Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering is a specialised programme that provides comprehensive training in aircraft and spacecraft design, propulsion systems and aerodynamics. Offered at Technical University of Kenya and other select institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in aerospace, aviation and related engineering fields.

The curriculum covers engineering mathematics, aerodynamics, propulsion systems, aircraft structures, flight mechanics, aerospace materials, avionics, aircraft design, space dynamics, control systems, computational fluid dynamics, aerospace manufacturing, aerospace safety, research methods and a final year project. Students develop analytical and practical engineering skills specific to aerospace.

Kenya's aviation sector, the growth of the aerospace industry and the country's space programme create demand for aerospace engineering graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, computational projects, industrial attachment and design projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as aerospace engineers, aircraft design engineers, propulsion engineers, avionics engineers, flight test engineers, aerospace researchers, satellite engineers and aviation consultants. They work in airlines, aviation authorities, aerospace companies, research institutions, military and the Kenya Space Agency.

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 336,600
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Aerodynamics
Propulsion Systems
Aircraft Structures
Flight Mechanics
Aerospace Materials
Avionics
Aircraft Design
Space Dynamics
Control Systems
Computational Fluid Dynamics

Modules

12 in the programme

Aerodynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Air flow and lift generation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...
Propulsion Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Engine and propulsion design. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...
Aircraft Structures
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Structural design and analysis. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Flight Mechanics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Aircraft dynamics and control. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...
Aerospace Materials
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced materials for aerospace. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...
Avionics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Aircraft electronic systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Aircraft Design
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Aircraft design process. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Space Dynamics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Orbital mechanics and space flight. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-...
Control Systems
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Flight control systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Final Year Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Capstone design project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Aerospace Design Project
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Integrated aircraft or spacecraft design project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cours...
Aerospace Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Aerospace Research Project: Independent research or design project in aerospace engineering Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Specialisations

Avionics
Aircraft electronics. 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.
Propulsion
Engine and propulsion systems. 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.
Aircraft Design
Aircraft structure and 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.
Space Systems
Satellite and space systems. 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.
Flight Dynamics
Specialization in Flight Dynamics, preparing graduates for careers such as aerospace-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.
Aerodynamics
Specialization in Aerodynamics, preparing graduates for careers such as aerospace-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.
Aircraft Structures
Specialization in Aircraft Structures, preparing graduates for careers such as aerospace-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 involves attending aerospace engineering lectures, solving aerodynamics problems, working in engineering laboratories, using computational fluid dynamics software, designing aircraft components, studying flight mechanics, and working on aerospace design projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Prestigious and high-impact engineering field
Opportunities in aviation, space and defence
High earning potential in specialised roles
Research and innovation opportunities

Against it

Requires strong mathematics and physics background
Aerospace jobs in Kenya are still developing
Five-year programme is demanding
May require further training or international mobility

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

Public300k to 337k

300k at Technical University of Kenya337k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

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 Aeronautical ~300K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). JKUAT ~337K/yr (KUCCPS). Private: none.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available for eligible students.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students
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 aerospace, mechanical, aeronautical 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

Laboratory and Design Projects
Coursework40% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Final Examination and Research Project
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). Offered at select 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
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

7 roles

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Maintains and certifies aircraft systems
Research Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Conducts aerospace and aviation research
Avionics Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 420,000
Aircraft electronics
Aerospace Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 500,000
Aerospace engineering practice
Aircraft Design Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Aircraft design
Flight Test Engineer
Low demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Flight testing
Satellite Engineer
Low demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Space systems engineering

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as aerospace engineers, aircraft design engineers and avionics engineers in airlines, aviation authorities and the Kenya Space Agency.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MATLAB
Simulation
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
Microsoft Project
Project management
ANSYS
Simulation
AutoCAD MEP
Design
SolidWorks
Design
FreeCAD
Design
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Atoll
Network planning
Radio network planning and optimisation.
Wireshark
Network analysis
Network protocol analysis.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Aerospace engineering is not relevant in Kenya.
Kenya has a growing aviation sector and an active space programme.
Aerospace engineers only work on aircraft.
Graduates work on satellites, propulsion, structures, control systems and space vehicles.
There are no aerospace jobs in Kenya.
Airlines, KCAA, KSA and aerospace companies create demand for graduates.
Aerospace engineering is too specialised.
The engineering fundamentals are transferable to mechanical, automotive and other fields.