Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in electrical and telecommunication engineering. The programme falls under the ICT & Computing category and typically spans 5 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Electrical Engineering and Power Systems, Telecommunication Engineering and Networks, Signal Processing and Digital Signal Processing, Electronics and Electronic Circuits, Control Systems and Automation, Electromagnetic Fields and Waves. 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 Engineering Mathematics and Engineering Physics, Electronics and Electronic Circuits, Computer Networks and Network Engineering, Control Systems and Automation, Signal Processing and Digital Signal Processing. 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 Power Systems and Electrical Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering and Networks, Control Systems and Automation. 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 Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering pursue careers as Telecommunication Engineer / Network Engineer, Control Systems Engineer / Automation Engineer, Electronics Engineer / Circuit Design Engineer, Signal Processing Engineer / DSP 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 438,000
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: 6 months
Average class: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Electrical Engineering and Power Systems
Telecommunication Engineering and Networks
Signal Processing and Digital Signal Processing
Electronics and Electronic Circuits
Control Systems and Automation
Electromagnetic Fields and Waves
Power Electronics and Power Distribution
Computer Networks and Network Engineering
Engineering Mathematics and Engineering Physics
Research Methods and Engineering Research

Modules

10 in the programme

Electrical Engineering and Power Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Electrical engineering, power systems, power generation, and supporting electrical engineering.
Telecommunication Engineering and Networks
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Telecommunication engineering, telecommunication networks, network engineering, and supporting telecommunication engineering.
Signal Processing and Digital Signal Processing
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Signal processing, digital signal processing, signal analysis, and supporting signal processing.
Electronics and Electronic Circuits
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Electronics and Electronic Circuits: Electronics, electronic circuits, circuit design, and supporting electronics. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Control Systems and Automation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Control Systems and Automation: Control systems, automation, control theory, and supporting control systems. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Electromagnetic Fields and Waves
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Electromagnetic fields, electromagnetic waves, electromagnetics, and supporting electromagnetic fields.
Power Electronics and Power Distribution
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Power electronics, power distribution, power systems, and supporting power electronics.
Computer Networks and Network Engineering
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer networks, network engineering, network protocols, and supporting computer networks.
Engineering Mathematics and Engineering Physics
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, engineering physics, applied mathematics, and supporting engineering mathematics.
Research Methods, Engineering Research and Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methods, data collection, monitoring and evaluation, M and E, engineering research, research project, and supporting research methods and project work.

Specialisations

Power Systems and Electrical Engineering
Focuses on power systems, electrical engineering, power generation, and power distribution. 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.
Telecommunication Engineering and Networks
Specialises in telecommunication engineering, telecommunication networks, network engineering, and communication systems.
Control Systems and Automation
Focuses on control systems, automation, industrial control, and control engineering. 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.
Signal Processing and Digital Signal Processing
Concentrates on signal processing, digital signal processing, signal analysis, and DSP applications.
Electronics and Circuit Design
Focuses on electronics, electronic circuits, circuit design, and embedded 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 starts with morning lectures on electrical engineering, telecommunications, or power systems, followed by engineering laboratories, design projects, or industry visits. Students design electrical systems, develop telecommunication networks, work with engineering tools, analyse signals, and work on their engineering projects. Industrial attachments at Kenya Power, telecommunications companies, and engineering firms provide hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — infrastructure development, power expansion, and telecommunications growth create strong demand for electrical engineering professionals.
Diverse applications — graduates work in power, telecommunications, manufacturing, government, and various industries.
Innovation — electrical engineering involves cutting-edge technology including renewable energy, smart grids, and 5G networks.

Against it

Technical complexity — electrical engineering requires strong technical skills in mathematics, physics, and engineering.
Continuous learning — electrical engineering faces rapid technology changes, continuous learning requirements, and skills obsolescence.
Work conditions — electrical engineering involves field work, site visits, and sometimes challenging work environments.

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 438k

200k at Technical University of Kenya438k at University of Nairobi

Private500k to 500k

500k at Strathmore 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

TUK ~200K, UoN ~438K/yr. Strathmore ~500K/yr (closest). UoN/TUK schedules

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans and KUCCPS placement. County bursaries, engineering industry sponsorships, and international engineering scholarships are available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
KUCCPS Placement
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Media Council of Kenya Journalism Training Fund
BursaryKenyan
Journalism and communication students accredited by the Media Council of Kenya
Nation Media Group Journalism Graduate Trainee Programme
ScholarshipKenyan
Recent journalism, media and communication graduates with strong digital skills
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 Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing undergraduate studies at accredited universities.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Electronics, or related fields from recognised institutions may be considered for upgrading. Relevant engineering or technical experience is advantageous.

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

How you are assessed

5 components

End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering electrical engineering, telecommunication engineering, power systems, and engineering research.
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat20% of the mark
Assignments, tests, presentations, case studies, and engineering projects throughout each semester.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent electrical and telecommunication engineering research project, assessed through written report and presentation.
Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering Practical Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of engineering competencies including electrical systems, telecommunication networks, signal processing, and power systems.
Industry Attachment Assessment
Clinical10% of the mark
Assessment of industry attachments including engineering work, design work, documentation, and supervision evaluation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Registered by Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) for professional engineer registration. Certified by Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) for ICT professionals. The Engineers Act governs engineering. The Engineering Technology Act governs engineering technology. The Kenya Information and Communications Act governs telecommunications.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya.
Engineers Board of Kenya
NationalRequired
EBK registers professional engineers in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Telecommunication Engineer / Network Engineer
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 180,000
Designs telecommunication networks, network infrastructure, communication systems, and supports telecommunication engineering at telecommunications companies, government agencies, or engineering firms.
Control Systems Engineer / Automation Engineer
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 180,000
Designs control systems, automation systems, industrial control, and supports control engineering at manufacturing companies, industrial companies, or engineering firms.
Electronics Engineer / Circuit Design Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Designs electronics, electronic circuits, circuit design, and supports electronics engineering at manufacturing companies, technology companies, or engineering firms.
Signal Processing Engineer / DSP Engineer
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 180,000
Develops signal processing solutions, digital signal processing, signal analysis, and supports signal processing at telecommunications companies, technology companies, or research institutions.
Electrical Engineer / Power Systems Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Designs electrical systems, power systems, power distribution, and supports electrical engineering at Kenya Power, government agencies, or engineering firms registered by EBK.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as electrical engineers and telecommunication engineers. Electrical and telecommunication engineering is in high demand driven by infrastructure development. Salaries range from KES 70,000 to 180,000 per month. Ministry of Energy, EBK, Kenya Power, and telecommunications companies offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
MATLAB
CodePrimary
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Microsoft Project
Project management
Python
Code
SolidWorks
Design

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Electrical and telecommunication engineering is just about wiring.
Electrical and telecommunication engineering includes power systems, telecommunications networks, signal processing, electronics, control systems, and electromagnetic fields — wiring is one component.
Electrical and telecommunication engineering is only for power companies.
Electrical and telecommunication engineering applies to telecommunications companies, manufacturing, government agencies, consulting firms, and various industries beyond power companies.
There are limited career opportunities for electrical engineering graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's infrastructure development, power expansion, telecommunications growth, and digital transformation create demand for electrical engineering professionals at Kenya Power, telecommunications companies, and engineering firms.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.