Engineering

Bachelor of Architectural Technology

The Bachelor of Architectural Technology is a four-year technology-focused degree that prepares students to work as architectural technologists, supporting architects in bringing designs to life. The programme emphasises the science of building, construction technology, technical drawing, and Building Information Modelling.

Students study architectural design, building construction and materials, structural mechanics, computer-aided design, Building Information Modelling, construction documentation, building services, construction law, and professional practice.

Kenya's construction sector requires skilled architectural technologists to support the growing volume of building projects. Architectural firms, construction companies, government departments, and property developers employ technologists to produce technical drawings, manage construction documentation, and coordinate building projects.

The programme is delivered over eight semesters at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Students complete a design project in the final year and may undertake industrial attachment.

Graduates work as architectural technologists, CAD technicians, BIM coordinators, design technicians, and construction documentation specialists. Employers include architectural firms, construction companies, property developers, government ministries, and NGOs.

This programme suits students with strong technical aptitude, interest in building construction, and proficiency in computer applications. The ability to produce precise technical drawings, understand construction systems, and work collaboratively with architects and engineers is essential. Attention to detail and adaptability to evolving construction technologies are critical for career success.

Duration: 4 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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Architectural Design
Building Construction and Materials
Computer-Aided Design and BIM
Structural Mechanics
Construction Technology
Building Services Engineering
Construction Law and Professional Practice
Architectural Graphics and Communication
Environmental Design
Construction Documentation and Specifications

Modules

12 in the programme

Architectural Design and Graphics
Year 1Semester 15 creditsCore
Introduction to architectural design principles, technical drawing, orthographic projection, and graphical communication techniques for architectural documentation.
Building Construction and Materials I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Building materials, construction methods, foundation systems, walling, roofing, and basic structural principles for low-rise buildings.
Computer-Aided Design I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduction to AutoCAD for 2D drafting and 3D modelling, including drawing setup, layers, dimensions, and architectural drawing production.
Structural Mechanics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of structural mechanics including forces, equilibrium, stress and strain, beam analysis, and structural systems for architectural buildings.
Construction Technology II
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced construction methods for multi-storey buildings, including frame construction, cladding systems, staircases, and complex roof structures.
Building Information Modelling
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Revit Architecture for BIM workflows, including 3D modelling, parametric design, family creation, and collaborative model management.
Building Services Engineering
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Mechanical and electrical building services including water supply, sanitation, electrical systems, fire safety, and vertical transportation.
Construction Law and Professional Practice
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Construction contract law, procurement methods, professional ethics, building regulations, and the role of the architectural technologist in project delivery.
Environmental Design
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Passive design strategies, natural ventilation, daylighting, thermal comfort, and energy-efficient building design for Kenyan climate zones.
Construction Documentation and Specifications
Year 4Semester 14 creditsCore
Production of comprehensive construction drawing sets, technical specifications, bill of quantities, and working drawings for building projects.
Architectural Design Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Comprehensive architectural design project demonstrating integration of design, construction technology, environmental systems, and technical documentation.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 24 creditsCore
Independent research project investigating a topic in architectural technology, construction methods, or building performance, culminating in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Construction Technology
Focus on building construction methods, materials, structural systems, and construction processes for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Building Information Modelling
Focus on BIM workflows, Revit proficiency, digital construction management, and collaborative model coordination across project teams.
Construction Documentation
Focus on producing detailed construction drawings, technical specifications, bill of quantities, and working drawings for building projects.
Sustainable Building Technology
Focus on green building materials, energy-efficient construction methods, passive design strategies, and environmental certification systems.
Interior Architecture Technology
Focus on interior construction detailing, material finishes, lighting systems, and technical documentation for interior fit-out projects.
Project Coordination
Focus on coordinating architectural drawings with structural, mechanical, and electrical consultants to ensure integrated project delivery.

A day as a student

A typical day combines design studio sessions with technical lectures on construction technology, structures, or building services. Morning sessions cover theory and software demonstrations, followed by afternoon studio work where students produce construction drawings, BIM models, and technical documentation. Students frequently spend evenings in computer labs refining Revit models, preparing technical specifications, and working on design presentations.

