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.

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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 275,400
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

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 favour

Water scarcity makes this a critical field
Specialised skills with less competition
Field-based learning with outdoor work

Against it

Limited number of universities offering the programme
Fieldwork can be physically demanding
May 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

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
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.

Mathematics
C+
Physics or Chemistry
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

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

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.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

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

Industry links

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.