Engineering

Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering

The Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering is a programme that provides comprehensive training in structural design, construction, infrastructure development and project management. Offered at the University of Nairobi, JKUAT, Moi University, Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in civil engineering and construction.

The curriculum covers engineering mathematics, engineering mechanics, structural analysis, structural design, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics, hydrology, transportation engineering, construction materials, surveying, environmental engineering, project management, engineering economics, research methods and a final year project. Students develop analytical and practical engineering skills.

Kenya's infrastructure development, the government's Big Four Agenda and the demand for construction professionals create strong demand for civil engineering graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, fieldwork, industrial attachment and design projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as civil engineers, structural engineers, geotechnical engineers, transportation engineers, construction managers, project managers, consulting engineers, site engineers and water resources engineers. They work in construction companies, consulting firms, government ministries, county governments, NGOs and as consultants.

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 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: 3 months
Average class: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Engineering Mathematics
Structural Analysis
Structural Design
Geotechnical Engineering
Hydraulics
Transportation Engineering
Construction Materials
Surveying
Environmental Engineering
Project Management

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Mathematical methods. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Structural Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of structures. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Engineering Drawing and CAD
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Engineering Drawing and CAD: Technical drawing, computer-aided design and engineering graphics Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Structural Design
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Design of concrete and steel structures. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and...
Geotechnical Engineering
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Soil mechanics and foundations. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Hydraulics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Fluid mechanics in civil engineering. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and en...
Transportation Engineering
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Highway and traffic engineering. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-...
Construction Materials
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Properties of construction materials. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and en...
Surveying
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Land and engineering surveying. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering: Water supply, sanitation, wastewater treatment and environmental management Covers ecosystem dynamics, conservation principles, and environmental mana...
Project Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Construction project management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-...
Final Year Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Capstone design project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...

Specialisations

Geotechnical Engineering
Soil and foundations. 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 Engineering
Structural design. 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
Highway and transport. 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.
Water Resources
Hydraulics and hydrology. 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.
Water Resources Engineering
Specialization in Water Resources Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as civil-engineer.
Construction Management
Specialization in Construction Management, preparing graduates for careers such as construction-project-manager.
Environmental Engineering
Specialization in Environmental Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as civil-engineer.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending engineering lectures, solving structural analysis problems, working in materials laboratories, conducting surveying fieldwork, designing structures using engineering software, studying hydraulics, and working on design projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand driven by Kenya's infrastructure development
Diverse career paths in construction, consulting and government
Opportunity to shape national infrastructure
Competitive salaries and career growth

Against it

Five-year programme is longer than most degrees
Requires strong mathematics and physics aptitude
Site work can be physically demanding
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 396k

200k at Technical University of Kenya396k 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

TUK ~199,500/yr; UoN 396K/yr civil eng (eafinder, UoN PDF). 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

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students in engineering
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
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: KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Diploma in civil 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

Continuous 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
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). Offered at UoN, JKUAT, Moi University, TUK, KU and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- 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
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

6 roles

Geotechnical Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Analyses soil and rock mechanics for foundation design and earthworks
Civil Engineer
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 400,000
Civil engineering practice
Structural Engineer
High demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 450,000
Structural design
Consulting Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 600,000
Engineering consulting
Transportation Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000
Road and transport engineering
Construction Manager
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 500,000
Construction project management

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as civil engineers, structural engineers and construction managers in construction companies, consulting firms and government.

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

Civil engineering is just about building houses.
The programme covers structures, water resources, transportation, geotechnical and environmental engineering.
Civil engineers only work on construction sites.
Graduates work in design offices, consulting, project management, research and government.
There are too many civil engineers in Kenya.
Infrastructure development creates consistent demand for qualified civil engineers.
Civil engineering is less technical than other engineering fields.
The programme requires strong mathematics, physics and analytical skills.