Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering is a programme that provides comprehensive training in mechanical engineering, manufacturing processes and production management. Offered at the University of Nairobi, JKUAT, Technical University of Kenya, Moi University, Maseno University and other institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers in mechanical engineering, manufacturing and industrial production.

The curriculum covers engineering mathematics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, materials science, heat transfer, machine design, manufacturing processes, production engineering, CAD/CAM, CNC machining, robotics, automation, quality control, industrial engineering, project management, maintenance engineering, research methods and a final year project. Students develop analytical and practical engineering skills.

Kenya's industrialisation agenda, manufacturing sector growth and infrastructure development create strong demand for mechanical and manufacturing engineering graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, engineering laboratories, workshop practice, industrial attachment and design projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers, production engineers, design engineers, maintenance engineers, quality engineers, industrial engineers, project managers, plant engineers and engineering consultants. They work in manufacturing companies, automotive industry, construction, energy, consulting firms, government and as entrepreneurs.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration: 5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 396,000
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: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Solid Mechanics
Materials Science
Machine Design
Manufacturing Processes
Production Engineering
CAD/CAM
Robotics and Automation
Industrial Engineering

Modules

10 in the programme

Thermodynamics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Thermal science. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Fluid Mechanics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fluid behaviour. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examina...
Solid Mechanics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Stress and strain. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exami...
Materials Science
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering materials. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Machine Design
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Machine element design. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...
Manufacturing Processes
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Production methods. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...
CAD/CAM
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer-aided design and manufacturing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and...
Robotics and Automation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Industrial automation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Industrial Engineering
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Production management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Final Year Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Capstone design project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...

Specialisations

Production Management
Production 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.
Mechanical Design
Machine design. 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.
Manufacturing Engineering
Production processes. 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 Automation
Robotics and automation. 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.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending engineering lectures, working in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics laboratories, designing machines using CAD, studying manufacturing processes, operating CNC machines, researching materials science, learning robotics and automation, and working on engineering design projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand in manufacturing and industrial sectors
Excellent earning potential
EBK registration enables professional practice

Against it

Demanding 5-year programme with heavy mathematics
Workshop and laboratory work involves safety risks
High tuition fees especially for self-sponsored

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

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

UoN 396,000/yr sch.II; TUK ~199,500/yr. No private confirmed. Src: uonbi.ac.ke, tukenya.ac.ke

HELB loans and government scholarships under the new funding model are available. Manufacturing companies may offer sponsorships.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

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
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students in engineering
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KUCCPS-placed students

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Diploma in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, automotive or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Mathematics
B-
Physics
B-
Chemistry
B-

How you are assessed

4 components

Laboratory and Workshop Practicals
Practicum20% of the mark
Lab and workshop sessions
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Final Year Project
Project10% of the mark
Capstone design project

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). Offered at UoN, JKUAT, TUK, Moi and other institutions. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. KUCCPS Cluster 3. EBK registration required after graduation and practical training.

Accredited by

Engineers Board of Kenya
ProfessionalRequired
Statutory body responsible for registration and regulation of engineers in Kenya
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Production Engineer
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 400,000
Production management
Manufacturing Engineer
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 420,000
Manufacturing engineering
Mechanical Engineer
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 450,000
Mechanical engineering
Design Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 430,000
Machine design
Maintenance Engineer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 380,000
Plant maintenance

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as mechanical engineers, manufacturing engineers and production engineers in manufacturing companies, automotive industry and consulting firms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
MATLAB
Simulation
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
Microsoft Project
Project management
ANSYS
Simulation
AutoCAD MEP
Design
SolidWorks
Design
FreeCAD
Design

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mechanical engineering is just about fixing machines.
The programme covers design, thermodynamics, manufacturing, robotics, automation and project management.
There are no manufacturing jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's industrialisation agenda creates demand for manufacturing engineers.
Mechanical engineering is only for men.
The field is open to all, with growing opportunities for women in engineering.
Manufacturing engineering is less prestigious than other engineering fields.
Manufacturing engineering is critical for industrial development and offers excellent career prospects.