Business

Bachelor of Science in Land Resource Management

The Bachelor of Science in Land Resource Management is a programme that provides comprehensive training in land use planning, soil science and natural resource management. Offered at the University of Nairobi, Egerton University, Kenyatta University, JKUAT and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in land management, soil conservation and land use planning.

The curriculum covers soil science, land use planning, land administration, land surveying, GIS, soil conservation, land degradation, watershed management, environmental impact assessment, land economics, land law, cadastral systems, remote sensing, land information systems, research methods and a research project. Students develop technical and management skills for land resource stewardship.

Kenya's land reform agenda, agricultural development and environmental conservation needs create demand for land resource management graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, fieldwork, laboratory sessions, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as land resource managers, land use planners, soil conservation officers, land administrators, GIS specialists, environmental consultants, land valuation officers, watershed managers and research scientists. They work in the Ministry of Lands, county governments, NEMA, research institutions, consulting firms, NGOs and agricultural organisations.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Geography or Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics, 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 360,000
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Soil Science
Land Use Planning
Land Administration
Land Surveying
GIS
Soil Conservation
Land Degradation
Land Economics
Land Law
Remote Sensing

Modules

12 in the programme

Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Soil Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Soil properties and management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Information Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications, data processing, and digital literacy for academic and professional use.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Statistics and Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical methods, probability, and data interpretation for research and practice.
GIS
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Geographic information systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Professional Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical principles, professional conduct, and regulatory frameworks in the field.
Land Degradation
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Land degradation and restoration. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...
Project Management
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Project Management: Project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation techniques. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Land Economics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Economics of land use. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Business planning, venture creation, and innovation management. Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.

Specialisations

GIS and Remote Sensing
Spatial technology. 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.
Land Use Planning
Land planning. 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.
Soil Conservation
Soil 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.
Land Administration
Land administration. 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.
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.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending land management lectures, working in soil science laboratories, studying land use planning, using GIS for land mapping, researching soil conservation, learning land law, conducting field surveys, and working on land resource research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Land reform creates demand for professionals
Combines science, technology and policy
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Diverse career paths in government, consulting and research
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Fieldwork can be physically demanding
Limited number of universities offering the programme
Public sector salaries may be modest

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 331 business courses

Public204k to 360k

204k at Kenyatta University360k at University of Nairobi

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 Resource Mgmt 204K/yr (KU website). UoN Urban Planning 360K/yr (UoN SCHEDULE II)

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available for eligible students.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.

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 Geography or Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in land management, agriculture, environmental science or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.

Geography or Biology
C+
Chemistry or Mathematics
C+
English or 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.
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Field and Laboratory Practicals
Practicum20% of the mark
Field surveys and lab sessions
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams

Accreditation

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

Accredited by

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

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Land Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Land management
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Environmental consulting
Land Use Planner
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 300,000
Land use planning
Soil Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Soil conservation
GIS Specialist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 320,000
GIS for land management
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.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as land resource managers, land use planners and soil conservation officers in the Ministry of Lands, county governments and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

R
Analytics
QGIS
AnalyticsPrimary
WhatsApp
Communication
Google Earth Engine
Cloud
Cool Farm Tool
Analytics
Microsoft Word
Creative
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Google Maps
Analytics
ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
GIS software for land mapping, spatial analysis and land use planning.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for land resource management research data.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Land resource management is just about farming.
The programme covers land use planning, land law, GIS, soil conservation and land administration.
There are no land management jobs in Kenya.
Land reform and county development create demand for land professionals.
This is the same as surveying.
The programme is broader, covering soil science, land economics, conservation and planning.
Land management is only for government.
Graduates work in consulting, research, NGOs and private sector.