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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 193,800 a year at a public institution, Ksh 775,200 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 6 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 Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
What you study
6 subjects- Parks Recreation and Leisure Management
- Park Management
- Recreation Planning
- Leisure Services
- Tourism Management
- Community Development
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Growing demand for parks and recreation professionals due to tourism development and community recreation needs. | Recreation work often involves outdoor environments and exposure to weather conditions. |
| Parks and recreation management offer diverse career opportunities in parks, recreation centers, and tourism departments. | Park management requires understanding of environmental conservation and community engagement. |
| Park management and recreation planning provide hands-on experience with leisure services and community development. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 243 education 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
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 recordedHigher 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
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Diploma holders in Tourism, Recreation Management, Environmental Science, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Multimedia University of Kenya.
Including Multimedia University of Kenya.
Including Multimedia University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
4 componentsEnd 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
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.
Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesPark 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- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
- Franchise Operations ManagerBusiness18Low exposure
- Infrastructure Finance SpecialistBusiness18Low exposure
- Intermodal Reefer TechnicianBusiness18Low exposure
- Climate Risk UnderwriterBusiness19Low exposure
- Coldchain Logistics ManagerBusiness19Low exposure
- Municipal Finance SpecialistBusiness19Low exposure
- Islamic Banking SpecialistBusiness20Low exposure
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.