Social Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning

The Bachelor Of Science In Urban And Regional Planning is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in urban and regional planning. The programme falls under the Architecture & Built Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Urban and Regional Planning, Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Land Use Planning, Transportation Planning, Environmental Planning. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Agricultural Mechanics, Electrical Installation, Electrical Systems, Electronics, Farm Machinery. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Planning Law, GIS for Planning, Urban and Regional Planning Studio, Infrastructure Planning, Housing Planning. 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 General Practice, Urban Planning, Regional Planning. 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 Urban And Regional Planning pursue careers as Transportation Planner, Land Use Planner, Regional Planner, Urban Planner. 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 360,000
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

Urban and Regional Planning
Urban Planning
Regional Planning
Land Use Planning
Transportation Planning
Environmental Planning

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of urban and regional planning, planning principles, and planning theory.
Urban Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Urban Planning: Urban development, urban design, and urban planning strategies. Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Regional Planning
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Regional Planning: Regional development, regional analysis, and regional planning strategies. Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Land Use Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Land Use Planning: Land use analysis, land use planning, and land use management. Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Transportation Planning
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Transportation Planning: Transportation systems, transportation planning, and mobility planning. Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Environmental Planning
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Environmental Planning: Environmental analysis, environmental planning, and sustainable development. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
Planning Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Planning Law: Planning legislation, regulatory frameworks, and planning law. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.
Housing Planning
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Housing development, housing policy, and housing planning. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Infrastructure Planning
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Infrastructure systems, infrastructure planning, and infrastructure development.
GIS for Planning
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
GIS for Planning: Geographic information systems, spatial analysis, and planning technology. Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Urban and Regional Planning Studio
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Urban and Regional Planning Studio: Planning design, studio projects, and practical applications. Covers planning theory, regulatory frameworks, and sustainable development practices.
Urban and Regional Planning Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent project on urban or regional planning topic. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...

Specialisations

Urban Planning
Focus on urban development, urban design, and urban planning strategies. 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.
Regional Planning
Specialization in regional development, regional analysis, and regional planning strategies. 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.
Transportation Planning
Focus on transportation systems, transportation planning, and mobility 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.
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 studio work, participate in field visits, and engage in planning projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in urban and regional development and sustainable growth.
Growing demand for urban and regional planners due to urbanization and development needs.
Studio work provides practical experience in planning and design.

Against it

Planning work can be complex due to competing interests and regulatory challenges.
Planning projects require long timeframes and extensive stakeholder engagement.

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

Public306k to 360k

306k at Kenyatta University360k 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 306K/yr (joweri/mawese). UoN 360K/yr (Schedule II). 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 Urban Planning, Land Economics, Architecture, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

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

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on urban or regional planning topic.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Studio Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of studio skills, planning design, and practical applications.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and studio projects 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

Transportation Planner
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Plan transportation systems, manage mobility, and ensure efficient transportation.
Land Use Planner
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Plan land use, manage land resources, and ensure sustainable land use.
Regional Planner
High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Plan regional development, manage regional growth, and ensure sustainable regional development.
Urban Planner
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Plan urban development, manage urban growth, and ensure sustainable urban development.
Environmental Planner
Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 122,000
Plan environmental protection, manage environmental resources, and ensure sustainable development.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in urban planning, regional planning, and development planning across Kenya's planning sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

QGIS
Design
Google Earth Engine
Analytics
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
ETABS
Structural analysis
MS Project
Project management
ArcGIS
Design
Civil 3D
Civil design
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary