Environmental Science

Master of Science in Environmental and Natural Resource Management

The Master of Science in Environmental and Natural Resource Management is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in environmental conservation, natural resource management, and sustainable resource use. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in environmental management, conservation, natural resource governance, and environmental planning.

Core areas include environmental conservation, natural resource management, conservation biology, environmental law and policy, climate change, landscape restoration, environmental waste management, natural resource economics, renewable energy, and livelihoods and natural resource use. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical field and laboratory skills.

The programme is offered by Africa Nazarene University through its School of Science and Technology and Department of Environment and Natural Resource Management. ANU takes advantage of Kenya's abundance and diversity of natural resources to train competent environmental managers who value competence, character, and community.

Students develop competencies in environmental management, conservation planning, natural resource assessment, environmental impact assessment, field and laboratory skills, research design, and environmental governance. The programme includes coursework, compulsory field work, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years or six trimesters with part-time and distance learning modes at ANU main campus and Nairobi campus. ANU requires Second Class Honours Upper Division or GPA 2.7, or Second Class Lower or GPA 2.5 with 2 years relevant work experience. Application fee is KES 1,500.

Graduates pursue careers in wildlife conservation, marine biology, forest management, soil conservation, land use planning, wetland management, environmental monitoring, impact studies, environmental regulatory activities, and green energy across government agencies, NGOs, conservation organisations, and private sector.

Skills Required

Environmental Conservation and Management
Natural Resource Assessment and Planning
Conservation Biology Principles
Environmental Law, Policy and Governance
Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Landscape Restoration and Rehabilitation
Environmental Waste Management
Natural Resource Economics
Environmental Impact Assessment
Environmental Research Design and Methods

Key Subjects

Environmental Conservation
Natural Resource Management
Conservation Biology
Environmental Law and Policy
Climate Change
Landscape Restoration
Environmental Waste Management
Natural Resource Economics
Renewable Energy Resources
Livelihoods and Natural Resource Use

Certifications

NEMA EIA Certification
IUCN Conservation Certification

Specializations

Conservation Biology

Focuses on conservation biology, biodiversity conservation, species conservation, habitat protection, and applying biological principles to conservation and natural resource management.

Environmental Law and Policy

Examines environmental law, environmental policy, environmental governance, environmental regulations, and developing and implementing environmental laws and policies.

Climate Change and Environment

Covers climate change, climate impacts, climate adaptation, climate mitigation, and understanding and managing climate change impacts on environment and natural resources.

Landscape Restoration

Focuses on landscape restoration, land rehabilitation, reforestation, ecosystem restoration, and restoring and rehabilitating degraded landscapes and ecosystems.

Natural Resource Economics

Examines natural resource economics, resource valuation, resource allocation, economic analysis of natural resources, and applying economics to natural resource management.

Environmental Waste Management

Covers environmental waste management, waste reduction, recycling, waste treatment, pollution control, and managing waste to protect environment and natural resources.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
Private, up to: Ksh 250,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Environmental Conservation
Natural Resource Management
Conservation Biology
Environmental Law and Policy
Climate Change
Landscape Restoration
Environmental Waste Management
Natural Resource Economics
Renewable Energy Resources
Livelihoods and Natural Resource Use

