Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management
The Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management is a programme that provides comprehensive training in the sustainable management of natural resources including forests, water, wildlife and land. Offered at Egerton University, Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Maseno University, Karatina University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in natural resource management, conservation and environmental stewardship.
The curriculum covers natural resource management, forestry, wildlife management, water resource management, land resource management, environmental conservation, GIS, environmental economics, natural resource policy, community conservation, climate change, biodiversity, watershed management, environmental impact assessment, research methods and a research project. Students develop management and analytical skills for sustainable resource use.
Kenya's environmental challenges, conservation needs and sustainable development goals create demand for natural resource management graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, fieldwork, laboratory sessions, industrial attachment and research projects.
Graduates are prepared for careers as natural resource managers, conservation officers, forestry officers, wildlife managers, environmental consultants, GIS specialists, community conservation officers, environmental planners and research scientists. They work in Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, NEMA, county governments, NGOs, consulting firms, research institutions and international organisations.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology or Geography, 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 311,950
- Private, up to
- Ksh 188,700
- 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
- 35 students
- Award
- Bachelor
What you study
10 subjects- Natural Resource Management
- Forestry
- Wildlife Management
- Water Resource Management
- Environmental Conservation
- GIS
- Environmental Economics
- Natural Resource Policy
- Community Conservation
- Biodiversity
Modules
12 in the programmeFoundations 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.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Information Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications, data processing, and digital literacy for academic and professional use.
Forestry
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Forest management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
Statistics and Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical methods, probability, and data interpretation for research and practice.
Professional Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical principles, professional conduct, and regulatory frameworks in the field.
GIS
Year 2Semester 33 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...
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.
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.
Natural Resource Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Resource policy. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Community Conservation
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Community-based conservation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...
Specialisations
Water Resources
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.
Wildlife Management
Wildlife conservation. 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.
Forestry
Forest 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.
Community Conservation
Community-based conservation. 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 natural resource management lectures, conducting field surveys, studying forestry and wildlife, using GIS for resource mapping, researching conservation, studying environmental economics, learning resource policy, and working on natural resource research projects.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Addresses critical environmental and conservation challenges
- Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
- Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.
- Socially impactful and meaningful work
Against it
- Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
- Some roles require working in remote areas
- Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.
- 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 181 environmental science coursesAnnual 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
Egerton 307K/yr, UoN 312K/yr (educationnewshub). Kabarak Env Science ~189K/yr (kabarak.ac.ke).
HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Conservation NGOs may offer fieldwork support.
Funding options
HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Scholarships
3 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
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 Biology or Geography, Chemistry or Mathematics, and English or Kiswahili. Diploma in environmental science, forestry, wildlife or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 4.
Biology or Geography
C+
Chemistry or Mathematics
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+
How you are assessed
5 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
Field and Laboratory Practicals
Practicum10% of the mark
Field surveys and lab sessions
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Egerton, KU, UoN, Maseno, Karatina and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in Biology or Geography, 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 rolesNatural Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Resource management
Forestry Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Forest management
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Environmental consulting
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conservation management
GIS Specialist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 320,000
GIS for resource 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 natural resource managers, conservation officers and environmental consultants in KWS, KFS, NEMA and NGOs.
Where these fields lead
8 careersTools you will learn
ArcGIS/QGIS
SoftwarePrimary
GIS software for mapping and spatial analysis of natural resources.
Soil Testing Kit
Field equipment
Portable kit for testing soil pH, nutrients, and composition in the field.
GPS Receiver
Field equipmentPrimary
Handheld GPS for field mapping and ecological survey data collection.
ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
Geographic information system for natural resource mapping and spatial analysis.
R
SoftwarePrimary
Programming language for ecological data analysis and environmental statistics.
Python
Software
Programming language for geospatial data processing and environmental modelling.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet for resource inventory data management and analysis.
QGIS
Software
Open-source GIS software for resource mapping and spatial data visualisation.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Natural resource management is just about conservation.
The programme covers economics, policy, GIS, community conservation and sustainable development.
There are no jobs in natural resource management.
Environmental regulations and conservation needs create demand across sectors.
This is only for government jobs.
Graduates work in NGOs, consulting, research, international organisations and private sector.
Natural resource management is not a science.
The programme integrates biology, chemistry, economics, GIS and policy.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.