmental resource management, covering environmental ethics, conservation ethics, and ethical decision-making in resource practice.
Environmental Resource Management Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical resource work where students apply learned skills in resource assessment, conservation practice, and environmental monitoring.
Environmental Resource Management Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on resource or environmental topic, demonstrating mastery of environmental resource management theory and practice.

Specialisations

Land Resource Management
Specialization in land use planning, soil conservation, and land restoration. 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.
Water Resource Management
Focus on water resources, water conservation, and irrigation for water resource management careers. 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.
Resource Economics
Focus on resource valuation, resource allocation, and sustainable resource economics. 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 resource assessment, participate in case studies, and engage in conservation practice.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing focus on sustainable resource management and environmental conservation in Kenya.
Environmental resource management offers diverse career opportunities in environmental agencies, government, and resource companies.
Resource assessment and conservation practice provide hands-on experience with environmental monitoring and resource management.

Against it

Resource work often involves fieldwork in remote areas and exposure to harsh environmental conditions.
Environmental resource management requires understanding of complex ecosystems and resource-related challenges.

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 109k

109k at Mount Kenya University109k at Mount Kenya 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 245K, UoN 324K/yr (KUCCPS/Schedule II). MKU 109K/yr (eafinder).

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, Natural Resource Management, Conservation, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Biology/Biological Sciences
C+
Chemistry
C
Geography/Mathematics
C
English/Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of natural resource management, environmental conservation, and resource economics.
Fieldwork Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of resource management skills, fieldwork, and practical applications through resource assessment and case studies.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and resource management exercises throughout the semester evaluating knowledge and practical skills.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on resource or environmental topic, demonstrating mastery of environmental resource management theory and practice.

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

Environmental Consultant
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide environmental resource expertise, consult on conservation strategy, and support organizations in resource improvement.
Environmental Conservation Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Support environmental conservation, implement conservation programs, and work in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.
Resource Economist
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Analyse resource economics, develop resource strategies, and support resource allocation and sustainable use.
Policy Analyst
Medium demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Analyse resource policy, develop policy recommendations, and support policy development and implementation.
Natural Resource Manager
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Manage natural resources, develop resource strategies, and coordinate resource utilization and conservation.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in environmental resource management across Kenya's environmental and resource sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

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

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.