Modules

12 in the programme

Environment and Biodiversity
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines biodiversity, ecosystem function, species diversity, ecological processes, and understanding environmental and biodiversity foundations for natural resource management.
Principles of Conservation Biology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers conservation biology, conservation principles, species conservation, habitat protection, threatened species, and applying biological principles to conservation and natural resource management.
Environmental Law, Policy and Governance
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines environmental law, environmental policy, environmental governance, environmental regulations, and developing and implementing environmental laws and policies.
Climate, Climate Change and the Environment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers climate change, climate impacts, climate adaptation, climate mitigation, and understanding and managing climate change impacts on environment and natural resources.
Landscape Restoration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines landscape restoration, land rehabilitation, reforestation, ecosystem restoration, and restoring and rehabilitating degraded landscapes and ecosystems.
Environmental Waste Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers environmental waste management, waste reduction, recycling, waste treatment, pollution control, and managing waste to protect environment and natural resources.
Natural Resource Economics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines natural resource economics, resource valuation, resource allocation, economic analysis of natural resources, and applying economics to natural resource management.
Natural and Renewable Energy Resources
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers natural and renewable energy resources, solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, green energy, and understanding renewable energy in natural resource management.
Livelihoods and Natural Resource Use
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines livelihoods and natural resource use, community resource management, human-environment interactions, and understanding livelihoods in natural resource contexts.
Environmental Research Design and Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental research design, field methods, laboratory methods, data analysis, and conducting environmental and natural resource research, preparing students for their thesis.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines environmental impact assessment, EIA processes, environmental auditing, strategic environmental assessment, and assessing and managing environmental impacts of development projects.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an environmental and natural resource management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and environmental management knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Conservation Biology
Focuses on conservation biology, biodiversity conservation, species conservation, habitat protection, and applying biological principles to conservation and natural resource management.
Environmental Law and Policy
Examines environmental law, environmental policy, environmental governance, environmental regulations, and developing and implementing environmental laws and policies.
Climate Change and Environment
Covers climate change, climate impacts, climate adaptation, climate mitigation, and understanding and managing climate change impacts on environment and natural resources.
Landscape Restoration
Focuses on landscape restoration, land rehabilitation, reforestation, ecosystem restoration, and restoring and rehabilitating degraded landscapes and ecosystems.
Natural Resource Economics
Examines natural resource economics, resource valuation, resource allocation, economic analysis of natural resources, and applying economics to natural resource management.
Environmental Waste Management
Covers environmental waste management, waste reduction, recycling, waste treatment, pollution control, and managing waste to protect environment and natural resources.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Environmental and Natural Resource Management programme at ANU begins with morning lectures on environmental conservation, natural resource management, or conservation biology. Students engage in theoretical discussions on ecological approaches, environmental management practices, and sustainable resource use. Environment and biodiversity sessions cover biodiversity, ecosystem function, species diversity, and understanding environmental and biodiversity foundations. Conservation biology sessions examine conservation principles, species conservation, habitat protection, threatened species, and applying biological principles to conservation. Environmental law sessions cover environmental law, environmental policy, environmental governance, environmental regulations, and developing and implementing environmental laws and policies. Climate change sessions examine climate impacts, climate adaptation, climate mitigation, and understanding and managing climate change impacts on environment and natural resources. Landscape restoration sessions involve land rehabilitation, reforestation, ecosystem restoration, and restoring and rehabilitating degraded landscapes. Environmental waste management sessions cover waste reduction, recycling, waste treatment, pollution control, and managing waste to protect environment. Natural resource economics sessions examine resource valuation, resource allocation, economic analysis, and applying economics to natural resource management. Renewable energy sessions cover renewable energy resources, solar, wind, biomass, green energy, and understanding renewable energy in natural resource management. Livelihoods sessions examine livelihoods and natural resource use, community resource management, and understanding human-environment interactions. Compulsory field work provides hands-on experience in conservation areas, forests, wetlands, and natural resource sites, with field activities designed for relevant units. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with environmental analysis, resource assessment, and environmental monitoring. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering environmental research design, field methods, and data analysis. Guest lectures from NEMA officials, KWS researchers, conservation practitioners, and ANU alumni provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

ANU programme emphasises ecological approaches, sound environmental management practices, and collaborations with industry stakeholders and communities.
Programme offers part-time and distance learning modes, accommodating working professionals.
Compulsory field work component provides practical experience in conservation areas, forests, wetlands, and natural resource sites.
Career opportunities in wildlife conservation, marine biology, forest management, soil conservation, land use planning, wetland management, environmental monitoring, and green energy.

