Social Sciences

Master of Arts (Economic Geography)

The Master of Arts in Economic Geography at the University of Nairobi is a postgraduate research programme that examines the spatial dimensions of economic activity, resource distribution, and regional development. The programme prepares graduates for careers in regional planning, economic development research, spatial analysis, and academia.

The curriculum covers economic geography theory, spatial economics, industrial location, transport geography, regional development, globalisation, natural resource economics, urban economies, research methods, and GIS for economic analysis. Students develop analytical skills for understanding spatial patterns of economic activity, regional disparities, and development processes.

Admission requires a bachelor's degree with at least a Lower Second Class Honours in geography, economics, or a related discipline from the University of Nairobi or a recognised institution. A Pass degree with a relevant postgraduate diploma is also acceptable. The programme is offered by research and thesis.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered through the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Nairobi. The programme is research-based, allowing students to focus on specific economic geography topics relevant to Kenya and East Africa.

Career prospects include roles in regional planning, economic development, spatial analysis, transport planning, research, consultancy, and academia. Graduates work in government planning ministries, research institutions, consulting firms, international development organisations, NGOs, and universities.

The programme addresses Kenya's need for spatial economic analysis expertise in managing regional development disparities, infrastructure planning, industrial development, and urban economic challenges. With growing emphasis on balanced regional development, devolved governance, and economic planning, demand for qualified economic geographers continues to increase in both public and private sectors concerned with spatial economic development.

Skills Required

Spatial economic analysis
Regional development planning
Industrial location analysis
Transport and logistics geography
GIS for economic analysis
Urban economic analysis
Resource economics
Globalisation and development
Research methodology in geography
Spatial data analysis

Key Subjects

Economic Geography Theory
Spatial Economics
Industrial Location
Transport Geography
Regional Development
Urban Economies
Natural Resource Economics
Globalisation and Development
Research Methods in Geography
GIS for Economic Analysis

Certifications

International Geographical Union (IGU) Membership
ESRI GIS Certification
Geographical Society of Kenya Membership
Royal Geographical Society (RGS) Membership

Specializations

Regional Development

Focuses on regional economic disparities, development planning, regional policy, and balanced development strategies.

Industrial Geography

Examines industrial location, industrial clusters, manufacturing geography, and industrial development patterns.

Transport Geography

Covers transport networks, logistics, mobility patterns, and the spatial impact of transport infrastructure on economic development.

Urban Economic Geography

Focuses on urban economies, city systems, urban economic structure, and the geography of urban economic activities.

Resource Economics and Geography

Examines spatial distribution of natural resources, resource economics, and the geography of resource extraction and use.

Globalisation and Development

Covers globalisation processes, global value chains, trade patterns, and their spatial impacts on developing economies.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
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: 10 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Economic Geography Theory
Spatial Economics
Industrial Location
Transport Geography
Regional Development
Urban Economies
Natural Resource Economics
Globalisation and Development
Research Methods in Geography
GIS for Economic Analysis

Modules

11 in the programme

Economic Geography Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theoretical foundations of economic geography, including location theory, spatial economics, and economic landscape evolution.
Research Methods in Geography
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methodology for geographical and economic research, including quantitative methods, survey design, and academic writing.
Spatial Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Economic analysis of spatial phenomena, including agglomeration economies, spatial competition, and regional economic models.
Industrial Location and Geography
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and patterns of industrial location, industrial clusters, manufacturing geography, and industrial development.
Regional Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Regional development theory, regional disparities, development planning, and regional policy in Kenya and East Africa.
Transport Geography
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Transport networks, spatial interaction, logistics geography, and the economic impact of transport infrastructure.
GIS for Economic Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Application of GIS for spatial economic analysis, market area analysis, and economic data mapping.
Urban Economies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Economic structure of cities, urban economic geography, city systems, and urban economic development.
Globalisation and Development
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Globalisation processes, global value chains, trade patterns, and their spatial impacts on developing economies.
Natural Resource Economics and Geography
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Spatial distribution of natural resources, resource economics, and the geography of resource-dependent economies.
Thesis / Research Project
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research thesis on an economic geography topic, conducted under faculty supervision and assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Regional Development
Focuses on regional economic disparities, development planning, regional policy, and balanced development strategies.
Industrial Geography
Examines industrial location, industrial clusters, manufacturing geography, and industrial development patterns.
Transport Geography
Covers transport networks, logistics, mobility patterns, and the spatial impact of transport infrastructure on economic development.
Urban Economic Geography
Focuses on urban economies, city systems, urban economic structure, and the geography of urban economic activities.
Resource Economics and Geography
Examines spatial distribution of natural resources, resource economics, and the geography of resource extraction and use.
Globalisation and Development
Covers globalisation processes, global value chains, trade patterns, and their spatial impacts on developing economies.

