Agriculture

Bachelor of Science in Range Management

The Bachelor Of Science In Range Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in range management. The programme falls under the Business & Economics category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Range Management, Rangeland Ecology, Pasture Management, Wildlife Conservation, Dryland Agriculture, Grazing Systems. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Rangeland Ecology, Rangeland Analysis Methods, Wildlife Management, Rangeland Rehabilitation, Range Research Methods. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Rangeland Rehabilitation, Wildlife Management, Pasture Management. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor Of Science In Range Management pursue careers as Range Manager, Conservation Specialist, Wildlife Officer, Dryland Development Officer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 184,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 8 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Range Management
Rangeland Ecology
Pasture Management
Wildlife Conservation
Dryland Agriculture
Grazing Systems

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Range Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of range management, rangeland ecosystems, and their importance in Kenya.
Rangeland Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ecological principles of rangelands, including plant-animal interactions and ecosystem dynamics.
Pasture and Forage Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Pasture and Forage Management: Management of pastures and forage crops for livestock production in rangelands. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Grazing Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Grazing systems, stocking rates, and sustainable grazing practices for rangelands.
Wildlife Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of wildlife management in rangelands, including conservation and human-wildlife conflict.
Rangeland Plant Resources
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Identification and management of rangeland plant species, including grasses and shrubs.
Rangeland Analysis Methods
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Methods for assessing rangeland condition, including vegetation surveys and monitoring.
Dryland Agriculture
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Agricultural practices adapted to dryland conditions, including drought-resistant crops.
Rangeland Hydrology
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Water management in rangelands, including water sources and distribution for livestock and wildlife.
Rangeland Rehabilitation
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques for rehabilitating degraded rangelands and restoring ecosystem function.
Pastoral Production Systems
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Understanding pastoral livelihood systems and their integration with rangeland management.
Range Research Methods
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Research methods for range management, including field sampling and data analysis.

Specialisations

Rangeland Rehabilitation
Focus on restoring degraded rangelands, erosion control, and ecosystem restoration. 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
Focus on wildlife conservation, human-wildlife conflict, and ecosystem 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.
Pasture Management
Specialization in pasture development, forage production, and grazing systems. 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 rangeland surveys, participate in wildlife monitoring, and engage in field conservation projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in managing Kenya's extensive rangeland ecosystems and supporting pastoral livelihoods.
Fieldwork in diverse rangeland ecosystems provides unique experience with wildlife and conservation.
Growing demand for rangeland managers due to climate change and desertification concerns.

Against it

Fieldwork in remote rangeland areas can be challenging with basic living conditions.
Rangeland degradation can be discouraging despite best management efforts.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 303 agriculture courses

Public184k to 184k

184k at University of Nairobi184k 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

UoN Ag & Range Mgmt 184,000/yr Y1 (eafinder). Egerton & 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 Range Management, Agriculture, Environmental Science, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Biology/Agriculture
C+
Chemistry
C
Mathematics/Physics/Geography
C
English/Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on range management topic.
Rangeland Assessment Projects
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of rangeland survey skills, vegetation assessment, and monitoring techniques.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and field reports throughout the semester.

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

Range Manager
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage rangeland resources, implement grazing plans, and ensure sustainable rangeland use.
Conservation Specialist
Medium demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Develop and implement conservation strategies for rangeland ecosystems.
Wildlife Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manage wildlife in rangelands, conduct conservation activities, and prevent human-wildlife conflict.
Dryland Development Officer
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Coordinate dryland development programmes, support pastoral communities, and implement projects.
Rangeland Consultant
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provide expert advice on rangeland management, conservation, and sustainable land use.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in range management, wildlife conservation, and dryland development across Kenya's rangeland ecosystems.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SAP FICO
ErpPrimary
SAP financial and controlling module.
QuickBooks Enterprise
Accounting
Advanced accounting for SMEs.
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Financial modelling and analysis.
SAP ERP
ErpPrimary
Oracle ERP
Erp