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Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management

The Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in wildlife conservation and management. The programme falls under the Agriculture & Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Management, Biodiversity Conservation, Wildlife Ecology, Protected Area Management, Conservation Biology. 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 Wildlife Management, Introduction to Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Monitoring, Community Conservation, Wildlife Policy and Law. 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 Protected Area Management, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Biodiversity Conservation. 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 Wildlife Conservation and Management pursue careers as Park Manager, Wildlife Conservation Officer, Wildlife Researcher, Conservation Biologist. 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 372,000
Private, up to
Ksh 191,700
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
  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Wildlife Management
  • Biodiversity Conservation
  • Wildlife Ecology
  • Protected Area Management
  • Conservation Biology

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Introduction to Wildlife Conservation

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Overview of wildlife conservation, conservation principles, and wildlife management.

  • Wildlife Ecology

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Wildlife Ecology: Wildlife ecology, wildlife biology, and ecosystem management. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.

  • Conservation Biology

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Conservation Biology: Conservation biology principles, species conservation, and population biology. Covers cellular processes, organismal biology, and ecological relationships.

  • Wildlife Management

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Wildlife management principles, population management, and conservation strategies.

  • Biodiversity Conservation

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Biodiversity Conservation: Biodiversity assessment, conservation strategies, and biodiversity management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Protected Area Management

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Protected Area Management: Protected area management, park planning, and conservation area design. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.

  • Wildlife Policy and Law

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Wildlife Policy and Law: Wildlife policy, legal frameworks, and regulatory compliance. Examines statutory frameworks, case law, and regulatory compliance in the Kenyan context.

  • Wildlife Monitoring

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Wildlife Monitoring: Wildlife monitoring techniques, population assessment, and data collection. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Human-Wildlife Conflict

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Human-wildlife conflict management, conflict resolution, and mitigation strategies.

  • Community Conservation

    Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

    Community Conservation: Community-based conservation, participatory approaches, and local engagement. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Ecotourism

    Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

    Ecotourism: Ecotourism principles, wildlife tourism, and sustainable tourism. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Wildlife Conservation and Management Project

    Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

    Wildlife Conservation and Management Project: Independent project on wildlife conservation or management topic. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engag...

Specialisations

  • Biodiversity Conservation

    Focus on biodiversity assessment, conservation strategies, and biodiversity 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.

  • Human-Wildlife Conflict

    Focus on human-wildlife conflict management, conflict resolution, and mitigation 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.

  • Protected Area Management

    Specialization in protected area management, park planning, and conservation area design. 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 wildlife areas, participate in wildlife monitoring, and engage in conservation activities.

The trade offs

In its favour

  • Critical role in conserving wildlife and protecting biodiversity.
  • Growing demand for conservation professionals due to biodiversity loss and climate change.
  • Fieldwork provides direct experience with wildlife and conservation activities.

Against it

  • Fieldwork can be physically demanding and requires working in remote areas.
  • Conservation work can be challenging due to human-wildlife conflicts and limited resources.

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 372k
131k at Kenyatta University372k at University of Nairobi
Private109k to 192k
109k at Mount Kenya University192k at Kabarak 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 372K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). MKU 109K, Kabarak 192K (kabarak.ac.ke).

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 Wildlife Management, Environmental Science, Biology, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

  • Biology

    C+

  • Chemistry/Geography

    C+

  • Mathematics/Physics

    C

  • English/Kiswahili

    C

How you are assessed

4 components

  • 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.

  • Field Practice Assessments

    Practicum100% of the mark

    Evaluation of field skills in wildlife monitoring, conservation, and protected area management.

  • Research Project

    Project100% of the mark

    Independent research project on wildlife conservation or management topic.

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

  • Park Manager

    High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000

    Manage protected areas, oversee wildlife operations, and ensure park management.

  • Wildlife Conservation Officer

    High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000

    Implement conservation strategies, protect wildlife, and manage protected areas.

  • Wildlife Researcher

    Medium demandKsh 57,000 to Ksh 123,000

    Conduct wildlife research, study wildlife populations, and support conservation science.

  • Conservation Biologist

    Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000

    Conduct conservation research, develop conservation strategies, and support biodiversity protection.

  • Ecotourism Manager

    Medium demandKsh 56,000 to Ksh 122,000

    Manage ecotourism operations, develop wildlife tourism, and ensure sustainable tourism.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in wildlife conservation, biodiversity management, and protected areas across Kenya's wildlife sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • ChatGPT / Claude

    Ai

  • Google Earth

    Gis

  • Microsoft Excel

    SpreadsheetPrimary

  • PlantVillage Nuru

    Agriculture

  • QGIS

    GisPrimary

  • R

    Analytics

Certifications

Industry links

Related courses

Further reading

Keep this

Fees and entry marks for Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Conservation and Management are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.

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