Against it

Programme is offered at only one institution (ANU), limiting choice and geographic access for prospective students.
ANU is a private university with higher fees compared to public universities, which may be a barrier for some students.
Specific fee structures could not be independently verified from the official ANU website, making cost planning challenging.
Programme requires environmental science, biology, or related background, which may exclude some 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

Public193k to 296k

193k at Egerton University296k at Kenyatta University

Private150k to 250k

150k at Mount Kenya University250k at Africa Nazarene 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

Egerton 192,900/yr, KU 295,800/yr (ku.ac.ke). MKU 59,550/sem. ANU unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. NEMA supports environmental management and capacity building. IUCN supports conservation research and training. AWF supports African conservation capacity building. The programme's conservation and environmental management focus attracts donor and international organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
NEMA Environmental Grants
IUCN Conservation Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate environmental and natural resource management studies at recognised universities.
NEMA Environmental Grants
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
NEMA provides environmental management grants, supporting research and capacity building in environmental management and conservation.
IUCN Conservation Funding
GrantKsh 400,000
IUCN supports conservation research and capacity building, providing funding for conservation training and research globally.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts environmental science, biology, agriculture, forestry, geography, natural resource management, and related graduates. Two-year programme (6 trimesters) with part-time and distance learning modes at ANU main campus and Nairobi campus. ANU requires Second Class Upper or GPA 2.7, or Second Class Lower or GPA 2.5 with 2 years experience. Application fee KES 1,500 for Kenyans and East African citizens, USD 35 for non-East African applicants.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, field reports, case studies, environmental analysis projects, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering environmental conservation, natural resource management, conservation biology, and environmental law, conducted at end of each trimester.
Field Work and Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of compulsory field work, field activities, environmental assessment, conservation assessment, and practical field reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an environmental and natural resource management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and environmental management knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Africa Nazarene University offers MSc in Environmental and Natural Resource Management through its School of Science and Technology and Department of Environment and Natural Resource Management. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate environmental and natural resource management training. NEMA regulates environmental management in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Africa Nazarene University offers MSc in Environmental and Natural Resource Management through its School of Science and Technology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate environmental and natural resource management training.
National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
Professional accreditation
NEMA regulates environmental management in Kenya. Graduates working in environmental management may require NEMA compliance and environmental impact assessment certification. ANU offers short courses in EIA and SEA.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Environmental Manager
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages environmental programmes, overseeing environmental conservation, natural resource management, and ensuring environmental compliance in organisations.
Conservation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Develops and implements conservation programmes, managing protected areas, species conservation, and supporting biodiversity conservation efforts.
Natural Resource Manager
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages natural resources, overseeing resource assessment, resource planning, and ensuring sustainable natural resource use and management.
Environmental Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 500,000
Consults on environmental projects, providing expert advice on EIA, environmental management, conservation, and natural resource management.
Environmental Regulator
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Regulates environmental compliance, working with NEMA or government agencies to enforce environmental regulations and standards.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches environmental and natural resource management in universities, conducting research and training future environmental management professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in wildlife conservation, forest management, environmental monitoring, and environmental regulatory activities across government agencies, NGOs, and conservation organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

GIS Software
SoftwarePrimary
GIS software for environmental mapping, natural resource mapping, land use mapping, spatial analysis, and conservation planning and management.
SPSS
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for environmental and natural resource research data analysis, survey analysis, and statistical modelling.
R Statistical Computing
Software
Open-source statistical computing for environmental data analysis, biodiversity analysis, ecological modelling, and research data analysis.
Google Earth Engine
Software
Cloud-based geospatial platform for satellite imagery analysis, land cover mapping, deforestation monitoring, and environmental monitoring.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Environmental and natural resource management is just about planting trees.
The programme involves conservation biology, environmental law, climate change, resource economics, waste management, and research, far beyond tree planting.
Natural resource management is not a real career.
Environmental and natural resource management is a professional field with careers in NEMA, KWS, KFS, conservation NGOs, environmental consulting, and international organisations.
There is limited demand for environmental managers in Kenya.
Kenya's environmental challenges, conservation needs, natural resource pressures, and environmental regulations create moderate demand for qualified environmental and natural resource management professionals.
This programme is only for environmental science graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from environmental science, biology, agriculture, forestry, geography, natural resource management, and related fields.
Environmental management is soft science with no technical skills.
The programme involves field and laboratory skills, environmental monitoring, data analysis, GIS, and environmental impact assessment requiring strong technical capabilities.
A master's in environmental management is redundant after a bachelor's in environmental science.
The master's provides advanced management knowledge, research capability, policy skills, and career progression to senior environmental management and conservation positions.