Diploma in Environmental Health
The Diploma in Environmental Health is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in public health, environmental sanitation, water safety, occupational health, food hygiene and disease prevention. Offered at multiple universities in Kenya, the programme prepares students for careers as public health officers supporting community health and environmental safety.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 120,700 a year at a public institution, Ksh 362,100 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 100,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 3 years, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 6 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers environmental health principles, public health, epidemiology, water supply and sanitation, waste management, food hygiene and safety, occupational health and safety, vector control, housing and health, air quality management, environmental legislation, health education, community mobilisation, research methods, communication skills and industrial attachment. Students develop both technical and community engagement skills.
Kenya's health sector prioritises preventive and promotive health services, with environmental health officers playing a critical role in disease prevention, sanitation and public health enforcement. The programme responds to the need for qualified public health officers who can implement environmental health programmes at county and community levels.
The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, field visits, community health campaigns, case studies, research projects and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in water quality testing, sanitation inspection, food hygiene assessment and health education through fieldwork and attachment at county health departments, public health offices or environmental health agencies.
Graduates pursue careers as public health officers, environmental health officers, sanitation officers, food safety officers and health inspectors in county governments, national government, NGOs and private sector organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health or Public Health.
Prospective students should have an interest in public health, community service and environmental protection. The programme is suitable for students seeking careers in environmental health and public health practice.
What you study
8 subjects- Environmental Health Principles and Public Health
- Water Supply, Sanitation and Waste Management
- Food Hygiene and Safety
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Epidemiology and Vector Control
- Environmental Legislation and Health Education
- Housing, Air Quality and Environmental Inspection
- Research Methods, Communication and Community Mobilisation
Modules
8 in the programmeEnvironmental Health Principles and Public Health
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental health principles, public health concepts, health systems in Kenya, disease prevention frameworks and the role of environmental health officers.
Water Supply, Sanitation and Waste Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers water sources, water treatment, water quality testing, excreta disposal, solid waste management, liquid waste management and sanitation technologies.
Food Hygiene and Safety
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers food safety principles, foodborne diseases, food inspection, food premises licensing, meat inspection and food hygiene regulations.
Epidemiology and Vector Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers epidemiological principles, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, vector-borne diseases, vector control methods and pest management.
Occupational Health and Safety
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers occupational health hazards, workplace safety, industrial hygiene, occupational diseases, risk assessment and safety legislation.
Environmental Legislation and Health Education
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental health legislation, public health law, health education methods, community mobilisation, behaviour change communication and advocacy.
Housing, Air Quality and Environmental Inspection
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers housing and health, indoor air quality, ambient air pollution, environmental inspection methods, audit reports and enforcement procedures.
Research Methods, Communication and Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Covers research methods, data collection, report writing, communication skills, plus a three-month industrial attachment at a county health department or public health office.
Specialisations
Water and Sanitation
Focuses on water safety and sanitation management for careers as sanitation officers.
Food Safety
Specialises in food hygiene and inspection for careers as food safety officers.
Occupational Health
Focuses on workplace safety and health for careers in occupational health and safety.
Disease Control
Specialises in epidemiology and vector control for careers in disease surveillance and outbreak response.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on epidemiology or water sanitation, followed by a laboratory session on water quality testing. Afternoon sessions may include a field visit to inspect a water treatment facility, a food hygiene assessment exercise, or a community health education practical. Students also work on environmental health projects and prepare for industrial attachment.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Public health officers are employed by every county government in Kenya, providing stable career opportunities. | Field work may involve exposure to health hazards and working in challenging environments. |
| The programme combines scientific knowledge with practical fieldwork and community engagement. | The programme requires strong science subjects at KCSE, making entry more competitive than some diplomas. |
| Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health or Public Health. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 349 health sciences coursesAnnual 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
KMTC 120,700/yr (businessradar). Kabarak 100K, MKU 88,650/yr (kabarak.ac.ke, tuko.co.ke).
Students can access HELB loans and government scholarships under Kenya's new funding model. County governments may offer bursaries for students pursuing health programmes.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
10 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Egerton University TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullEgerton University / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Kenyatta University Scholarship
Before semesterPartialKenyatta University
30 to 50% tuition waiver
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Certificate in Public Health, Community Health or Environmental Health from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 6 institutionsIncluding Egerton University, Kenyatta University, Kabarak University.
Including Egerton University, Kenyatta University, Kabarak University.
Including Egerton University, Kenyatta University, Kabarak University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering environmental health principles, water sanitation and food hygiene.
Laboratory and Field Practicals
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory sessions on water quality testing and field practicals on sanitation inspection.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
An environmental health research project assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a county health department or public health office.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates are eligible for registration as public health officers. Offered at Egerton University, Kabarak University, Kenyatta University and Turkana University College.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Graduates are eligible for registration as public health officers. The programme is offered at Egerton University, Kabarak University, Kenyatta University and Turkana University College.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesPublic Health Officer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 180,000
Implements public health programmes, inspects facilities, enforces health regulations and manages disease prevention at county and community levels.
Environmental Health Officer
High demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 170,000
Conducts environmental health inspections, monitors water and food safety, manages sanitation programmes and responds to health hazards.
Food Safety Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 140,000
Inspects food premises, enforces food hygiene standards, conducts food sampling and investigates foodborne disease outbreaks.
Sanitation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages sanitation programmes, oversees waste management systems, monitors water quality and promotes hygiene in communities.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as public health officers, environmental health officers and sanitation officers in county governments, national government and NGOs.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Environmental health is just about cleaning the environment.
Environmental health covers water safety, food hygiene, occupational health, disease prevention, sanitation, air quality and public health legislation enforcement.
Environmental health officers are just cleaners.
Environmental health officers are trained public health professionals who inspect facilities, enforce health regulations, manage disease outbreaks and promote community health.
There are no jobs for environmental health graduates.
Every county government in Kenya employs public health officers, with additional opportunities in NGOs, private sector and international organisations.
Environmental health is the same as environmental science.
Environmental health focuses on human health and disease prevention, while environmental science focuses on ecological systems and environmental management.