Engineering

Bachelor of Architectural Studies/Architecture

The Bachelor of Architectural Studies/Architecture is a six-year two-tier professional degree programme that qualifies graduates to register as licensed architects in Kenya. Students study architectural design studio, building construction and materials, structural mechanics, environmental control systems, history and theory of architecture, urban design, computer-aided design, building services, professional practice, and project management.

Kenya's construction sector remains active with demand for qualified architects in residential, commercial, institutional, and public infrastructure projects. The programme is delivered over twelve semesters.

The fourth year includes a comprehensive design project, and the sixth year requires a thesis project defended before a panel. Graduates who complete the full six-year programme can register with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) as licensed architects.

This programme demands strong analytical ability, creativity, spatial awareness, and perseverance over six years. Proficiency in mathematics and physics is essential.

The studio-based learning model requires long hours, iterative design refinement, and the ability to accept and incorporate critique. Graduates must also pass BORAQS professional exams to practise independently.

Skills RequiredArchitectural DesignBuilding Construction and TechnologyComputer-Aided Design (AutoCAD, Revit, BIM)Structural Analysis and DesignEnvironmental and Sustainable DesignUrban Planning and DesignArchitectural History and TheoryProfessional Practice and Project ManagementArchitectural Visualisation and PresentationBuilding Regulations and CodesKey SubjectsArchitectural Design StudioBuilding Construction and MaterialsStructural Mechanics and DesignHistory and Theory of ArchitectureEnvironmental Control SystemsUrban Design and PlanningComputer-Aided Design and BIMBuilding Services EngineeringProfessional Practice and ManagementArchitectural Thesis ProjectCertificationsBORAQS Architect RegistrationAutodesk Certified Professional in Revit for Architectural DesignArchitectural Association of Kenya (AAK) MembershipSpecializationsArchitectural DesignFocus on the core design studio sequence across six years, developing mastery in conceptual design, spatial planning, building form, and comprehensive design resolution for complex building typologies.

Duration: 6 years
Public, up to: Ksh 347,650
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Architectural Design Studio
Building Construction and Materials
Structural Mechanics and Design
History and Theory of Architecture
Environmental Control Systems
Urban Design and Planning
Computer-Aided Design and BIM
Building Services Engineering
Professional Practice and Management
Architectural Thesis Project

Modules

12 in the programme

Architectural Design Studio I
Year 1Semester 16 creditsCore
Introduction to basic design principles, spatial organisation, and architectural drawing. Students complete simple design exercises exploring form, scale, and proportion.
Building Construction and Materials
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Building materials, construction methods, foundation systems, walling, roofing, and basic structural principles for low-rise buildings.
History and Theory of Architecture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Survey of architectural history from ancient civilisations to contemporary movements, with emphasis on African and Kenyan architectural traditions.
Structural Mechanics and Design
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of structural mechanics, forces, equilibrium, stress and strain, beam analysis, and structural systems for architectural buildings.
Environmental Control Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Passive and active environmental control strategies including natural ventilation, daylighting, thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and building services integration.
Computer-Aided Design and BIM
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM workflows for 2D drafting, 3D modelling, and collaborative building information management.
Urban Design and Planning
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of urban design, public space, street networks, density, mixed-use development, and the relationship between buildings and urban context.
Building Services Engineering
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Mechanical and electrical building services including water supply, sanitation, electrical systems, fire safety, and vertical transportation in buildings.
Architectural Design Studio V
Year 5Semester 18 creditsCore
Advanced design studio focusing on complex institutional and commercial projects with comprehensive technical resolution and urban integration.
Professional Practice and Management
Year 5Semester 13 creditsCore
Architectural practice management, contract law, project management, fee scales, procurement methods, and regulatory frameworks for professional practice.
Research Methods and Project Paper
Year 5Semester 23 creditsCore
Research methodology for architectural research, literature review, data collection, and preparation of a project paper informing the sixth-year thesis.
Architectural Thesis Project
Year 6Semester 110 creditsCore
Independent architectural thesis demonstrating comprehensive integration of design, technology, environmental systems, and urban context, culminating in a public defence.

Specialisations

Architectural Design
Focus on the core design studio sequence across six years, developing mastery in conceptual design, spatial planning, building form, and comprehensive design resolution for complex building typologies.
Urban Design
Focus on the design of urban spaces, public realm, mixed-use development, density, and the relationship between architectural interventions and city form.
Sustainable Architecture
Focus on green building principles, passive design strategies, energy-efficient systems, sustainable materials, and environmental certification for climate-responsive architecture.
Interior Architecture
Focus on interior spatial design, material finishes, lighting design, furniture, and the relationship between interior environments and human experience.
Landscape Architecture
Focus on outdoor space design, site planning, planting design, stormwater management, and integration of buildings with natural landscapes.
Architectural Conservation
Focus on preservation and restoration of historic buildings, heritage management, and adaptive reuse of existing structures.

