Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering
The Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering is a five-year programme that prepares students for professional practice in electrical power systems, machines and installations. Students study electrical circuits, power systems, electrical machines, control systems and power electronics. The programme focuses on power engineering and electrical systems design.
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. Up to Ksh 500,000 a year at a private one.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 6 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 electrical system design, power generation and distribution, electrical machines, control systems, lighting design and electrical safety. They learn to design electrical installations, power networks, protection systems and renewable energy systems. The programme covers engineering mathematics, circuit theory, power systems, electrical machines and power electronics.
In Kenya, electrical engineering is critical for power generation, transmission and distribution. Kenya's geothermal, solar and wind energy expansion creates strong demand. The Engineers Board of Kenya regulates the profession. Graduates find roles in Kenya Power, energy companies, manufacturing, consulting firms and government agencies.
Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, design projects, industrial attachment and research projects. Students work with electrical machines, power systems, protection equipment and simulation software. The programme includes a final-year design or research project.
Graduates pursue careers as electrical engineers, power engineers, design engineers, maintenance engineers and energy consultants. Some work for Kenya Power or energy companies. Others join manufacturing firms, consulting companies or start electrical contracting businesses.
This programme is ideal for individuals with strong mathematics and physics aptitude, interest in power systems and electrical safety awareness.
What you study
10 subjects- Engineering Mathematics
- Electrical Circuit Theory and Analysis
- Power Systems and Generation
- Electrical Machines and Drives
- Power Electronics and Converters
- Control Systems Engineering
- Electrical Installation Design
- Power System Protection
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Engineering Management and 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.
Electrical Circuit Theory I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Electrical Circuit Theory I: DC circuit analysis, network theorems and electrical fundamentals 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
Electrostatics, magnetostatics and electromagnetic fields. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Electrical Machines
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Electrical Machines: Transformers, DC machines, induction machines and synchronous machines Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Power Systems I
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Power Systems I: Power generation, transmission, distribution and load flow analysis Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Power Electronics and Converters
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Power Electronics and Converters: Rectifiers, inverters, choppers and power electronic devices Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Control Systems Engineering
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Control theory, feedback systems and controller design. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Electrical Installation Design
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Electrical Installation Design: Building electrical installations, lighting design and wiring systems Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Power System Protection
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Power System Protection: Protection relays, circuit breakers, fault analysis and protection schemes Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Renewable Energy Systems
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Solar, wind, geothermal and biomass energy systems design. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Final Year Design/Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Year Design/Research Project: Independent electrical engineering design or research project Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Specialisations
Power System Protection
Specialization in Power System Protection, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-engineer.
Electrical Installation Design
Specialization in Electrical Installation Design, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-engineer.
Control Systems
Specialization in Control Systems, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-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.
Electrical Machines and Drives
Specialization in Electrical Machines and Drives, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-engineer.
Power Systems Engineering
Specialization in Power Systems Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-engineer.
Renewable Energy
Specialization in Renewable Energy, preparing graduates for careers such as electrical-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 power systems or machines with afternoon laboratory sessions or design projects. Students may test transformers, design electrical installations, simulate power networks or work on renewable energy projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand in Kenya's energy sector expansion | Five-year programme requires significant commitment |
| Diverse career paths in power, manufacturing and consulting | Requires strong mathematics and physics aptitude |
| Opportunity to work on renewable energy projects | Safety responsibilities require attention to detail |
| Competitive salaries and entrepreneurship opportunities | 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; UoN 396K/yr. MKU 109,100/yr; Strathmore ~500K/yr (eafinder, UoN PDF).
Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Kenya Power, KenGen and energy companies 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 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
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
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
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- 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 6 institutionsIncluding Moi University, Technical University of Kenya, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Including Moi University, Technical University of Kenya, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Including Moi University, Technical University of Kenya, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsFinal Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals and Assignments
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
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 electrical systems for buildings and infrastructure
Power Engineer
High demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Designs and manages power generation and distribution systems
Energy Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides consulting on energy systems and renewable energy
Maintenance Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Maintains electrical equipment and power systems
Electrical Engineer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs and maintains electrical power systems and installations
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as electrical engineers, power engineers, design engineers, maintenance engineers and energy consultants in Kenya Power, energy companies, manufacturing, consulting firms and government 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
Electrical engineering is just about wiring
Electrical engineering covers power systems, machines, control, electronics and renewable energy.
Electrical engineers only work for Kenya Power
Electrical engineers work in energy, manufacturing, consulting, telecommunications and entrepreneurship.
There are too many electrical engineers
Kenya's energy expansion creates continuous demand for qualified electrical engineers.
Electrical engineering is dangerous
Safety is a core component of training, ensuring safe professional practice.