Education

Bachelor of Science in Parks Recreation and Leisure Management

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in parks, recreation, and leisure management. It develops expertise in park management, recreation planning, leisure services, tourism management, and community development while building comprehensive skills for managing parks and recreation facilities effectively.

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

Kenya requires parks, recreation, and leisure management to support tourism development, enhance community recreation, and promote environmental conservation, creating demand for professionals who can work in park management, recreation planning, leisure services, and support the tourism and recreation sectors.

The programme combines coursework, recreation practice, case studies, research projects, and tourism training. Students gain hands-on experience through park management, recreation planning, and leisure services.

Graduates pursue careers as park managers, recreation managers, leisure services managers, tourism officers, and community development officers across parks, recreation centers, tourism departments, and community organizations.

The programme is ideal for students interested in parks, recreation, and leisure management, park management, recreation planning, leisure services, and tourism management.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 193,800
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

Parks Recreation and Leisure Management
Park Management
Recreation Planning
Leisure Services
Tourism Management
Community Development

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Parks Recreation and Leisure Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to parks recreation and leisure management, covering recreation concepts, park principles, and approaches to leisure services.
Park Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of park management, covering park operations, park planning, park infrastructure, and park administration.
Recreation Planning
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of recreation planning, covering recreation programming, facility planning, recreation policy, and leisure planning.
Leisure Services
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of leisure services, covering leisure programming, community recreation, leisure education, and service delivery.
Tourism Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of tourism management, covering tourism planning, tourism marketing, ecotourism, and sustainable tourism.
Community Development
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of community development skills, covering community engagement, community programs, social development, and community planning.
Environmental Conservation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of environmental conservation, covering conservation principles, protected areas, environmental restoration, and biodiversity conservation.
Recreation Law
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of recreation law, covering recreation legislation, regulatory frameworks, compliance, and legal frameworks for recreation management.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in recreation context.
Recreation Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in parks recreation management, covering environmental ethics, conservation ethics, and ethical decision-making in recreation practice.
Parks Recreation and Leisure Management Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical recreation work where students apply learned skills in park management, recreation planning, and leisure services.
Parks Recreation and Leisure Management Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on recreation topic, demonstrating mastery of parks recreation and leisure management theory and practice.

Specialisations

Recreation Planning
Specialization in recreation programming, facility planning, and leisure 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.
Tourism Management
Focus on tourism planning, tourism marketing, and ecotourism. 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.
Park Management
Focus on park operations, park planning, and park infrastructure for park 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.
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 park management, participate in case studies, and engage in recreation planning.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand for parks and recreation professionals due to tourism development and community recreation needs.
Parks and recreation management offer diverse career opportunities in parks, recreation centers, and tourism departments.
Park management and recreation planning provide hands-on experience with leisure services and community development.

Against it

Recreation work often involves outdoor environments and exposure to weather conditions.
Park management requires understanding of environmental conservation and community engagement.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 243 education courses

Public194k to 194k

194k at Maasai Mara University194k at Maasai Mara 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

MMU 96,900/sem self-sponsored mwafrikah. Private: unverified.

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 Tourism, Recreation Management, Environmental Science, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Geography
C+
Biology/Chemistry
C
English/Kiswahili
C
Any Group II subject
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 park management, recreation planning, and leisure services.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on recreation topic, demonstrating mastery of parks recreation and leisure management theory and practice.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and recreation exercises throughout the semester evaluating knowledge and practical skills.
Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of recreation management skills, fieldwork, and practical applications through park management and case studies.

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

Park Manager
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manage park operations, develop park strategies, and coordinate park infrastructure and park administration.
Recreation Manager
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Manage recreation programs, develop recreation strategies, and coordinate leisure services and recreation planning.
Community Development Officer
High demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000
Support community development, design community programs, and work in community engagement and social development.
Leisure Services Manager
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manage leisure services, develop leisure strategies, and coordinate community recreation and leisure programming.
Tourism Officer
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Support tourism development, implement tourism programs, and work in ecotourism and sustainable tourism.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in parks, recreation, and leisure management across Kenya's tourism and recreation sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Google Workspace
Cloud
Power BI
AnalyticsPrimary
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise

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.