Engineering

Bachelor of Geospatial Information Science and Remote Sensing

The Bachelor of Geospatial Information Science and Remote Sensing is a four-year programme that prepares students for GIS analysis, remote sensing and spatial data management. Students study GIS, remote sensing, photogrammetry, spatial analysis and geospatial data science. The programme combines geospatial technology with data science for spatial problem-solving.

Students develop competencies in GIS analysis, remote sensing image processing, spatial data management, photogrammetry, GPS and geospatial programming. They learn to analyse spatial data, process satellite imagery, create maps and develop geospatial applications. The programme covers GIS, remote sensing, programming, spatial statistics and geospatial data management.

In Kenya, geospatial technology is critical for land management, agriculture, environmental monitoring, urban planning and disaster management. Kenya's digital transformation and spatial data infrastructure create demand. Graduates find roles in GIS companies, county governments, NEMA, research institutions, telecommunications and consulting firms.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, computer laboratory sessions, fieldwork, industrial attachment and research projects. Students use GIS software, process satellite imagery, programme geospatial applications and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year research project.

Graduates pursue careers as GIS analysts, remote sensing specialists, geospatial data scientists, survey technicians and spatial data managers. Some work for GIS companies or county governments. Others join research institutions, telecommunications firms or consulting companies.

This programme is ideal for individuals with computing aptitude, spatial awareness and interest in geospatial technology.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 283,333
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Remote Sensing and Image Processing
Photogrammetry and Surveying
Spatial Analysis and Modelling
GPS and Satellite Positioning
Geospatial Programming
Cartography and Visualisation
Spatial Database Management
Digital Image Processing
Research Methods and Statistics

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to GIS and Remote Sensing
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of GIS, remote sensing and geospatial science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Cartography and Map Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Cartography and Map Design: Map design principles, cartographic visualisation and digital cartography Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Programming for Geospatial Applications
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Python, R and programming for geospatial analysis. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cour...
GIS Fundamentals and Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
GIS data models, spatial analysis and GIS software. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cou...
Remote Sensing and Image Processing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Remote Sensing and Image Processing: Satellite and aerial imagery, image processing and spectral analysis Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Photogrammetry and Surveying
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Photogrammetry and Surveying: Photogrammetric principles, aerial surveying and ground surveying Covers measurement techniques, data analysis, and land information systems.
GPS and Satellite Positioning
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
GPS and Satellite Positioning: GPS principles, GNSS, positioning methods and accuracy assessment Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Spatial Analysis and Modelling
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Spatial Analysis and Modelling: Spatial statistics, interpolation, modelling and decision support Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Spatial Database Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Spatial Database Management: Spatial databases, SQL, data management and spatial data infrastructure Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Digital Image Processing
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital Image Processing: Advanced image processing, classification and feature extraction Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Web GIS and Geospatial Applications
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Web GIS, mobile GIS and geospatial web applications. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, co...
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent research on geospatial information science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...

Specialisations

Geospatial Programming
Specialization in Geospatial Programming, preparing graduates for careers such as gis-specialist. 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.
GIS Analysis
Specialization in GIS Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as gis-specialist. 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.
Remote Sensing
Specialization in Remote Sensing, preparing graduates for careers such as gis-specialist. 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.
Web GIS
Specialization in Web GIS, preparing graduates for careers such as gis-specialist. 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.
Spatial Data Science
Specialization in Spatial Data Science, preparing graduates for careers such as gis-specialist. 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.
Photogrammetry
Specialization in Photogrammetry, preparing graduates for careers such as surveyor. 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 GIS or remote sensing with afternoon computer laboratory sessions or fieldwork. Students may process satellite imagery, use GIS software, programme geospatial applications or work on spatial analysis projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for GIS and spatial data skills
Diverse career paths across multiple sectors
Cutting-edge technology with continuous innovation
Competitive salaries in technology and consulting

Against it

GIS software and satellite data can be expensive
Requires both computing and spatial analysis skills
Rapidly evolving field requires continuous learning
Some positions may require professional surveying registration

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

Public246k to 283k

246k at JKUAT283k at Technical University of Kenya

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

JKUAT 245.9K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke), TUK 283.3K (educationnewshub). Private: unverified.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some GIS companies and research institutions offer internship stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher 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
Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) Training Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Students in geospatial sciences, GIS and remote sensing
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Mathematics A
C+
Physics or Geography
C+
Chemistry or Biology or any Group II
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Computer Practicals and Projects
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

GIS Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Manages and analyses geographic information systems
Remote Sensing Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Processes and analyses satellite and aerial imagery
Survey Technician
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts surveys using GPS and geospatial technology
Geospatial Data Scientist
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Applies data science to spatial data analysis and modelling
Spatial Data Manager
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Manages spatial databases and geospatial data infrastructure

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as GIS analysts, remote sensing specialists, geospatial data scientists, survey technicians and spatial data managers in GIS companies, county governments, NEMA, research institutions, telecommunications and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Figma
DesignPrimary
Adobe Creative Suite
DesignPrimary
Unity
Game engine
Visual Studio Code
Ide
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for analytical data management, quality control charts and statistical analysis.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

GIS is just about making maps
GIS involves spatial analysis, data science, programming and decision support systems.
Remote sensing is just about satellite photos
Remote sensing involves image processing, spectral analysis and earth observation science.
There are limited jobs in geospatial science
GIS and remote sensing skills are in high demand across multiple sectors.
Geospatial science requires only computer skills
The programme combines computing with geography, surveying and environmental science.