Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Energy Management

The Bachelor of Science in Energy Management is a programme that provides comprehensive training in energy systems management, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. Offered at Kenyatta University, JKUAT, Technical University of Kenya and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in energy management and sustainable energy.

The curriculum covers energy systems, energy management, energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies, energy economics, energy policy, energy auditing, power systems, solar energy, wind energy, biomass energy, energy storage, environmental impact of energy, project management, research methods and a research project. Students develop technical and management skills for the energy sector.

Kenya's energy expansion, renewable energy investments and energy efficiency requirements create demand for energy management graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, laboratory sessions, field visits, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as energy managers, energy auditors, renewable energy consultants, energy analysts, energy project managers, sustainability officers, power systems analysts and energy policy analysts. They work in energy companies, manufacturing, consulting firms, government, NGOs and international organisations.

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 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 221,400
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

Energy Systems
Energy Management
Energy Efficiency
Renewable Energy Technologies
Energy Economics
Energy Policy
Energy Auditing
Solar Energy
Wind Energy
Energy Storage

Modules

10 in the programme

Energy Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Energy system fundamentals. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Energy Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Energy management strategies. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-sem...
Energy Efficiency
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Efficiency improvement. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Renewable Energy Technologies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Solar, wind, biomass. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Energy Economics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Economics of energy. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exa...
Energy Policy
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Energy policy framework. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Energy Auditing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Energy audit methods. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Solar Energy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Solar PV and thermal. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...
Wind Energy
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Wind power systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

Energy Efficiency
Efficiency management. 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.
Energy Policy
Policy analysis. 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.
Renewable Energy
Solar and wind energy. 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.
Energy Auditing
Energy audits. 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 energy management lectures, studying renewable energy systems, conducting energy audits, analysing energy economics, researching energy policy, visiting energy installations, using energy modelling software, and working on energy research projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya is a renewable energy leader in Africa
Growing demand for energy efficiency professionals
Combines technical knowledge with management skills

Against it

Limited number of universities offering the programme
Requires strong mathematics and physics foundation
Some roles may require engineering certification

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public245k to 324k

245k at Kenyatta University324k at University of Nairobi

Private109k to 221k

109k at Mount Kenya University221k at Daystar 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

KU Env Sci 245K (ku.ac.ke). UoN 324K (Schedule II). MKU 109K, Daystar 221K/yr.

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Energy 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
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students

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 energy, electrical engineering or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Mathematics
B-
Physics or Chemistry
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Practical Projects
Practicum10% of the mark
Energy audit and modelling projects
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Research Project
Project10% of the mark
Final year research project
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at KU, JKUAT, TUK and other 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

Energy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 320,000
Energy analysis
Renewable Energy Consultant
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 400,000
Renewable energy consulting
Energy Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 380,000
Energy management
Energy Auditor
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Energy auditing
Sustainability Officer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 300,000
Sustainability management

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as energy managers, energy auditors and renewable energy consultants in energy companies, manufacturing and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

RETScreen
Energy modelingPrimary
Clean energy project analysis and modeling software
HOMER Energy
Energy modelingPrimary
Hybrid renewable energy system optimization
MATLAB
Computational
Energy system simulation and analysis
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Energy audit data analysis and reporting
Python
Programming
Energy data analysis and automation
EnergyPlus
Building energy
Building energy simulation program

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Energy management is just about electricity.
The programme covers solar, wind, biomass, energy economics, policy and auditing.
There are no energy jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's energy expansion and renewable investments create strong demand.
Energy management is the same as electrical engineering.
Energy management focuses on efficiency, economics and policy, not just technical engineering.
Renewable energy is not viable in Kenya.
Kenya is a leader in renewable energy with significant geothermal, solar and wind projects.