Environmental Science

Master of Science in Climate Change Management

The Master of Science in Climate Change Management is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in climate science, adaptation strategies, and mitigation planning. The programme combines climate science theory with practical policy and environmental management application.

Core areas include climate science, climate change adaptation, mitigation strategies, climate policy, environmental governance, carbon management, climate modelling, disaster risk reduction, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both climate theory and practical adaptation planning through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through the Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation, and JKUAT through the Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in climate science, adaptation planning, mitigation strategies, climate policy, environmental governance, carbon management, climate modelling, disaster risk reduction, and research methods. The programme includes coursework, examinations, fieldwork, and a research thesis.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 206,500/year (KES 413,000 total) for related environmental programmes. UoN charges approximately KES 433,500/year (KES 867,000 total) for climate change and environmental programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in environmental sciences, geography, agriculture, natural resources, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as climate change officers, environmental consultants, sustainability managers, policy analysts, carbon management specialists, and lecturers in climate science across government agencies, environmental organisations, research institutions, international development organisations, and universities.

Skills Required

Climate Science and Atmospheric Dynamics
Climate Change Adaptation Planning
Mitigation Strategies and Low-Carbon Development
Climate Policy and International Frameworks
Environmental Governance and Natural Resource Management
Carbon Management and GHG Accounting
Climate Modelling and Data Analysis
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience
Research Methods in Climate Change
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Climate Science and Atmospheric Dynamics
Climate Change Adaptation Planning
Mitigation Strategies and Low-Carbon Development
Climate Policy and International Frameworks
Environmental Governance and Natural Resource Management
Carbon Management and GHG Accounting
Climate Modelling and Data Analysis
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience
Research Methods in Climate Change
Thesis Research

Certifications

NEMA Environmental Certification
GHG Protocol Carbon Accounting Certification

Specializations

Climate Change Adaptation

Focuses on climate change adaptation, covering adaptation planning, vulnerability assessment, resilience building, community adaptation, and managing adaptation.

Climate Mitigation

Examines climate mitigation, covering emission reduction, renewable energy, carbon sequestration, low-carbon development, and managing mitigation.

Climate Policy and Governance

Covers climate policy and governance, covering international frameworks, national policy, environmental law, climate negotiations, and managing climate policy.

Carbon Management

Focuses on carbon management, covering GHG accounting, carbon trading, carbon offset, MRV systems, and managing carbon management.

Disaster Risk Reduction

Examines disaster risk reduction, covering risk assessment, early warning, disaster management, climate resilience, and managing disaster risk.

Climate Finance

Covers climate finance, covering climate funds, green bonds, adaptation finance, mitigation finance, and managing climate finance.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 394,000
Private, up to: Ksh 0
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

Climate Science and Atmospheric Dynamics
Climate Change Adaptation Planning
Mitigation Strategies and Low-Carbon Development
Climate Policy and International Frameworks
Environmental Governance and Natural Resource Management
Carbon Management and GHG Accounting
Climate Modelling and Data Analysis
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience
Research Methods in Climate Change
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Climate Science and Atmospheric Dynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines atmospheric dynamics, greenhouse effect, climate systems, climate variability, palaeoclimatology, and managing climate science.
Climate Change Adaptation Planning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers vulnerability assessment, adaptation planning, community resilience, ecosystem adaptation, and managing adaptation.
Research Methods in Climate Change
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, field methods, and conducting climate research, preparing students for their thesis.
Mitigation Strategies and Low-Carbon Development
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines emission reduction, renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon sequestration, REDD+, and managing mitigation.
Climate Policy and International Frameworks
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, NDCs, national policy, climate law, and managing climate policy.
Environmental Governance and Natural Resource Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines natural resource management, environmental law, multi-level governance, stakeholder engagement, and managing environmental governance.
Carbon Management and GHG Accounting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers GHG accounting, carbon footprint, carbon trading, carbon offset, MRV systems, and managing carbon management.
Climate Modelling and Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines climate models, downscaling, scenario analysis, R/Python for climate data, GIS, and managing climate modelling.
Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilience
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers risk assessment, early warning systems, disaster management, resilience building, and managing disaster risk.
Climate Finance and Green Economy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines climate funds, green bonds, adaptation finance, mitigation finance, green economy, and managing climate finance.
Community-Based Climate Action and Livelihoods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers community engagement, participatory adaptation, livelihood resilience, indigenous knowledge, and managing community climate action.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a climate change topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and climate knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Climate Change Adaptation
Focuses on climate change adaptation, covering adaptation planning, vulnerability assessment, resilience building, community adaptation, and managing adaptation.
Climate Mitigation
Examines climate mitigation, covering emission reduction, renewable energy, carbon sequestration, low-carbon development, and managing mitigation.
Climate Policy and Governance
Covers climate policy and governance, covering international frameworks, national policy, environmental law, climate negotiations, and managing climate policy.
Carbon Management
Focuses on carbon management, covering GHG accounting, carbon trading, carbon offset, MRV systems, and managing carbon management.
Disaster Risk Reduction
Examines disaster risk reduction, covering risk assessment, early warning, disaster management, climate resilience, and managing disaster risk.
Climate Finance
Covers climate finance, covering climate funds, green bonds, adaptation finance, mitigation finance, and managing climate finance.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Climate Change Management programme combines lectures, fieldwork, computer laboratory sessions, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover climate science, adaptation, mitigation, policy, and carbon management. Climate science sessions examine atmospheric dynamics, greenhouse effect, climate systems, climate variability, palaeoclimatology, and managing climate science. Adaptation sessions cover vulnerability assessment, adaptation planning, community resilience, ecosystem adaptation, and managing adaptation. Mitigation sessions cover emission reduction, renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon sequestration, REDD+, and managing mitigation. Climate policy sessions cover UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, NDCs, national policy, climate law, and managing climate policy. Environmental governance sessions cover natural resource management, environmental law, multi-level governance, stakeholder engagement, and managing environmental governance. Carbon management sessions cover GHG accounting, carbon footprint, carbon trading, carbon offset, MRV, and managing carbon management. Climate modelling sessions cover climate models, downscaling, scenario analysis, R/Python for climate data, and managing climate modelling. Disaster risk reduction sessions cover risk assessment, early warning systems, disaster management, resilience, and managing disaster risk. Climate finance sessions cover climate funds, green bonds, adaptation finance, mitigation finance, and managing climate finance. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Fieldwork provides hands-on experience with vulnerability assessment, community engagement, environmental monitoring, and adaptation projects. Computer laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with climate data analysis, GIS, climate modelling, and carbon accounting tools. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in climate change. Guest lectures from experienced climate scientists, policy makers, and practitioners provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis on a climate change topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for climate change professionals with growing climate impacts, international commitments, green economy transition, and environmental regulation in Kenya.
Programme combines science, policy, economics, and community engagement, providing versatile interdisciplinary skills.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 206,500/year for related environmental programmes.
Strong industry links with NEMA, KMD, and international climate organisations providing collaboration and career opportunities.

