Skip to content
Pathrel
Start free
All courses
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.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 396,000
Ksh 1,584,000 total
Private tuition
Ksh 550,000
Ksh 2,200,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 396,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,584,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 550,000 a year at a private one.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 6 institutions.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

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.

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 favourAgainst it
High demand — electrification, renewable energy, telecommunications, and industrialisation create strong demand for electrical and electronic engineers.Demanding programme — requires strong mathematics and physics with heavy theoretical and practical coursework.
Excellent salary potential — experienced electrical engineers earn very competitive salaries.Safety risks — electrical work involves high voltage, live circuits, and equipment that require strict safety management.
Versatile career — graduates work in power, telecom, manufacturing, consulting, renewable energy, and government.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.

Scholarships you could apply for

12 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSEminimum entry
Alternative entry

Diploma holders with credit pass in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.

Subject requirements
MathematicsC+ (plus)
PhysicsC+ (plus)
ChemistryC (plain)
English or KiswahiliC (plain)

When it next starts

Taught at 6 institutions
January 20276 institutions

Including Kirinyaga University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi.

May 20276 institutions

Including Kirinyaga University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi.

September 20276 institutions

Including Kirinyaga University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, University of Nairobi.

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

  • 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.

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.

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

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.

Further reading

Read next