Science

Master of Arts

This Master's programme prepares students to analyse the spatial and environmental dimensions of agricultural systems. It focuses on understanding how land use, climate, soils, water availability, and market access shape where and how farming takes place — and how these patterns can be improved through better planning.

Students learn to map and analyse agricultural land use, assess the relationship between climate variability and crop production, evaluate land tenure and agrarian change, apply GIS to agricultural planning, analyse food systems and commodity chains, and design spatially-informed development interventions. They develop skills in spatial analysis, rural geography, and applied research, learning to combine field observation with geospatial data to build a fuller picture of agricultural change.

Throughout the programme, students examine how agricultural geography informs decision-making on food security, land reform, and rural development. They learn how spatial data can improve the targeting of agricultural investment and the design of climate-responsive farming systems across Kenya's diverse agroecological zones, from the arid north to the fertile highlands, each with distinct constraints on productivity and market access.

The programme combines coursework, GIS laboratory work, fieldwork in agricultural areas, participatory mapping exercises, and an independent research thesis.

Graduates pursue careers in agricultural planning, land use analysis, food systems research, rural development, environmental policy, agribusiness consulting, and geography in government agencies, development organisations, and research institutions.

The programme is ideal for geographers, agricultural professionals, and planners who want to apply spatial analysis to agricultural and food system challenges across Kenya's varied landscapes.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Private, up to: Ksh 257,565
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Agricultural Geography
Land Use Planning
Climate and Agriculture
Soil Geography
Rural Development
GIS and Remote Sensing
Food Systems
Environmental Management
Agricultural Policy
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Tropical Climatology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Climate processes specific to tropical regions including the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone, monsoons, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, and East African climate systems
Fluvial Geomorphology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of river processes including erosion, transport, and deposition, channel morphology, and floodplain development with reference to Kenyan rivers
Urban Spatial Structure and Land Use
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Spatial organisation of urban areas, land use patterns, and the forces shaping urban form in Kenyan cities
Marketing Management
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Marketing strategy, consumer behaviour, and market analysis.
Research Project
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent research project culminating in a defended report.
Laboratory Techniques and Safety
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Laboratory procedures, instrumentation, safety protocols, and quality control.
Ecosystem Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Integrated approaches to managing terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, with case studies from Kenya's national parks and reserves
Microbiology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, cultivation, and applied microbiology.
Climate Change Science
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Scientific basis of climate change including observed changes, attribution, future projections, and impacts with focus on East Africa
Urban Governance and Politics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Urban governance structures under Kenya's devolved system, urban politics, and citizen participation in urban decision-making
Urban Economic Geography
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Economic activities in urban areas, informal economies, and the role of cities in Kenya's economic development
Terrain Analysis
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative analysis of terrain using digital elevation models and morphometric techniques for geomorphological characterisation

Specialisations

School and Educational Counseling
Focus on counseling in secondary schools, addressing academic, personal, and career issues.
Career Development and Vocational Guidance
Emphasis on career counseling, vocational assessment, and career planning.
Clinical and Mental Health Counseling
Focus on clinical assessment, mental health treatment, and therapeutic interventions.
Family and Couples Counseling
Emphasis on family systems and relationship counseling.
Crisis and Trauma Counseling
Focus on trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and disaster mental health.
Marine and Coastal Resource Management
Focus on coastal and marine biodiversity, mangrove conservation, and sustainable fisheries management along Kenya's coastline
Environmental Policy and Governance
Focus on environmental law, policy formulation, and governance frameworks for natural resource management in Kenya
Forest Resource Management
Specialisation in forest ecosystem conservation, participatory forest management, and sustainable forest product utilisation
Community-Based Conservation
Specialisation in approaches that integrate community livelihoods with biodiversity conservation through conservancies and benefit-sharing schemes
Wildlife Conservation
Focus on terrestrial wildlife species and habitat conservation, human-wildlife conflict management, and protected area management

A day as a student

Lectures, practicals, group discussions, and independent study form the core of the student experience. Industrial attachment and research projects provide real-world exposure.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's spectacular and diverse landscapes from the Rift Valley to Mount Kenya provide world-class settings for geomorphological research
Diverse career pathways spanning government agencies, international NGOs, private sector consultancies, and academia
Research and analytical skills valued across sectors

Against it

Emotionally demanding work involving client trauma, mental health crises, and complex personal issues.
Competitive academic and research positions
Geomorphology fieldwork in remote areas involves physically demanding work in potentially challenging terrain and weather conditions
Engineering geology positions require additional engineering certifications and registration beyond the geomorphology degree
Fieldwork involving traffic counts and travel surveys requires working in roadside environments with exposure to traffic and pollution

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 243 science courses

Public216k to 221k

216k at Kenyatta University221k at University of Nairobi

Private130k to 258k

130k at Kabarak University258k at USIU-Africa

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 216K/yr (ku.ac.ke), UoN 220.5K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). Kabarak 130K/yr, USIU 257.6K/yr.

