Environmental Science

Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Technology

The Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Technology is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in renewable energy technology. The programme falls under the ICT & Computing category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Programming Fundamentals, Data Structures and Algorithms, Database Systems, Computer Networks, Software Engineering, Web Development. 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 Foundations of the Discipline, Research Methods, Communication Skills, Information Technology Fundamentals, Statistics and Data Analysis. 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, Research and Analysis, General Practice. 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 Renewable Energy Technology pursue careers as Graduate Trainee, Research Assistant, Project Officer, Analyst. 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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 336,600
Private, up to: Ksh 221,400
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Programming Fundamentals
Data Structures and Algorithms
Database Systems
Computer Networks
Software Engineering
Web Development
Operating Systems
Computer Architecture
Information Security
Artificial Intelligence

Modules

12 in the programme

Renewable Energy Physics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Physics of renewable energy sources including solar radiation, wind dynamics and geothermal processes.
Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Thermodynamic principles and heat transfer mechanisms in energy conversion systems.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Information Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications, data processing, and digital literacy for academic and professional use.
Power Electronics and Electrical Machines
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Power conversion systems, electrical machines and grid integration of renewable energy.
Solar Energy Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Solar Energy Technology: Photovoltaic systems, solar thermal collectors and solar installation design. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Wind Energy Systems
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Wind Energy Systems: Wind turbine technology, wind resource assessment and wind farm operations. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Energy Storage and Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Energy Storage and Management: Battery technology, energy storage systems and energy management strategies. Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Research Methods and Energy Policy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Research design, energy policy frameworks and renewable energy project evaluation.
Geothermal and Biomass Energy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Geothermal and Biomass Energy: Geothermal energy extraction and biomass energy conversion technologies. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

Specialisations

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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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.
Solar Energy Technology
Focus on photovoltaic systems, solar thermal technology and solar installation 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.
Wind Energy Systems
Specialisation in wind turbine technology, wind farm design and maintenance. 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.
Energy Storage and Power Electronics
Focus on battery systems, power conversion and grid integration of renewable energy. 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.
Energy Management and Efficiency
Specialisation in energy auditing, efficiency optimisation and energy management systems. 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 programming lectures, working on coding assignments in computer labs, participating in hackathons, debugging code, and collaborating on software development projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding.

Against it

Limited programme specialisation options may be available.
Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public324k to 337k

324k at University of Nairobi337k at Kenyatta University

Private109k to 221k

109k at Mount Kenya University221k at Daystar 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

KU Energy Tech 336.6K/yr (mawese). UoN env 324K/yr (fee schedule). MKU 109.1K, Daystar 221.4K/yr.

Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. Safaricom Academy and Google Africa offer scholarships for outstanding computing students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Scholarship
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Safaricom Academy Scholarship
Scholarship
Outstanding computing students

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher 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
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE C+ (Plus) OR A Level with two principal passes; OR a relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate and CUE.

English or Kiswahili
Mathematics

How you are assessed

2 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Computing programmes may also be aligned with IEEE and ACM curricular standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Graduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as software developers, systems analysts, network administrators, data analysts, and IT consultants in Kenya's growing digital economy.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Figma
DesignPrimary
Adobe Creative Suite
DesignPrimary
Unity
Game engine
Visual Studio Code
Ide
Microsoft Excel
SoftwarePrimary
Spreadsheet for analytical data management, quality control charts and statistical analysis.
MATLAB
SoftwarePrimary
Numerical computing environment for renewable energy system modelling and performance simulation.
AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Design software for renewable energy system layout, electrical diagrams and installation planning.
PVsyst
Software
Photovoltaic system design software for solar energy system sizing and performance analysis.
RETScreen
Software
Clean energy management software for renewable energy project feasibility and analysis.