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Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science

The Bachelor of Science in Nautical Science is a programme that provides comprehensive training in navigation, ship operations and maritime transport. Offered at the Technical University of Mombasa and other select maritime institutions, the programme prepares graduates for careers as deck officers and maritime professionals in the shipping industry.

Duration
4 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 245,950
Ksh 983,800 total
Job market
Moderate
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 245,950 a year at a public institution, Ksh 983,800 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 3 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Overview

The curriculum covers navigation, ship stability, meteorology, maritime law, ship construction, cargo operations, ship handling, electronic navigation systems, radar and ARPA, GMDSS, maritime safety, port operations, maritime economics, ship management, bridge resource management, celestial navigation, voyage planning, research methods and a research project. Students develop navigational and ship operation skills through classroom and sea training.

Kenya's Blue Economy agenda, port development at Mombasa and the growth of maritime trade create demand for nautical science graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, simulator training, sea training voyages, industrial attachment and research projects.

Graduates are prepared for careers as deck officers, ship captains, marine pilots, port officers, maritime instructors, ship managers, maritime safety officers, vessel traffic service operators and maritime consultants. They work in shipping companies, port authorities, Kenya Maritime Authority, maritime training institutions, Kenya Navy and consulting firms.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and English or Kiswahili. 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.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Navigation
  • Ship Stability
  • Meteorology
  • Maritime Law
  • Ship Construction
  • Cargo Operations
  • Ship Handling
  • Electronic Navigation Systems
  • Maritime Safety
  • Maritime Economics

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Navigation

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Navigation principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...

  • Ship Stability

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Ship stability and trim. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...

  • Meteorology

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Weather for mariners. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...

  • Maritime Law

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Maritime legal framework. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...

  • Ship Construction

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Ship design and structure. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...

  • Cargo Operations

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Cargo handling and stowage. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...

  • Electronic Navigation Systems

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    ECDIS, radar and ARPA. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...

  • Maritime Safety

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Safety at sea. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester examinati...

  • Maritime Economics

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Shipping economics. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester exam...

  • Research Project

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Final year research project. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

Specialisations

  • Navigation

    Ship navigation. 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.

  • Port Operations

    Port 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.

  • Maritime Safety

    Safety 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.

  • Ship Management

    Ship operations 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.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending nautical science lectures, using navigation simulators, studying ship stability, learning maritime law, practicing celestial navigation, training with GMDSS equipment, studying meteorology, planning voyages, and working on maritime research projects.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's Blue Economy creates new opportunitiesSea training requires extended periods away from home
Excellent earning potential at senior ranksVery limited number of institutions offering the programme
KMA certification enables international maritime careerCareer progression requires sea time and additional certification

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
Public150k to 246k
150k at Technical University of Mombasa246k 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 marine eng 245.9K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). TUM self-sponsored ~150-250K/yr (infotrack). Private: unverified.

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

Funding options

  • HELB Loan

  • County Bursaries

  • Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students from participating counties

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan

    KUCCPS-placed students

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 80,000Kenyan

    Kenyan undergraduate students

Scholarships you could apply for

7 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
C+minimum entry
Alternative entry

KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and English or Kiswahili. Medical fitness certificate required. KUCCPS Cluster 3.

Subject requirements
MathematicsB-
PhysicsB-
English or KiswahiliC+

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Mombasa.

May 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Mombasa.

September 20271 institution

Including Technical University of Mombasa.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Simulator and Sea Training

    Practicum20% of the mark

    Simulator training and sea voyages

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Written examination50% of the mark

    End of semester written exams

  • Continuous Assessment Tests

    Cat20% of the mark

    Regular tests and assignments

  • Research Project

    Project10% of the mark

    Final year research project

Accreditation

  • Kenya Maritime Authority

    ProfessionalRequired

    Statutory body responsible for regulation of maritime safety and certification in Kenya

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA). Offered primarily at Technical University of Mombasa. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with B- in Mathematics, Physics and English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 3. KMA Certificate of Competency required for professional practice at sea.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Ship Captain

    Low demandKsh 300,000 to Ksh 800,000

    Ship command

  • Marine Pilot

    Low demandKsh 250,000 to Ksh 600,000

    Port pilotage

  • Deck Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 450,000

    Ship navigation

  • Maritime Instructor

    Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 320,000

    Maritime training

  • Port Officer

    Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 380,000

    Port operations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as deck officers, ship captains and marine pilots in shipping companies, port authorities and maritime agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • ECDIS

    NavigationPrimary

    Electronic Chart Display and Information System for maritime navigation

  • AIS

    Maritime safetyPrimary

    Automatic Identification System for vessel tracking

  • Microsoft Excel

    Spreadsheet

    Ship operations data management

  • ArcGIS

    Gis

    Marine spatial planning and navigation charts

  • SPSS

    Statistical analysis

    Maritime research and data analysis

  • AutoCAD

    Cad

    Ship design and engineering drawings

Certifications

Common misconceptions

  • Nautical science is just about sailing ships.

    The programme covers navigation, maritime law, cargo operations, safety, meteorology and ship management.

  • There are no maritime jobs in Kenya.

    Kenya's Blue Economy and port development create demand for maritime professionals.

  • Nautical science graduates spend all their time at sea.

    Graduates work in ports, maritime authorities, training institutions and shore-based management.

  • This is less rigorous than other engineering fields.

    Nautical science requires strong mathematics, physics and specialised maritime training.

Further reading

Read next