Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Structural Engineering
The Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Structural Engineering is a five-year programme that prepares students for professional practice in civil infrastructure and structural design. Students study structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction materials, transportation and water resources. The programme emphasises structural analysis and design alongside general civil engineering fundamentals.
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.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 2 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 structural design, geotechnical analysis, construction management, transportation engineering, water resources and engineering drawing. They learn to design buildings, bridges, towers and other structures. The programme covers engineering mathematics, structural analysis, reinforced concrete, steel structures, foundation engineering and construction management.
In Kenya, structural engineering is critical for the construction boom in housing, commercial buildings and infrastructure. Kenya's Vision 2030 infrastructure projects create strong demand. The Engineers Board of Kenya regulates the profession. Graduates find roles in consulting engineering firms, construction companies, government ministries and infrastructure agencies.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, design projects, fieldwork, industrial attachment and research projects. Students undertake practical work in industry. The programme includes a final-year design or research project.
Graduates pursue careers as structural engineers, civil engineers, geotechnical engineers, construction managers and design engineers. Some work for consulting engineering firms or construction companies. Others join government ministries or infrastructure agencies.
This programme is ideal for individuals with strong mathematical and analytical skills, creativity and interest in structural design and infrastructure development.
What you study
10 subjects- Engineering Mathematics
- Structural Analysis and Design
- Reinforced Concrete and Steel Structures
- Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design
- Transportation and Highway Engineering
- Water Resources and Environmental Engineering
- Construction Materials and Testing
- Engineering Drawing and CAD
- Construction Project Management
- Engineering Economics
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.
Engineering Drawing and Materials
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Engineering Drawing and Materials: Technical drawing, construction materials and engineering graphics Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Structural Mechanics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Structural Mechanics: Forces, equilibrium, stress analysis and structural fundamentals Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Structural Analysis I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Structural Analysis I: Analysis of statically determinate and indeterminate structures Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Geotechnical Engineering
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Soil mechanics, foundation design and earthworks. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cours...
Reinforced Concrete Design
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Reinforced Concrete Design: Design of RC elements including beams, columns, slabs and foundations Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Steel Structures Design
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Steel Structures Design: Design of steel elements, connections and structural steel systems Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Transportation and Highway Engineering
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Transportation and Highway Engineering: Highway design, traffic engineering and transportation planning Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Water Resources Engineering
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Water Resources Engineering: Water supply, hydrology, drainage and environmental engineering Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Construction Project Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Project planning, cost estimation, contract management and construction technology
Foundation Engineering
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Foundation Engineering: Shallow and deep foundations, retaining walls and ground improvement Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Final Year Design/Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent structural design or research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cour...
Specialisations
Geotechnical Engineering
Specialization in Geotechnical Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as civil-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.
Transportation Engineering
Specialization in Transportation Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as civil-engineer.
Water Resources
Specialization in Water Resources, preparing graduates for careers such as civil-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.
Construction Management
Specialization in Construction Management, preparing graduates for careers such as construction-project-manager.
Foundation Engineering
Specialization in Foundation Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as civil-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.
Structural Design
Specialization in Structural Design, preparing graduates for careers such as civil-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 structural analysis with afternoon laboratory sessions, design projects or site visits. Students may design structures, test materials, use CAD software or visit construction sites.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand from Kenya's construction and infrastructure boom | Five-year programme requires significant commitment |
| Specialised structural design skills are highly valued | Requires strong mathematics and physics aptitude |
| Diverse career paths in consulting, construction and government | Site work can be physically demanding |
| Competitive salaries and career growth | 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 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; Moi 336,600/yr; UoN 396K/yr (eafinder, UoN PDF). Private unverified.
Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some construction firms 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
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
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Scholarships you could apply for
9 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
- University of Eldoret TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullUniversity of Eldoret / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- 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
- Komaza Scholarship Program
RollingPartialKomaza
KES 50,000 to 150,000 per year
- Moi University Merit Scholarship
Before semester startsPartialMoi University
50% tuition waiver
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 2 institutionsIncluding Moi University, University of Eldoret.
Including Moi University, University of Eldoret.
Including Moi University, University of Eldoret.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals and Assignments
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark
Accreditation
Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
InstitutionalRequired
Commission for University Education (CUE)
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 rolesDesign Engineer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 280,000
Designs structural and civil engineering components
Civil Engineer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs and supervises civil infrastructure projects
Construction Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages construction projects from planning to completion
Geotechnical Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Analyses soil and rock mechanics for foundation design
Structural Engineer
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Designs and analyses structural systems for buildings and infrastructure
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as structural engineers, civil engineers, geotechnical engineers, construction managers and design engineers in consulting firms, construction companies, government ministries and infrastructure agencies.
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
Structural engineering is just about drawing plans
Structural engineering involves mathematical analysis, material science and safety assessment.
There are no jobs for structural engineers in Kenya
Kenya's construction boom creates strong demand for qualified structural engineers.
Civil and structural engineering are identical
Structural engineering is a specialised focus within civil engineering.
Structural engineers only work on buildings
Structural engineers design bridges, towers, dams and all types of infrastructure.