Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Engineering - Electrical Electronic

The Bachelor Of Science In Engineering - Electrical Electronic is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in engineering - electrical electronic. The programme falls under the Engineering & Technology category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Engineering Mathematics and Circuit Theory, Analogue and Digital Electronics, Electrical Machines and Power Systems, Control Systems, PLC and Automation, Telecommunications and Signal Processing, Microprocessors, Embedded Systems and Computer Networks. 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 VLSI Design and PCB Design, Electrical Installation, Safety and Workshop Technology, Industrial Attachment, Final Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research Project or Dissertation, Microprocessors, Embedded Systems and Computer Networks. 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 Telecommunications and Signal Processing, Electronics and VLSI Design, Control 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 Engineering - Electrical Electronic pursue careers as Consulting Engineer / Project Engineer, Telecommunications Engineer / Network Engineer, Electrical Engineer / Power Systems Engineer, Control Engineer / Automation 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
Private, up to: Ksh 550,000
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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Engineering Mathematics and Circuit Theory
Analogue and Digital Electronics
Electrical Machines and Power Systems
Control Systems, PLC and Automation
Telecommunications and Signal Processing
Microprocessors, Embedded Systems and Computer Networks
Renewable Energy and Power Electronics
VLSI Design and PCB Design
Electrical Installation and Safety
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics and Circuit Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, circuit theory, circuit analysis, DC circuits, AC circuits, understanding circuits, and supporting engineering analysis.
Analogue and Digital Electronics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analogue electronics, digital electronics, op-amps, transistors, logic gates, flip-flops, counters, understanding electronics, and supporting electronics engineering.
Electrical Machines and Power Systems
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Electrical machines, transformers, motors, generators, power systems, power generation, transmission, distribution, and supporting power engineering.
Control Systems, PLC and Automation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Control systems, instrumentation, PLC, automation, robotics, understanding control, and supporting control and automation engineering.
Telecommunications and Signal Processing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Telecommunications, communication systems, antennas, microwave engineering, signal processing, understanding telecom, and supporting telecommunications engineering.
Microprocessors, Embedded Systems and Computer Networks
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded systems, computer networks, understanding microprocessors, and supporting computer and embedded systems engineering.
Renewable Energy and Power Electronics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Renewable energy, solar power, wind power, power electronics, inverters, converters, understanding renewable energy, and supporting renewable energy engineering.
VLSI Design and PCB Design
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
VLSI design, PCB design, hardware design, HDL, Verilog, understanding VLSI, and supporting hardware design engineering.
Electrical Installation, Safety and Workshop Technology
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Electrical installation, lighting, electrical safety, workshop technology, soldering, testing, measurement, troubleshooting, and supporting practical electrical work.
Engineering Economics, Law and Entrepreneurship
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering economics, engineering law, entrepreneurship, quality control, engineering drawing, CAD, understanding economics, and supporting engineering practice.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at a power company, telecommunications company, manufacturing firm, or engineering consulting firm, applying electrical and electronic engineering skills.
Final Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year electrical and electronic engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.

Specialisations

Electronics and VLSI Design
Specialises in analogue and digital electronics, VLSI design, PCB design, and supporting electronics and hardware design engineering.
Power Systems and Renewable Energy
Focuses on power systems, power generation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy, and supporting power engineering.
Control and Automation
Concentrates on control systems, PLC, automation, robotics, instrumentation, and supporting industrial automation.
Embedded Systems and Computer Networks
Concentrates on microprocessors, embedded systems, computer networks, IoT, and supporting embedded and network engineering.
Telecommunications and Signal Processing
Focuses on telecommunications, communication systems, signal processing, antennas, and supporting telecommunications engineering.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on circuit theory, electronics, or power systems, followed by laboratory work, workshop practicals, CAD exercises, or engineering projects. Students work on circuit designs, electronic projects, power system analyses, PLC programmes, microcontroller projects, PCB designs, electrical installation exercises, and engineering research. Laboratory work for circuits and electronics, workshop practicals for electrical installation, and industrial attachment at a power company, telecom, or manufacturing firm provide practical experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — electrification, renewable energy, telecommunications, and industrialisation create strong demand for electrical and electronic engineers.
Excellent salary potential — experienced electrical engineers earn very competitive salaries.
Versatile career — graduates work in power, telecom, manufacturing, consulting, renewable energy, and government.

Against it

Demanding programme — requires strong mathematics and physics with heavy theoretical and practical coursework.
Safety risks — electrical work involves high voltage, live circuits, and equipment that require strict safety management.
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

Private480k to 550k

480k at Strathmore University550k 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 396K/yr (Schedule II). Strathmore 480K-550K/yr (eduguide.co.ke).

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some power companies, telecom companies, and renewable energy firms offer scholarships for electrical engineering students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

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
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.
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.

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 Electrical Engineering, Electronics, 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

Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at a power company, telecom, or manufacturing firm. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, problem sets, and laboratory exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering circuits, electronics, power systems, control, telecommunications, and microprocessors.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of circuit designs, electronic projects, power system analyses, PLC programmes, microcontroller projects, and PCB designs.
Final Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year electrical and electronic 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. EPRA licensing is required for electrical installation work.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice. EPRA licensing is required for electrical installation work.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Consulting Engineer / Project Engineer
Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides consulting services, manages engineering projects, advises clients, and supporting engineering consulting and project management.
Telecommunications Engineer / Network Engineer
Medium demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 280,000
Designs telecom systems, manages networks, supports communication infrastructure, and supporting telecommunications engineering.
Electrical Engineer / Power Systems Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs power systems, manages electrical infrastructure, supports power generation and distribution, and supports power engineering.
Control Engineer / Automation Engineer
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs control systems, implements automation, programmes PLCs, and supports industrial automation.
Electronics Engineer / Design Engineer
Medium demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 280,000
Designs electronic systems, develops hardware, manages PCB and VLSI design, and supports electronics engineering.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as electrical engineers, electronics engineers, and power systems engineers. Electrical and electronic engineering is in high demand driven by electrification and renewable energy. Starting salaries range from KES 70,000 to 120,000 per month, with experienced engineers earning KES 150,000 to 400,000. KPLC, KenGen, KETRACO, EPRA, REREC, telecommunications companies, manufacturing companies, and consulting firms offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Megger Insulation Tester
TestingPrimary
For testing insulation resistance in electrical installations
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
EquipmentPrimary
Industrial computers for automating manufacturing processes, including Siemens, Allen-Bradley, and Mitsubishi PLCs
Oscilloscope and Multimeter
EquipmentPrimary
Electronic test instruments for circuit analysis, signal measurement, and fault diagnosis
Calibration Instruments
EquipmentPrimary
Pressure calibrators, temperature calibrators, and signal generators for instrument calibration
SCADA and HMI Software
Software
Supervisory control and data acquisition software for process monitoring and control

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Electrical and electronic engineering is just about wiring.
This programme covers power systems, electronics, telecommunications, control, automation, renewable energy, VLSI, and embedded systems. It's a comprehensive engineering discipline.
Electrical engineers only work for KPLC.
Graduates work in power companies, telecoms, manufacturing, consulting, renewable energy, government, and as independent consultants. The field is very versatile.
Electrical engineering has limited career growth.
Electrification, renewable energy, telecommunications, and industrialisation create strong demand and career growth for qualified electrical and electronic engineers.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.