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Environmental Science

Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies and Community Development

The Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Studies and Community Development is a doctoral programme offered at Kenyatta University through the Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development, School of Environmental Studies. It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research at the intersection of environmental studies and community development. The programme addresses Kenya's need for sustainable community development that balances environmental conservation with livelihood improvement.

Duration
3-5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 367,200
Ksh 1,101,600 to Ksh 1,836,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 168,000
Ksh 504,000 to Ksh 840,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 367,200 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,101,600 to Ksh 1,836,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 168,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of Masters Degree or above, plus 1 subject grade. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Adolescent Mentorship Officer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Students engage with advanced topics in environmental studies, community development theory, sustainable development, environmental sociology, natural resource governance, community-based conservation, participatory research methods, environmental education, climate change and community resilience and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops insights into the relationship between environmental management and community development in Kenya.

Kenya's community-based natural resource management, devolution of environmental governance to communities, climate change impacts on livelihoods and the need for sustainable development create demand for doctoral-level expertise. The programme supports Kenya's community development and environmental management goals.

Teaching is delivered through coursework and supervised research at Kenyatta University. The programme is offered through the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Annual fees are KSh 367,200 for East Africans and KSh 459,000 for non-East Africans, consistent with other environmental science PhD programmes at KU.

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, community development researchers, environmental sociologists, natural resource governance specialists and development consultants. They work in universities, NGOs, county governments, Ministry of Environment, international development organisations and community-based organisations.

The programme is ideal for individuals with backgrounds in environmental studies, community development, sociology, geography or related fields who wish to contribute original research to environmental studies and community development.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Environmental Studies Theory
  • Community Development Theory
  • Sustainable Development
  • Environmental Sociology
  • Natural Resource Governance
  • Community-Based Conservation
  • Participatory Research Methods
  • Environmental Education
  • Climate Change and Community Resilience
  • Research Methods in Environmental Studies

Modules

8 in the programme

  • Environmental Studies Theory

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Theoretical foundations of environmental studies, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.

  • Community Development Theory

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Theories of community development, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.

  • Natural Resource Governance

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Governance of natural resources at community level, covering political theories, governance frameworks, and their application in public administration.

  • Community-Based Conservation

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Conservation involving local communities, covering ecological principles, conservation strategies, and their application in biodiversity management.

  • Participatory Research Methods

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Participatory approaches to research, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.

  • Research Methods in Environmental Studies

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Research design and methodology, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.

  • Departmental Seminars

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Research presentations and peer review of doctoral work, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in.

  • Thesis Research

    Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore

    Doctoral thesis research and dissertation writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.

Specialisations

  • Environmental Education

    Research on environmental education in communities

  • Natural Resource Governance

    Research on community resource governance

  • Climate Change and Communities

    Research on climate resilience of communities

  • Community-Based Conservation

    Research on conservation with communities

A day as a student

A typical day involves reviewing environmental and community development literature, conducting participatory research with communities, analysing socio-environmental data, attending seminars on environmental studies, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with NGOs and community-based organisations for field research.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Combines environmental science with community developmentInterdisciplinary programme requires broad knowledge base
Kenya's devolution creates demand for community development expertiseCommunity research requires building trust and relationships
Research directly impacts communities and environmentLimited funding for community development research

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
Public312k to 367k
312k at University of Nairobi367k at Kenyatta University
Private150k to 168k
150k at Mount Kenya University168k at Kenya Methodist 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 ~367K/yr verified. UoN unverified. MKU ~150K, KeMU ~168K/yr.

HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. CODESRIA provides research grants for social science research in Africa.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

  • CODESRIA Research Grant

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • CODESRIA Research Grant

    Grant

    Social science researchers in Africa

  • HELB Postgraduate Scholarship

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan postgraduate students

  • DAAD Kenya Scholarship

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Postgraduate students in Kenya

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
Masters Degreeminimum entry
Alternative entry

Holder of Master's degree in relevant area from Kenyatta University or recognised institution. KU and School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences admission regulations apply.

Subject requirements
MSc/MA in Environmental Studies, Community Development, Sociology, Geography or related fieldRelevant Masters from recognised university

When it next starts

Taught at 2 institutions
January 20272 institutions

Including Egerton University, Pwani University.

May 20272 institutions

Including Egerton University, Pwani University.

September 20272 institutions

Including Egerton University, Pwani University.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Coursework

    Continuous assessment30% of the mark

    Assignments, community research projects and seminar presentations

  • Thesis Proposal Defence

    Oral defence20% of the mark

    Defence of research proposal before school panel

  • Thesis

    Thesis50% of the mark

    Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Kenyatta University (Department of Environmental Studies and Community Development, School of Environmental Studies, School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

  • Community Development Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Research on community development at NGOs and institutes

  • University Professor

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Teaching and research in environmental studies departments

  • Development Consultant

    Moderate demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 400,000

    Consulting on development and environment

  • Environmental Sociologist

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Sociological research on environment and society

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as university professors, community development researchers, environmental sociologists and development consultants. They work at NGOs, county governments, universities and international development organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Community development is just about social work.

    The field covers environmental governance, natural resource management, sustainable development and participatory research.

  • There is no demand for environmental community development PhDs.

    Kenya's devolution and community-based resource management create demand.

  • Community development research is not rigorous.

    The programme uses participatory research methods, social science analysis and environmental assessment.

  • Only social workers study this programme.

    The programme attracts environmental scientists, geographers and development practitioners.

Further reading

Read next