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Environmental Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies

The Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies is a postgraduate research programme offered at Kenyatta University and the University of Eldoret through their respective Schools of Environmental Studies. The programme trains scholars to conduct advanced interdisciplinary research on environmental issues, integrating natural science, social science, and policy perspectives to address complex environmental challenges in Kenya and globally.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 474,000
Ksh 1,422,000 to Ksh 2,370,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 313,700
Ksh 941,100 to Ksh 1,568,500 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 474,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,422,000 to Ksh 2,370,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 313,700 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 5 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Climate Change Analyst, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students engage with advanced environmental science, environmental policy, sustainability science, environmental economics, climate change, and research methodology. The programme combines coursework with thesis research, requiring candidates to develop a research proposal, conduct independent field and analytical research, and produce a doctoral dissertation that makes an original contribution to environmental studies.

Kenya faces significant environmental challenges including deforestation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change impacts that require interdisciplinary research solutions. The programme addresses national priorities under Vision 2030 and the National Environment Policy by training researchers who can inform environmental policy, sustainable development, and natural resource management.

Teaching methods include lectures, field research in diverse ecosystems, environmental analysis, policy research projects, and supervised thesis work. Students have access to university environmental studies resources and collaborate with NEMA, KWS, UNEP, and other environmental institutions.

Graduates pursue careers as university lecturers, environmental researchers, environmental consultants, policy analysts, and sustainability specialists in universities, NEMA, KWS, UNEP, NGOs, and private sector companies.

This programme is ideal for holders of a Master's degree in environmental studies, environmental science, natural resource management, or related fields who are committed to advancing interdisciplinary knowledge in environmental studies.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Policy
  • Sustainability Science
  • Environmental Economics
  • Climate Change
  • Research Methodology
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Thesis Research
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Environmental Governance

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Advanced Environmental Science

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Advanced study of environmental systems including atmospheric, hydrological, ecological, and geological processes and their interactions

  • Environmental Science and Management

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Science and management of environment, covering strategic planning, organisational behaviour, and contemporary management challenges relevant to professional practice.

  • Environmental Policy and Governance

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Analysis of environmental policy frameworks including EMCA, environmental governance structures, and policy instruments in Kenya

  • Climate Change and Adaptation

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Climate change science and adaptation, covering climate science principles, adaptation strategies, and their application in environmental policy.

  • Sustainability Science and Practice

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Sustainability science including systems thinking, sustainability indicators, and transitions to sustainability in developing country contexts

  • Biodiversity Conservation

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Conservation of biodiversity, covering ecological principles, conservation strategies, and their application in biodiversity management.

  • Environmental Economics and Valuation

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Economic dimensions of environmental issues including natural resource valuation, ecosystem services, and environmental cost-benefit analysis

  • Environmental Impact Assessment

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    EIA theory and practice, covering assessment design, evaluation methodologies, data-driven decision-making, and quality assurance processes.

  • Climate Change Science and Adaptation

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Climate change science including causes, impacts, vulnerability assessment, and adaptation strategies for Kenya and East Africa

  • Sustainable Development

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Sustainable development principles, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.

  • Environmental Impact Assessment and Management

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Advanced EIA methods including strategic environmental assessment, environmental management plans, and EIA review

  • Research Methods in Environmental Studies

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research design and methodology, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.

Specialisations

  • Climate Policy Analysis

    Specialization in Climate Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as climate-policy-analyst-junior.

  • Environmental Science Research

    Specialization in Environmental Science Research, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.

  • Environmental Data Analysis

    Specialization in Environmental Data Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-data-analyst.

  • Wildlife Conservation Research

    Specialization in Wildlife Conservation Research, preparing graduates for careers such as wildlife-researcher.

  • Environmental Policy Analysis

    Specialization in Environmental Policy Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-policy-analyst.

  • Academic Research in Environmental Science

    Specialization in Academic Research in Environmental Science, preparing graduates for careers such as university-lecturer.

