Engineering

Bachelor of Philosophy in Technology in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Technology

The Bachelor of Philosophy in Technology in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Technology is a two-year integrated postgraduate technical programme at the Technical University of Kenya that prepares diploma holders for advanced mechanical and mechatronics engineering practice. Students study mechanical design, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, manufacturing, control systems, robotics, automation and mechatronics integration. The programme builds on prior diploma training to develop specialist mechanical and mechatronics engineering technology competencies.

Students develop advanced competencies in mechanical design, thermodynamics, manufacturing processes, mechatronics systems, robotics, automation, PLC programming and hydraulic and pneumatic systems. They learn to design, install, maintain and manage mechanical and automated systems in industrial, manufacturing and production settings. The programme covers mechanical engineering, mechatronics, automation, control and manufacturing.

In Kenya, mechanical and mechatronics engineering technology is essential for manufacturing, automation, automotive, energy and industrial production. The Technical University of Kenya offers this programme through its School of Engineering and Technology. Graduates find roles in manufacturing plants, automotive companies, automation firms, energy sector, robotics companies and engineering consultancies.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, laboratory practicals, workshop sessions, design projects and research. Students design mechanical components, program mechatronic systems, operate CNC machines and undertake a final research project.

Graduates pursue careers as mechanical technologists, mechatronics engineers, automation technicians, maintenance engineers, production engineers and robotics technicians. Some work in manufacturing. Others join automotive, energy, automation or consulting firms.

This programme is ideal for diploma holders in mechanical engineering, mechatronics, automotive or related fields seeking advanced technical skills.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 199,500
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Advanced Mechanical Design
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
Manufacturing Technology and CNC
Mechatronics Systems Integration
Robotics and Automation
Control Systems and PLC Programming
Electrical and Electronics for Mechanical Systems
Engineering Materials and Failure Analysis
Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Advanced Mechanical Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced Mechanical Design: Machine design, stress analysis, CAD and design for manufacture Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer: Thermodynamic cycles, heat transfer, refrigeration and air conditioning Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Fluid flow, hydraulic machines, pumps and piping systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Manufacturing Technology and CNC
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Manufacturing Technology and CNC: Manufacturing processes, CNC programming, machining and production Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Mechatronics Systems Integration
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Mechatronics Systems Integration: Integration of mechanical, electrical, control and software systems Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Robotics and Automation
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Robotics and Automation: Robot kinematics, automation systems and robotic applications Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Control Systems and PLC Programming
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Control systems, PLC programming, sensors and actuators. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Electrical and Electronics for Mechanical Systems
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Electrical and Electronics for Mechanical Systems: Electrical drives, power electronics and electronics for mechanical systems Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-r...
Engineering Materials and Failure Analysis
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Engineering Materials and Failure Analysis: Materials selection, testing, failure analysis and corrosion Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Final Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Independent mechanical or mechatronics research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...

Specialisations

Robotics
Specialization in Robotics, preparing graduates for careers such as mechatronics-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.
Mechanical Design
Specialization in Mechanical 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.
Manufacturing
Specialization in Manufacturing, 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.
Mechatronics
Specialization in Mechatronics, preparing graduates for careers such as mechatronics-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.
Automation and Control
Specialization in Automation and Control, preparing graduates for careers such as mechanical-engineer.
Maintenance Engineering
Specialization in Maintenance Engineering, preparing graduates for careers such as mechanical-engineer.

A day as a student

A typical day combines mechanical or mechatronics lectures with workshop or laboratory sessions. Students may design machine components, program PLCs, operate CNC machines, build robotic systems or work on automation projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand in manufacturing and automation
Builds on diploma for advanced technical roles
Diverse career paths in industry and consulting
Practical and hands-on training

Against it

Requires strong mathematics and physics background
Two-year programme is intensive
Some roles may require professional registration
Workshop work requires safety awareness

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 200k

200k at Technical University of Kenya200k 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

TUK 90K/sem+19.5K=199.5K/yr. Private: unverified. Src: university.co.ke TUK fees

Students may access HELB loans and employer sponsorships. Some county bursaries are available for technical students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
Employer Sponsorship
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher 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

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

Higher Diploma or Diploma in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Automotive or related field
Credit
Mathematics
C
Physics
C
English or Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Laboratory and Workshop Practicals
Coursework40% of the mark
Final Examination and Research Project
Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Production Engineer
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 230,000
Manages manufacturing and production processes
Automation Technician
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 230,000
Installs and maintains automated systems
Mechatronics Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000
Integrates mechanical, electronic and control systems
Maintenance Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 240,000
Manages maintenance and reliability in industry
Mechanical Technologist
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000
Designs and maintains mechanical systems

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as mechanical technologists, mechatronics engineers, automation technicians, maintenance engineers, production engineers and robotics technicians in manufacturing plants, automotive companies, automation firms, energy sector, robotics companies and engineering consultancies.

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 and mechatronics are the same as mechanical engineering
Mechatronics combines mechanical, electrical, control and software systems for automation.
Mechatronics is only about robots
Mechatronics is used in automation, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and consumer products.
A diploma is sufficient for mechanical careers
Advanced mechanical and mechatronics roles require degree-level design and management skills.
Mechanical technology has no software component
Modern mechanical and mechatronics systems require programming, control and software integration.