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Bachelor of Philosophy in Technology in Printing Technology

The Bachelor of Philosophy in Technology in Printing Technology is a two-year integrated postgraduate technical programme at the Technical University of Kenya that prepares diploma holders for advanced printing technology practice. Students study printing processes, pre-press, press, post-press, print media management, colour management, packaging and digital printing. The programme builds on prior diploma training to develop specialist printing technology competencies.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 159,500
Ksh 638,000 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 159,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 638,000 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 4 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

Students develop advanced competencies in offset printing, digital printing, screen printing, flexography, pre-press, finishing, colour management, print quality control and print production management. They learn to operate printing equipment, manage print workflows, control print quality and run print businesses. The programme covers printing processes, pre-press, press, post-press, packaging and print management.

In Kenya, the printing industry supports publishing, packaging, advertising, security printing and label production. The Technical University of Kenya has a long history of training printers in East Africa. Graduates find roles in printing companies, packaging firms, publishing houses, advertising agencies, security printers and print management consultancies.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, practical workshop sessions, printing press demonstrations, industrial visits and research projects. Students operate printing machines, prepare pre-press files, manage colour and undertake a final research project.

Graduates pursue careers as printing technologists, print production managers, pre-press technicians, colour specialists, packaging technologists and print quality managers. Some work in printing companies. Others join packaging, publishing, advertising or establish print businesses.

This programme is ideal for diploma holders in printing technology, graphic design, packaging or related fields seeking advanced printing technical skills.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Printing Processes and Technology
  • Pre-Press and Digital Imaging
  • Offset, Digital and Screen Printing
  • Post-Press and Finishing
  • Colour Management and Quality Control
  • Packaging Technology
  • Print Materials and Inks
  • Print Production Management
  • Print Entrepreneurship and Marketing
  • Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Printing Processes and Technology

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Printing Processes and Technology: Overview of printing processes, history and modern applications Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Pre-Press and Digital Imaging

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Pre-Press and Digital Imaging: File preparation, imposition, plate making and digital workflows Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Offset, Digital and Screen Printing

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Offset, Digital and Screen Printing: Offset lithography, digital printing, screen printing and flexography Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Post-Press and Finishing

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Post-Press and Finishing: Cutting, folding, binding, lamination and finishing operations Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Colour Management and Quality Control

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Colour Management and Quality Control: Colour theory, ICC profiles, densitometry, quality control and standards Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.

  • Packaging Technology

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Packaging Technology: Packaging materials, design, printing and packaging production Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Print Materials and Inks

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Print Materials and Inks: Paper, substrates, inks, coatings and printing materials science Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

  • Print Production Management

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Print Production Management: Production planning, scheduling, workflow management and cost control Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.

  • Print Entrepreneurship and Marketing

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Print Entrepreneurship and Marketing: Print business management, marketing, sales and entrepreneurship Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.

  • Final Research Project

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Independent printing technology research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cours...

Specialisations

  • Digital Printing

    Specialization in Digital Printing, preparing graduates for careers such as packaging-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.

  • Offset Printing

    Specialization in Offset Printing, preparing graduates for careers such as packaging-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.

  • Post-Press and Finishing

    Specialization in Post-Press and Finishing, preparing graduates for careers such as packaging-engineer.

  • Print Management

    Specialization in Print Management, preparing graduates for careers such as packaging-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.

  • Pre-Press Technology

    Specialization in Pre-Press Technology, preparing graduates for careers such as packaging-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.

  • Packaging

    Specialization in Packaging, preparing graduates for careers such as packaging-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 printing technology lectures with workshop practicals. Students may prepare pre-press files, operate offset or digital presses, check colour quality, perform finishing operations or work on print production projects.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Relevant to Kenya's printing and packaging industrySome traditional print roles are declining
Builds on diploma for production managementTwo-year programme is intensive
Diverse applications in packaging and labelsIndustry requires keeping up with digital technology
Practical workshop trainingMay require hands-on experience with expensive equipment

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses
Public160k to 160k
160k at Technical University of Kenya160k 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 70K/sem+19.5K=159.5K/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

3 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

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

Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

Subject requirements
Higher Diploma or Diploma in Printing Technology, Graphic Design, Packaging or related fieldCredit
Mathematics or any Group IIC
Art and Design or any Group III/IV/VC
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

4 components

  • Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

    Coursework20% of the mark

  • Workshop Practicals and Production Work

    Coursework40% of the mark

  • Final Examination and Research Project

    Coursework30% of the mark

  • Industrial Attachment Report

    Coursework10% of the mark

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    InstitutionalRequired

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Pre-Press Technician

    Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000

    Prepares files and plates for printing

  • Printing Technologist

    Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000

    Manages printing processes and production

  • Packaging Technologist

    Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000

    Develops and manages packaging materials and printing

  • Print Production Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 250,000

    Oversees print production and workflow

  • Colour Specialist

    Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 220,000

    Manages colour quality and standards

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as printing technologists, print production managers, pre-press technicians, colour specialists, packaging technologists and print quality managers in printing companies, packaging firms, publishing houses, advertising agencies, security printers and print management 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

Common misconceptions

  • Printing technology is obsolete in the digital age

    Printing is essential for packaging, labels, books, security, marketing and large-format applications.

  • Printing is just about operating machines

    Printing technology includes design, pre-press, colour management, quality control, workflow and management.

  • A diploma is enough for printing management

    Advanced print management requires degree-level training in production, technology and business.

  • Printing has no career growth

    Printing offers careers in production, quality, colour, packaging, sales, entrepreneurship and management.

Further reading

Read next