Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering and Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering and Technology is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in manufacturing engineering and technology. The programme falls under the Engineering & Technology category and typically spans 5 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Manufacturing Processes and Materials Science, CNC, CAD/CAM and Digital Manufacturing, Industrial Automation, PLC and Robotics, Production Planning and Operations Management, Quality Control, SPC and Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Mechanics, Agricultural Structures, Cloud Computing, Crop Management. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Engineering Mathematics and Mechanics, Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement, Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing, Engineering Economics, Safety and Research Methods, CNC, CAD/CAM and Digital Manufacturing. 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 CNC and Digital Manufacturing, Materials and Welding Engineering, Industrial Automation and Robotics. 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 Manufacturing Engineering and Technology pursue careers as CNC Programmer / Automation Engineer, Quality Engineer / Process Engineer, Plant Engineer / Maintenance Engineer, Research Engineer / Additive Manufacturing Specialist. 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: 5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 203,742
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

Manufacturing Processes and Materials Science
CNC, CAD/CAM and Digital Manufacturing
Industrial Automation, PLC and Robotics
Production Planning and Operations Management
Quality Control, SPC and Six Sigma
Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
Welding, Casting and Metal Forming
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing
Work Study, Ergonomics and Plant Layout
Manufacturing Engineering Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics and Mechanics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, engineering mechanics, strength of materials, thermodynamics, heat transfer, understanding mechanics, and supporting engineering fundamentals.
Manufacturing Processes and Materials Science
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Manufacturing processes, machining, turning, milling, drilling, grinding, casting, sand casting, die casting, welding, arc welding, gas welding, MIG, TIG, forming, forging, rolling, sheet metal, ma...
CNC, CAD/CAM and Digital Manufacturing
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
CNC, computer numerical control, CAD, CAM, computer-aided manufacturing, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, digital manufacturing, understanding CNC, and supporting CNC and CAD/CAM engineering.
Industrial Automation, PLC and Robotics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Industrial automation, PLC, robotics, industrial robots, robotic arms, Industry 4.0, IoT, smart manufacturing, understanding automation, and supporting automation and robotics engineering.
Production Planning and Operations Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Production planning, production control, inventory management, operations management, capacity planning, scheduling, forecasting, understanding production, and supporting production management.
Quality Control, SPC and Six Sigma
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Quality control, quality assurance, statistical process control, SPC, Six Sigma, total quality management, TQM, ISO 9001, understanding quality, and supporting quality management.
Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Lean manufacturing, just-in-time, JIT, kaizen, 5S, continuous improvement, work study, method study, work measurement, understanding lean, and supporting lean manufacturing.
Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Additive manufacturing, 3D printing, rapid prototyping, digital manufacturing, understanding additive, and supporting additive manufacturing engineering.
Ergonomics, Plant Layout and Material Handling
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Ergonomics, plant layout, facility design, material handling, supply chain management, logistics, understanding ergonomics, and supporting plant and facility engineering.
Engineering Economics, Safety and Research Methods
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering economics, cost analysis, entrepreneurship, industrial safety, OSHA, occupational health, environmental management, sustainability, research methods, understanding economics and safety,...
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at a manufacturing company such as EABL, Bidco, Bamburi Cement, KVM, or a pharmaceutical company, applying manufacturing engineering skills.
Final Manufacturing Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year manufacturing engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.

Specialisations

CNC and Digital Manufacturing
Focuses on CNC programming, CAD/CAM, digital manufacturing, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, and supporting CNC and digital manufacturing.
Materials and Welding Engineering
Concentrates on materials science, engineering materials, welding, casting, forming, and supporting materials and welding engineering.
Industrial Automation and Robotics
Specialises in industrial automation, PLC, robotics, industrial robots, Industry 4.0, IoT, smart manufacturing, and supporting automation and robotics.
Quality and Process Improvement
Concentrates on quality control, SPC, Six Sigma, TQM, lean manufacturing, kaizen, and supporting quality and process improvement.
Production and Operations Management
Focuses on production planning, production control, operations management, capacity planning, scheduling, and supporting production management.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on manufacturing processes, CNC, or quality control, followed by laboratory work, workshop practicals, CNC and CAD exercises, or automation practicals. Students work on machining exercises, welding practicals, CNC programmes, CAD models, quality control charts, plant layouts, process improvements, 3D printing, and manufacturing engineering research. Laboratory work for materials and manufacturing, workshop practicals for machining and welding, CNC and CAD exercises, and industrial attachment at EABL, Bidco, Bamburi Cement, or a manufacturing company provide practical experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Big Four Agenda — manufacturing is a government priority, creating demand for manufacturing engineers.
'Buy Kenya Build Kenya' — the policy promotes local manufacturing, creating opportunities for manufacturing engineers.
Industry 4.0 — automation, IoT, smart manufacturing, and additive manufacturing create new opportunities.

Against it

Factory environment — manufacturing engineering involves working in plants with noise, heat, and safety requirements.
Demanding programme — requires strong mathematics and physics with heavy theoretical and practical 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

Public204k to 204k

204k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology204k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

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

JKUAT BSc Manufacturing Eng & Tech 203,742/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). Others unverified.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some manufacturing companies, KAM members, and industrial organisations offer scholarships for manufacturing 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.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
SponsorshipKsh 500,000
Academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students at partner universities.

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 Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Manufacturing, 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

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 manufacturing processes, materials, CNC, automation, quality control, and lean manufacturing.
Final Manufacturing Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year manufacturing engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at a manufacturing company. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of machining exercises, welding practicals, CNC programmes, CAD models, quality control charts, and 3D printing projects.

Accreditation

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

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

CNC Programmer / Automation Engineer
Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 250,000
Programmes CNC machines, manages automation, supports robotics, and supporting CNC and automation engineering.
Quality Engineer / Process Engineer
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 230,000
Manages quality systems, improves processes, supports SPC and Six Sigma, and supporting quality and process engineering.
Plant Engineer / Maintenance Engineer
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 230,000
Manages plant operations, maintains equipment, supports facility operations, and supporting plant engineering.
Research Engineer / Additive Manufacturing Specialist
Low demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conducts research, develops additive manufacturing, supports innovation, and supporting research and additive manufacturing.
Manufacturing Engineer / Production Engineer
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Designs manufacturing processes, manages production, supports process optimisation, and supports manufacturing engineering.
Manufacturing Consultant / Entrepreneur
Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides consulting, starts manufacturing businesses, advises on production, and supporting manufacturing consulting and entrepreneurship.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as manufacturing engineers, production engineers, and quality engineers. Manufacturing engineering is in high demand driven by the Big Four Agenda and industrialisation. Starting salaries range from KES 60,000 to 100,000 per month, with experienced engineers earning KES 120,000 to 300,000. EABL, Bidco, Unilever, Bamburi Cement, KVM, AVA, pharmaceutical companies, KAM, NITA, KEBS, and consulting firms offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
MATLAB
CodePrimary
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Microsoft Project
Project management
Python
Code
SolidWorks
Design

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Manufacturing engineering is just about operating machines.
This programme covers manufacturing processes, CNC, CAD/CAM, robotics, automation, quality control, lean manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and Industry 4.0. It's a comprehensive engineering discipline.
Manufacturing engineers only work in factories.
Graduates work in manufacturing companies, consulting firms, research institutions, government, KAM, NITA, KEBS, and as independent consultants.
This field has limited career prospects in Kenya.
The Big Four Agenda, 'Buy Kenya Build Kenya' policy, SEZ development, and industrialisation create strong demand for qualified manufacturing engineers.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.