Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Civil and Structural Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Civil and Structural Engineering is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in civil and structural engineering. The programme falls under the Engineering & Technology category and typically spans 5 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Structural Analysis and Design, Reinforced Concrete and Steel Structures, Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design, Transportation and Highway Engineering, Hydraulics, Hydrology and Water Resources, Construction Materials and Concrete Technology. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Mechanics, Agricultural Structures, Cloud Computing, Crop Management. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Structural Analysis and Design, Construction Management and Project Management, Final Civil and Structural Engineering Research Project or Dissertation, Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in Structural Engineering, Transportation and Highway Engineering, Construction Management. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Civil and Structural Engineering pursue careers as Site Engineer / Construction Manager, Transportation Engineer / Highway Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer / Foundation Engineer, Project Engineer / Water Resources Engineer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 396,000
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Structural Analysis and Design
Reinforced Concrete and Steel Structures
Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design
Transportation and Highway Engineering
Hydraulics, Hydrology and Water Resources
Construction Materials and Concrete Technology
Surveying, GIS and GPS
Construction Management and Project Management
BIM, CAD and Engineering Drawing
Civil and Structural Engineering Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, engineering mechanics, statics, dynamics, strength of materials, mechanics of materials, stress, strain, understanding mechanics, and supporting engineering analysis.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Information Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications, data processing, and digital literacy for academic and professional use.
Structural Analysis and Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Structural analysis, structural design, load analysis, beam design, column design, frame analysis, understanding structures, and supporting structural engineering.
Statistics and Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical methods, probability, and data interpretation for research and practice.
Professional Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical principles, professional conduct, and regulatory frameworks in the field.
Project Management
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Project Management: Project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation techniques. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Business planning, venture creation, and innovation management. Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.
Construction Management and Project Management
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Construction management, project management, quantity surveying, cost estimation, building codes, construction technology, understanding management, and supporting construction and project management.
Final Civil and Structural Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year civil and structural engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.

Specialisations

Structural Engineering
Focuses on structural analysis, structural design, reinforced concrete, steel structures, and supporting structural engineering.
Transportation and Highway Engineering
Concentrates on transportation engineering, highway design, pavement design, traffic engineering, bridge engineering, and supporting transportation engineering.
Construction Management
Concentrates on construction management, project management, quantity surveying, cost estimation, BIM, and supporting construction and project management.
Geotechnical Engineering
Specialises in geotechnical engineering, soil mechanics, foundation design, retaining walls, and supporting geotechnical engineering.
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering
Focuses on hydraulics, hydrology, water resources, water supply, sanitation, environmental engineering, and supporting water resources engineering.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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 starts with a morning lecture on structural analysis, geotechnics, or highway engineering, followed by laboratory work, field surveys, CAD and BIM exercises, or design projects. Students work on structural designs, concrete mix designs, steel connection designs, foundation designs, road designs, surveying exercises, CAD drawings, BIM models, cost estimates, and civil engineering research. Laboratory work for materials and soil mechanics, field surveys for surveying and site investigation, and industrial attachment at a construction company, consulting firm, or roads authority provide practical experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — infrastructure development under Vision 2030, urbanisation, and housing create strong demand for civil and structural engineers.
Excellent salary potential — experienced civil engineers earn very competitive salaries, especially in consulting and project management.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Versatile career — graduates work in construction, consulting, government, roads, water, geotechnical, and as independent consultants.
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Site work — civil engineering involves working on construction sites in various weather and site conditions.
Demanding programme — requires strong mathematics and physics with heavy theoretical and practical coursework.
Long registration process — EBK registration requires years of supervised practice after graduation.

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

Public200k to 396k

200k at Technical University of Kenya396k at University of Nairobi

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 Sch.II:396K/yr. TUK:90K/sem+19.5K=199.5K/yr. Private:unverified

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some construction companies, consulting firms, and infrastructure agencies offer scholarships for civil engineering students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
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
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders with credit pass in Civil Engineering, Building Construction, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.

Mathematics
C+ (plus)
Physics
C+ (plus)
Chemistry
C (plain)
English or Kiswahili
C (plain)

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering structural analysis, geotechnics, hydraulics, transportation, materials, and construction management.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of structural designs, concrete mix designs, steel connection designs, foundation designs, road designs, and surveying exercises.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at a construction company, consulting firm, or roads authority. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
Final Civil and Structural Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year civil and structural engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice. NCA registration is required for construction contractors.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice. NCA registration is required for construction contractors.
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

8 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.
Site Engineer / Construction Manager
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages construction sites, coordinates projects, supports quality control, and supporting site and construction management.
Transportation Engineer / Highway Engineer
Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 280,000
Designs roads, manages highway projects, supports traffic engineering, and supporting transportation engineering.
Geotechnical Engineer / Foundation Engineer
Medium demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs foundations, manages soil investigation, supports geotechnical analysis, and supporting geotechnical engineering.
Project Engineer / Water Resources Engineer
Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 280,000
Manages engineering projects, designs water systems, supports water resources, and supporting project and water resources engineering.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as civil engineers, structural engineers, and construction managers. Civil and structural engineering is in high demand driven by infrastructure development. Starting salaries range from KES 65,000 to 110,000 per month, with experienced engineers earning KES 130,000 to 400,000. Construction companies, consulting firms, NCA, KeNHA, KURA, KeRRA, WRA, county governments, and real estate developers offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MATLAB
CodePrimary
Microsoft Project
Project management
Python
Code
SolidWorks
Design
STAAD.Pro
SoftwarePrimary
Structural analysis and design software for civil engineering.
Revit
Software
BIM software for structural design and construction documentation.
EPANET
Software
Water distribution modelling software for hydraulic analysis.
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Civil engineering is just about building houses.
This programme covers structural design, geotechnics, transportation, water resources, hydraulics, construction management, and environmental engineering. It's a comprehensive engineering discipline.
Civil engineers only work on construction sites.
Graduates work in design offices, consulting firms, government authorities, research institutions, and as independent consultants. Many roles involve design, planning, and management.
Civil engineering has limited career growth.
Infrastructure development under Vision 2030, urbanisation, and housing demand create strong career growth for qualified civil and structural engineers.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.