  • Environmental Management

    Research on environmental management

  • Climate Change

    Research on climate change and adaptation

  • Biodiversity Conservation

    Research on biodiversity conservation

  • Sustainable Development

    Research on sustainable development

A day as a student

A typical day combines field research in diverse ecosystems with environmental data analysis, policy research, literature review, and thesis writing. Students attend environmental science seminars, present findings at departmental colloquia, and engage with NEMA and UNEP for policy research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Access to NEMA, UNEP and World Agroforestry Centre in NairobiBreadth of topics requires strong multidisciplinary capabilities
Kenya's environmental challenges create demandRequires interdisciplinary knowledge across natural and social sciences
Two public universities offer the programme providing choice and fee rangeLimited funding for environmental research in Kenya
Interdisciplinary research with broad impactEnvironmental research can involve remote fieldwork

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
Public170k to 474k
170k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology474k at University of Nairobi
Private150k to 314k
150k at Mount Kenya University314k 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

UoN WMI PhD ~474K/yr (wmi.uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT ~170K. MKU 150K, Kabarak ~314K/yr

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, NRF research grants, and UNEP research fellowships for environmental studies research.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000

  • DAAD Scholarship

    Scholarship

  • NRF Research Grant

    Grant

  • UNEP Research Fellowship

    Fellowship

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • NRF Research Grant

    GrantKenyan

    Researchers at Kenyan institutions conducting research relevant to national development

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • UNEP Research Grant

    Grant

    Environmental researchers

  • DAAD Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    African graduates meeting academic criteria for doctoral study

Scholarships you could apply for

2 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+minimum entry
Alternative entry

Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Subject requirements
Master's DegreeMSc or MPhil in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualificationBachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Geography, or related field
Research capabilityEvidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

When it next starts

Taught at 5 institutions
January 20275 institutions

Including Karatina University, Maasai Mara University, Kenyatta University.

May 20275 institutions

Including Karatina University, Maasai Mara University, Kenyatta University.

September 20275 institutions

Including Karatina University, Maasai Mara University, Kenyatta University.

How you are assessed

5 components

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before faculty panel

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Assignments, field reports and seminar presentations

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

  • Thesis Examination

    Coursework100% of the mark

  • Oral Viva Voce

    Coursework100% of the mark

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

  • National Environment Management Authority

    Regulatory

    Registers EIA lead experts and regulates environmental compliance

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

7 roles

  • Conservation Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Conservation at KWS and KFS

  • University Professor

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in environmental departments

  • Environmental Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Research at environmental institutes

  • University Lecturer (Environmental Science)

    High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Teaches environmental studies and conducts research in university environmental science departments

  • Environmental Policy Analyst

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Analyses and advises on environmental policy for government and international organisations

  • Environmental Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Conducts environmental impact assessments and advises on environmental management for development projects

  • Environmental Scientist

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 160,000

    Conducts environmental research at research institutions, NEMA, or international organisations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, environmental researchers, environmental consultants, and policy analysts in universities, NEMA, KWS, UNEP, NGOs, and private sector companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Microsoft Excel

    SpreadsheetPrimary

  • R

    Analytics

  • QGIS

    Gis

  • Python

    CodePrimary

  • Google Earth Engine

    Cloud

  • Google Scholar

    Research

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

    Creative

  • Microsoft Word

    Document

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Environmental studies is just about planting trees

    Environmental studies is an interdisciplinary field integrating environmental science, policy, economics, law, and social science to address complex environmental challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.

  • A PhD in environmental studies has limited career prospects

    Growing environmental awareness and regulation in Kenya creates demand for environmental researchers at universities, NEMA, KWS, UNEP, NGOs, and private companies.

  • Environmental studies research is not relevant to Kenya

    Kenya faces significant environmental challenges including deforestation, water scarcity, and climate change, making environmental research critical for sustainable development and Vision 2030.

  • Environmental studies is not a rigorous academic discipline

    Environmental studies requires rigorous training in environmental science, research methods, policy analysis, and interdisciplinary thinking to address complex environmental problems.

Further reading

Read next