Environmental Science

Master of Science (Environment Management)

The Master of Science in Environment Management is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in environmental management, natural resource governance, and sustainable development. The programme combines environmental science with management methodology and policy application.

Core areas include environmental management, environmental impact assessment, natural resource management, climate change, environmental policy, biodiversity conservation, pollution control, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both environmental science theory and practical management application through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time, part-time, and open learning modes of study.

Students develop competencies in environmental management, environmental impact assessment, natural resource management, climate change, environmental policy, biodiversity conservation, pollution control, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, field exercises, examinations, and a research thesis.

KU charges approximately KES 295,800/year for science-based masters. JKUAT charges approximately KES 181,000/year (total KES 362,000) for environmental management programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in environmental science, agriculture, biological sciences, natural resources, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental managers, environmental impact assessment specialists, natural resource managers, environmental policy analysts, sustainability coordinators, and lecturers in environmental management across government, NGOs, corporate institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Environmental Management and Planning
Environmental Impact Assessment
Natural Resource Management and Conservation
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Environmental Policy and Governance
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Pollution Control and Waste Management
Sustainable Development Planning
Research Methods in Environmental Science
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Environment and Development
Global Warming and Climate Change
Nature and Biodiversity Conservation
Environmental Impact Assessment
Water Resources Management
Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Development
Energy Resources for Sustainable Development
Toxic Substances and Sustainable Development
Research Methods in Environmental Science
Thesis Research

Certifications

NEMA EIA Lead Expert Certification
UNEP Environmental Management Certification

Specializations

Environmental Planning

Focuses on environmental planning, covering land use planning, environmental zoning, spatial planning, and managing environmental planning.

Natural Resource Management

Examines natural resource management, covering resource assessment, resource allocation, resource conservation, and managing natural resources.

Climate Change Management

Covers climate change management, covering climate adaptation, mitigation, climate policy, carbon management, and managing climate change responses.

Environmental Impact Assessment

Focuses on environmental impact assessment, covering EIA methodology, environmental auditing, impact analysis, and managing EIA processes.

Pollution Control

Examines pollution control, covering air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, waste management, and managing pollution control.

Biodiversity Conservation

Covers biodiversity conservation, covering conservation biology, protected area management, species conservation, and managing biodiversity.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
Private, up to: Ksh 249,800
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Environment and Development
Global Warming and Climate Change
Nature and Biodiversity Conservation
Environmental Impact Assessment
Water Resources Management
Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Development
Energy Resources for Sustainable Development
Toxic Substances and Sustainable Development
Research Methods in Environmental Science
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Environment and Development
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environment-development interactions, sustainable development, environmental economics, and managing environment and development.
Statistics for Environmental Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers statistical methods, data analysis, environmental statistics, research statistics, and managing environmental data analysis.
Research Methods in Environmental Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, ethical issues, and conducting environmental research, preparing students for their thesis.
Global Warming and Climate Change
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines global warming, climate change science, climate impacts, adaptation, mitigation, and managing climate change responses.
Nature and Biodiversity Conservation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers biodiversity, conservation biology, protected areas, species conservation, ecosystem management, and managing biodiversity conservation.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines EIA methodology, environmental auditing, impact analysis, stakeholder participation, EIA reporting, and managing EIA processes.
Industrial Ecology and Sustainable Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers industrial ecology, sustainable production, cleaner production, industrial environmental management, and managing industrial sustainability.
Toxic Substances and Sustainable Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines toxic substances, environmental toxicology, hazardous waste, chemical safety, and managing toxic substances and sustainable development.
Energy Resources for Sustainable Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers energy resources, renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy policy, and managing energy for sustainable development.
Water Resources Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines water resources, water quality, watershed management, water governance, and managing water resources.
Wildlife and Forest Resources Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers wildlife management, forest management, protected area management, community conservation, and managing wildlife and forest resources.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an environmental management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and environmental science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Environmental Planning
Focuses on environmental planning, covering land use planning, environmental zoning, spatial planning, and managing environmental planning.
Natural Resource Management
Examines natural resource management, covering resource assessment, resource allocation, resource conservation, and managing natural resources.
Climate Change Management
Covers climate change management, covering climate adaptation, mitigation, climate policy, carbon management, and managing climate change responses.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Focuses on environmental impact assessment, covering EIA methodology, environmental auditing, impact analysis, and managing EIA processes.
Pollution Control
Examines pollution control, covering air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, waste management, and managing pollution control.
Biodiversity Conservation
Covers biodiversity conservation, covering conservation biology, protected area management, species conservation, and managing biodiversity.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Environment Management programme combines lectures, field exercises, seminars, practical sessions, and independent study. Sessions cover environmental management, climate change, biodiversity conservation, environmental impact assessment, and natural resource management. Environmental management sessions examine environmental systems, environmental planning, environmental policy, environmental governance, and managing environmental management. Climate change sessions cover global warming, climate adaptation, mitigation, climate policy, and managing climate change responses. Biodiversity conservation sessions cover conservation biology, protected area management, species conservation, ecosystem management, and managing biodiversity. Environmental impact assessment sessions cover EIA methodology, environmental auditing, impact analysis, stakeholder participation, and managing EIA processes. Natural resource management sessions cover resource assessment, resource allocation, resource conservation, sustainable use, and managing natural resources. Pollution control sessions cover air pollution, water pollution, soil contamination, waste management, and managing pollution control. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Field exercises provide practical experience with environmental assessment, field data collection, ecological surveys, and environmental monitoring. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in environmental management. Guest lectures from experienced environmental managers, NEMA officials, and policy makers provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on an environmental management topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for environmental management professionals with growing environmental regulations, climate change concerns, and sustainability requirements in Kenya.
Programme is offered by multiple universities (KU, JKUAT), providing institutional choice.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 181,000/year (total KES 362,000).
Programme combines environmental science with management, providing versatile skills for both environmental and management roles.

