Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Science - Electronics

The Bachelor Of Science In Science - Electronics is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in science - electronics. The programme falls under the Engineering & Technology category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Engineering Mathematics and Circuit Theory, Analogue and Digital Electronics, Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and Embedded Systems, Signals, Systems and Signal Processing, VLSI Design, PCB Design and HDL, Telecommunications and Communication Systems. 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 Industrial Attachment, Control Systems, Instrumentation and Robotics, Signals, Systems and Signal Processing, VLSI Design, PCB Design and HDL, Telecommunications and Communication Systems. 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 Embedded Systems and IoT, VLSI Design and Hardware Design, Robotics and Control Systems. 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 - Electronics pursue careers as Embedded Systems Engineer / IoT Engineer, Electronics Engineer / Hardware Design Engineer, Instrumentation Engineer / Consulting Engineer, Robotics Engineer / Control 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 306,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Engineering Mathematics and Circuit Theory
Analogue and Digital Electronics
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and Embedded Systems
Signals, Systems and Signal Processing
VLSI Design, PCB Design and HDL
Telecommunications and Communication Systems
Control Systems, Instrumentation and Robotics
IoT, Computer Networks and Firmware Development
Power Electronics and Renewable Energy Electronics
Electronics Engineering Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics and Circuit Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, circuit theory, circuit analysis, DC circuits, AC circuits, understanding circuits, and supporting engineering analysis.
Analogue and Digital Electronics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analogue electronics, digital electronics, op-amps, transistors, diodes, logic gates, flip-flops, counters, registers, understanding electronics, and supporting electronics engineering.
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and Embedded Systems
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded systems, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, firmware development, C, C++, Python, understanding embedded, and supporting embedded systems engineering.
Signals, Systems and Signal Processing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Signals and systems, signal processing, DSP, Fourier analysis, understanding signals, and supporting signal processing engineering.
VLSI Design, PCB Design and HDL
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
VLSI design, PCB design, hardware description languages, HDL, Verilog, VHDL, FPGA, understanding VLSI, and supporting hardware design engineering.
Telecommunications and Communication Systems
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Telecommunications, communication systems, modulation, demodulation, antennas, understanding telecom, and supporting telecommunications engineering.
Control Systems, Instrumentation and Robotics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Control systems, instrumentation, sensors, actuators, robotics, automation, PLC, understanding control, and supporting control and robotics engineering.
IoT, Computer Networks and Firmware Development
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
IoT, internet of things, computer networks, network protocols, firmware development, embedded programming, understanding IoT, and supporting IoT and network engineering.
Power Electronics and Renewable Energy Electronics
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Power electronics, inverters, converters, renewable energy electronics, solar power electronics, understanding power electronics, and supporting power electronics engineering.
Engineering Economics, Entrepreneurship and Research Methods
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering economics, entrepreneurship, workshop technology, soldering, testing, measurement, troubleshooting, engineering drawing, CAD, safety, research methods, and supporting engineering practice.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at an electronics company, telecommunications company, manufacturing firm, or research institution, applying electronics engineering skills.
Final Electronics Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year electronics engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.

Specialisations

Embedded Systems and IoT
Focuses on microcontrollers, embedded systems, IoT, firmware development, and supporting embedded and IoT engineering.
VLSI Design and Hardware Design
Specialises in VLSI design, PCB design, HDL, FPGA, and supporting hardware design engineering. 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.
Robotics and Control Systems
Focuses on robotics, control systems, automation, instrumentation, and supporting robotics and control engineering.
Power Electronics and Renewable Energy
Concentrates on power electronics, renewable energy electronics, inverters, converters, and supporting power electronics engineering.
Telecommunications and Signal Processing
Concentrates on telecommunications, communication systems, signal processing, and supporting telecommunications engineering.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on circuit theory, digital electronics, or embedded systems, followed by laboratory work, workshop practicals, CAD exercises, or hardware projects. Students work on circuit designs, PCB designs, microcontroller projects, FPGA projects, embedded programming, signal processing exercises, robotics projects, IoT projects, and electronics engineering research. Laboratory work for circuits and electronics, workshop practicals for soldering and testing, and industrial attachment at an electronics company, telecom, or manufacturing firm provide practical experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand — telecommunications, IoT, automation, and digital transformation create demand for electronics engineers.
Versatile career — graduates work in manufacturing, telecoms, consulting, research, IoT, robotics, and government.
Entrepreneurship potential — graduates can establish electronics repair businesses, hardware startups, and consultancy practices.

