Environmental Science

Master of Environmental Planning and Development

The Master of Environmental Planning and Development is a postgraduate programme that equips professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in environmental planning, sustainable development, and natural resource management. The programme prepares graduates to design environmental plans, manage development projects, and contribute to sustainable environmental governance in Kenya and beyond.

Core areas of study include environmental planning theory, environmental impact assessment, land use planning, natural resource management, environmental policy and governance, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, environmental economics, GIS and remote sensing, research methods, and thesis writing. Students engage with both planning theory and practical environmental management applications.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi, Daystar University, and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology listed as a college. The University of Nairobi offers the programme through its Department of Geography, Population and Environmental Studies. The programme combines environmental science with planning and development practice.

Students develop competencies in environmental planning, impact assessment, land use management, natural resource governance, climate change adaptation, sustainable development, environmental economics, GIS applications, research methodology, and policy analysis. The programme includes coursework, examinations, and a research thesis or project.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time modes available. The University of Nairobi programme spans four semesters with coursework in the first year and research in the second year. The programme is designed for environmental planners, development practitioners, government officers, and environmental managers seeking advanced expertise.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental planners, environmental impact assessment specialists, natural resource managers, climate change adaptation officers, environmental policy analysts, GIS specialists, and development consultants in government, NGOs, international organisations, and private sector.

Skills Required

Environmental Planning and Management
Environmental Impact Assessment
Land Use Planning
Natural Resource Management
Climate Change Adaptation Planning
Environmental Policy Analysis
GIS and Remote Sensing Applications
Sustainable Development Planning
Environmental Economics
Research Methods in Environmental Studies

Key Subjects

Environmental Planning Theory
Environmental Impact Assessment
Land Use Planning
Natural Resource Management
Environmental Policy and Governance
Climate Change Adaptation
Sustainable Development
GIS and Remote Sensing
Environmental Economics
Research Methods

Certifications

NEMA EIA Lead Expert Certification
IUCN Professional Membership

Specializations

Environmental Planning

Focuses on environmental planning theory, land use planning, spatial planning, environmental management plans, and designing sustainable environmental development plans.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Examines environmental impact assessment methods, EIA processes, environmental auditing, strategic environmental assessment, and conducting environmental impact studies.

Natural Resource Management

Covers natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, water resource management, forest management, and sustainable resource use planning.

Climate Change Adaptation

Focuses on climate change adaptation planning, vulnerability assessment, climate resilience strategies, and integrating climate adaptation into development planning.

Environmental Policy and Governance

Examines environmental policy analysis, environmental governance frameworks, environmental law, and policy development for sustainable environmental management.

Sustainable Development

Covers sustainable development theory, SDG implementation, balancing environmental and development needs, and planning for sustainable communities.

GIS and Remote Sensing

Focuses on GIS applications in environmental planning, remote sensing for environmental monitoring, spatial data analysis, and using geospatial tools for environmental management.

Environmental Economics

Examines environmental economics, economic valuation of environmental resources, cost-benefit analysis of environmental interventions, and economic instruments for environmental management.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 268,500
Job market: High

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: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Environmental Planning Theory
Environmental Impact Assessment
Land Use Planning
Natural Resource Management
Environmental Policy and Governance
Climate Change Adaptation
Sustainable Development
GIS and Remote Sensing
Environmental Economics
Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Environmental Planning Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental planning theory, planning frameworks, environmental planning processes, and approaches to designing sustainable environmental development plans.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental impact assessment methods, EIA processes, environmental auditing, strategic environmental assessment, and conducting environmental impact studies.
Land Use Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines land use planning principles, land use classification, spatial planning, zoning, and managing land use conflicts for sustainable development.
Natural Resource Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, water resource management, forest management, and sustainable resource use planning.
Environmental Policy and Governance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines environmental policy analysis, environmental governance frameworks, environmental law, and policy development for sustainable environmental management.
Climate Change Adaptation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers climate change adaptation planning, vulnerability assessment, climate resilience strategies, and integrating climate adaptation into development planning.
GIS and Remote Sensing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines GIS applications in environmental planning, remote sensing for environmental monitoring, spatial data analysis, and using geospatial tools for environmental management.
Sustainable Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sustainable development theory, SDG implementation, balancing environmental and development needs, and planning for sustainable communities.
Research Methods in Environmental Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for conducting original research in environmental planning and development, including research design and data analysis.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an environmental planning and development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and environmental planning theory, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Environmental Planning
Focuses on environmental planning theory, land use planning, spatial planning, environmental management plans, and designing sustainable environmental development plans.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Examines environmental impact assessment methods, EIA processes, environmental auditing, strategic environmental assessment, and conducting environmental impact studies.
Natural Resource Management
Covers natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, water resource management, forest management, and sustainable resource use planning.
Climate Change Adaptation
Focuses on climate change adaptation planning, vulnerability assessment, climate resilience strategies, and integrating climate adaptation into development planning.
Environmental Policy and Governance
Examines environmental policy analysis, environmental governance frameworks, environmental law, and policy development for sustainable environmental management.
Sustainable Development
Covers sustainable development theory, SDG implementation, balancing environmental and development needs, and planning for sustainable communities.
GIS and Remote Sensing
Focuses on GIS applications in environmental planning, remote sensing for environmental monitoring, spatial data analysis, and using geospatial tools for environmental management.
Environmental Economics
Examines environmental economics, economic valuation of environmental resources, cost-benefit analysis of environmental interventions, and economic instruments for environmental management.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on environmental planning theory, environmental impact assessment, or climate change adaptation. Students engage in seminar discussions analysing environmental case studies, development projects, and policy dilemmas. Group projects involve developing environmental management plans, conducting EIA exercises, or designing climate adaptation strategies. Practical sessions include GIS and remote sensing applications, environmental data analysis, and spatial planning exercises. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, with practical training in environmental research methods. The programme includes field visits to environmental planning sites, conservation areas, and development projects. Guest lectures from NEMA officials, UNEP experts, environmental consultants, and international conservation practitioners provide real-world insights. Those in the thesis phase conduct independent environmental research, working under faculty supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses Kenya's pressing environmental challenges, climate commitments, and sustainable development goals, with strong career demand.
Programme combines environmental science with planning and development, providing versatile expertise for diverse environmental and development roles.
Programme includes practical GIS and remote sensing training, providing in-demand geospatial skills for environmental planning.
Nairobi hosts UNEP headquarters, providing unique networking and career opportunities with international environmental organisations.

