Engineering

Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering

The Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering is a five-year programme that prepares students for professional practice in electrical systems and telecommunications. Students study electrical circuits, telecommunications, signal processing, networking, RF engineering and communication systems. The programme combines electrical engineering with telecommunications specialisation.

Students develop competencies in electrical system design, telecommunications network design, signal processing, RF engineering, optical communications and network management. They learn to design communication systems, electrical installations, telecom networks and signal processing systems. The programme covers engineering mathematics, circuit theory, electromagnetic theory, communications and networking.

In Kenya, telecommunications is a rapidly growing sector with mobile operators, internet service providers and fibre optic expansion. The Communications Authority of Kenya regulates the sector. Kenya's digital transformation and connectivity expansion create strong demand. Graduates find roles in telecommunications companies, ISPs, broadcasting, technology firms and consulting.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, design projects, industrial attachment and research projects. Students work with communication equipment, network analysers, RF circuits and simulation software. The programme includes a final-year design or research project.

Graduates pursue careers as telecommunications engineers, network engineers, RF engineers, signal processing engineers and electrical engineers. Some work for Safaricom, Airtel or Telkom Kenya. Others join ISPs, broadcasting companies or technology firms.

This programme is ideal for individuals with strong mathematics aptitude, interest in communications technology and networking skills.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 396,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Engineering Mathematics
Electrical Circuit Theory and Analysis
Telecommunications and Communication Systems
Signal Processing and Analysis
Electromagnetic Theory and RF Engineering
Computer Networks and Data Communications
Optical Communications and Fibre Optics
Mobile and Wireless Communications
Antenna Theory and Design
Engineering Management and Economics

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering 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
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Electrical Circuit Theory: DC and AC circuit analysis, network theorems and electrical principles Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Engineering Drawing and Programming
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Technical drawing, programming and engineering graphics. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Electromagnetic Theory
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Electromagnetic Theory: Electrostatics, magnetostatics, wave propagation and transmission lines Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Analogue and Digital Communications
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Analogue and Digital Communications: Modulation techniques, multiplexing and communication system fundamentals Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Signal Processing
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Signal Processing: Digital signal processing, filters, transforms and signal analysis Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Computer Networks and Data Communications
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer Networks and Data Communications: Network protocols, routing, switching and data communication systems Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Mobile and Wireless Communications
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Mobile and Wireless Communications: Cellular systems, wireless standards, mobile networks and 4G/5G Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Optical Communications and Fibre Optics
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Optical Communications and Fibre Optics: Optical fibre principles, optical transmitters, receivers and systems Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Antenna Theory and Design
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Antenna Theory and Design: Antenna principles, radiation patterns, antenna types and design Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
RF Engineering and Microwave Systems
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
RF Engineering and Microwave Systems: RF circuit design, microwave systems, radar and satellite communications Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applicati...
Final Year Design/Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Year Design/Research Project: Independent telecommunications engineering design or research project Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.

Specialisations

Optical Communications
Specialization in Optical Communications, preparing graduates for careers such as telecommunications-engineer.
Signal Processing
Specialization in Signal Processing, preparing graduates for careers such as telecommunications-engineer.
Mobile Communications
Specialization in Mobile Communications, preparing graduates for careers such as telecommunications-engineer.
Satellite Communications
Specialization in Satellite Communications, preparing graduates for careers such as telecommunications-engineer.
RF and Microwave Engineering
Specialization in RF and Microwave Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as telecommunications-engineer.
Network Engineering
Specialization in Network Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as telecommunications-engineer.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on communication theory or signal processing with afternoon laboratory sessions or design projects. Students may design RF circuits, configure networks, analyse signals or work on communication system projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand in Kenya's growing telecommunications sector
Diverse career paths in telecom, IT and broadcasting
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge communication technology
Competitive salaries in telecommunications industry

Against it

Five-year programme requires significant commitment
Requires strong mathematics and physics aptitude
Rapidly evolving field requires continuous learning
EBK registration requires additional years of supervised 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 courses

Public337k to 396k

337k at Moi University396k 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

Moi 336,600/yr; UoN 396K/yr (eafinder Moi, UoN PDF). Private unverified.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some telecommunications companies 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

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Media Council of Kenya Journalism Training Fund
BursaryKenyan
Journalism and communication students accredited by the Media Council of Kenya
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
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties

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

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

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). EBK registration is required for professional 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

Telecommunications Engineer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs and maintains telecommunications networks and systems
RF Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 320,000
Designs RF circuits, antennas and wireless communication systems
Network Engineer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 280,000
Designs and manages data networks and communication infrastructure
Electrical Engineer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs and maintains electrical systems and installations
Signal Processing Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Develops signal processing algorithms and systems

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as telecommunications engineers, network engineers, RF engineers, signal processing engineers and electrical engineers in telecommunications companies, ISPs, broadcasting, technology firms and consulting.

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

Telecommunication engineering is just about phone networks
Telecommunication engineering covers RF, optical, satellite, data networks and signal processing.
Telecom engineers only work for mobile operators
Telecom engineers work in ISPs, broadcasting, technology firms, consulting and research.
Telecom is a saturated sector in Kenya
Kenya's digital transformation, fibre expansion and 5G create continuous demand.
Telecommunication engineering is the same as IT
Telecom engineering involves hardware, RF, signal processing and network design, not just software.