The trade offs

In its favour

Technology-focused curriculum with strong emphasis on BIM, CAD, and construction documentation — skills in high demand by architectural firms.
Four-year duration is shorter than the six-year architecture pathway, enabling earlier entry to the job market.
Graduates can pursue a two-year Master's in Architecture (Professional) to qualify for architect registration, providing a flexible career pathway.
BIM proficiency is increasingly sought after as Kenya's construction industry adopts digital construction practices.

Against it

Only offered at JKUAT, limiting university choice for prospective students.
Graduates cannot practise as licensed architects without completing an additional two-year Master's degree and BORAQS exams.
Entry-level salaries for architectural technologists (KES 47,000–60,000/month) are modest compared to registered architects.

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 and built environment 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: B-
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma in architecture, building construction, or related fields from a recognised institution with at least a credit pass. Diploma holders may be exempted from the first two years of study subject to university senate approval.

How you are assessed

4 components

Design Studio and CAD Projects
Coursework40% of the mark
Practical studio and computer laboratory work assessed on technical accuracy, drawing quality, BIM proficiency, and design resolution.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework20% of the mark
Written tests covering construction technology, structures, building services, materials, and professional practice theory.
Coursework Assignments
Coursework15% of the mark
Technical drawing assignments, construction documentation exercises, and research reports assessed throughout each semester.
Final Year Project
Examination25% of the mark
Comprehensive architectural design and research project demonstrating integration of construction technology, BIM, and design skills, assessed by a panel including industry practitioners.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA). The programme is offered at JKUAT, a chartered public university. Graduates must complete a Master's in Architecture (Professional) and pass BORAQS exams to register as architects.

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

Architectural Technologist
Moderate demandKsh 47,000 to Ksh 85,000
Prepares detailed construction drawings, technical specifications, and BIM models under the supervision of registered architects at architectural firms.
CAD Technician
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Produces 2D and 3D architectural drawings using AutoCAD and Revit for architectural firms, construction companies, and government departments.
BIM Coordinator
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 95,000
Manages BIM workflows, coordinates digital models across disciplines, and ensures BIM standards compliance on construction projects.
Construction Documentation Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 80,000
Prepares working drawings, technical specifications, and construction documentation for building projects at architectural and construction firms.
Design Technician
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Supports design teams in producing architectural drawings, 3D models, and design presentations for residential and commercial projects.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as architectural technologists, CAD technicians, and BIM coordinators at architectural firms and construction companies, or pursue a Master's in Architecture to become registered architects.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Autodesk Revit
SoftwarePrimary
Building Information Modelling (BIM) software for architectural design, 3D modelling, construction documentation, and collaborative project delivery.
AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard 2D and 3D CAD software for architectural drawing, drafting, and technical documentation.
ArchiCAD
Software
BIM software for architectural design and documentation, widely used in Kenyan architectural practices.
SketchUp
Software
3D modelling software for conceptual design, massing studies, and architectural visualisation.
Navisworks
Software
BIM coordination software for clash detection, project review, and multi-disciplinary model integration on construction projects.
Adobe Photoshop
Software
Image editing software for architectural presentation boards, rendering post-production, and portfolio production.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Architectural Technology graduates can practise as architects.
Graduates work as architectural technologists, not architects. To become a registered architect, they must complete a two-year Master's in Architecture (Professional) and pass BORAQS exams.
Architectural Technology is inferior to Architecture.
It is a distinct profession focused on the technical and construction aspects of building design. Technologists and architects work complementarily, with technologists specialising in construction documentation and technical detailing.
There are limited jobs for architectural technologists in Kenya.
Every architectural firm needs technologists for drawing production, BIM coordination, and construction documentation. Construction companies and property developers also actively recruit them.
BIM has made architectural technologists redundant.
BIM has increased demand for technologists who can manage digital building models. Proficiency in Revit and BIM workflows is a competitive advantage, not a threat.
The programme is only for students who could not get into Architecture.
Architectural Technology is a specialised degree with its own career path. Many students choose it for its technology focus and practical orientation rather than as a fallback option.