Environmental Science

Master of Science in Environmental Legislation and Management

The Master of Science in Environmental Legislation and Management is a master's programme offered by Kenyan universities, designed to provide advanced training and research opportunities in environmental science and natural resource management. The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered through coursework, seminars, and independent research.

Students engage with environmental assessment, resource conservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainability through a structured curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical applications. The programme emphasises sustainable resource use, climate resilience, and environmental governance and prepares scholars to contribute original research to the discipline.

Kenya's environmental challenges including climate change, deforestation, and water scarcity require research-informed solutions. The programme addresses national development priorities and aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030, which emphasises the need for highly trained professionals in environmental management and conservation. Graduates are equipped to tackle complex challenges facing the country and the East African region.

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions where applicable, fieldwork, and supervised research. Students work closely with faculty supervisors to develop their research proposals, conduct original research, and produce a thesis or dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field.

Graduates pursue careers as environmental researchers, university lecturers, policy advisors, and environmental consultants in universities, research institutions, government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private sector firms. The programme provides a strong foundation for academic careers and leadership roles in environmental management and conservation.

This programme is ideal for individuals with a strong academic background in environmental science, natural resources, or a related field who are passionate about research and advancing knowledge in environmental science and natural resource management. It suits those who wish to contribute to policy development, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making in Kenya and beyond.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 200,000
Private, up to: Ksh 165,200
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: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Environmental Science
Resource Management
Climate Change
Research Methods
Environmental Policy
GIS and Remote Sensing
Sustainability
Biostatistics
Environmental Impact Assessment
Thesis Research

Modules

10 in the programme

Environmental Science
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of environmental science, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Resource Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of resource management, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Climate Change
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of climate change, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of research methods, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Environmental Policy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of environmental policy, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
GIS and Remote Sensing
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of gis and remote sensing, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Sustainability
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced study of sustainability, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Biostatistics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced study of biostatistics, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Advanced study of environmental impact assessment, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.
Thesis Research
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Advanced study of thesis research, covering theoretical foundations, current research trends, and practical applications relevant to the Kenyan and East African context.

Specialisations

Environmental Science
Specialization in Environmental Science, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-scientist.
Environmental Policy
Specialization in Environmental Policy, preparing graduates for careers such as water-resource-manager.
Resource Management
Specialization in Resource Management, preparing graduates for careers such as environmental-impact-assessor.
Climate Change
Specialization in Climate Change, preparing graduates for careers such as climate-change-analyst.
GIS and Remote Sensing
Specialization in GIS and Remote Sensing, preparing graduates for careers such as forestry-officer.
Specialisation Methods
Specialization in Specialisation Methods, preparing graduates for careers such as conservation-area-manager.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures and seminars with afternoon research activities, laboratory sessions, or fieldwork. Students engage with faculty supervisors, attend research seminars, review literature, and work on their thesis research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Advanced research skills open doors to academic and research careers in Kenya and internationally
Addresses real-world challenges relevant to Kenya's development priorities
Strong professional network through university and research collaborations
Graduates are well-positioned for leadership roles in their respective sectors

Against it

Requires significant time commitment, typically 3-4 years for PhD and 2 years for Masters
Research funding can be limited, requiring students to seek external grants
Limited number of supervisors in specialised fields may restrict research topics
Job market for highly specialised roles may be concentrated in a few institutions

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

Public120k to 200k

120k at Moi University200k at University of Nairobi

Private130k to 165k

130k at Mount Kenya University165k at Kabarak 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

Kabarak 165,200/yr (kabarak.ac.ke). JKUAT 206,500/yr. Moi, UoN, MKU unverified.

Students may access HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships for African scholars, and university-specific research grants. Some programmes offer teaching assistantships that provide fee waivers and stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships
Scholarship
African Union Research Grants
Grant

Scholarships

2 recorded

DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
African graduates meeting academic criteria for postgraduate study in relevant fields
HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students enrolled in recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Bachelor's degree in relevant field
Second Class Honours (Upper Division) or equivalent
KCSE or equivalent
C+ (Plus) minimum mean grade
Relevant work experience
Preferred but not always required

How you are assessed

4 components

Thesis
Coursework100% of the mark
Assignments and Presentations
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework50% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Professional body registration may be required depending on the field of specialisation.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya
Relevant Professional Body
Professional certification
Professional registration may be required depending on the field of specialisation

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 170,000
Offers specialised expertise to organisations, drawing on advanced training and research experience.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches and conducts research in a university department, contributing to knowledge generation and student mentorship.
Research Scientist
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 150,000
Conducts independent and collaborative research in research institutions, contributing to publications and innovation.
Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provides research-based policy advice to government, NGOs, and international organisations.
Program Manager
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Manages research and development programmes in NGOs, government agencies, or private sector organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as university lecturers, research scientists, policy analysts, and consultants in universities, research institutions, government agencies, and private sector organisations across Kenya and the East African region.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This master's programme is only for those who want to become university lecturers
Graduates pursue diverse careers including research, policy analysis, consulting, and leadership roles in government, NGOs, and private sector organisations across Kenya and internationally.
The programme is purely theoretical with no practical application
The curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical research, fieldwork, and industry engagement, ensuring graduates can apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
Research in this field has limited relevance to Kenya's development
The programme directly addresses national development priorities under Vision 2030, with research topics often focused on local challenges and solutions relevant to the Kenyan context.
There are no funding opportunities for postgraduate students in this field
Multiple funding sources exist including HELB postgraduate loans, DAAD scholarships, bilateral cooperation programmes, and university-specific research grants for qualifying students.