Social Sciences

Master of Arts (Transport Geography)

The Master of Arts in Transport Geography at the University of Nairobi is a postgraduate research programme that examines the spatial dimensions of transport systems, mobility patterns, and their relationship to economic and social development. The programme prepares graduates for careers in transport planning, logistics, urban planning, research, and academia.

The curriculum covers transport geography theory, transport networks, spatial interaction, urban transport, transport and economic development, logistics geography, transport policy, GIS for transport analysis, and research methods. Students develop analytical skills for understanding spatial patterns of movement, transport network analysis, and the role of transport in regional development.

Admission requires a bachelor's degree with at least a Lower Second Class Honours in geography, transport, urban planning, 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 transport geography topics relevant to Kenya and East Africa.

Career prospects include roles in transport planning, logistics management, urban planning, infrastructure development, research, consultancy, and academia. Graduates work in government transport ministries, urban planning departments, logistics companies, transport consultancies, research institutions, and international development organisations.

The programme addresses Kenya's critical need for transport geography expertise in managing growing urban congestion, expanding transport infrastructure, regional integration through transport corridors, and logistics challenges. With major investments in roads, railways, ports, and airports, demand for qualified transport geographers continues to increase in both public and private sectors concerned with transport planning and regional development.

Skills Required

Transport network analysis
Spatial interaction modelling
Urban transport planning
Logistics and supply chain geography
GIS for transport analysis
Transport policy analysis
Mobility pattern analysis
Transport and regional development
Research methodology in geography
Transport data analysis

Key Subjects

Transport Geography Theory
Transport Networks
Spatial Interaction
Urban Transport
Transport and Economic Development
Logistics Geography
Transport Policy
GIS for Transport Analysis
Research Methods in Geography
Sustainable Transport

Certifications

International Transport Forum (ITF) Membership
ESRI GIS Certification
Geographical Society of Kenya Membership
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)

Specializations

Urban Transport

Focuses on urban transport systems, public transport, traffic management, and urban mobility challenges in Kenyan cities.

Transport and Regional Development

Examines the role of transport infrastructure in regional development, transport corridors, and spatial economic integration.

Logistics and Freight Geography

Covers freight transport, logistics networks, port-hinterland connections, and supply chain spatial analysis.

Transport Policy and Planning

Focuses on transport policy frameworks, transport planning methods, and governance of transport systems.

Rural Transport and Accessibility

Examines rural transport challenges, rural-urban connectivity, and transport access in remote areas.

Sustainable Transport

Covers sustainable transport systems, non-motorised transport, environmental impacts of transport, and green mobility.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 216,000
Private, up to: Ksh 220,800
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: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Transport Geography Theory
Transport Networks
Spatial Interaction
Urban Transport
Transport and Economic Development
Logistics Geography
Transport Policy
GIS for Transport Analysis
Research Methods in Geography
Sustainable Transport

Modules

11 in the programme

Transport Geography Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theoretical foundations of transport geography, including spatial interaction, network theory, and transport systems analysis.
Research Methods in Geography
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methodology for geographical and transport research, including quantitative methods, survey design, and academic writing.
Transport Networks and Spatial Interaction
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Analysis of transport networks, graph theory, connectivity, and spatial interaction models in transport geography.
Urban Transport Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Urban transport systems, public transport, traffic management, and urban mobility challenges in Kenyan and African cities.
Transport and Economic Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Role of transport in economic development, transport corridors, regional integration, and the economic impact of transport investment.
GIS for Transport Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Application of GIS for transport network analysis, route planning, accessibility modelling, and transport data visualisation.
Logistics and Freight Geography
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Freight transport, logistics networks, port-hinterland connections, and supply chain spatial analysis in East Africa.
Transport Policy and Planning
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Transport policy frameworks, transport planning methods, and governance of transport systems in Kenya and East Africa.
Sustainable Transport
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Sustainable transport systems, non-motorised transport, environmental impacts of transport, and green mobility solutions.
Rural Transport and Accessibility
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Rural transport challenges, rural-urban connectivity, transport access in remote areas, and rural transport policy.
Thesis / Research Project
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research thesis on a transport geography topic, conducted under faculty supervision and assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Urban Transport
Focuses on urban transport systems, public transport, traffic management, and urban mobility challenges in Kenyan cities.
Transport and Regional Development
Examines the role of transport infrastructure in regional development, transport corridors, and spatial economic integration.
Logistics and Freight Geography
Covers freight transport, logistics networks, port-hinterland connections, and supply chain spatial analysis.
Transport Policy and Planning
Focuses on transport policy frameworks, transport planning methods, and governance of transport systems.
Rural Transport and Accessibility
Examines rural transport challenges, rural-urban connectivity, and transport access in remote areas.
Sustainable Transport
Covers sustainable transport systems, non-motorised transport, environmental impacts of transport, and green mobility.

