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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.

Duration
5 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 396,000
Ksh 1,980,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 396,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,980,000 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 5 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.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

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.

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 favourAgainst it
High demand driven by Kenya's infrastructure developmentFive-year programme is longer than most degrees
Diverse career paths in construction, consulting and governmentRequires strong mathematics and physics aptitude
Opportunity to shape national infrastructureSite work can be physically demanding
Competitive salaries and career growthEBK 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

Scholarships you could apply for

6 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
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.

Subject requirements
MathematicsB-
PhysicsB-
ChemistryB-
English or KiswahiliC+

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Kenya.

May 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Kenya.

September 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Kenya.

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

  • 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

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.

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

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.

Further reading

Read next