Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Enterprise and Management

The Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Enterprise and Management is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in wildlife enterprise 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 Enterprise Management, Wildlife Management, Ecotourism, Enterprise Development, Wildlife Economics, Sustainable Wildlife Use. 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 Business Management, Wildlife Ecology, Sustainable Wildlife Use, Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Monitoring and Assessment. 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 Wildlife Conservation, Ecotourism Management, Wildlife Business Management. 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 Enterprise and Management pursue careers as Conservation Officer, Park Manager, Wildlife Manager, Wildlife Enterprise Consultant. 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 Enterprise Management
Wildlife Management
Ecotourism
Enterprise Development
Wildlife Economics
Sustainable Wildlife Use

Modules

12 in the programme

Wildlife Ecology and Population Dynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Wildlife ecology principles, population dynamics and species interactions in ecosystems.
Habitat Management and Conservation Biology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Habitat Management and Conservation Biology: Habitat assessment, management techniques and conservation biology principles. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational co...
Wildlife Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Wildlife Ecology: Wildlife ecology, wildlife biology, and ecosystem management. Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental management practices.
GIS and Biodiversity Conservation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
GIS applications for wildlife management and biodiversity conservation strategies.
Ecotourism and Enterprise Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Ecotourism and Enterprise Development: Ecotourism principles, enterprise development and nature-based business models. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant ...
Wildlife Policy, Law and Environmental Economics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Wildlife legislation, policy frameworks and economic valuation of wildlife resources.
Wildlife Conservation
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Conservation strategies, biodiversity conservation, and protected area management.
Wildlife Health and Disease Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Wildlife Health and Disease Management: Wildlife health, disease ecology and management of wildlife health risks. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Research Methods and Wildlife Enterprise Project
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design and a project applying wildlife enterprise and management principles.
Wildlife Business Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Wildlife Business Management: Business management, financial planning, and wildlife enterprise economics. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Sustainable Wildlife Use
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Sustainable Wildlife Use: Sustainable use principles, wildlife utilization, and sustainable management. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Wildlife Monitoring and Assessment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Wildlife Monitoring and Assessment: Wildlife monitoring techniques, population assessment, and data collection. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

Specialisations

Ecotourism Management
Focus on ecotourism principles, tourism management, and wildlife tourism. 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.
Wildlife Conservation
Specialization in conservation strategies, biodiversity conservation, and protected area management.
Wildlife Business Management
Focus on business management, financial planning, and wildlife enterprise economics. 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.
Wildlife Management
Focus on wildlife population dynamics, habitat management and species conservation 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.
Ecotourism and Hospitality
Specialisation in ecotourism enterprise development, hospitality management and nature-based tourism.
Conservation Enterprise
Focus on developing sustainable business models around wildlife resources and community conservation.
Community Wildlife Management
Specialisation in community-based conservation, human-wildlife conflict management and participatory wildlife governance.

A day as a student

Students attend lectures, conduct fieldwork in wildlife areas, participate in wildlife monitoring, and engage in enterprise development.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in conserving wildlife and supporting ecotourism development.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Growing demand for wildlife professionals due to conservation and tourism needs.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.
Fieldwork provides direct experience with wildlife and conservation activities.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.
Wildlife work can be physically demanding and requires working in remote areas.

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
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.

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

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 field reports throughout the semester.
Field Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of field skills in wildlife monitoring, enterprise management, and conservation.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on wildlife enterprise or management topic.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.

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

Conservation Officer
High demandKsh 52,000 to Ksh 115,000
Implement conservation strategies, protect wildlife, and manage protected areas.
Park Manager
Medium demandKsh 57,000 to Ksh 123,000
Manage protected areas, oversee wildlife operations, and ensure park management.
Wildlife Manager
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manage wildlife resources, implement conservation strategies, and ensure sustainable wildlife use.
Wildlife Enterprise Consultant
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provide consulting services on wildlife enterprise management and conservation.
Ecotourism Manager
High demandKsh 58,000 to Ksh 125,000
Manage ecotourism operations, develop wildlife tourism, and ensure sustainable tourism.
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.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in wildlife enterprise management, conservation, and ecotourism 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
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for wildlife research data and population analysis.