Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Surveying

The Bachelor of Science in Surveying is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in surveying. The programme falls under the Science category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Surveying, Construction Technology, Building Materials, Construction Economics, Research Methods, Communication Skills. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Genomics, Lab techniques, Bioinformatics (Python/R), Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Bioremediation. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Cell Biology & Genetics, General Chemistry I, Mathematics for Sciences, General Chemistry II (Organic), Microbiology. 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 Biology & Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics. 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 Surveying pursue careers as Biomedical Scientist, Biotechnology Research Scientist, Chemistry, Environmental Science. 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: 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: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Surveying
Construction Technology
Building Materials
Construction Economics
Research Methods
Communication Skills

Modules

12 in the programme

Cell Biology & Genetics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Cell structure, function, division, DNA replication, gene expression and inheritance.
General Chemistry I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Atomic structure, bonding, stoichiometry, states of matter and chemical reactions.
Mathematics for Sciences
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Mathematics for Sciences: Calculus, algebra, trigonometry and statistical methods for science students. Covers theoretical foundations, problem-solving techniques, and practical applications.
Microbiology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, cultivation and medical microbiology.
General Chemistry II (Organic)
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
General Chemistry II (Organic): Organic chemistry: functional groups, reactions, mechanisms and biomolecules. Covers theoretical principles, laboratory techniques, and industrial applications.
Analytical Chemistry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative analysis, titrimetry, spectroscopy, chromatography and instrumental methods.
Physics for Sciences
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Mechanics, waves, electricity, optics and modern physics for science programmes.
Ecology & Environmental Science
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ecosystems, population dynamics, biodiversity, conservation and environmental monitoring.
Biostatistics & Research Methods
Year 3Semester 12 creditsCore
Experimental design, statistical analysis, scientific writing and research ethics.
Laboratory Techniques & Safety
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Laboratory Techniques & Safety: Advanced lab techniques, equipment, quality control, safety and GLP. Covers safety regulations, risk assessment, and workplace hazard management.
Industrial Attachment / Internship
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Industrial Attachment / Internship: Supervised placement in a research lab, industry or environmental agency. Provides hands-on industry experience, mentorship, and professional skills development.
Final Year Research Project
Year 4Semester 18 creditsCore
Independent scientific research: literature review, experiments, analysis and thesis.

Specialisations

Biology & Life Sciences
Cell biology, genetics, ecology and microbiology. Students gain laboratory and field skills for research, healthcare and environmental work.
Chemistry
Organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry. Students learn techniques for research, quality control and industrial applications.
Physics
Mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics and quantum physics. Students develop analytical and computational skills for research and technology.
Environmental Science
Ecology, conservation, pollution control and sustainability. Students learn to assess and manage environmental challenges.
Geology
Mineralogy, petrology, geological mapping and natural resource exploration. Students gain skills for mining, oil and environmental geology.

A day as a student

A typical day blends lectures, practicals and group work, with attachment/internship in the field.

The trade offs

In its favour

Transferable skills.
Diverse paths.

Against it

Competitive entry.
May need specialisation.

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

Public200k to 396k

200k 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

TUK ~199.5K/yr (tukenya.ac.ke), UoN Eng ~396K/yr (topnews.ke). Private unverified.

HELB loans, county scholarships and university bursaries available.

Funding options

HELB Loan
Government Bursary
CDF Scholarship
Self-sponsored

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)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) Training Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Students in geospatial sciences, GIS and remote sensing
National Research Fund Science Scholarship
PartialKsh 300,000Kenyan
Kenyan; Science student; Research potential; Academic merit

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma progression or bridging.

How you are assessed

3 components

CATs
Cat30% of the mark
CATs.
Group Project
Project20% of the mark
Group Project.
Exam
Exam50% of the mark
Exam.

Accreditation

Accredited by CUE and relevant professional bodies.

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.
TVETA
NationalRequired
Accrediting body.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Biomedical Scientist
Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 238,000
Work as biomedical scientist.
Biotechnology Research Scientist
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 300,000
Work as biotechnology research scientist.
Chemistry
Medium demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Work as chemistry.
Environmental Science
High demandKsh 72,000 to Ksh 250,000
Work as environmental science.
Lab Manager
Medium demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Work as lab manager.
Laboratory Manager
Medium demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 250,000
Work as laboratory manager.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find opportunities across Kenya's public, private and entrepreneurship sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Power BI
Analytics
ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
Google Workspace
Cloud
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
QuickBooks
Accounting
SAP
Enterprise