Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in civil engineering. The programme falls under the Engineering category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Engineering Mathematics and Mechanics, Structural Analysis and Design, Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design, Transportation and Highway Engineering, Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Construction Materials and Concrete Technology. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Engineering Mathematics and Mechanics, Construction Management and Project Management, Surveying and Engineering Drawing, Construction Materials and Concrete Technology, Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. 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, Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation and Highway Engineering. 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 Engineering pursue careers as Engineering Researcher / Consultant, Construction Manager / Project Manager, Civil Engineer / Design Engineer, Site Engineer / Resident 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: 4 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

Engineering Mathematics and Mechanics
Structural Analysis and Design
Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design
Transportation and Highway Engineering
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering
Construction Materials and Concrete Technology
Surveying and Engineering Drawing
Construction Management and Project Management
Engineering Economics, Law and Entrepreneurship
Civil Engineering Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics and Mechanics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, engineering mechanics, statics, dynamics, understanding mathematics, understanding mechanics, and supporting engineering analysis.
Structural Analysis and Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Structural analysis, structural design, reinforced concrete, steel structures, timber structures, masonry, understanding structures, and designing safe structures.
Geotechnical Engineering and Foundation Design
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Geotechnical engineering, soil mechanics, foundation engineering, understanding soil, designing foundations, and supporting geotechnical engineering practice.
Transportation and Highway Engineering
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Transportation engineering, highway engineering, traffic engineering, road design, understanding transportation, and supporting highway engineering practice.
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Water resources engineering, hydraulic engineering, hydrology, environmental engineering, water supply, sanitation, understanding water, and supporting water resources engineering.
Construction Materials and Concrete Technology
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Construction materials, concrete technology, steel materials, understanding materials, testing materials, and supporting materials engineering practice.
Surveying and Engineering Drawing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Surveying, land surveying, geodetic surveying, engineering drawing, CAD, understanding surveying, producing drawings, and supporting surveying and drawing practice.
Construction Management and Project Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Construction management, project management, quantity surveying, cost estimation, planning, scheduling, understanding management, and supporting construction management practice.
Engineering Economics, Law and Entrepreneurship
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Engineering economics, engineering law, contracts, entrepreneurship, understanding economics, understanding law, and supporting engineering economics and law practice.
Safety, Occupational Health and Quality Control
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Safety, occupational health, quality control, understanding safety, understanding quality, and supporting safe and quality construction practice.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at a construction company, engineering consulting firm, or government infrastructure project, applying civil engineering skills.
Final Civil Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year civil 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 practice.
Geotechnical Engineering
Specialises in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, ground improvement, and supporting geotechnical engineering practice.
Transportation and Highway Engineering
Concentrates on highway engineering, traffic engineering, road design, pavement design, and supporting transportation engineering practice.
Construction Management
Concentrates on construction management, project management, quantity surveying, cost estimation, and supporting construction management practice.
Water Resources and Environmental Engineering
Focuses on water resources engineering, hydraulic engineering, hydrology, water supply, sanitation, and supporting water resources engineering practice.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on engineering mathematics, structures, or geotechnics, followed by laboratory work, field surveys, CAD exercises, or engineering projects. Students work on structural designs, surveying reports, CAD drawings, concrete tests, soil tests, hydraulic models, construction plans, cost estimates, and engineering research. Laboratory work for materials and soil testing, field surveys for surveying and site investigation, CAD exercises for design, and industrial attachment at a construction site or engineering firm provide practical experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — infrastructure development is a national priority with massive government investment in roads, bridges, dams, water, and housing.
Excellent salary potential — civil engineers are among the highest-paid professionals in Kenya, especially in consulting and project management.
Versatile career — graduates can work in design, construction, consulting, government, research, or entrepreneurship.

Against it

Demanding programme — civil engineering requires strong mathematics, physics, and analytical skills with heavy coursework.
Site work challenges — construction sites can be remote, hot, dusty, and physically demanding.
Long registration process — EBK registration requires years of supervised practice after graduation before full professional status.

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, engineering firms, and infrastructure initiatives offer scholarships and sponsorships for civil engineering students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

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.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
SponsorshipKsh 500,000
Academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students at partner universities.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
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 or related fields from recognised institutions may join. KNEC diploma holders may be exempted from some modules.

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

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, engineering assignments, problem sets, and design exercises throughout the semester.
Final Civil Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year civil engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at a construction company, engineering consulting firm, or government infrastructure project. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering engineering mathematics, structures, geotechnics, transportation, water resources, and construction management.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of structural designs, surveying reports, CAD drawings, concrete tests, soil tests, hydraulic models, and construction plans.

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 projects. The programme must meet EBK curriculum standards for graduate registration.

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 projects. The programme must meet EBK curriculum standards for graduate registration.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Engineering Researcher / Consultant
Medium demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Conducts engineering research, provides consulting services, advises on infrastructure projects, and supports engineering innovation.
Construction Manager / Project Manager
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages construction projects, coordinates teams, controls costs, manages schedules, and ensures project delivery.
Civil Engineer / Design Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs infrastructure, supervises construction, manages projects, ensures quality, and supports infrastructure development.
Site Engineer / Resident Engineer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Supervises site operations, manages construction quality, ensures safety, coordinates contractors, and supports on-site engineering.
Structural Engineer
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 400,000
Designs structures, analyses structural integrity, ensures safety, and supports structural engineering practice.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as civil engineers, structural engineers, and construction managers. Civil engineering is in high demand driven by infrastructure development. Starting salaries range from KES 70,000 to 120,000 per month, with experienced engineers and project managers earning KES 150,000 to 500,000. Construction companies, engineering consulting firms, government ministries, KeNHA, KURA, KeRRA, WRA, NCA, and county governments offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

AutoCAD
CadPrimary
Civil engineering drafting and drawing software
Civil 3D
Cad/bimPrimary
Civil engineering design and documentation software
STAAD.Pro
Structural analysis
Structural analysis and design software
MATLAB
Computational
Numerical computing for engineering analysis
EPANET
Hydraulic modeling
Water distribution network modeling software
Microsoft Project
Project management
Construction project scheduling and management

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Civil engineering is just about building houses.
This programme covers structures, geotechnics, transportation, water resources, environmental engineering, construction management, surveying, and materials. It's a comprehensive engineering discipline covering all infrastructure.
Civil engineers only work on construction sites.
Civil engineers work in design offices, consulting firms, government ministries, research institutions, and academia. Many spend significant time on design, planning, and project management.
Civil engineering has limited career growth.
Infrastructure development is a national priority in Kenya. Civil engineers progress to senior engineer, project manager, resident engineer, consulting engineer, and engineering director roles.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.