Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Technology - Geoinformation Engineering Technology

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

The curriculum covers GIS and Spatial Analysis, Remote Sensing and Image Processing, GPS, GNSS and Surveying Technology, Photogrammetry and Drone Mapping, Cartography and Web Mapping, Spatial Databases and Geospatial Programming. 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 GIS and Spatial Analysis, Remote Sensing and Image Processing, Spatial Databases and Geospatial Programming, Cartography and Web Mapping, Final Geoinformation Engineering Technology Research Project or Dissertation. 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 Drone Mapping and Photogrammetry, Land Information and Cadastre, Web Mapping and Geospatial Programming. 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 Technology - Geoinformation Engineering Technology pursue careers as Surveying Technologist / Drone Mapping Technologist, Geospatial Data Analyst / Cartographer, GIS Developer / Geospatial Consultant, GIS Technologist / Remote Sensing 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.

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
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

GIS and Spatial Analysis
Remote Sensing and Image Processing
GPS, GNSS and Surveying Technology
Photogrammetry and Drone Mapping
Cartography and Web Mapping
Spatial Databases and Geospatial Programming
Land Information Systems and Cadastre
Digital Elevation Models and LiDAR
Spatial Data Infrastructure and Standards
Geoinformation Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Engineering Mathematics and Computing Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Engineering mathematics, computer programming, Python, R, databases, SQL, understanding computing, and supporting computing fundamentals.
GIS and Spatial Analysis
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
GIS, geographic information systems, ArcGIS, QGIS, GRASS, spatial analysis, spatial statistics, network analysis, terrain analysis, understanding GIS, and supporting GIS engineering.
Remote Sensing and Image Processing
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Remote sensing, satellite imagery, Landsat, Sentinel, MODIS, image processing, digital image processing, image classification, supervised classification, unsupervised classification, object-based i...
GPS, GNSS and Surveying Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
GPS, global positioning system, GNSS, global navigation satellite system, RTK, real-time kinematic, DGPS, differential GPS, surveying, land surveying, topographic surveying, cadastral surveying, ge...
Photogrammetry and Drone Mapping
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Photogrammetry, aerial photography, drone mapping, UAV, unmanned aerial vehicles, DJI, Pix4D, Agisoft, understanding photogrammetry, and supporting photogrammetry and drone mapping.
Cartography and Web Mapping
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Cartography, map design, map production, digital cartography, web mapping, web GIS, Leaflet, OpenLayers, Mapbox, Google Maps API, coordinate systems, projections, datums, transformations, understan...
Spatial Databases and Geospatial Programming
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Spatial databases, PostGIS, geospatial programming, Python, OGC standards, WMS, WFS, WCS, geospatial web services, mobile GIS, field data collection, understanding databases, and supporting spatial...
Land Information Systems and Cadastre
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Land information systems, LIS, land administration, land management, land registration, cadastre, Survey of Kenya, National Land Commission, understanding cadastre, and supporting land information ...
Digital Elevation Models, LiDAR and SAR
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
DEM, digital elevation model, DSM, DTM, LiDAR, radar, SAR, synthetic aperture radar, understanding elevation, and supporting DEM, LiDAR, and SAR technology.
Spatial Data Infrastructure, Economics and Research Methods
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Spatial data infrastructure, NSDI, Kenya Spatial Data Infrastructure, KSDI, metadata, data standards, geospatial data sharing, geospatial project management, engineering economics, entrepreneurship...
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Supervised industrial attachment at Survey of Kenya, RCMRD, a county government, or a GIS consulting firm, applying geoinformation engineering technology skills.
Final Geoinformation Engineering Technology Research Project or Dissertation
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final year geoinformation engineering technology research project or dissertation, assessed through project demonstration and oral defence.

