Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Science Building & Civil Engineering

The Bachelor Of Science In Science Building & Civil Engineering is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in science building & civil engineering. The programme falls under the Architecture & Built Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Construction Engineering. 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 Engineering Mechanics, Transportation Engineering, Engineering Design, Introduction to Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering. 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 Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Transportation 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 Science Building & Civil Engineering pursue careers as Water Resources Engineer, Transportation Engineer, Structural Engineer, Geotechnical 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.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 396,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 12 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Transportation Engineering
Water Resources Engineering
Construction Engineering

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Civil Engineering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Civil Engineering: Overview of civil engineering, engineering principles, and engineering ethics. Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applic...
Engineering Mathematics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Engineering Mathematics: Calculus, differential equations, and engineering mathematics applications. Covers theoretical foundations, problem-solving techniques, and practical applications.
Engineering Mechanics
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Statics, dynamics, and mechanics of materials. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursewo...
Structural Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Structural Analysis: Structural mechanics, structural analysis, and structural design. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Geotechnical Engineering
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Geotechnical Engineering: Soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and geotechnical design. Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Transportation Engineering
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Transportation Engineering: Highway engineering, traffic engineering, and transportation systems. Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Water Resources Engineering
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Hydraulics, hydrology, and water resources management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, ...
Construction Materials
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Construction Materials: Building materials, material testing, and material properties. Covers construction technology, materials science, and project execution.
Surveying
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Surveying: Land surveying, surveying techniques, and surveying equipment. Covers measurement techniques, data analysis, and land information systems.
Engineering Design
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering Design: Engineering design principles, design projects, and design applications. Covers theoretical foundations, design principles, and practical engineering applications.
Fluid Mechanics
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Fluid dynamics, fluid mechanics, and hydraulic systems. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests,...
Civil Engineering Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent project on civil engineering topic. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursew...

Specialisations

Structural Engineering
Focus on structural mechanics, structural analysis, and structural 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.
Geotechnical Engineering
Specialization in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, and geotechnical 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.
Transportation Engineering
Focus on highway engineering, traffic engineering, and transportation 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.
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 sites, and engage in engineering design projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Critical role in infrastructure development and national development.
Growing demand for civil engineers due to infrastructure development needs.
Engineering work provides opportunities to design and build tangible infrastructure.

Against it

Engineering work can be demanding and requires long hours and site visits.
Engineering projects face challenges from budget constraints and technical complexity.

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

Public300k to 396k

300k at Technical University of Kenya396k at University of Nairobi

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

UoN 396K/yr tuition (uonbi.ac.ke schedule); TUK 300K/yr (educationnewshub KUCCPS). Private: unverified.

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

5 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
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Institution 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

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders in Civil Engineering, Building Technology, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

Mathematics
B
Physics
B
Chemistry
B
English/Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on civil engineering topic.
Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and laboratory reports throughout the semester.
Laboratory Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of laboratory skills, engineering experiments, and practical applications.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE) and Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).

Accredited by

Engineers Board of Kenya
ProfessionalRequired
Professional accreditation for engineering programmes in Kenya.
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Water Resources Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 150,000
Design water systems, manage water resources, and ensure water security.
Transportation Engineer
High demandKsh 72,000 to Ksh 155,000
Design transportation systems, manage traffic, and ensure mobility.
Structural Engineer
High demandKsh 75,000 to Ksh 160,000
Design structures, analyze structural performance, and ensure structural integrity.
Geotechnical Engineer
Medium demandKsh 68,000 to Ksh 145,000
Design foundations, analyze soil properties, and ensure geotechnical safety.
Civil Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 150,000
Design infrastructure, manage construction projects, and ensure structural safety.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in civil engineering, infrastructure development, and construction across Kenya's engineering sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

QGIS
Design
Google Earth Engine
Analytics
AutoCAD
DesignPrimary
ETABS
Structural analysis
MS Project
Project management