Engineering

Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering

The Bachelor of Engineering in Aeronautical Engineering is a five-year programme that prepares students for professional practice in aircraft design, maintenance, propulsion and aerospace systems. Students study aerodynamics, aircraft structures, propulsion systems, flight mechanics and avionics. The programme is offered by the Technical University of Kenya and Moi University in Kenya.

Students develop competencies in aircraft design, aerodynamic analysis, structural analysis, propulsion systems, flight mechanics, aircraft maintenance and aerospace systems. They learn to design aircraft components, analyse aerodynamic performance, maintain aircraft systems and ensure aviation safety. The programme covers engineering mathematics, aerodynamics, aircraft structures, propulsion, flight dynamics and avionics.

In Kenya, aeronautical engineering supports the aviation industry including Kenya Airways, Kenya Airports Authority and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority. Kenya's aviation sector is growing with expansion of airports, airlines and maintenance facilities. The Engineers Board of Kenya and Kenya Civil Aviation Authority regulate the profession. Graduates find roles in airlines, airports, aviation maintenance organisations, aerospace companies and government agencies.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, wind tunnel testing, design projects, industrial attachment and research projects. Students work with aerodynamic models, aircraft components, simulation software and maintenance equipment. The programme includes a final-year design or research project.

Graduates pursue careers as aeronautical engineers, aircraft maintenance engineers, design engineers, avionics engineers and aerospace project managers. Some work for airlines or maintenance organisations. Others join aerospace companies, government agencies or research institutions.

This programme is ideal for individuals with strong mathematical and analytical skills, interest in aviation and attention to detail. Students who enjoy physics, aerodynamics and aircraft systems will find this programme particularly engaging.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 199,500
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics
Aircraft Structures and Materials
Propulsion Systems and Jet Engines
Flight Mechanics and Control
Avionics and Aircraft Systems
Aircraft Maintenance and Repair
Aerospace Engineering Design
Engineering Mathematics
Aeronautical Structural Analysis
Aviation Safety and Regulations

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Calculus, linear algebra and differential equations for engineering applications
Introduction to Aeronautical Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of aeronautical engineering, aviation history and basic aircraft concepts
Engineering Drawing and Materials
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Engineering Drawing and Materials: Technical drawing, aerospace materials and engineering graphics Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Aerodynamics I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Aerodynamics I: Airflow principles, lift, drag, airfoil theory and wing aerodynamics Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Aircraft Structures I
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Structural analysis of aircraft components, stress analysis and aircraft materials
Propulsion Systems
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Propulsion Systems: Jet engines, propellers, rocket propulsion and engine performance analysis Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Flight Mechanics and Control
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Flight Mechanics and Control: Aircraft dynamics, stability, control systems and flight performance Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Avionics and Aircraft Systems
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Avionics and Aircraft Systems: Aircraft electronic systems, navigation, communication and flight instruments Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Aircraft Maintenance and Repair
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Aircraft maintenance procedures, inspection, repair techniques and airworthiness
Aerospace Engineering Design
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Aircraft design process, component design, systems integration and design optimisation
Aviation Safety and Regulations
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Aviation Safety and Regulations: Aviation safety management, airworthiness regulations and KCAA compliance Covers safety regulations, risk assessment, and workplace hazard management.
Final Year Design/Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent aircraft design or research project from concept to final presentation

Specialisations

Propulsion Systems
Specialization in Propulsion Systems, preparing graduates for careers such as aeronautical-engineer.
Aircraft Maintenance
Specialization in Aircraft Maintenance, preparing graduates for careers such as aeronautical-engineer.
Aerospace Design
Specialization in Aerospace Design, preparing graduates for careers such as aeronautical-engineer. 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.
Aircraft Structures
Specialization in Aircraft Structures, preparing graduates for careers such as aeronautical-engineer.
Avionics
Specialization in Avionics, preparing graduates for careers such as aeronautical-engineer. 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.
Aerodynamics
Specialization in Aerodynamics, preparing graduates for careers such as aeronautical-engineer. 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 morning lectures on aerodynamics or aircraft structures with afternoon laboratory sessions, wind tunnel testing or design projects. Students may test aerodynamic models, analyse aircraft components, use simulation software or work on aircraft maintenance projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Specialised field with competitive salaries
Kenya is a regional aviation hub
Opportunity to work in the exciting aviation industry
High-tech field with global career opportunities

Against it

Limited number of universities offering this programme in Kenya
Job market is smaller than other engineering fields
Requires KCAA licensing in addition to EBK registration
Stringent safety requirements demand exceptional precision

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

Public200k to 200k

200k at Technical University of Kenya200k at Technical University of Kenya

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

TUK BEng Aeronautical ~199,500/yr (eafinder TUK fees). UoN doesn't offer. Private unverified.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some airlines and aviation organisations offer industrial attachment stipends and scholarships.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
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

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

Mathematics A
C+
Physics
C+
Chemistry
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals and Assignments
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). EBK registration and KCAA licensing are required for professional aviation engineering practice in Kenya.

Accredited by

Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
InstitutionalRequired
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Aeronautical Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Designs, analyses and maintains aircraft and aerospace systems
Design Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Designs aircraft components and systems using engineering analysis
Avionics Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 320,000
Designs and maintains aircraft electronic and navigation systems
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Maintains and repairs aircraft ensuring airworthiness and safety
Aerospace Project Manager
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages aerospace engineering projects and aviation programmes

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as aeronautical engineers, aircraft maintenance engineers, design engineers, avionics engineers and aerospace project managers in airlines, airports, aviation maintenance organisations, aerospace companies and government agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MATLAB
Engineering softwarePrimary
Signal processing and communication simulation.
Atoll
Network planning
Radio network planning and optimisation.
Wireshark
Network analysis
Network protocol analysis.
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Aeronautical engineering is just about flying planes
Aeronautical engineering involves design, analysis, maintenance and safety of aircraft and aerospace systems.
There are no jobs for aeronautical engineers in Kenya
Kenya's aviation sector with Kenya Airways, KAA and growing airlines creates demand for aeronautical engineers.
Aeronautical engineering is too specialised for Kenya
Kenya is a regional aviation hub with maintenance facilities, airlines and airports requiring aeronautical expertise.
Only pilots work in aviation
Aeronautical engineers are essential for aircraft design, maintenance, safety and certification.