Specialisations

GIS and Spatial Analysis
Focuses on GIS, ArcGIS, QGIS, spatial analysis, spatial statistics, network analysis, and supporting GIS engineering.
Web Mapping and Geospatial Programming
Concentrates on web mapping, web GIS, Leaflet, OpenLayers, Mapbox, PostGIS, Python, and supporting web mapping and programming.
Drone Mapping and Photogrammetry
Concentrates on drone mapping, UAV, photogrammetry, aerial photography, Pix4D, Agisoft, and supporting drone mapping.
Land Information and Cadastre
Focuses on land information systems, land administration, cadastre, land registration, and supporting land information management.
Remote Sensing and Image Processing
Specialises in satellite imagery, Landsat, Sentinel, image processing, image classification, OBIA, and supporting remote sensing.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with a morning lecture on GIS, remote sensing, or surveying, followed by laboratory work, field practicals, GIS and remote sensing exercises, or drone mapping practicals. Students work on GIS analyses, satellite image processing, drone mapping projects, GPS surveys, cartographic designs, web maps, spatial database designs, and geoinformation research. Laboratory work for GIS and image processing, field practicals for GPS and drone mapping, and industrial attachment at Survey of Kenya, RCMRD, a county government, or a consulting firm provide practical experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing GIS adoption — GIS is being adopted across government, county governments, and private sector.
Drone mapping growth — UAV technology is expanding rapidly, creating new opportunities.
Land management reform — land administration and digital cadastre create demand for geoinformation professionals.

Against it

Technology costs — GIS software, drones, and satellite imagery can be expensive.
Rapidly evolving — geospatial technology changes fast, requiring continuous learning.
Data quality challenges — geospatial data quality and availability can be inconsistent in Kenya.

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.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans, Universities Fund government scholarships, and county government bursaries. Some mapping organisations, tech companies, and international organisations offer scholarships for geoinformation students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Universities Fund Government Scholarship
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

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
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to accredited universities. Means-tested based on family income.
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 Surveying, GIS, Information Technology, or related fields from recognised institutions may join.

Mathematics
C (plain)
Physics or Geography
C (plain)
Chemistry or Biology or Computer Studies
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.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum5% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment at Survey of Kenya, RCMRD, or a GIS consulting firm. Includes logbook, supervisor evaluation, and written report.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering GIS, remote sensing, GPS, photogrammetry, cartography, and spatial databases.
Final Geoinformation Engineering Technology Research Project or Dissertation
Research5% of the mark
Final year geoinformation engineering technology research project or dissertation, assessed through project demonstration and oral defence.
Project / Practical Assessment
Practicum20% of the mark
Assessment of GIS analyses, satellite image processing, drone mapping projects, GPS surveys, and web map designs.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). KISM registration may be required for surveying practice. Survey of Kenya regulates mapping and surveying standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. KISM registration may be required for surveying practice. Survey of Kenya regulates mapping and surveying standards.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Surveying Technologist / Drone Mapping Technologist
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Conducts GPS surveys, operates drones, processes drone data, and supporting surveying and drone mapping.
Geospatial Data Analyst / Cartographer
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Analyses spatial data, designs maps, produces cartographic outputs, and supporting geospatial analysis and cartography.
GIS Developer / Geospatial Consultant
Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 220,000
Develops GIS applications, provides consulting, advises on geospatial solutions, and supporting GIS development and consulting.
GIS Technologist / Remote Sensing Technologist
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Processes GIS data, analyses satellite imagery, supports mapping, and supports geoinformation technology.
Land Information Officer / Cadastre Technologist
Medium demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 180,000
Manages land information, supports cadastre, maintains LIS, and supporting land information management.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as GIS technologists, remote sensing technologists, and surveying technologists. Geoinformation engineering technology is in medium demand driven by GIS adoption and land management. Starting salaries range from KES 50,000 to 90,000 per month, with experienced technologists earning KES 100,000 to 220,000. Survey of Kenya, the National Land Commission, county governments, RCMRD, consulting firms, and tech companies offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

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
Megger Insulation Tester
TestingPrimary
For testing insulation resistance in electrical installations
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
EquipmentPrimary
Industrial computers for automating manufacturing processes, including Siemens, Allen-Bradley, and Mitsubishi PLCs

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Geoinformation technology is just about making maps.
This programme covers GIS, remote sensing, GPS, photogrammetry, drone mapping, spatial databases, web mapping, spatial analysis, and land information systems. It's a comprehensive geospatial technology discipline.
GIS technologists only work for government mapping agencies.
Graduates work for government, county governments, consulting firms, tech companies, NGOs, international organisations, and as independent consultants.
This field has limited career prospects in Kenya.
GIS adoption, land management reform, drone mapping growth, and spatial data infrastructure development create demand for qualified geoinformation technologists.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.