Against it

Demanding programme — requires strong mathematics and physics with heavy theoretical and practical coursework.
Limited local manufacturing — Kenya imports most electronics, which can limit some hardware design opportunities.
Long registration process — EBK registration requires years of supervised practice after graduation.

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

Public288k to 306k

288k at University of Nairobi306k at Kenyatta 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

UoN Microprocessor Tech 288K (uonbi.ac.ke schedule); KU Telecom & IT 306K/yr (ku.ac.ke).

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some electronics companies, telecom companies, and ICT firms offer scholarships for electronics engineering students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

4 recorded

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.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored (KUCCPS) students in public universities. Awarded through the Higher Education Funding Model.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
SponsorshipKsh 500,000
Academically talented but economically disadvantaged African students at partner universities.

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 with credit pass in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.

Mathematics
C+ (plus)
Physics
C+ (plus)
Chemistry
C (plain)
English or Kiswahili
C (plain)

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, problem sets, and laboratory exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering circuits, electronics, microprocessors, signal processing, VLSI, and telecommunications.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of circuit designs, PCB designs, microcontroller projects, FPGA projects, and embedded programming.
Final Electronics Engineering Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year electronics engineering research project or dissertation, assessed through written report and oral defence.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at an electronics company, telecom, or manufacturing firm. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. EBK registration is mandatory for professional engineering practice.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Embedded Systems Engineer / IoT Engineer
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 280,000
Develops embedded systems, designs IoT solutions, programmes microcontrollers, and supporting embedded and IoT engineering.
Electronics Engineer / Hardware Design Engineer
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Designs electronic systems, develops hardware, manages PCB and circuit design, and supports electronics engineering.
Instrumentation Engineer / Consulting Engineer
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages instrumentation, provides consulting, advises on electronics systems, and supporting instrumentation and consulting engineering.
Robotics Engineer / Control Engineer
Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 280,000
Designs robotics systems, implements control, manages automation, and supporting robotics and control engineering.
VLSI Design Engineer / FPGA Engineer
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 300,000
Designs VLSI circuits, develops FPGA solutions, writes HDL, and supporting VLSI and hardware design engineering.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as electronics engineers, embedded systems engineers, and hardware design engineers. Electronics engineering is in medium to high demand driven by telecommunications, IoT, and automation. Starting salaries range from KES 60,000 to 100,000 per month, with experienced engineers earning KES 120,000 to 300,000. Manufacturing companies, telecom companies, electronics companies, consulting firms, research institutions, and government offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

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
SCADA and HMI Software
Software
Supervisory control and data acquisition software for process monitoring and control
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
EquipmentPrimary
Industrial computers for automating manufacturing processes, including Siemens, Allen-Bradley, and Mitsubishi PLCs

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Electronics engineering is just about repairing devices.
This programme covers circuit design, embedded systems, VLSI, signal processing, telecommunications, robotics, IoT, and control systems. It's a comprehensive engineering discipline.
Electronics engineers only work in repair shops.
Graduates work in manufacturing, telecoms, consulting, research, government, and as independent consultants. The field is versatile and growing.
Electronics engineering has limited opportunities in Kenya.
Telecommunications growth, IoT adoption, automation, and digital transformation create demand for qualified electronics engineers.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.