HELB loans available for eligible students. University and external scholarships may be available.

Funding options

HELB Loan
KUCCPS Placement

Scholarships

5 recorded

DAAD In-Country Scholarship
FellowshipKsh 500,000
Strong academic record in geography, environmental science, or climate-related fields
Equity Bank Wings to Fly (Health)
ScholarshipKsh 400,000Kenyan
Economically disadvantaged students in health fields.
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies.
UN-Habitat Internship and Fellowship
FellowshipKsh 300,000
Students and recent graduates in urban planning, geography, or related fields
KENHA Staff Development Support
SponsorshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
KENHA employees pursuing transport-related postgraduate studies

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: Bachelor's degree
Alternative entry: Relevant work experience may be considered for admission.

Relevant undergraduate degree
2:1 or equivalent

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Tests on geomorphological theory, processes, and analytical methods
End of Semester Examinations
Exam25% of the mark
Formal written examinations at the end of each taught semester
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Tests on urban geography theory, urbanisation processes, and planning frameworks
GIS and Terrain Analysis Projects
Project15% of the mark
GIS-based terrain analysis projects using digital elevation models and remote sensing data
End of Semester Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Formal written examinations at the end of each taught semester

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.
Environment Institute of Kenya
Professional
Professional body for environmental practitioners in Kenya; registration enhances professional credibility and networking
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
All university degree programmes in Kenya must be accredited by CUE
Kenya Meteorological Society
Professional
Professional society for meteorologists and climatologists in Kenya
Kenya Institute of Planners
Professional
Professional body for planners in Kenya; membership relevant for those working in regional and urban planning
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
All university degree programmes in Kenya must be accredited by CUE
Kenya Institute of Planners
Professional
Professional body for planners in Kenya including those specialising in urban planning
Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
All postgraduate programmes accredited by CUE.
Commission for University Education
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for university programmes in Kenya.
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
All university degree programmes in Kenya must be accredited by the Commission for University Education
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
All university degree programmes in Kenya must be accredited by CUE
Geological Society of Kenya
Professional
Professional society for geoscientists in Kenya including geomorphologists working in geology-related fields
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
All university degree programmes in Kenya must be accredited by CUE
Kenya Counsellors and Psychologists Association
Professional registrationRequired
Professional registration required to practice as a counselor in Kenya.
Kenya Institute of Planners
Professional
Professional body for planners in Kenya including transport planners; corporate membership enhances professional standing
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
All university degree programmes in Kenya must be accredited by CUE

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior)
Low demandKsh 95,000 to Ksh 230,000
Advanced role for Master graduates. Clinical Trial Scientist (Junior)s at this level typically lead teams, manage projects, or conduct research. Hiring trend: Growing.
Marine Research Assistant (Junior)
Low demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 210,000
Advanced role for Master graduates. Marine Research Assistant (Junior)s at this level typically lead teams, manage projects, or conduct research. Hiring trend: Growing.
Research Program Coordinator
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 240,000
Advanced role for Master graduates. Research Program Coordinators at this level typically lead teams, manage projects, or conduct research. Hiring trend: Growing.
Research Data Analyst (Junior)
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 220,000
Advanced role for Master graduates. Research Data Analyst (Junior)s at this level typically lead teams, manage projects, or conduct research. Hiring trend: Stable.
Research Scientist
Low demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advanced role for Master graduates. Research Scientists at this level typically lead teams, manage projects, or conduct research. Hiring trend: Growing.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in agriculture & environment or proceed to further studies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This programme has limited career options.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors including government, private sector, NGOs, and entrepreneurship.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.
The programme is only for top-performing students.
While academic excellence is valued, the programme accepts students meeting the minimum KCSE requirements and supports diverse learners.
Graduates cannot find employment in Kenya.
Kenya's growing economy creates demand for qualified graduates across public, private, and NGO sectors.