Social Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Community Development

The Bachelor Of Science In Sustainable Community Development is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in sustainable community development. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Sustainable Community Development, Community Development, Sustainability Principles, Participatory Approaches, Social Change, Community Empowerment. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advanced Econometrics, Advanced Statistics for Agricultural Research, Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness Finance and Accounting, Agribusiness Information Systems. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Community-Based Natural Resource Management, Project Management, Sustainable Community Development Project, Development Policy and Governance, Participatory 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 Livelihood Development, Environmental Sustainability, Community Development. 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 Sustainable Community Development pursue careers as Development Specialist, NGO Programme Officer, Sustainability Consultant, Community 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 311,950
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Sustainable Community Development
Community Development
Sustainability Principles
Participatory Approaches
Social Change
Community Empowerment

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Sustainable Community Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of sustainable development, community development, and sustainability principles.
Community Development Principles
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Community development principles, participatory approaches, and community engagement.
Sustainability Theory
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Sustainability principles, sustainable development goals, and sustainability frameworks.
Participatory Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Participatory Methods: Participatory approaches, community participation, and stakeholder engagement. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Social Change and Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Social Change and Development: Social change theories, development paradigms, and social transformation. Covers social structures, institutions, and contemporary social issues.
Community-Based Natural Resource Management
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Community-Based Natural Resource Management: CBNRM approaches, community resource management, and local governance. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Project Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation for community projects.
Community Health and Environment
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Community Health and Environment: Community health, environmental health, and health-environment linkages. Covers clinical principles, patient care protocols, and evidence-based practice.
Livelihood Development
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Livelihood Development: Livelihood strategies, income generation, and sustainable livelihoods. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Gender and Development
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Gender and Development: Gender issues, gender mainstreaming, and inclusive development. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Development Policy and Governance
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Development Policy and Governance: Development policy frameworks, governance structures, and policy analysis. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Sustainable Community Development Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Sustainable Community Development Project: Independent project on sustainable community development topic. Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

Community Development
Focus on community development principles, participatory approaches, and community engagement. 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.
Livelihood Development
Focus on livelihood strategies, income generation, and sustainable livelihoods. 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.
Environmental Sustainability
Specialization in environmental sustainability, environmental management, and green development. 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 fieldwork in communities, participate in development projects, and engage in community engagement activities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in empowering communities and promoting sustainable development.
Growing demand for community development professionals due to development needs.
Fieldwork provides direct experience with communities and development activities.

Against it

Community work can be challenging due to limited resources and complex social dynamics.
Development work requires patience and long-term commitment to achieve results.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public245k to 312k

245k at Kenyatta University312k 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 244.8K/yr (kenyaeducationguide), UoN ~312K/yr (educationnewshub). Private unverified.

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

4 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
NGAAF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Women, youth and persons with disabilities from vulnerable backgrounds

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 Community Development, Social Work, Environmental Science, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Geography/Biology
C+
Chemistry/Mathematics
C+
English/Kiswahili
C
Any other subject
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and project reports throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on sustainable community development topic.
Field Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of field skills in community engagement, development activities, and participatory methods.

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

Development Specialist
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Design development programmes, implement strategies, and support sustainable development.
NGO Programme Officer
Medium demandKsh 53,000 to Ksh 118,000
Manage NGO programmes, implement development activities, and support community projects.
Sustainability Consultant
Medium demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide consulting services on sustainable development and community sustainability.
Community Development Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Implement community development programmes, facilitate community engagement, and support development.
Social Worker
Medium demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000
Support communities, implement social programmes, and facilitate social change.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in sustainable community development, social change, and community empowerment across Kenya's development sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Google Earth
Gis
R
Analytics
QGIS
GisPrimary
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary