Engineering

Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

The Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering is a programme that provides comprehensive training in chemical process design, plant operations and industrial chemistry. Offered at Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Moi University and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, the programme prepares graduates for careers in chemical and process engineering.

The curriculum covers chemical process principles, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid mechanics, reaction engineering, process control, plant design, chemical process safety, environmental engineering, materials science, process modelling, industrial chemistry, research methods and a final year project. Students develop analytical and practical engineering skills.

Kenya's industrialisation goals, the growth of manufacturing and the demand for process engineers create demand for chemical engineering graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, industrial attachment and design projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as chemical engineers, process engineers, plant managers, production engineers, quality control engineers, environmental engineers, research engineers and project engineers. They work in manufacturing, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food processing, cement, sugar, energy and consulting firms.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 199,500
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Chemical Process Principles
Thermodynamics
Heat Transfer
Mass Transfer
Fluid Mechanics
Reaction Engineering
Process Control
Plant Design
Environmental Engineering
Materials Science

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Calculus, linear algebra and differential equations for engineering applications
Introduction to Chemical Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of chemical engineering including material balances, units and process concepts
Organic and Physical Chemistry
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Organic and Physical Chemistry: Chemistry principles relevant to chemical engineering processes Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Chemical Thermodynamics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Chemical Thermodynamics: Thermodynamic principles applied to chemical processes and phase equilibria Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Transport Phenomena
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Transport Phenomena: Momentum, heat and mass transfer in chemical engineering systems Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Chemical Reaction Engineering
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Reaction kinetics, reactor design and catalysis. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, course...
Separation Processes
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Distillation, absorption, extraction, filtration and other separation techniques
Process Control and Instrumentation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Process Control and Instrumentation: Process control theory, instrumentation and automation of chemical processes Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Plant Design and Process Economics
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Chemical plant design, process flow diagrams, equipment sizing and economic analysis
Process Safety and Environmental Engineering
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Process Safety and Environmental Engineering: Process safety, hazard analysis, environmental regulations and waste management Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental m...
Materials Science and Corrosion
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Engineering materials, corrosion prevention and material selection for chemical plants
Final Year Plant Design/Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Year Plant Design/Research Project: Independent plant design or research project from concept to final presentation Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project develop...

Specialisations

Environmental Engineering
Environmental processes. 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.
Process Engineering
Process design and optimisation. 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.
Petroleum Engineering
Oil and gas processing. 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.
Food Processing
Food process engineering. 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.
Pharmaceutical Engineering
Specialization in Pharmaceutical Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as chemical-engineer.
Materials Engineering
Specialization in Materials Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as chemical-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.
Food Processing Engineering
Specialization in Food Processing Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as chemical-engineer.
Petroleum and Petrochemical Engineering
Specialization in Petroleum and Petrochemical Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as chemical-engineer.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending engineering lectures, working in chemical laboratories, solving thermodynamics problems, designing process flow diagrams, studying reaction engineering, using process simulation software, and working on plant design projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Diverse career paths in petroleum, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing
Relevant to Kenya's petroleum and industrial sectors
Competitive salaries in specialised industries
Opportunity to work in process optimisation and safety

Against it

Limited number of universities offering this programme in Kenya
Requires strong chemistry and mathematics aptitude
Some industries may be concentrated in specific regions
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

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 ~199,500/yr chemical eng (eafinder). UoN doesn't offer. Private unverified.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available for eligible students. County bursaries provide additional support.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

5 recorded

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
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
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: KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Diploma in chemical engineering or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Mathematics
B-
Physics
B-
Chemistry
B-
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

5 components

End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Laboratory Practicals
Practicum20% of the mark
Lab sessions and reports
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Final Year Project
Project10% of the mark
Capstone design project
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). Offered at TUK, Moi University and Dedan Kimathi University. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with strong grades in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Accredited by

Engineers Board of Kenya
ProfessionalRequired
Statutory body responsible for registration and regulation of engineers in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Chemical Engineer
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 400,000
Chemical process engineering
Process Engineer
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000
Process design and optimisation
Environmental Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 320,000
Environmental process engineering
Plant Manager
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Plant operations management
Production Engineer
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 350,000
Production management
Plant Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages plant operations, maintenance and production
Project Manager
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages engineering projects in chemical and process industries
Quality Control Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 220,000
Ensures product quality and compliance with standards in chemical plants

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as chemical engineers, process engineers and plant managers in manufacturing, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and food processing industries.

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

Chemical engineering is just about chemistry.
The programme covers thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, process control and plant design.
Chemical engineers only work in chemical plants.
Graduates work in oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, food processing, energy, cement and consulting.
There are no jobs for chemical engineers in Kenya.
Kenya's manufacturing sector and industrialisation goals create demand for process engineers.
Chemical engineering is the same as industrial chemistry.
Chemical engineering focuses on process design and plant operations, not just chemistry.