Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic
The Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic is a five-year programme that prepares students for professional practice in electrical power, electronics and communication systems. Students study electrical circuits, power systems, electronics, control systems and telecommunications. The programme is offered by Technical University of Kenya, University of Nairobi, JKUAT and Moi University.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 396,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,584,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 500,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 6 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 7 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students develop competencies in electrical system design, electronic circuit design, power generation and distribution, control systems and telecommunications. They learn to design electrical installations, electronic devices, power networks and communication systems. The programme covers engineering mathematics, circuit theory, digital electronics, power systems and signal processing.
In Kenya, electrical and electronic engineering supports power, telecommunications, manufacturing and technology sectors. Kenya's energy expansion including geothermal and renewable energy creates demand. The Engineers Board of Kenya regulates the profession. Graduates find roles in power companies, telecommunications, manufacturing, technology firms and consulting.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, design projects, industrial attachment and research projects. Students work with circuits, microcontrollers, power systems and communication equipment. The programme includes a final-year design or research project.
Graduates pursue careers as electrical engineers, electronic engineers, power engineers, control engineers and telecommunications engineers. Some work for Kenya Power or telecommunications companies. Others join manufacturing, technology firms or consulting.
This programme is ideal for individuals with strong mathematics and physics aptitude, interest in technology and problem-solving skills.
What you study
10 subjects- Engineering Mathematics
- Electrical Circuit Theory and Analysis
- Digital and Analogue Electronics
- Power Systems and Electrical Machines
- Control Systems Engineering
- Telecommunications and Signal Processing
- Embedded Systems and Microprocessors
- Electromagnetic Theory and Applications
- Power Electronics and Drives
- Engineering Management
Modules
12 in the programmeEngineering Mathematics I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering Mathematics I: Calculus, linear algebra and differential equations for engineering Covers theoretical foundations, problem-solving techniques, and practical applications.
Electrical Circuit Theory I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Electrical Circuit Theory I: DC circuit analysis, network theorems and basic electrical principles Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Engineering Drawing and Programming
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Engineering Drawing and Programming: Technical drawing, computer programming and engineering graphics Includes practical programming exercises, algorithm design, and system implementation.
Analogue Electronics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Diodes, transistors, amplifiers and analogue circuit design. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Digital Electronics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital Electronics: Logic gates, flip-flops, counters and digital circuit design Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Electromagnetic Theory
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Electrostatics, magnetostatics and electromagnetic waves. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Power Systems and Machines
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Power Systems and Machines: Power generation, transmission, distribution and rotating machines Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Control Systems Engineering
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Control theory, feedback systems and controller design. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Telecommunications and Signal Processing
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Telecommunications and Signal Processing: Communication systems, modulation and digital communications Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Embedded Systems and Microprocessors
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Embedded Systems and Microprocessors: Microprocessor architecture, interfacing and embedded system design Covers production techniques, soil management, pest control, and yield optimisation.
Power Electronics and Drives
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Power electronic converters, motor drives and power quality. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Final Year Design/Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent engineering design or research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cou...
Specialisations
Electronic Systems
Specialization in Electronic Systems, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-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.
Embedded Systems
Specialization in Embedded Systems, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-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.
Telecommunications
Specialization in Telecommunications, preparing graduates for careers such as telecommunications-engineer.
Control Systems
Specialization in Control Systems, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-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.
Power Systems
Specialization in Power Systems, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-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.
Renewable Energy
Specialization in Renewable Energy, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-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 circuit theory or power systems with afternoon laboratory sessions or design projects. Students may build circuits, programme microcontrollers, test power systems or work on communication projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand in power, telecommunications and technology | Five-year programme requires significant commitment |
| Diverse career paths across multiple industries | Requires strong mathematics and physics aptitude |
| Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology | Laboratory equipment can be expensive |
| Competitive salaries and entrepreneurship opportunities | EBK registration requires additional years of practice |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering coursesAnnual 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 199,500/yr; UoN 396K/yr. MKU 109,100/yr; Strathmore ~500K/yr (eafinder, victormatara).
Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some power and telecommunications companies offer industrial attachment stipends.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Scholarships
5 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
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
Scholarships you could apply for
13 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification
When it next starts
Taught at 7 institutionsIncluding Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University.
Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University.
Including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals and Assignments
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
InstitutionalRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). EBK registration is required for professional engineering practice in Kenya.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesElectrical Engineer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs and maintains electrical power systems and installations
Telecommunications Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs and maintains telecommunications networks
Control Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 320,000
Designs control systems for industrial automation
Power Engineer
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Designs and manages power generation and distribution systems
Electronic Engineer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs and develops electronic systems and circuits
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as electrical engineers, electronic engineers, power engineers, control engineers and telecommunications engineers in power companies, telecommunications, manufacturing, technology firms and consulting.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Desalination Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- District Cooling EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- HighVoltage Substation EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Hydrogen Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Microgrid Control EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Subsea Cable EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Traction Power EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
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
Electrical engineering is just about wiring
Electrical engineering covers power systems, electronics, telecommunications, control and embedded systems.
Electrical engineers only work for Kenya Power
Electrical engineers work in telecommunications, manufacturing, technology, consulting and entrepreneurship.
Electrical engineering is too difficult
The programme builds knowledge progressively from fundamentals to advanced topics.
There are limited jobs for electrical engineers
Kenya's power expansion and digital transformation create strong demand.