Engineering

Bachelor of Education Technology in Mechanical Engineering

The Bachelor of Education Technology in Mechanical Engineering is a four-year degree programme that prepares graduates to teach mechanical engineering subjects in secondary schools and TVET institutions. The programme combines pedagogical training with specialised mechanical engineering content.

The curriculum covers educational foundations, educational psychology, technology education foundations, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, machine design, manufacturing processes, materials science, automotive technology, workshop practices, technical drawing, and teaching methodology. Students develop both technical engineering skills and pedagogical competencies for classroom and workshop instruction.

Students develop skills in machine design, manufacturing processes, workshop management, technical drawing, computer-aided design, project-based learning, instructional design for technical subjects, and assessment of practical skills. The programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, workshop practicals, micro-teaching, and supervised teaching practice.

Graduates pursue careers as mechanical technology teachers in secondary schools, TVET instructors, technical trainers, and education consultants. They find employment in public and private secondary schools, TVET institutions, polytechnics, and technical training centres. The programme addresses the growing demand for qualified mechanical engineering teachers under Kenya's STEM and TVET expansion agenda.

The programme is offered at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (public, KES 230,400/year, KUCCPS code 1173318) and Meru University of Science and Technology (public, KES 90,000/year at KES 45,000/semester). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) with C+ in Mathematics and Physics.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as technology teachers.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 244,800
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Educational Foundations
Educational Psychology
Technology Education Foundations
Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Machine Design
Manufacturing Processes
Materials Science
Workshop Practices
Teaching Methodology

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Technology Education
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of technology education, its history, philosophy, and role in Kenya's education system.
Educational Foundations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Educational Foundations: Philosophical, sociological, and historical foundations of education in Kenya. Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Technical Drawing and CAD
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Engineering drawing, mechanical schematics, and CAD software for technology education.
Workshop Practices and Safety
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Workshop Practices and Safety: Workshop safety, hand tools, machine tools, and materials handling. Covers safety regulations, risk assessment, and workplace hazard management.
Thermodynamics
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Thermodynamics: Laws of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and energy conversion systems. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Materials Science
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties and applications of engineering materials including metals, polymers, and composites.
Teaching Methodology for Technical Subjects
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Teaching Methodology for Technical Subjects: Pedagogical methods for teaching mechanical engineering subjects. Covers instructional strategies, assessment methods, and educational theory.
Fluid Mechanics
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Fluid properties, flow analysis, and hydraulic systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Machine Design
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Machine Design: Design of mechanical components, stress analysis, and material selection. Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Manufacturing Processes
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Manufacturing Processes: Machining, casting, forming, welding, and modern manufacturing techniques. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Assessment of Practical Skills
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques for assessing practical and technical skills in workshop and laboratory settings.
Teaching Practice and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised teaching practice at a secondary school or TVET institution and a final-year research project.

Specialisations

Manufacturing Engineering
Focus on teaching manufacturing processes, CNC machining, and production planning. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Automotive Technology
Focus on teaching automotive systems, vehicle maintenance, and engine technology. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
Focus on teaching heat transfer, fluid systems, and energy conversion. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Machine Design
Focus on teaching mechanical component design, stress analysis, and material selection. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Materials Science
Focus on teaching engineering materials, properties, and applications. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day combines education lectures, mechanical engineering laboratory sessions, and workshop practicals. Morning sessions cover educational psychology, technology education foundations, and teaching methodology, while afternoons focus on machine design labs, manufacturing workshops, and CAD sessions. Students participate in teaching practice at secondary schools and TVET institutions.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for mechanical technology teachers with Kenya's STEM and TVET expansion.
Offered at two universities providing geographic choice.
Meru University offers affordable fees at KES 45,000/semester.
Combines engineering knowledge with teaching qualifications for dual career paths.

Against it

Requires strong background in Mathematics and Physics.
Workshop safety and equipment management add responsibility beyond regular teaching.
Keeping up with rapidly evolving manufacturing technology requires continuous learning.
Dedan Kimathi's KES 230,400/year is higher than regular B.Ed programmes.

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

Public245k to 245k

245k at Kenyatta University245k at Moi 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 & Moi B.Ed(Technology) 244,800/yr self-sponsored (eafinder, thekenyatimes). Private unverified.

HELB loans and Higher Education Fund (HEF) support are available for qualifying Kenyan students. County government bursaries may also be available.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Student Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Student members of IEK pursuing accredited engineering programmes
KCDF More Girls for Engineering Opportunities
ScholarshipKenyan
Young women from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing engineering
TSC Teacher Training Support
BursaryKenyan
Teachers and trainee teachers in recognised institutions

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KACE with at least two principal passes in Mathematics and Physics; OR a validated Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or Technical Education from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate and CUE.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, laboratory reports, workshop practical assessments, and micro-teaching evaluations.
Teaching Practice Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Supervised teaching practice at a secondary school or TVET institution with assessment of classroom and workshop performance.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project investigating a relevant mechanical technology education issue.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Graduates are eligible for registration with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as technology teachers.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Mechanical Technology Teacher (Secondary)
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches mechanical engineering technology subjects in secondary schools.
TVET Instructor (Mechanical)
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 140,000
Trains students in mechanical engineering skills at TVET institutions.
Technical Trainer (Industry)
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Provides mechanical technology training in corporate and industrial settings.
Curriculum Developer (Mechanical Technology)
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Designs and evaluates mechanical technology education curricula.
Education Officer (Technical)
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 170,000
Works in government education offices supporting technical education policy.
Education Consultant (STEM)
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Advises schools and organisations on STEM and mechanical technology education strategies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as mechanical technology teachers in secondary schools and TVET instructors. Demand is high with Kenya's STEM and TVET expansion agenda.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SolidWorks
DesignPrimary
3D CAD software for mechanical design and engineering graphics.
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
2D and 3D CAD software for technical drawing and mechanical schematics.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Presentation
Presentation tool for lesson delivery and instructional materials.
Google Classroom
Learning management
Learning management platform for organising classes and assignments.
Microsoft Excel
Data analysis
Spreadsheet tool for assessment tracking and workshop inventory management.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

This is an engineering degree, not a teaching degree.
This is a professional education degree with TSC registration, combining mechanical engineering content with pedagogical training.
Graduates can only work in secondary schools.
Graduates can work in secondary schools, TVET institutions, polytechnics, and as technical trainers in industry.
Technology education is inferior to academic subjects.
Technology education is a critical component of Kenya's STEM and TVET agenda, with growing demand and career opportunities.
The programme only covers basic mechanics.
The programme covers advanced topics including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, machine design, and manufacturing processes.