A day as a student

A typical day centres on independent research and data analysis. Mornings involve literature review, transport data processing, or meetings with thesis supervisors. Students work with transport data from KeNHA, KNBS, and international databases, using GIS software and statistical tools to analyse transport networks and mobility patterns. Fieldwork may involve traffic surveys, public transport user surveys, or transport corridor 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 transport databases.

The trade offs

In its favour

Relevant to Kenya's major transport infrastructure investments and urban mobility challenges.
Interdisciplinary programme bridging geography, economics, and transport planning.
Affordable tuition at KES 281,000 total for the MA programme.
Research-based format allows focus on specific transport topics relevant to Kenya and East Africa.

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 urban planning or logistics programmes.
Limited access to transport modelling software compared to dedicated transport engineering 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

Public187k to 216k

187k at Moi University216k at Kenyatta University

Private156k to 221k

156k at KCA University221k at Daystar 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

KU MA 216K/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi 187.2K/yr. KCA ~155.8K. Daystar ~221K/yr.

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students. The World Bank may provide research opportunities for transport research. UoN may offer institutional graduate scholarships based on merit. SSATP may offer research collaboration opportunities.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
World Bank Transport 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 Transport Research Grant
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
The World Bank may provide research grants for transport research, particularly for projects aligned with World Bank transport 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, transport, urban planning, economics, 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 a transport 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.
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
Professional alignment
International professional body for transport and logistics. Graduates may access CILT professional membership and development opportunities.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Transport Planner
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 290,000
Plans transport systems, analyses transport networks, and develops transport policy for government agencies and consultancies.
Urban Planner
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 270,000
Plans urban development considering transport systems, mobility, and accessibility for urban planning departments.
Logistics Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 280,000
Analyses logistics networks, supply chain spatial patterns, and freight movement for logistics companies and consultancies.
Research Officer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 230,000
Conducts transport and geographical research for research institutions, universities, and international development organisations.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches transport geography, geography, or urban planning at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, conducts research, and supervises student projects.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in transport planning, logistics management, urban planning, infrastructure development, research, consultancy, and academia across government, transport agencies, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
Gis softwarePrimary
GIS software for transport network analysis, route planning, accessibility modelling, and transport data mapping.
R Studio
Statistical softwarePrimary
Statistical computing environment for transport data analysis, network analysis, and spatial modelling.
QGIS
Gis software
Open-source GIS software for spatial analysis, transport mapping, and geographic data processing.
SPSS
Statistical software
Statistical analysis software for quantitative transport geography research and survey data analysis.
Python
Programming language
Programming language for transport data processing, network analysis automation, and transport modelling.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Transport geography is just about roads and traffic.
Transport geography examines spatial patterns of all transport modes, their economic and social impacts, and the role of transport in regional development.
Transport planning is only for engineers.
Transport planning requires diverse expertise including geography, economics, social science, and policy analysis, not only engineering.
There is no career demand for transport geographers in Kenya.
Kenya's major transport infrastructure investments, urban congestion challenges, and regional transport corridors create demand for transport geography expertise.
Transport geography is only about physical infrastructure.
Transport geography also examines mobility behaviour, accessibility, social equity in transport, and environmental impacts of transport.
The programme only leads to academic careers.
Graduates work in government transport agencies, urban planning departments, logistics companies, consultancies, and international development organisations.
Rural transport is not important.
Rural transport access is critical for agricultural marketing, service delivery, and rural development, and is a major focus of transport geography research.