Engineering

Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering

The Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering is a programme that provides comprehensive training in mechanical systems design, manufacturing, thermodynamics and materials engineering. Offered at the University of Nairobi, JKUAT, Moi University, Technical University of Kenya and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in mechanical engineering and manufacturing.

The curriculum covers engineering mathematics, engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, materials science, machine design, manufacturing technology, CAD/CAM, mechanical vibrations, control systems, automotive engineering, renewable energy systems, instrumentation, 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 mechanical engineers create strong demand for graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, workshop practice, industrial attachment and design projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as mechanical engineers, design engineers, manufacturing engineers, automotive engineers, maintenance engineers, project engineers, energy engineers and consulting engineers. They work in manufacturing, automotive, energy, construction, consulting firms, government and as entrepreneurs.

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
Engineering Mechanics
Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Materials Science
Machine Design
Manufacturing Technology
CAD/CAM
Heat Transfer
Mechanical Vibrations

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Calculus, linear algebra and differential equations for engineering applications
Engineering Drawing and Workshop Practice
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Engineering Drawing and Workshop Practice: Technical drawing, workshop safety, hand tools and basic machining skills Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering app...
Thermodynamics I
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Thermodynamic laws, properties of substances, heat engines and thermodynamic cycles
Strength of Materials and Mechanics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Strength of Materials and Mechanics: Stress, strain, torsion, bending and material failure analysis Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics: Fluid properties, flow analysis, hydraulic systems and pump design Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Machine Design and Dynamics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Machine Design and Dynamics: Design of machine elements, kinematics, dynamics and mechanism analysis Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Materials Science and Engineering
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Materials Science and Engineering: Material properties, selection, treatment and engineering materials Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Heat Transfer and Thermal Systems
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Heat Transfer and Thermal Systems: Conduction, convection, radiation, heat exchangers and thermal system design Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Heat Transfer
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Heat transfer mechanisms. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
CAD/CAM and Automation
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
CAD/CAM and Automation: Computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing and industrial automation Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Instrumentation and Control
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Instrumentation and Control: Measurement systems, sensors, actuators and control system design Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Final Year Design/Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent engineering design or research project from concept to final presentation

Specialisations

Manufacturing Engineering
Manufacturing 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.
Mechanical Design
Machine and component 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.
Automotive Engineering
Vehicle 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.
Energy Systems
Energy and power. 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.
Machine Design
Specialization in Machine Design, preparing graduates for careers such as mechanical-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.
Materials Engineering
Specialization in Materials Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as mechanical-engineer.
Thermal and Energy Systems
Specialization in Thermal and Energy Systems, preparing graduates for careers such as mechanical-engineer.
Industrial Automation
Specialization in Industrial Automation, preparing graduates for careers such as mechanical-engineer.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending engineering lectures, working in workshops and laboratories, solving thermodynamics problems, designing machine components using CAD software, studying materials science, conducting manufacturing practicals, and working on design projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand in manufacturing and industrial sectors
Diverse career paths across multiple industries
Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology
Competitive salaries and entrepreneurship opportunities

Against it

Five-year programme requires significant commitment
Requires strong mathematics and physics aptitude
Workshop and laboratory equipment can be expensive
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

UoN fee schedule: Mech Eng 396K/yr tuition. TUK PDF: ~200K/yr. 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

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students in engineering
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 mechanical 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
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark
Laboratory Practicals and Assignments
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). Offered at UoN, JKUAT, Moi University, TUK 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

Mechanical Engineer
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 400,000
Mechanical engineering practice
Manufacturing Engineer
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manufacturing processes
Automotive Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000
Automotive engineering
Design Engineer
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 380,000
Mechanical design
Maintenance Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 320,000
Equipment maintenance
Project Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages engineering projects including planning, coordination and delivery

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as mechanical engineers, design engineers and manufacturing engineers in manufacturing, automotive, energy and consulting firms.

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

Mechanical engineering is just about fixing cars.
The programme covers design, manufacturing, thermodynamics, materials and energy systems.
Mechanical engineers only work in factories.
Graduates work in design, consulting, energy, automotive, construction and research.
There are no manufacturing jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's industrialisation agenda creates demand for mechanical engineers.
Mechanical engineering is becoming obsolete.
Mechanical engineering remains fundamental to manufacturing and emerging technologies.