Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Exploration and Production
The Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Exploration and Production is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in petroleum exploration and production. The programme falls under the Architecture & Built Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 336,600 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,346,400 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 109,100 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE or above, plus 4 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 12 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 Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum Geology, Drilling Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, Production Engineering, Petroleum Economics. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Mechanics, Agricultural Structures, Crop Management, Crop Production. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.
Throughout the programme, students study Petroleum Project Management, Petroleum Engineering Design, Drilling Engineering, Introduction to Petroleum Engineering, Petroleum Economics. 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 General Practice, Drilling Engineering, Reservoir Engineering. 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 Petroleum Exploration and Production pursue careers as Petroleum Engineer, Drilling Engineer, Production Engineer, Reservoir Engineer. 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.
What you study
6 subjects- Petroleum Engineering
- Petroleum Geology
- Drilling Engineering
- Reservoir Engineering
- Production Engineering
- Petroleum Economics
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Petroleum Engineering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of petroleum engineering, oil and gas industry, and engineering principles.
Petroleum Geology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Petroleum Geology: Petroleum systems, sedimentary basins, and petroleum geology principles. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Drilling Engineering
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Drilling operations, well design, and drilling technology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Reservoir Engineering
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Reservoir Engineering: Reservoir characterization, reservoir simulation, and reservoir management. Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Production Engineering
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Production Engineering: Production operations, well completion, and production technology. Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Petroleum Economics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Petroleum Economics: Petroleum economics, cost analysis, and economic evaluation. Covers economic theory, market analysis, and policy evaluation.
Well Logging
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Well Logging: Well logging techniques, log analysis, and formation evaluation. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Petroleum Geophysics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Petroleum Geophysics: Geophysical methods, seismic interpretation, and petroleum exploration. Covers theoretical principles, experimental methods, and real-world physical applications.
Health, Safety and Environment
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Health, Safety and Environment: HSE in petroleum industry, safety management, and environmental protection. Covers clinical principles, patient care protocols, and evidence-based practice.
Petroleum Project Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Petroleum Project Management: Project management, project planning, and petroleum project execution. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Petroleum Engineering Design
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Petroleum Engineering Design: Engineering design, design projects, and design applications. Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Petroleum Engineering Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent project on petroleum engineering topic. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cou...
Specialisations
Drilling Engineering
Focus on drilling operations, well design, and drilling technology. 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.
Reservoir Engineering
Specialization in reservoir characterization, reservoir simulation, and reservoir 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.
Production Engineering
Focus on production operations, well completion, and production technology. 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.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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
Students attend lectures, conduct laboratory work, participate in fieldwork on oil sites, and engage in petroleum engineering projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Critical role in energy security and petroleum resource development. | Petroleum industry can be volatile due to oil price fluctuations. |
| High earning potential in the petroleum industry. | Petroleum work often requires remote locations and extended field assignments. |
| Engineering work provides opportunities to work on complex technical challenges. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering coursesAnnual 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 250K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke), KU 336.6K/yr (joweri). MKU 54,550/sem×2=109.1K/yr (ghanadmission).
HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.
Funding options
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Scholarships
3 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Diploma holders in Petroleum Engineering, Geology, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Mount Kenya University.
Including Mount Kenya University.
Including Mount Kenya University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and laboratory reports throughout the semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on petroleum engineering topic.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Laboratory Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of laboratory skills, engineering experiments, and practical applications.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.
Engineers Board of Kenya
ProfessionalRequired
Professional accreditation for engineering programmes in Kenya.
Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE) and Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesPetroleum Engineer
Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 170,000
Design petroleum projects, manage production, and ensure operational efficiency.
Drilling Engineer
Medium demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 160,000
Design drilling operations, manage drilling projects, and ensure drilling safety.
Production Engineer
Medium demandKsh 76,000 to Ksh 162,000
Manage production operations, optimize production, and ensure production efficiency.
Reservoir Engineer
Medium demandKsh 78,000 to Ksh 165,000
Analyse reservoirs, optimize production, and ensure reservoir management.
Petroleum Geologist
Low demandKsh 72,000 to Ksh 155,000
Analyse petroleum systems, conduct exploration, and support petroleum discovery.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work in petroleum exploration, production, and engineering across Kenya's energy sector.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Desalination Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- District Cooling EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- HighVoltage Substation EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Hydrogen Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Microgrid Control EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Subsea Cable EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Traction Power EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
Tools you will learn
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
Bluebeam Revu
Engineering
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Revit
DesignPrimary
SketchUp
Design
ArcGIS
Gis
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
The oil and gas industry is dying due to renewable energy
While energy transition is underway, oil and gas will remain essential for decades. The industry is evolving with cleaner technologies and carbon capture.
Petroleum engineering is only about drilling
Petroleum engineering encompasses diverse fields including reservoir engineering, production engineering, petrophysics, geology, and economics, not just drilling.
Fracking is always harmful to the environment
Hydraulic fracturing, when properly regulated with proper well integrity and water management, can be performed safely. The industry continues improving environmental practices.
Petroleum engineers only work on offshore rigs
Petroleum engineers work in diverse environments including offices, laboratories, onshore fields, offshore platforms, and research centers.
Oil companies are doing nothing to prevent leaks
Pipeline and production companies invest significantly in leak detection, prevention technology, and safety systems to minimize environmental incidents.
Petroleum engineering jobs are disappearing
While the industry evolves, demand for petroleum engineers remains strong for developing existing fields, implementing new technologies, and managing energy transition.