Bachelor of Science in Philosophy in Technology - Civil Engineering Technology
The Bachelor Of Science In Philosophy In Technology - Civil Engineering Technology is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in philosophy in technology - civil engineering technology. The programme falls under the Engineering & Technology category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 199,500 a year at a public institution, Ksh 798,000 for the whole course.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 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 Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials, Structural Design and Construction Materials, Surveying, CAD and BIM, Geotechnical Technology and Soil Mechanics, Transportation and Highway Technology, Water Resources, Hydraulics and Sanitation. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in technical and analytical competencies. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.
Throughout the programme, students study Materials Testing and Quality Control, Industrial Attachment, Construction Technology and Methods, Construction Management and Estimating, Structural Design and Construction Materials. 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 Materials Testing and Quality Control, Water and Sanitation Technology, Construction Management. 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 Philosophy In Technology - Civil Engineering Technology pursue careers as Site Supervisor / Construction Coordinator, Infrastructure Maintenance Officer / Project Coordinator, Materials Testing Technologist / Quality Control Technologist, Civil Engineering Technologist / Construction Technologist. 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
10 subjects- Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials
- Structural Design and Construction Materials
- Surveying, CAD and BIM
- Geotechnical Technology and Soil Mechanics
- Transportation and Highway Technology
- Water Resources, Hydraulics and Sanitation
- Construction Technology and Methods
- Construction Management and Estimating
- Materials Testing and Quality Control
- Civil Engineering Technology Research Methods
Modules
12 in the programmeEngineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, engineering mechanics, strength of materials, stress, strain, understanding mechanics, and supporting engineering analysis.
Structural Design and Construction Materials
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Structural analysis, structural design, reinforced concrete, steel structures, construction materials, concrete technology, understanding structures, and supporting structural technology.
Surveying, CAD and BIM
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Surveying, levelling, total stations, GPS, CAD, engineering drawing, BIM, building information modelling, and supporting surveying and drawing practice.
Geotechnical Technology and Soil Mechanics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Geotechnical technology, soil mechanics, soil testing, foundation technology, site investigation, understanding soil, and supporting geotechnical technology.
Transportation and Highway Technology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Transportation engineering, highway technology, road construction, road materials, pavement technology, understanding transportation, and supporting transportation technology.
Water Resources, Hydraulics and Sanitation
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Water resources, hydraulics, water supply, sanitation, drainage, understanding water systems, and supporting water and sanitation technology.
Construction Technology and Methods
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Construction technology, construction methods, construction processes, temporary works, formwork, scaffolding, understanding construction, and supporting construction technology.
Construction Management and Estimating
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Construction management, project management, estimating, quantity surveying basics, planning, scheduling, and supporting construction management.
Materials Testing and Quality Control
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Materials testing, concrete testing, soil testing, quality control, quality assurance, understanding testing, and supporting quality control and testing.
Engineering Economics, Safety and Research Methods
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering economics, entrepreneurship, safety, occupational health, sustainability, green building, research methods, and supporting engineering practice.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at a construction company, engineering consulting firm, or government infrastructure project, applying civil engineering technology skills.
Final Civil Engineering Technology Research Project or Dissertation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year civil engineering technology research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.
Specialisations
Water and Sanitation Technology
Focuses on water supply, sanitation, drainage, water systems, and supporting water and sanitation technology.
Surveying and Highway Technology
Concentrates on surveying, levelling, highway technology, road construction, and supporting surveying and transportation technology.
Construction Management
Concentrates on construction management, project management, estimating, planning, scheduling, and supporting construction management.
Construction Technology and Methods
Focuses on construction technology, construction methods, temporary works, formwork, and supporting construction technology.
Materials Testing and Quality Control
Specialises in materials testing, concrete testing, soil testing, quality control, and supporting materials testing and quality assurance.
