Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in industrial technology. The programme falls under the General category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Manufacturing Processes and Materials, Production Planning and Control, Quality Management and Six Sigma, Industrial Automation and Maintenance, Operations Management and Supply Chain, Industrial Safety and Environmental Management. 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 Industrial Economics and Entrepreneurship, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Final Industrial Technology Research Project, Industrial Attachment, Work Study and Ergonomics. 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 Quality Management and Control, Industrial Safety and Environmental Management, Production Management and Manufacturing. 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 Industrial Technology pursue careers as Plant Supervisor / Operations Coordinator, Industrial Technologist / Production Technologist, Maintenance Technologist / Automation Technologist, Consulting Technologist / Entrepreneur. 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 276,740
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: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Manufacturing Processes and Materials
Production Planning and Control
Quality Management and Six Sigma
Industrial Automation and Maintenance
Operations Management and Supply Chain
Industrial Safety and Environmental Management
CAD, CAM and CNC Technology
Work Study and Ergonomics
Industrial Economics and Entrepreneurship
Industrial Technology Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Manufacturing Processes and Materials
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Manufacturing processes, machining, welding, casting, forging, sheet metal, materials science, engineering materials, metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, understanding manufacturing, and suppor...
Production Planning and Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Production planning, production control, inventory management, MRP, ERP, operations management, understanding production, and supporting production planning and control.
Quality Management and Six Sigma
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Quality management, quality control, TQM, Six Sigma, SPC, ISO 9001, KEBS, NDT, non-destructive testing, understanding quality, and supporting quality management.
Industrial Automation and Maintenance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Industrial automation, PLC, pneumatics, hydraulics, maintenance management, preventive maintenance, reliability, understanding automation, and supporting automation and maintenance.
CAD, CAM and CNC Technology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
CAD, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CAM, computer-aided manufacturing, CNC, computer numerical control, understanding CAD/CAM, and supporting CAD, CAM, and CNC technology.
Work Study and Ergonomics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Work study, method study, work measurement, ergonomics, human factors, plant layout, facility layout, material handling, understanding work study, and supporting work study and ergonomics.
Operations and Supply Chain Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Operations management, operations research, supply chain management, logistics, warehousing, procurement, distribution, understanding operations, and supporting operations and supply chain.
Industrial Safety and Environmental Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Industrial safety, occupational health, environmental management, EIA, NEMA, energy management, understanding safety, and supporting industrial safety and environmental management.
Industrial Economics and Entrepreneurship
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Industrial economics, cost analysis, project management, entrepreneurship, industrial statistics, information technology, industrial IoT, Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, understanding economics,...
Research Methods and Project
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods, industrial technology research, project, academic writing, understanding research, and supporting research and project work.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at a manufacturing company, production plant, or consulting firm, applying industrial technology skills.
Final Industrial Technology Research Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year industrial technology research project, assessed through written report and oral defence.

Specialisations

Quality Management and Control
Specialises in quality control, TQM, Six Sigma, SPC, ISO 9001, and supporting quality 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.
Industrial Safety and Environmental Management
Concentrates on industrial safety, occupational health, environmental management, EIA, and supporting safety and environmental management.
Industrial Automation and Maintenance
Concentrates on industrial automation, PLC, pneumatics, hydraulics, maintenance management, and supporting automation and maintenance.
Production Management and Manufacturing
Focuses on manufacturing processes, production planning, production control, CNC, CAM, and supporting production management.
Supply Chain and Operations
Focuses on supply chain management, logistics, operations management, operations research, and supporting supply chain and operations.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on production management, quality control, or manufacturing processes, followed by laboratory work, workshop practicals, or factory visits. Students work on production plans, quality charts, maintenance schedules, CAD designs, and industrial technology research. Laboratory work for materials and processes, workshop practicals, factory visits, and industrial attachment at a manufacturing company provide practical experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Big Four Agenda — manufacturing is a government priority, creating demand for industrial technology professionals.
Versatile career — graduates work in manufacturing, logistics, services, consulting, and government.
Practical focus — the programme emphasises hands-on skills for immediate employability.

Against it

Factory environment — industrial technology involves working in manufacturing environments.
Broad programme — covers many topics, which may limit depth in any single area.
Technology gaps — some Kenyan industries use older technology, limiting exposure to modern systems.

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

Public277k to 277k

277k at Egerton University277k at Egerton 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

Egerton 276,740/yr (educationnewshub KUCCPS). Private unverified.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some manufacturing companies and KAM members offer scholarships.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
SponsorshipKsh 500,000
Academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students at partner universities.
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
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 Industrial Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Production, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.

Mathematics
C (plain)
Physics or Physical Science
C (plain)
Chemistry or Biology
C (plain)
English or Kiswahili
C (plain)

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, problem sets, and laboratory exercises throughout the semester.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of production plans, quality charts, maintenance schedules, and CAD designs.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at a manufacturing company. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
Final Industrial Technology Research Project
Research5% of the mark
Final year industrial technology research project, assessed through written report and oral defence.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering manufacturing, production, quality, automation, and operations.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). NITA regulates industrial training. KEBS standards govern product quality.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. NITA regulates industrial training. KEBS standards govern product quality.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Plant Supervisor / Operations Coordinator
Medium demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Supervises plants, coordinates operations, supports production, and supporting plant supervision.
Industrial Technologist / Production Technologist
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages production, optimises processes, supports operations, and supports industrial technology.
Maintenance Technologist / Automation Technologist
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages maintenance, supports automation, manages PLC, and supporting maintenance and automation.
Consulting Technologist / Entrepreneur
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 220,000
Provides consulting, starts businesses, advises on operations, and supporting consulting and entrepreneurship.
Quality Control Technologist / Work Study Technologist
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages quality, conducts work studies, supports SPC, and supporting quality and work study.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as industrial technologists, production technologists, and quality control technologists. Industrial technology is in medium demand driven by manufacturing growth. Starting salaries range from KES 50,000 to 90,000 per month, with experienced professionals earning KES 100,000 to 220,000. Manufacturing companies (EABL, Bidco, Bamburi), KAM, NITA, KEBS, and consulting firms offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SAP FICO
ErpPrimary
SAP financial and controlling module.
QuickBooks Enterprise
Accounting
Advanced accounting for SMEs.
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
Financial modelling and analysis.
SAP ERP
ErpPrimary
Oracle ERP
Erp

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Industrial technology is just about factory work.
This programme covers manufacturing, production management, quality, automation, maintenance, supply chain, operations, and safety. It's a comprehensive industrial discipline.
Industrial technology graduates only work in factories.
Graduates work in manufacturing, logistics, services, consulting, government, and as independent consultants.
This field has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Manufacturing growth under the Big Four Agenda and quality enforcement create demand for qualified industrial technology professionals.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.