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.

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.

Duration: 3-5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 474,000
Private, up to: Ksh 313,700
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 8 students
Award: PhD

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 favour

Access to NEMA, UNEP and World Agroforestry Centre in Nairobi
Kenya's environmental challenges create demand
Two public universities offer the programme providing choice and fee range
Interdisciplinary research with broad impact

Against it

Breadth of topics requires strong multidisciplinary capabilities
Requires interdisciplinary knowledge across natural and social sciences
Limited funding for environmental research in Kenya
Environmental 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

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Master's Degree
MSc or MPhil in Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or related field from a recognised university
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Geography, or related field
Research capability
Evidence of research ability through publications, reports, or academic work

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

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

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

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

Industry links

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.