Against it

UoN fees are higher at approximately KES 433,500/year (KES 867,000 total) for climate change programmes.
The exact programme name may vary across institutions, potentially causing confusion for prospective students.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options.
Programme requires environmental, geographical, or natural resources background, which limits access for non-related graduates.

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

Public207k to 394k

207k at JKUAT394k 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 Climate Change 394K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). JKUAT 207K/yr. No private confirmed.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UoN may offer postgraduate bursaries for eligible students. Green Climate Fund and international development organisations may provide funding for climate change research and study. Some environmental organisations may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
Green Climate Fund Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
UoN Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
University of Nairobi offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
Green Climate Fund Support
GrantKsh 300,000
Green Climate Fund and international development organisations may provide funding for climate change research and study.

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 sciences, geography, agriculture, or related fields. Lower Second Division holders with relevant experience are considered. Postgraduate diploma holders in related fields are also eligible. 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, field reports, seminar presentations, policy briefs, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering climate science, adaptation, mitigation, policy, and carbon management.
Fieldwork and Practical Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through fieldwork exercises, vulnerability assessment, community engagement, climate data analysis, and demonstrating climate skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a climate change topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and climate knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi and JKUAT (both public) offer MSc in Climate Change or related environmental programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in climate change and environmental management. Graduates are eligible for NEMA environmental certification and GHG Protocol carbon accounting certification.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. University of Nairobi and JKUAT (both public) offer MSc in Climate Change or related environmental programmes. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in climate change and environmental management. Graduates are eligible for NEMA environmental certification and GHG Protocol carbon accounting certification.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Climate Change Officer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages climate change programmes, overseeing adaptation projects, mitigation initiatives, reporting, and managing climate change work.
Environmental Consultant
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Provides environmental consulting, overseeing EIA, climate risk assessment, sustainability advisory, and managing environmental consulting.
Sustainability Manager
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages sustainability programmes, overseeing ESG reporting, carbon footprint, sustainability strategy, and managing sustainability.
Climate Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses climate policy, overseeing policy research, advocacy, legislative review, and managing climate policy analysis.
Carbon Management Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages carbon programmes, overseeing GHG accounting, carbon trading, MRV, offset projects, and managing carbon management.
Climate Science Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches climate science 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

R
SoftwarePrimary
R for climate data analysis, covering statistical analysis, time series, climate data processing, and managing climate research data.
QGIS
Software
QGIS for spatial analysis, covering climate mapping, vulnerability mapping, GIS analysis, and managing spatial data.
Python
Software
Python for data analysis, covering pandas, numpy, xarray, climate data processing, and managing research data.
GHG Protocol Tools
Software
GHG Protocol tools for carbon accounting, covering GHG inventory, carbon footprint calculation, emission factors, and managing carbon accounting.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Climate change management is just about weather.
Climate change management covers comprehensive climate science, adaptation, mitigation, policy, carbon management, disaster risk reduction, and climate finance beyond just weather.
This programme is only for environmental scientists.
Climate change skills are valuable for policy makers, economists, engineers, agriculturists, development workers, and business professionals dealing with climate risks.
Climate change has limited career prospects in Kenya.
With growing climate impacts, international commitments, green economy transition, and environmental regulation, demand for climate change professionals is high in Kenya.
Carbon management is just about planting trees.
Carbon management covers comprehensive GHG accounting, carbon trading, carbon offset, MRV systems, and low-carbon development strategies.
Adaptation is just about coping with drought.
Adaptation covers comprehensive vulnerability assessment, resilience building, ecosystem-based adaptation, community adaptation, and adaptive planning.
Climate policy is just about international negotiations.
Climate policy covers comprehensive international frameworks, national policy, sub-national action, environmental law, and climate governance.