Technology

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.

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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 406,000
Private, up to: Ksh 500,000
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

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 favour

Cutting-edge field with global demand
Excellent earning potential
Opportunities for remote work and global employment

Against it

Rapidly evolving field requiring continuous learning
Strong mathematics and programming requirements
Limited 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

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 and C+ in Physics or Chemistry. Diploma in computer science, IT or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Mathematics
B-
Physics or Chemistry
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

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

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.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

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

Industry links

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.