A day as a student
A typical day starts with a morning lecture on structural design, construction materials, or surveying, followed by laboratory work, field surveys, CAD and BIM exercises, or construction site visits. Students work on structural designs, material tests, concrete tests, soil tests, surveying exercises, CAD drawings, BIM models, cost estimates, construction method studies, and civil engineering technology research. Laboratory work for materials and soil testing, field surveys for surveying and levelling, and industrial attachment at a construction site or engineering firm provide practical experience.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand — infrastructure development is a national priority, creating strong demand for civil engineering technologists. | Lower salary ceiling — technologists may earn less than registered engineers, though experience narrows the gap. |
| Practical focus — the programme emphasises hands-on construction technology, materials testing, and site management. | Site challenges — construction sites can be remote, dusty, noisy, and physically demanding. |
| Entrepreneurship potential — graduates can establish construction firms, materials testing laboratories, and consultancy practices. | Limited design authority — technologists support design rather than lead it, requiring EBK-registered engineers for sign-off. |
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
TUK 19,500+90,000×2=199,500/yr (tukenya.ac.ke). Private unverified.
Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some construction companies and infrastructure initiatives offer scholarships for civil engineering technology students.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries
Scholarships
5 recordedInstitution 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 Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
County Government Bursaries
GrantKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Criteria vary by county.
Scholarships you could apply for
6 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- 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 with credit pass in Civil Engineering, Building Construction, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Technical University of Kenya.
Including Technical University of Kenya.
Including Technical University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
5 componentsFinal Civil Engineering Technology Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year civil engineering technology research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at a construction company or engineering firm. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, problem sets, and laboratory exercises throughout the semester.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of structural designs, material tests, surveying exercises, CAD drawings, BIM models, and construction method studies.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering structures, materials, geotechnical, transportation, water systems, and construction management.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. NCA registration is required for construction project supervision. The programme focuses on technology and practical application.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). NCA registration is required for construction project supervision. The programme focuses on technology and practical application rather than engineering design.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesSite Supervisor / Construction Coordinator
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Supervises construction sites, coordinates contractors, manages construction quality, ensures safety, and supports construction execution.
Infrastructure Maintenance Officer / Project Coordinator
Medium demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages infrastructure maintenance, coordinates projects, supports asset management, and supporting infrastructure maintenance and project coordination.
Materials Testing Technologist / Quality Control Technologist
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 170,000
Tests materials, manages quality control, conducts concrete and soil tests, and supporting materials testing and quality assurance.
Civil Engineering Technologist / Construction Technologist
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Supports civil engineering design, manages construction technology, coordinates site operations, and supports civil engineering technology.
Surveying Technologist / Highway Technologist
Medium demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts surveys, supports highway construction, manages road technology, and supporting surveying and transportation technology.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as civil engineering technologists, construction technologists, and site supervisors. Civil engineering technology is in high demand driven by infrastructure development. Starting salaries range from KES 55,000 to 90,000 per month, with experienced technologists earning KES 100,000 to 250,000. Construction companies, consulting firms, KeNHA, KURA, KeRRA, NCA, county governments, and materials testing laboratories offer the main opportunities.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Desalination Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- District Cooling EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- HighVoltage Substation EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Hydrogen Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Microgrid Control EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Megger Insulation Tester
TestingPrimary
For testing insulation resistance in electrical installations
Calibration Instruments
EquipmentPrimary
Pressure calibrators, temperature calibrators, and signal generators for instrument calibration
Oscilloscope and Multimeter
EquipmentPrimary
Electronic test instruments for circuit analysis, signal measurement, and fault diagnosis
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
EquipmentPrimary
Industrial computers for automating manufacturing processes, including Siemens, Allen-Bradley, and Mitsubishi PLCs
SCADA and HMI Software
Software
Supervisory control and data acquisition software for process monitoring and control
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Philosophy in Technology means studying philosophy.
The 'Philosophy in Technology' designation indicates a technology-focused degree with practical orientation. This programme covers civil engineering technology, construction, materials, surveying, and infrastructure.
Civil engineering technology is the same as civil engineering.
Civil engineering technology focuses on practical application, construction methods, and technology support, while civil engineering focuses on design and analysis. Both are important for infrastructure development.
Technologists have limited career prospects compared to engineers.
Civil engineering technologists are in high demand for site supervision, materials testing, quality control, and construction management. Career growth is excellent with experience.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.