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Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Hydrology

The Bachelor of Science in Hydrology is a programme that provides comprehensive training in water science, hydrological processes and water resource management. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Maseno University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in hydrology, water resource management and environmental water science.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 275,400
Ksh 1,101,600 total
Job market
Moderate
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+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 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 DNA Scientist, at 15 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The curriculum covers hydrology, hydrogeology, surface water hydrology, groundwater hydrology, water quality, watershed management, hydrometeorology, fluid mechanics, water resource management, hydrological modelling, GIS for water resources, water policy, environmental hydrology, climate change and water, research methods and a research project. Students develop analytical and field skills for water science.

Kenya's water scarcity challenges, watershed management needs and climate change impacts create demand for hydrology graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, fieldwork, laboratory sessions, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as hydrologists, water resource specialists, groundwater specialists, watershed managers, water quality officers, hydrological modellers, water consultants and research scientists. They work in the Water Resources Authority, county governments, Ministry of Water, research institutions, NGOs, consulting firms and international organisations.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry, 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.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Hydrology
  • Hydrogeology
  • Surface Water Hydrology
  • Groundwater Hydrology
  • Water Quality
  • Watershed Management
  • Hydrometeorology
  • Hydrological Modelling
  • GIS for Water Resources
  • Water Resource Management

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Hydrology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Hydrological principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...

  • Hydrogeology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Groundwater science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...

  • Surface Water Hydrology

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Surface water processes. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...

  • Groundwater Hydrology

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Groundwater systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...

  • Water Quality

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Water quality assessment. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...

  • Watershed Management

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Watershed management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...

  • Hydrometeorology

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Water and climate. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...

  • Hydrological Modelling

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Computer modelling. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...

  • Water Resource Management

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Water management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examin...

  • 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

  • Surface Water

    Surface water 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.

  • Groundwater Hydrology

    Groundwater science. 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.

  • Hydrological Modelling

    Computer modelling. 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 Quality

    Water quality 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 hydrology lectures, working in water quality laboratories, conducting field hydrological measurements, studying hydrological modelling, using GIS for water resource mapping, researching climate change impacts, analysing water data, and working on hydrological research projects.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Water scarcity makes this a critical fieldLimited number of universities offering the programme
Specialised skills with less competitionFieldwork can be physically demanding
Field-based learning with outdoor workMay require postgraduate qualifications for advancement

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 275k
275k at South Eastern Kenya University275k at South Eastern 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

SEKU 275,400/yr (educationnewshub KUCCPS). Private unverified.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Water sector organisations may offer support.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • County Bursaries

  • Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students from participating counties

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan undergraduate students

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan

    KUCCPS-placed students

Scholarships you could apply for

1 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+minimum entry
Alternative entry

KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry, and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in water resource management, environmental science, geology or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Subject requirements
MathematicsC+
Physics or ChemistryC+
English or KiswahiliC+

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Kenya Water Institute.

September 20271 institution

Including Kenya Water Institute.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat20% of the mark

    Regular tests and assignments

  • Research Project

    Project10% of the mark

    Final year research project

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Written examination50% of the mark

    End of semester written exams

  • Field and Laboratory Practicals

    Practicum20% of the mark

    Field measurements and lab sessions

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at UoN, KU, Maseno and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry, and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Water Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Water consulting

  • Water Quality Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Water quality management

  • Water Resource Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 300,000

    Water resource management

  • Groundwater Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Groundwater management

  • Hydrologist

    Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 320,000

    Hydrological science

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as hydrologists, water resource specialists and watershed managers in the Water Resources Authority, county governments and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Python

    ProgrammingPrimary

    Data analysis and machine learning for risk modelling.

  • PlantVillage Nuru

    Agriculture

  • QGIS

    GisPrimary

  • R

    Analytics

  • Microsoft Excel

    SpreadsheetPrimary

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Hydrology is just about water.

    The programme covers hydrological modelling, water quality, watershed management, climate change and water policy.

  • There are no hydrology jobs in Kenya.

    Water scarcity and climate change create demand for water resource professionals.

  • Hydrology is the same as civil engineering.

    Hydrology focuses on water science and resource management, not infrastructure design.

  • Hydrology is only for government jobs.

    Graduates work in consulting, research, NGOs and international organisations.

Further reading

Read next