A day as a student

A typical day revolves around the design studio, where students work on architectural projects under tutor guidance. Morning lectures cover structures, building technology, or history, followed by afternoon studio sessions with desk critiques and pin-up presentations. Upper-year students spend significant time on thesis research, site visits, and professional practice attachments. Evening hours are frequently devoted to model making, CAD work, and rendering.

The trade offs

In its favour

Completing the full six-year programme qualifies graduates for BORAQS registration as licensed architects — a respected and well-compensated profession.
Studio-based learning develops strong design, technical, and presentation skills that are highly valued across the built environment sector.
Kenya's active construction sector and regional architectural practice create diverse career opportunities for registered architects.
Skills in BIM, CAD, and sustainable design are transferable to construction management, real estate, and urban planning beyond traditional practice.

Against it

Six years of study is significantly longer than most degree programmes, requiring substantial time and financial commitment.
Design studio demands long hours including frequent all-nighters, making the programme among the most demanding at university.
Only four public universities offer the programme, creating intense admission competition with high cluster point cut-offs.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public306k to 348k

306k at Kenyatta University348k 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

KU 306K, UoN 348K/yr (educationnewshub KUCCPS). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans, county government bursaries, and the AAK bursary fund for architectural studies.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
County Government Bursaries
AAK Bursary Fund

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students placed through KUCCPS in public universities.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) Bursary Fund
BursaryKenyan
Student members of AAK pursuing architecture or built-environment programmes
AAK Bursary Fund
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Architecture students who are members of the Architectural Association of Kenya, applied through AAK.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Students from the respective county, applied through county education offices.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KACE with two principal passes in Mathematics and any one of Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Economics, or Art and Design, plus a credit pass in English. Diploma holders in architecture, building construction, or related fields with at least a credit pass. Degree holders in relevant built environment fields may also apply.

How you are assessed

4 components

Design Studio Projects
Coursework45% of the mark
Core design studio work assessed through portfolio reviews, design presentations, and critique sessions with tutors and visiting professionals across all six years.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework20% of the mark
Written tests covering building technology, structures, history, environmental systems, and professional practice theory.
Project Paper and Research
Coursework10% of the mark
Research paper in the fifth year investigating a architectural topic that informs the sixth-year thesis project.
Architectural Thesis
Examination25% of the mark
Comprehensive sixth-year thesis project demonstrating mastery of architectural design, technology, and professional practice, assessed by a panel including external examiners and BORAQS representatives.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Professional registration with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) is required to practise as a licensed architect in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Graduate Architect
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 100,000
Works under a registered architect in design development, drawing production, site supervision, and project documentation, gaining experience toward BORAQS registration.
Architectural Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 80,000
Supports senior architects in design, drafting, and project coordination at architectural firms while working toward professional registration.
BIM Manager
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages Building Information Modelling workflows, coordinates digital models across project teams, and ensures BIM standards compliance on large projects.
Urban Designer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 120,000
Designs urban spaces, public realm improvements, and master plans for cities, counties, and private developers.
Project Architect
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 180,000
Leads architectural projects from concept to completion, managing design teams, client relationships, consultants, and contractors after BORAQS registration.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates who complete the full six-year programme and pass BORAQS exams can register as licensed architects, working in private practice, firms, government, and consultancy across Kenya and East Africa.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Autodesk Revit
SoftwarePrimary
Building Information Modelling (BIM) software for architectural design, structural engineering, MEP, and construction documentation.
AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard 2D and 3D CAD software for architectural drawing, drafting, and technical documentation.
SketchUp
Software
3D modelling software for conceptual design, massing studies, and architectural visualisation.
V-Ray
Software
Photorealistic rendering plugin for 3D modelling software, used to produce high-quality architectural visualisations.
Adobe Creative Suite
Software
Design software suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for architectural presentations, portfolios, and publications.
Lumion
Software
Real-time 3D visualisation software for architectural rendering, animation, and virtual walkthroughs.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

You can become a licensed architect with just the four-year BAS degree.
The BAS is an intermediate qualification. Only graduates who complete the full six-year programme and pass BORAQS exams can register as licensed architects.
Architecture is purely a creative field.
Architecture requires strong technical knowledge in structures, environmental systems, building regulations, project management, and construction technology alongside design creativity.
Architecture has limited career options in Kenya.
Registered architects work in private practice, government, academia, real estate development, construction management, and consultancy. Many Kenyan firms also serve the East African region.
The six-year programme is too long compared to other degrees.
Architecture is a professional degree requiring comprehensive training in design, technology, and practice. The duration is standard internationally and ensures graduates meet professional registration requirements.
AI and software will replace architects.
AI and BIM tools are augmenting architectural workflows, not replacing them. Architects who master these tools gain competitive advantage. Design judgement, client management, and regulatory compliance remain human competencies.