Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering is a multidisciplinary programme that integrates mechanical engineering, electronics, control engineering and computer science. Offered at Murang'a University of Technology through the School of Engineering and Technology, the programme equips graduates with skills to design, build and maintain intelligent systems that combine mechanical components with electronic controls and software.

The curriculum covers engineering mathematics, engineering mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, machine design, electronics, digital systems, microcontrollers, control systems, robotics, programmable logic controllers, sensors and actuators, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, computer-aided design, computer-integrated manufacturing, artificial intelligence, industrial automation, embedded systems, mechatronic system design, project management and engineering economics. Students develop integrated knowledge across mechanical, electronic and computing disciplines.

Kenya's manufacturing and industrial sectors are increasingly adopting automation and smart technologies, creating demand for engineers who understand the integration of mechanical systems with electronic controls and software. The programme responds to the need for mechatronics professionals who can design and maintain automated production systems, robotic systems and smart machines.

The programme is delivered through lectures, engineering laboratory sessions, workshop practicals, industrial attachment and a final-year project. Students gain hands-on experience in robotics, PLC programming, microcontroller interfacing, CAD design, sensor integration and automated system design through laboratory work and attachment at manufacturing and industrial companies.

Graduates pursue careers as mechatronics engineers, robotics engineers, automation engineers, control systems engineers, maintenance engineers, design engineers, instrumentation engineers and manufacturing engineers in manufacturing companies, automation firms, automotive industry, food processing companies, telecommunications companies and government agencies. They can also pursue postgraduate study in mechatronics, robotics or control engineering.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, proficiency in mathematics and physics, and an interest in how mechanical, electronic and computing systems work together. The programme is suitable for students passionate about robotics, automation and smart machine design.

Duration: 5 years
Public, up to: Ksh 245,950
Private, up to: Ksh 500,000
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

Engineering Mechanics and Machine Design
Electronics and Digital Systems
Microcontrollers and Embedded Systems
Control Systems and Robotics
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Sensors and Actuators
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing
Industrial Automation
Mechatronic System Design

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers calculus, linear algebra, differential equations and mathematical methods fundamental to engineering analysis.
Engineering Mechanics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers statics, dynamics, force systems, equilibrium, friction, virtual work and particle and rigid body mechanics.
Introduction to Electronics and Digital Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers electronic components, circuits, logic gates, Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential circuits and digital system fundamentals.
Materials Science and Machine Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers engineering materials, material properties, selection, stress analysis, machine elements, design principles and failure analysis.
Microcontrollers and Embedded Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers microcontroller architecture, programming in C, interfacing sensors and actuators, real-time systems and embedded application development.
Control Systems Engineering
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers control system modelling, transfer functions, frequency response, stability analysis, PID controllers and feedback control design.
Robotics and Automation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers robot kinematics and dynamics, robot programming, path planning, robotic sensors, end effectors and industrial robot applications.
Programmable Logic Controllers and Industrial Automation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers PLC architecture, ladder logic programming, SCADA systems, industrial networks, automation system design and process control.
Sensors, Actuators and Drive Systems
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sensor types and principles, signal conditioning, actuators including hydraulic, pneumatic and electric drives, and motor control systems.
Mechatronic System Design
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers integrated mechatronic system design, system modelling, simulation, prototyping, testing and optimisation of mechatronic systems.
Computer-Integrated Manufacturing
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers CAD/CAM, CNC machines, flexible manufacturing systems, computer-aided process planning and manufacturing system integration.
Final Year Project in Mechatronics Engineering
Year 5Semester 16 creditsCore
A comprehensive final-year project designing, building and testing a mechatronic system, assessed through a written report, prototype demonstration and oral presentation.

Specialisations

Industrial Automation and Robotics
Focuses on PLC programming, SCADA systems, industrial robots and automated production lines for careers in manufacturing automation.
Embedded Systems and IoT
Specialises in microcontroller-based systems, sensor networks, IoT devices and smart product development for careers in product engineering.
Automotive Mechatronics
Focuses on automotive electronic systems, vehicle control systems, electric and hybrid vehicle technology for careers in the automotive industry.
Control and Instrumentation
Specialises in process control, instrumentation, measurement systems and feedback control for careers in process industries and power plants.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on control systems or robotics, followed by an engineering laboratory session on PLC programming or microcontroller interfacing. Afternoon sessions may include a CAD design workshop, a robotics practical building and programming a robotic arm, or group projects designing mechatronic systems. Students also work on integrating sensors, actuators and control algorithms in the mechatronics laboratory.

The trade offs

In its favour

Mechatronics is at the forefront of industrial automation and Industry 4.0, with growing demand as Kenya's manufacturing sector modernises.
The multidisciplinary nature provides versatile career options across mechanical, electronic, control and software engineering domains.
Graduates can register with EBK as professional engineers, giving recognition and credibility in the engineering profession.

Against it

The five-year programme is demanding, requiring strong abilities across multiple engineering disciplines.
Mechatronics-specific job opportunities in Kenya are still developing, with some graduates competing against mechanical or electrical engineering graduates for general engineering roles.

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

Public246k to 246k

246k at JKUAT246k at JKUAT

Private500k to 500k

500k at Strathmore University500k 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

JKUAT 245,950/yr (official prog page). Strathmore ~500K/yr (fee guides). UoN has no mechatronic prog.

Students can access HELB loans. Some manufacturing companies offer internship opportunities for engineering students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Engineering or related field from a recognised institution, or KACE with two Principal passes in Mathematics and Physics.

Mathematics
C+
Physics
C+
Chemistry
C+
English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering engineering mathematics, mechanics and electronics fundamentals.
Engineering Laboratory Practicals
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory sessions including microcontroller programming, control system design and electronics practicals.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a manufacturing company, automation firm or engineering company.
Final Year Project
Project100% of the mark
A comprehensive final-year project designing, building and testing a mechatronic system, assessed through a written report, prototype demonstration and oral presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and regulated by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). The programme is offered at MUT's School of Engineering and Technology.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and regulated by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). The programme is offered at MUT's School of Engineering and Technology.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Mechatronics Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Designs, develops and maintains integrated mechanical-electronic systems, combining hardware and software for automation and smart machine applications.
Automation Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs and implements automated production systems using PLCs, SCADA, robotics and control systems in manufacturing and industrial settings.
Robotics Engineer
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 400,000
Designs, programmes and maintains robotic systems for industrial, service and research applications, working on robot kinematics, control and integration.
Maintenance Engineer
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Maintains and repairs automated production equipment, diagnosing faults in mechanical, electronic and control systems in manufacturing facilities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as mechatronics engineers, robotics engineers and automation engineers in manufacturing companies, automation firms and industrial companies across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

SolidWorks
ToolPrimary
MATLAB/Simulink
Tool
Arduino
Tool

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mechatronics engineering is just mechanical engineering with some electronics.
Mechatronics is a true integration of mechanical, electronic, control and software engineering, focusing on the design of intelligent systems where all disciplines are interdependent.
There are no mechatronics jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's manufacturing sector is increasingly adopting automation, with demand for mechatronics engineers in food processing, automotive, packaging and industrial automation companies.
Mechatronics engineers only work with robots.
While robotics is a key application, mechatronics engineers also work in industrial automation, process control, instrumentation, automotive systems, consumer products and manufacturing systems design.
Mechatronics is a new and unproven field.
Mechatronics has been established globally for decades and is a recognised engineering discipline, with mechatronics engineers working in industries worldwide from automotive to aerospace.