Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Science in Professional Pilot

The Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Science in Professional Pilot is a programme that prepares students for careers as professional pilots in commercial aviation. Offered at Moi University through the School of Aerospace Sciences, the programme combines academic study with flight training leading to pilot licences issued by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority.

The curriculum covers aviation principles, aerodynamics, aircraft systems, meteorology, air navigation, flight planning, aviation law, human factors in aviation, aviation safety, aviation management, instrument flying and multi-engine operations. Students undertake flight training to acquire a Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence and Instrument Rating.

Kenya's aviation sector is growing, with increasing demand for qualified commercial pilots in airlines, charter companies and cargo operators. The programme responds to the need for trained pilots who meet international aviation standards and hold KCAA-recognised licences. Kenya serves as a regional aviation hub, creating opportunities for pilots across East Africa and beyond.

The programme is delivered through lectures, flight simulator sessions, actual flight training at approved flying schools, industrial attachment and a research project. Students gain hands-on flying experience while building the theoretical knowledge required for professional pilot licences. The programme requires students to meet KCAA medical certification standards.

Graduates pursue careers as commercial pilots, co-pilots, flight instructors, charter pilots and cargo pilots in airlines, charter companies, flying schools and cargo operators. They can also pursue further licences including Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) and type ratings for specific aircraft. Career progression leads to captain positions and management roles in aviation.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, physical fitness, excellent hand-eye coordination, the ability to work under pressure and a passion for aviation. They must meet KCAA Class 2 Medical Certificate requirements for pilot licensing. The programme is suitable for students committed to the demanding and rewarding career of a professional pilot.

Duration: 4 years
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: 20 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Aerodynamics
Aircraft Systems
Meteorology
Air Navigation
Flight Planning
Aviation Law
Human Factors in Aviation
Aviation Safety
Instrument Flying
Aviation Management

Modules

11 in the programme

Principles of Flight and Aerodynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the principles of flight including aerodynamic forces, aircraft control surfaces, lift generation, drag, thrust and stability in different flight regimes.
Aircraft Systems and Structures
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines aircraft systems including propulsion, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, avionics and structural components of fixed-wing aircraft.
Aviation Meteorology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers meteorological principles relevant to aviation including atmospheric physics, weather systems, aviation weather reports, forecasts and weather-related flight hazards.
Air Navigation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers air navigation principles including dead reckoning, radio navigation, GPS navigation, chart reading and instrument navigation procedures.
Flight Planning and Monitoring
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines flight planning procedures including route planning, fuel calculation, weight and balance, performance calculations and in-flight monitoring.
Aviation Law and Regulations
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers international and Kenyan aviation law including the Chicago Convention, ICAO standards, KCAA regulations, air law and pilot licensing requirements.
Human Factors in Aviation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines human factors affecting pilot performance including cockpit resource management, fatigue, stress, decision-making, situational awareness and crew coordination.
Instrument Flying
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers instrument flight rules (IFR) procedures including instrument approaches, holding patterns, departure and arrival procedures and instrument navigation techniques.
Aviation Safety Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines aviation safety management systems including safety risk management, safety reporting, accident investigation and safety culture in aviation organisations.
Airline Operations and Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers airline operations management including fleet planning, route management, crew scheduling, operational control and airline business strategies.
Research Project in Aviation
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on an aviation topic, demonstrating the student's ability to investigate aviation issues and present findings in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

Commercial Airline Pilot
Focuses on multi-engine and instrument flying for careers as commercial airline pilots, progressing to ATPL and type ratings for specific aircraft.
Flight Instruction
Specialises in flight training and instruction for careers as flight instructors at flying schools, training the next generation of pilots.
Charter and General Aviation
Focuses on general aviation operations including charter flying, aerial work, tourism flights and corporate aviation.
Aviation Safety and Management
Combines pilot qualifications with aviation safety management and operations knowledge for management-track careers in aviation organisations.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on aerodynamics or meteorology, followed by a flight planning session where students prepare navigation logs and weather briefings. Afternoon sessions may include flight simulator training, aircraft systems workshops or a ground school class on aviation law. Students also schedule actual flight training sessions at the approved flying school, practising take-offs, landings and navigation exercises under instructor supervision.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme combines academic qualifications with professional pilot licences, providing a competitive advantage in airline recruitment.
Kenya's aviation sector is growing with regional expansion of airlines, creating demand for qualified commercial pilots.
Pilot careers offer high earning potential, especially with major airlines, and opportunities for international career mobility.

Against it

Flight training involves significant additional costs beyond university tuition, making the programme financially demanding.
Pilot careers require ongoing medical certification, recurrent training and can involve irregular schedules and time away from home.

What it costs

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

The fine print

Moi University aviation; fees only in image-based PDFs, not publicly available as text.

Students can access HELB loans for academic portions. Flight training costs are typically self-funded as they exceed standard university fee structures. Some airlines offer cadet programmes that sponsor pilot training in exchange for service commitments.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KACE with two Principals and one Subsidiary, with two principal subjects in Mathematics, Physics or Geography/Chemistry. Must meet KCAA Class 2 Medical Certificate requirements.

Mathematics
C+
Physics
C+
English
C+
Geography or Chemistry
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering aerodynamics, aircraft systems and meteorology.
KCAA Pilot Licence Examinations
Written examination100% of the mark
KCAA-administered written examinations for PPL and CPL covering navigation, meteorology, air law and flight planning.
Flight Training Assessment
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of flight training progress including flight hours completed, manoeuvre proficiency and navigation exercises evaluated by flight instructors.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project on an aviation topic, assessed through a written dissertation and oral presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Flight training leads to KCAA-issued pilot licences (PPL, CPL, IR). Students must meet KCAA Class 2 Medical Certificate requirements.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Flight training leads to KCAA-issued pilot licences (PPL, CPL, IR). Students must meet KCAA Class 2 Medical Certificate requirements.
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority
ProfessionalRequired
Flight training is conducted at KCAA-approved flying schools, leading to Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence and Instrument Rating.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Commercial Pilot
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 800,000
Operates commercial aircraft for airlines, carrying passengers or cargo on scheduled and charter flights, holding a CPL with appropriate type ratings.
Flight Instructor
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Trains student pilots at flying schools, delivering ground school and flight instruction for PPL and CPL candidates.
Charter Pilot
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Flies charter operations for private clients, corporate travel, medical evacuation and tourism in charter companies and private operators.
Cargo Pilot
Low demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Operates cargo aircraft for freight companies, transporting goods domestically and internationally on cargo-only flights.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as commercial pilots, co-pilots and flight instructors in airlines, charter companies and flying schools across Kenya and East Africa.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A university degree is not necessary to become a pilot.
While pilot licences can be obtained through flight schools alone, the degree programme provides broader aviation knowledge, management skills and a competitive advantage in airline recruitment.
Pilot training is only for the wealthy.
While flight training is expensive, some airlines offer cadet sponsorship programmes and financing options are available through education loans and instalment plans at flying schools.
Pilots only fly commercial airliners.
Graduates can work as charter pilots, cargo pilots, flight instructors, agricultural pilots, medical evacuation pilots and in corporate aviation, not only as commercial airline pilots.
The programme guarantees a job as an airline pilot.
While the programme provides qualifications, airline pilot positions are competitive and typically require additional flight hours, type ratings and experience beyond graduation.