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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.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 360,000
Ksh 1,440,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 360,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,440,000 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 8 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 Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

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.

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 favourAgainst it
Critical role in urban and regional development and sustainable growth.Planning work can be complex due to competing interests and regulatory challenges.
Growing demand for urban and regional planners due to urbanization and development needs.Planning projects require long timeframes and extensive stakeholder engagement.
Studio work provides practical experience in planning and design.—

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

Scholarships you could apply for

6 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSEminimum entry
Alternative entry

Diploma holders in Urban Planning, Land Economics, Architecture, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Subject requirements
MathematicsC+
GeographyC+
Physics/Chemistry/BiologyC
English/KiswahiliC

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Maasai Mara University.

May 20271 institution

Including Maasai Mara University.

September 20271 institution

Including Maasai Mara University.

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

  • 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 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

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Urban planning is just about drawing pretty maps

    Urban planning involves complex analysis of demographics, economics, environment, infrastructure, and community needs to create sustainable, functional cities.

  • Planners can force development to happen

    Planners provide frameworks and guidelines, but actual development depends on market forces, private investment, and community acceptance.

  • Regional planning is the same as urban planning

    Regional planning focuses on broader geographic areas, inter-municipal coordination, and regional systems, while urban planning focuses on individual cities and neighborhoods.

  • Zoning is the only planning tool

    Planners use many tools including incentives, public-private partnerships, design guidelines, infrastructure investment, and community engagement beyond zoning.

  • Planning is only for developed countries

    Planning is critical in developing countries to manage rapid urbanization, informal settlements, and infrastructure needs sustainably.

  • Planners decide everything about a city

    Planning is a collaborative process involving multiple stakeholders including residents, businesses, developers, and government agencies.

Further reading

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