Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Water Resources and Environment Management

The Bachelor of Science in Water Resources and Environment Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in water resources and environment 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 Water Resources and Environment Management, Water Resources, Environmental Management, Hydrology, Water Quality, Sustainable Development. 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 Environmental Management, Water Resources and Environment Management Practice, Environmental Ethics, Introduction to Water Resources and Environment Management, Water Resources and Environment Management Research Project. 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 Environmental Management, Hydrology, Water Resources. 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 Water Resources and Environment Management pursue careers as Environmental Manager, Water Resource Manager, Environmental Consultant, Water Quality 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 307,000
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Water Resources and Environment Management
Water Resources
Environmental Management
Hydrology
Water Quality
Sustainable Development

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Water Resources and Environment Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Comprehensive introduction to water resources and environment management, covering water concepts, environmental principles, and approaches to sustainable development.
Water Resources
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of water resources, covering water systems, water availability, water distribution, and water management.
Environmental Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examination of environmental management, covering environmental assessment, environmental protection, sustainable practices, and environmental monitoring.
Hydrology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of hydrology, covering water cycle, surface water, groundwater, and hydrological analysis.
Water Quality
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of water quality, covering water treatment, water pollution, water monitoring, and water standards.
Sustainable Development
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Development of sustainable development skills, covering development principles, sustainable practices, environmental sustainability, and social sustainability.
Water Engineering
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of water engineering, covering water infrastructure, water systems, water treatment plants, and water distribution networks.
Environmental Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examination of environmental policy, covering environmental legislation, policy development, regulatory frameworks, and compliance.
Strategic Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Study of strategic management, covering strategic analysis, strategy formulation, and strategic implementation in environmental context.
Environmental Ethics
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of ethical issues in water resources and environment management, covering environmental ethics, water ethics, and ethical decision-making in environmental practice.
Water Resources and Environment Management Practice
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical environmental work where students apply learned skills in water resources, environmental management, and hydrology.
Water Resources and Environment Management Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research project on water or environmental topic, demonstrating mastery of water resources and environment management theory and practice.

Specialisations

Hydrology
Focus on water cycle, surface water, and hydrological analysis. 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 Management
Specialization in environmental assessment, environmental protection, and sustainable practices. 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.
Water Resources
Focus on water systems, water availability, and water management for water resources 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.
Water Resource Assessment
Focus on hydrological monitoring, water resource evaluation and water balance analysis. 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.
Watershed Management
Specialisation in watershed protection, land use management and catchment conservation. 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.
Water Quality and Pollution Control
Focus on water quality monitoring, pollution assessment and environmental compliance. 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.
Climate Change and Water Resources
Specialisation in climate change impacts on water resources, adaptation strategies and drought management.

A day as a student

Students attend lectures, conduct water resources, participate in case studies, and engage in environmental management.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing focus on water resources and environment management due to water security and environmental protection needs.
Water resources and environment management offers diverse career opportunities in water companies, environmental agencies, and government.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Hydrology and environmental management provide hands-on experience with water quality and sustainable development.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Water and environmental work often involves fieldwork in various environments and exposure to challenging conditions.
Water resources and environment management requires understanding of complex environmental systems and water challenges.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public131k to 307k

131k at Kenyatta University307k at University of Nairobi

Private109k to 243k

109k at Mount Kenya University243k at Daystar University

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 131K/yr (victormatara), UoN 307K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). MKU 109K (mku.ac.ke), Daystar 243K (educationnewshub).

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

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
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.

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 Water Engineering, Environmental Science, Hydrology, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Biology/Biological Sciences
C+
Chemistry
C
Geography/Mathematics
C
English/Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and environmental exercises throughout the semester evaluating knowledge and practical skills.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on water or environmental topic, demonstrating mastery of water resources and environment management theory and practice.
Fieldwork Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of water resources and environment management skills, fieldwork, and practical applications through water resources and case studies.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester testing understanding of water resources, environmental management, and hydrology.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.
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

8 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.
Environmental Manager
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage environmental operations, develop environmental strategies, and coordinate environmental assessment and environmental protection.
Water Resource Manager
High demandKsh 54,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage water resources, develop water strategies, and coordinate water systems and water management.
Environmental Consultant
High demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 125,000
Provide environmental expertise, consult on environmental strategy, and support organizations in environmental improvement.
Water Quality Officer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Support water quality, implement quality programs, and work in water treatment and water monitoring.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in water resources and environment management across Kenya's water and environmental sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Google Earth
Gis
PlantVillage Nuru
Agriculture
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for environmental research data and water quality monitoring.
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
QGIS
GisPrimary
R
Analytics

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.