A day as a student

A typical day centres on independent research and data analysis. Mornings involve literature review, economic data processing, or meetings with thesis supervisors. Students work with economic data from KNBS, World Bank, and other sources, using GIS software and statistical tools to analyse spatial economic patterns. Fieldwork may involve conducting enterprise surveys, transport network analysis, or regional development assessments. The programme is research-based, so most time is spent on independent study, data analysis, and thesis writing, with access to the university library, GIS laboratory, and online economic databases.

The trade offs

In its favour

Interdisciplinary programme bridging geography and economics for comprehensive spatial economic analysis.
Relevant to Kenya's devolved governance and regional development planning needs.
Affordable tuition at KES 281,000 total for the MA programme.
Research-based format allows focus on specific economic geography topics relevant to Kenya.

Against it

Only offered at one institution, limiting choice for prospective students.
Research-based format may lack structured coursework for students preferring taught programmes.
Niche specialisation may limit career options compared to broader economics or geography programmes.
Limited access to advanced econometric software compared to dedicated economics programmes.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public216k to 221k

216k at Kenyatta University221k at University of Nairobi

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 441K/2yr(uonbi.ac.ke). Private: KCA/ANU unverified.

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students. The World Bank and AfDB may provide research opportunities for economic development research. UoN may offer institutional graduate scholarships based on merit.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
World Bank Research Grants
UoN Graduate Scholarships

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities. Applicants must meet HELB eligibility criteria.
World Bank Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
The World Bank may provide research grants for economic development research, particularly for projects aligned with World Bank development priorities.
UoN Graduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 140,500Kenyan
The University of Nairobi may offer institutional graduate scholarships based on academic merit. Contact the School of Graduate Studies for details.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is open to graduates from geography, economics, urban planning, development studies, and related disciplines. The programme is research-based, offered full-time and part-time at the University of Nairobi, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Proposal Defence
Practical100% of the mark
Oral defence of the research proposal before a faculty committee, demonstrating the feasibility and academic merit of the proposed research.
Thesis / Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research thesis on an economic geography topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Supervisory Assessment
Coursework100% of the mark
Ongoing assessment by thesis supervisors of research progress, methodology, and academic rigour throughout the programme.
Seminar Presentations
Practical100% of the mark
Research seminar presentations to peers and faculty, demonstrating research progress and receiving feedback on thesis work.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya's statutory body for university quality assurance. The University of Nairobi is a CUE-accredited public university.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation required for all university programmes in Kenya. The University of Nairobi is a CUE-accredited public university.
International Geographical Union (IGU)
Professional alignment
Global geographical research organisation. Graduates may access IGU commissions, conferences, and professional networks for economic geography research.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Regional Development Planner
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 260,000
Plans and implements regional development strategies, analyses regional disparities, and advises on regional economic policy for government and development organisations.
Spatial Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Conducts spatial economic analysis using GIS and statistical tools for consulting firms, government, and research institutions.
Research Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Conducts economic and geographical research for research institutions, universities, and international development organisations.
Transport Planner
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 290,000
Analyses transport networks, plans transport infrastructure, and assesses economic impacts of transport investments.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches economic geography, geography, or development studies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, conducts research, and supervises student projects.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in regional planning, economic development, spatial analysis, transport planning, research, consultancy, and academia across government, research institutions, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
Gis softwarePrimary
GIS software for spatial economic analysis, market area mapping, and regional development planning.
R Studio
Statistical softwarePrimary
Statistical computing environment for economic data analysis, spatial econometrics, and research data processing.
SPSS
Statistical software
Statistical analysis software for quantitative economic geography research and survey data analysis.
Stata
Statistical software
Econometric software for spatial econometrics, regression analysis, and economic data modelling.
QGIS
Gis software
Open-source GIS software for spatial analysis, economic mapping, and geographic data processing.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Economic geography is the same as economics.
Economic geography focuses on the spatial dimensions of economic activity, while economics focuses on economic processes and theory without necessarily addressing spatial patterns.
Economic geography is only about maps.
Economic geography involves spatial analysis, regional development theory, industrial location analysis, and policy-relevant research, not only mapping.
There is no career demand for economic geographers.
Kenya's devolved governance, regional development planning, and infrastructure investment create demand for spatial economic analysis expertise.
Economic geography is outdated in the digital economy.
Digital economy geography, e-commerce spatial patterns, and platform economy location dynamics are emerging areas in economic geography.
The programme only leads to academic careers.
Graduates work in government planning, consulting, international development, transport planning, and regional development, not only academia.
Regional development is only about infrastructure.
Regional development encompasses economic structure, human capital, institutional capacity, social development, and environmental sustainability, not only infrastructure.