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Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence

The Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence is a cutting-edge programme that provides comprehensive training in AI theory, machine learning and intelligent systems. Offered at JKUAT, Strathmore University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology and other select institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in AI development, data science and intelligent systems engineering.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 406,000
Ksh 1,624,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 500,000
Ksh 2,000,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 406,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,624,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 500,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 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 9 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cloud Security Engineer, at 14 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

The curriculum covers programming, data structures and algorithms, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, neural networks, reinforcement learning, AI ethics, data mining, big data analytics, statistics, linear algebra, calculus, research methods and a final year project. Students develop strong programming and analytical skills for building intelligent systems.

Kenya's tech ecosystem, the global AI revolution and the demand for AI professionals create strong demand for graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, programming labs, AI projects, hackathons and industrial attachment.

Graduates are prepared for careers as AI engineers, machine learning engineers, data scientists, NLP engineers, computer vision engineers, robotics engineers, AI researchers, AI consultants and software developers. They work in tech companies, startups, financial institutions, research institutions, consulting firms and as entrepreneurs.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics and C+ in Physics or 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.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Machine Learning
  • Deep Learning
  • Natural Language Processing
  • Computer Vision
  • Neural Networks
  • Reinforcement Learning
  • Robotics
  • Data Mining
  • AI Ethics
  • Big Data Analytics

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Machine Learning

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    ML algorithms and models. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...

  • Deep Learning

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Neural networks and deep learning. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-o...

  • Natural Language Processing

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Text and language AI. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...

  • Computer Vision

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Image and video AI. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...

  • Neural Networks

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Artificial neural networks. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...

  • Reinforcement Learning

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    RL algorithms. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinati...

  • Robotics

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Robotic systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...

  • Data Mining

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Knowledge discovery. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...

  • AI Ethics

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Ethical AI development. 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 AI project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...

Specialisations

  • Computer Vision

    Image AI. 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.

  • Machine Learning

    ML algorithms. 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.

  • Natural Language Processing

    Language AI. 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.

  • Robotics

    Robotic 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.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending AI lectures, programming machine learning models, training neural networks, working on computer vision projects, studying mathematics for AI, participating in hackathons, researching AI papers, and developing intelligent systems.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Cutting-edge field with global demandRapidly evolving field requiring continuous learning
Excellent earning potentialStrong mathematics and programming requirements
Opportunities for remote work and global employmentLimited number of universities offering the programme

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses
Public306k to 406k
306k at Kenyatta University406k at University of Nairobi
Private199k to 500k
199k at Kabarak University500k at Strathmore University

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

UoN BSc CS 406K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). KU ~306K/yr. Kabarak 198.7K, Strathmore ~500K/yr (truematch).

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available for eligible students. Tech companies may offer sponsorships.

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • County Bursaries

  • Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan

    KUCCPS-placed students

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan undergraduate students

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students from participating counties

Scholarships you could apply for

13 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

KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics and C+ in Physics or Chemistry. Diploma in computer science, IT or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Subject requirements
MathematicsB-
Physics or ChemistryC+
English or KiswahiliC+

When it next starts

Taught at 9 institutions
January 20279 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, United States International University Africa, Mount Kenya University.

May 20279 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, United States International University Africa, Mount Kenya University.

September 20279 institutions

Including Kenyatta University, United States International University Africa, Mount Kenya University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Written examination40% of the mark

    End of semester written exams

  • Final Year Project

    Project10% of the mark

    Capstone AI project

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat20% of the mark

    Regular tests and assignments

  • Programming Projects

    Practicum30% of the mark

    AI and ML project implementations

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at JKUAT, Strathmore, DeKUT and other select institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics and C+ in Physics or Chemistry. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Machine Learning Engineer

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 550,000

    ML model development

  • AI Engineer

    High demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 600,000

    AI system development

  • AI Researcher

    Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 550,000

    AI research

  • Data Scientist

    High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Data analysis and modelling

  • NLP Engineer

    Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Language AI development

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as AI engineers, machine learning engineers and data scientists in tech companies, startups and financial institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Python

    ProgrammingPrimary

    Primary language for AI and machine learning

  • TensorFlow

    Ml frameworkPrimary

    Deep learning framework for neural networks

  • PyTorch

    Ml framework

    Deep learning framework for research and production

  • Jupyter Notebook

    Development

    Interactive development environment for AI experimentation

  • Git/GitHub

    Version control

    Version control for AI project collaboration

  • Scikit-learn

    Ml library

    Machine learning library for classification and regression

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • AI will replace all jobs.

    AI creates new jobs while transforming existing ones, with AI professionals in high demand.

  • AI is just about chatbots.

    AI covers machine learning, computer vision, robotics, NLP and intelligent systems.

  • AI is too complex to study.

    The programme builds from foundations in programming and mathematics to advanced AI concepts.

  • There are no AI jobs in Kenya.

    Kenya's tech ecosystem and global remote work create opportunities for AI professionals.

Further reading

Read next