Against it

Programme is offered at only three universities, limiting geographic access for prospective students.
Private university fees are significantly higher, with CUEA charging up to KES 306,900 per year.
Only one public university (UoN) offers this programme, limiting affordable options.
Environmental planning work often involves fieldwork in challenging environments, requiring physical stamina and adaptability.

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

Public187k to 269k

187k at Moi University269k 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

UoN ~KES 268K/yr (geography.uonbi.ac.ke). Moi ~KES 187K/yr. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. NEMA may offer research grants for environmental research. UNEP, IUCN, and other environmental organisations may sponsor environmental planning training. The programme's environmental focus attracts climate and conservation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
NEMA Research Grants
UNEP/IUCN Environmental Research Sponsorship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
NEMA Research Grants
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
NEMA and other environmental bodies may offer research grants for environmental planning and management research.
UNEP/IUCN Environmental Sponsorship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
UNEP, IUCN, and other international environmental organisations may sponsor environmental planning training for professionals in developing countries.

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 available in full-time and part-time modes, with duration of 18 months to 3 years. Designed for environmental planners, development practitioners, government officers, and environmental managers.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
CATs, environmental planning exercises, EIA case studies, policy analysis assignments, and seminar presentations conducted throughout each semester.
Practical Projects
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment involving environmental management plan development, EIA exercises, GIS mapping projects, and climate adaptation planning.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering environmental planning, EIA, natural resource management, and policy, including essay questions and case analysis.
Research Thesis or Project
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis or project on an environmental planning and development topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi, Daystar University, and Catholic University of Eastern Africa are all CUE-accredited universities. Environmental planning practice is regulated by NEMA, and graduates may pursue NEMA EIA Lead Expert certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi, Daystar University, and Catholic University of Eastern Africa are all CUE-accredited universities.
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Professional certification
NEMA regulates environmental practice in Kenya. Graduates may pursue NEMA EIA Lead Expert certification for professional recognition in environmental impact assessment.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Environmental Planner
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Develops environmental plans and strategies for government, NGOs, or private sector, overseeing land use planning and sustainable environmental development.
EIA Specialist
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts environmental impact assessments for development projects, ensuring compliance with NEMA regulations and environmental standards.
Natural Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages natural resources for government, conservation organisations, or private sector, overseeing biodiversity, water, and forest management.
Climate Change Adaptation Officer
High demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 350,000
Plans and implements climate change adaptation strategies for government, NGOs, or international organisations, building climate resilience.
Environmental Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 85,000 to Ksh 380,000
Analyses environmental policy for government, think tanks, or international organisations, providing evidence-based recommendations on environmental governance.
GIS Specialist
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Applies GIS and remote sensing for environmental planning, monitoring, and management in government, NGOs, or private sector organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as environmental planners, EIA specialists, natural resource managers, and climate change adaptation officers in government, NGOs, international organisations, and private sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
GIS software for environmental planning, spatial analysis, land use mapping, and environmental monitoring in planning and development projects.
QGIS
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source GIS software for environmental mapping, spatial data analysis, and creating environmental management plans.
SPSS
Software
Statistical analysis software for environmental research, including environmental data analysis and programme evaluation.
Google Earth Engine
Software
Cloud-based platform for remote sensing and environmental monitoring, analysing satellite imagery for environmental planning.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental planning is just about planting trees and conservation.
The programme covers comprehensive environmental planning including land use planning, EIA, policy analysis, climate change adaptation, natural resource management, and sustainable development planning.
This programme is only for environmental activists.
Graduates work as professional environmental planners, EIA specialists, policy analysts, and consultants in government, private sector, and international organisations, applying planning expertise.
Environmental planning has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's environmental regulations, NEMA requirements, climate commitments, and sustainable development goals create strong demand for qualified environmental planning professionals.
You need a science background to study environmental planning.
The programme accepts graduates from diverse backgrounds including geography, environmental studies, social sciences, and planning, developing environmental expertise from foundational levels.
Environmental planning and development are contradictory goals.
The programme specifically addresses balancing environmental protection with development needs, teaching sustainable development planning that integrates both environmental and development objectives.
GIS and remote sensing are too technical for planning professionals.
GIS and remote sensing are essential tools for environmental planning, and the programme develops practical skills in these technologies from foundational levels.