Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Electronics Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Electronics Technology is a programme that prepares students for technical careers in electronics, communication systems and industrial automation. Offered at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton through the Department of Technology and Applied Sciences, the programme equips graduates with practical skills in electronic circuit design, communication systems and industrial electronics.

The curriculum covers electronic circuits, digital electronics, analogue electronics, microprocessors and microcontrollers, communication systems, signal processing, control systems, industrial electronics, power electronics, embedded systems, PCB design, instrumentation, telecommunications, computer networks, project management and research methods. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and hands-on laboratory skills across electronics technology domains.

Kenya's electronics and telecommunications sector is expanding with growth in mobile communications, industrial automation and renewable energy systems. The programme responds to the need for electronics technology professionals who can design, install, maintain and repair electronic systems in telecommunications, manufacturing and service industries.

The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory sessions, workshop practicals, industrial attachment and a research project. Students gain hands-on experience in circuit design, soldering, microcontroller programming, communication system testing and industrial automation through laboratory work and attachment at electronics and telecommunications companies.

Graduates pursue careers as electronics technologists, communication systems technicians, industrial automation specialists, maintenance engineers, embedded systems developers, PCB designers and technical sales engineers in telecommunications companies, manufacturing firms, broadcasting stations, repair workshops and technology companies. They can also pursue postgraduate study in electronics engineering or related fields.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, an interest in how electronic devices work and a commitment to practical problem-solving. The programme is suitable for students passionate about electronics technology and its applications in industry and communications.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 261,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Electronic Circuits
Digital and Analogue Electronics
Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
Communication Systems
Signal Processing
Control Systems
Industrial Electronics
Embedded Systems
PCB Design
Instrumentation and Measurement

Modules

11 in the programme

Introduction to Electronics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces electronic components, circuits, basic laws, semiconductor devices and the fundamentals of electronic circuit analysis.
Digital Electronics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers logic gates, Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential circuits, flip-flops, counters, registers and digital system design.
Analogue Electronics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers diodes, transistors, amplifiers, operational amplifiers, filters, oscillators and analogue circuit design techniques.
Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers microprocessor architecture, instruction sets, interfacing, programming microcontrollers in C and assembly, and embedded system applications.
Communication Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers analogue and digital communication principles, modulation techniques, transmitters, receivers, antennas and communication system design.
Signal Processing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers continuous and discrete signals, sampling, Fourier analysis, digital filters, DSP fundamentals and signal processing applications.
Industrial Electronics and Control
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers industrial electronic devices, power electronics, motor drives, PLCs, industrial automation and control system design.
Embedded Systems Design
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers embedded system architecture, real-time programming, interfacing sensors and actuators, IoT fundamentals and embedded system project development.
PCB Design and Fabrication
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers PCB design principles, schematic capture, layout software, fabrication techniques, testing and quality control of printed circuit boards.
Instrumentation and Measurement
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers measurement principles, sensors and transducers, data acquisition systems, calibration, test instruments and measurement system design.
Research Project in Electronics Technology
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on an electronics technology topic, demonstrating the student's ability to design, build and test an electronic system.

Specialisations

Communication Electronics
Focuses on radio frequency, wireless communications, antennas and telecommunications systems for careers in the communications industry.
Industrial Electronics and Automation
Specialises in PLCs, motor control, industrial automation and power electronics for careers in manufacturing and industrial settings.
Embedded Systems
Focuses on microcontroller programming, IoT devices and embedded system design for careers in product development and IoT.
Consumer Electronics Repair and Maintenance
Specialises in diagnosis, repair and maintenance of consumer electronic devices for careers in service and repair industries.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on digital electronics or communication systems, followed by a laboratory session on circuit design or microcontroller programming. Afternoon sessions may include a workshop practical on PCB design, soldering practice, or testing of communication systems using oscilloscopes and signal generators. Students also work on group projects building electronic prototypes and programming embedded systems.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme provides hands-on practical skills that are directly applicable in the electronics and telecommunications industry.
Kenya's growing telecommunications and manufacturing sectors create demand for electronics technology professionals.
The programme covers both communication and industrial electronics, providing versatile career options across multiple industries.

Against it

Electronics technology may be perceived as less prestigious than electrical engineering, potentially affecting career advancement in some organisations.
The field requires continuous learning to keep up with rapidly evolving electronic technologies and industry standards.

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

Public140k to 261k

140k at Kenyatta University261k 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

KU ~140K, UoN ~261K/yr. Private unverified. KU/UoN fee schedules

Students can access HELB loans. UEAB offers internal financial aid for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Electronics or related field from a recognised institution.

Mathematics
C
Physics
C
Chemistry
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering electronics fundamentals, digital and analogue electronics.
Laboratory Practical Reports
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory sessions including circuit design, microcontroller programming and communication system testing.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at an electronics company, telecommunications firm or manufacturing facility.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project building and testing an electronic system, assessed through a written dissertation, prototype demonstration and oral presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at UEAB's School of Science and Technology, Department of Technology and Applied Sciences.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at UEAB's School of Science and Technology.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Electronics Technologist
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Designs, tests and maintains electronic systems and circuits in manufacturing, telecommunications and service industries.
Communication Systems Technician
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Installs, configures and maintains communication infrastructure including radio systems, network equipment and broadcasting facilities.
Industrial Automation Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Programmes and maintains PLCs, motor drives and automated control systems in manufacturing and industrial facilities.
Embedded Systems Developer
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Develops firmware and embedded software for microcontroller-based devices, IoT products and electronic control systems.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as electronics technologists, communication systems technicians and industrial automation specialists in telecommunications companies, manufacturing firms and technology companies across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Arduino
ToolPrimary
EAGLE PCB
Tool
LabVIEW
Tool

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Electronics technology is just about repairing radios and TVs.
The programme covers advanced topics including microcontrollers, communication systems, industrial automation, embedded systems and signal processing, preparing graduates for modern electronics industries.
Electronics technology graduates are just repair technicians.
Graduates work as electronics technologists, automation specialists, embedded systems developers and technical engineers in telecommunications, manufacturing and technology companies.
Electronics technology is the same as electrical engineering.
Electronics technology focuses on practical applications of electronic circuits, devices and systems, while electrical engineering covers broader power systems and has more theoretical depth. Both are complementary but distinct.
There are no jobs for electronics technology graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's growing telecommunications, manufacturing and renewable energy sectors create demand for electronics technology professionals who can maintain and design electronic systems.