Engineering

Bachelor of science in Food Process Engineering

The Bachelor of science in Food Process Engineering is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in food process engineering. The programme falls under the Engineering & Technology category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Food Chemistry, Biochemistry and Microbiology, Thermal Processing and Food Preservation, Food Processing Unit Operations, Food Packaging and Shelf Life, Food Quality, Safety and HACCP, Process Design and Plant Engineering. 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 Food Product Development and Sensory Evaluation, Food Processing Unit Operations, Engineering Fundamentals and Thermodynamics, Instrumentation, Process Control and Automation, Process Design and Plant Engineering. 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 Food Packaging and Product Development, Refrigeration and Cold Chain, Thermal Processing and Preservation. 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 Food Process Engineering pursue careers as Product Development Engineer / Packaging Engineer, Food Consultant / Engineering Researcher, Food Process Engineer / Production Manager, Quality Assurance Engineer / Food Safety Officer. 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 324,000
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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Food Chemistry, Biochemistry and Microbiology
Thermal Processing and Food Preservation
Food Processing Unit Operations
Food Packaging and Shelf Life
Food Quality, Safety and HACCP
Process Design and Plant Engineering
Refrigeration, Freezing and Cold Chain
Food Product Development and Sensory Evaluation
Instrumentation, Process Control and Automation
Food Process Engineering Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Fundamentals and Thermodynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, engineering mechanics, strength of materials, thermodynamics, heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid mechanics, and supporting engineering fundamentals.
Food Chemistry, Biochemistry and Microbiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Food chemistry, food biochemistry, food microbiology, food science, food composition, food reactions, understanding food science, and supporting food science fundamentals.
Thermal Processing and Food Preservation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Thermal processing, pasteurisation, sterilisation, canning, drying, freeze drying, evaporation, distillation, food preservation, understanding preservation, and supporting thermal processing engine...
Food Processing Unit Operations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Food processing, extrusion, milling, baking, fermentation, bioprocess engineering, freezing, refrigeration, cold chain, unit operations, understanding processing, and supporting food processing eng...
Food Packaging and Shelf Life
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Food packaging, packaging materials, packaging technology, shelf life, packaging design, understanding packaging, and supporting packaging engineering.
Food Quality, Safety and HACCP
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Food quality, quality control, quality assurance, food safety, HACCP, ISO 22000, food regulations, KEBS standards, understanding quality, and supporting quality and food safety.
Process Design and Plant Engineering
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Process design, process optimisation, plant design, equipment design, CAD, engineering drawing, understanding design, and supporting process and plant design engineering.
Food Product Development and Sensory Evaluation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Food product development, recipe formulation, sensory evaluation, food additives, food ingredients, understanding product development, and supporting food product development.
Instrumentation, Process Control and Automation
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Instrumentation, process control, automation, PLC, sensors, water treatment, waste management, understanding control, and supporting process control and automation.
Engineering Economics, Entrepreneurship and Research Methods
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering economics, entrepreneurship, safety, occupational health, research methods, understanding economics, and supporting engineering practice.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at a food processing company, dairy, grain mill, or beverage company, applying food process engineering skills.
Final Food Process Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year food process engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.

Specialisations

Thermal Processing and Preservation
Focuses on thermal processing, pasteurisation, sterilisation, canning, drying, evaporation, and supporting thermal processing engineering.
Food Packaging and Product Development
Focuses on food packaging, packaging materials, shelf life, product development, sensory evaluation, and supporting packaging and product development.
Refrigeration and Cold Chain
Concentrates on freezing, refrigeration, cold chain, cold storage, and supporting refrigeration and cold chain engineering.
Food Quality and Safety
Specialises in quality control, quality assurance, food safety, HACCP, ISO 22000, KEBS standards, and supporting quality and food safety.
Process Design and Plant Engineering
Concentrates on process design, plant design, equipment design, process optimisation, and supporting process and plant design engineering.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on food processing, food chemistry, or process design, followed by laboratory work, pilot plant exercises, CAD exercises, or design projects. Students work on process designs, thermal processing calculations, drying experiments, packaging tests, quality control analyses, product development, sensory evaluations, and food process engineering research. Laboratory work for food chemistry and microbiology, pilot plant exercises for processing, and industrial attachment at a food processing company, dairy, or grain mill provide practical experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — food processing growth, value addition, and the Big Four Agenda manufacturing priority create strong demand for food process engineers.
Food security impact — graduates contribute to food security by reducing post-harvest losses and adding value to agricultural products.
Versatile career — graduates work in food processing, beverages, dairy, grain milling, consulting, research, and government.

Against it

Factory environment — food process engineering involves working in processing plants with noise, heat, and food safety requirements.
Demanding programme — requires strong mathematics, chemistry, and biology with heavy coursework.
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

Public225k to 324k

225k at Technical University of Kenya324k 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

TUK ~225K, UoN ~324K/yr (food sci KUCCPS/dept). Private unverified.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some food processing companies, dairy companies, and manufacturing organisations offer scholarships for food process 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
TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship at Egerton University
ScholarshipKenyan
Students admitted to agriculture, natural resources and food science programmes at Egerton University
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 Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.

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 Food Science, Chemical Engineering, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.

Mathematics
C+ (plus)
Chemistry
C+ (plus)
Physics or Biology
C (plain)
English or Kiswahili
C (plain)

How you are assessed

5 components

Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of process designs, thermal processing calculations, drying experiments, packaging tests, and quality control analyses.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, problem sets, and laboratory exercises throughout the semester.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at a food processing company, dairy, or grain mill. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
Final Food Process Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year food process engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering food chemistry, thermal processing, unit operations, packaging, quality control, and process design.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice. KEBS standards and KDB regulations govern food safety and quality.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice. KEBS standards and KDB regulations govern food safety and quality.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Product Development Engineer / Packaging Engineer
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Develops food products, designs packaging, supports product innovation, and supporting product development and packaging engineering.
Food Consultant / Engineering Researcher
Low demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 250,000
Provides consulting, conducts research, advises on food processing, and supporting food consulting and research.
Food Process Engineer / Production Manager
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Designs food processing systems, manages production, supports process optimisation, and supports food process engineering.
Quality Assurance Engineer / Food Safety Officer
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 230,000
Manages quality systems, ensures food safety, supports HACCP compliance, and supporting quality assurance and food safety.
Process Design Engineer / Plant Engineer
Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 280,000
Designs process plants, manages equipment, supports plant operations, and supporting process and plant design engineering.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as food process engineers, production managers, and quality assurance engineers. Food process engineering is in high demand driven by food processing growth and value addition. Starting salaries range from KES 60,000 to 100,000 per month, with experienced engineers earning KES 120,000 to 300,000. Food processing companies, beverage companies, dairy companies, KEBS, KDB, KALRO, 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

Food process engineering is just about cooking.
This programme covers thermal processing, drying, extrusion, refrigeration, packaging, quality control, process design, and plant engineering. It's a comprehensive engineering discipline.
Food process engineers only work in factories.
Graduates work in food processing companies, consulting firms, research institutions, government, KEBS, and as independent consultants.
This field has limited career growth.
Food processing growth, value addition, food safety regulations, and the Big Four Agenda manufacturing priority create strong demand for qualified food process engineers.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.