Against it

KU fees are relatively high at KES 295,800-326,400/year for science-based masters.
Exact programme name 'Environment Management' may vary across universities, requiring prospective students to verify programme names.
No private university confirmed offering this exact programme name, limiting options.
Programme requires background in environmental science or related field, which may limit access for some students.

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 296k

187k at Moi University296k at Kenyatta University

Private131k to 250k

131k at Mount Kenya University250k 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 295,800/yr (ku.ac.ke). Moi 187K. Daystar 250K, MKU 131K/yr.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KU may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. UNEP may provide training support for environmental management professionals, particularly those in developing countries. Some environmental NGOs and government agencies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KU Postgraduate Bursary
UNEP Training Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KU Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Kenyatta University offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
UNEP Training Support
GrantKsh 300,000
United Nations Environment Programme provides training support for environmental management 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: Most universities require Upper Second Class Honours in environmental science or related field. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, practical reports, seminar presentations, field reports, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering environmental management, climate change, biodiversity conservation, EIA, and natural resource management.
Practical and Field Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Practical assessment through field exercises, environmental assessment projects, EIA exercises, ecological surveys, and demonstrating environmental management skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an environmental management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and environmental science knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University and JKUAT (both public) offer environmental management-related programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in environmental management. Graduates are eligible for NEMA EIA Lead Expert certification and UNEP environmental management certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University and JKUAT (both public) offer environmental management-related programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in environmental management. Graduates are eligible for NEMA EIA Lead Expert certification and UNEP environmental management certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Environmental Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages environmental programmes, overseeing environmental compliance, environmental planning, sustainability, and managing environmental operations.
EIA Specialist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Conducts environmental impact assessments, overseeing EIA methodology, impact analysis, environmental auditing, and managing EIA processes.
Natural Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages natural resources, overseeing resource assessment, resource allocation, conservation, sustainable use, and managing natural resources.
Environmental Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses environmental policy, overseeing policy analysis, policy advocacy, programme evaluation, and managing environmental policy.
Sustainability Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Coordinates sustainability programmes, overseeing sustainability planning, environmental reporting, carbon management, and managing sustainability initiatives.
Environmental Science Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches environmental management at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, field supervision, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

EIA Software
Software
EIA software for environmental impact assessment, covering impact analysis, EIA reporting, environmental auditing, and managing EIA processes.
R
Software
R statistical software for environmental data analysis, covering statistical modelling, data visualisation, and managing environmental data.
GIS
SoftwarePrimary
GIS for environmental management, covering spatial analysis, environmental mapping, land use planning, and managing environmental spatial data.
SPSS
Software
SPSS statistical software for environmental research, covering data analysis, statistical tests, and managing research data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environment management is just about planting trees.
Environment management covers comprehensive environmental science including policy, impact assessment, climate change, pollution control, and natural resource governance.
This programme is only for those working in conservation.
Environment management skills are valuable in government, corporate institutions, NGOs, consulting, research, and any organisation dealing with environmental compliance and sustainability.
Environment management has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing environmental regulations, climate change concerns, and sustainability requirements, demand for environmental management professionals is increasing in Kenya.
Environmental impact assessment is just paperwork.
EIA involves rigorous scientific assessment, stakeholder engagement, impact analysis, and environmental monitoring requiring comprehensive technical skills.
Climate change is not relevant to Kenya.
Kenya is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts including droughts, floods, and food insecurity, making climate change management critical.
Environmental management is anti-development.
Environmental management supports sustainable development by ensuring economic growth is balanced with environmental protection and social equity.