Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Technology in Computer and Electronic Systems

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in computer and electronic systems. It develops expertise in computer systems, electronic systems, embedded systems, and digital electronics while building technical skills for designing, implementing, and managing computer and electronic infrastructure.

Students design computer systems, develop electronic circuits, implement embedded systems, analyse system performance, evaluate electronic components, assess digital electronics, troubleshoot computer and electronic issues, and optimise system operations. They also strengthen computer and electronic skills, problem-solving, circuit design, technical communication, and system integration.

Kenya's digital economy requires professionals who can develop computer systems, manage electronic infrastructure, and support technology development across technology companies, manufacturing industries, government agencies, and business organisations.

The programme combines coursework, computer and electronic laboratories, systems projects, industrial attachment, and computer and electronic design projects to build comprehensive computer and electronic systems expertise.

Graduates pursue careers as embedded systems engineers, electronics engineers, computer systems engineers, hardware engineers, and systems integration specialists across technology companies, manufacturing industries, government agencies, and business organisations.

The programme is ideal for students interested in computer systems, electronic systems, embedded systems, digital electronics, and applying computer and electronic technology to solve technological and engineering challenges.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 345,000
Private, up to: Ksh 441,500
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Computer Systems and Computer Architecture
Electronic Systems and Digital Electronics
Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers
Circuit Design and Electronic Circuits
Digital Systems and Logic Design
Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
Computer Hardware and Hardware Systems
Systems Integration and System Design
Electronic Manufacturing and Production
Research Methods and Computer and Electronic Research

Modules

10 in the programme

Computer Systems and Computer Architecture
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer systems, computer architecture, system design, and supporting computer systems.
Electronic Systems and Digital Electronics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Electronic systems, digital electronics, electronic circuits, and supporting electronic systems.
Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Embedded systems, microcontrollers, embedded programming, and supporting embedded systems.
Circuit Design and Electronic Circuits
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Circuit design, electronic circuits, circuit analysis, and supporting circuit design.
Digital Systems and Logic Design
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital Systems and Logic Design: Digital systems, logic design, digital logic, and supporting digital systems. Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Microprocessors and Microcontrollers
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Microprocessors, microcontrollers, processor architecture, and supporting microprocessors.
Computer Hardware and Hardware Systems
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer hardware, hardware systems, hardware design, and supporting computer hardware.
Systems Integration and System Design
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Systems integration, system design, integration engineering, and supporting systems integration.
Electronic Manufacturing and Production
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Electronic manufacturing, production systems, manufacturing processes, and supporting electronic manufacturing.
Research Methods and Computer and Electronic Research
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methods, computer and electronic research, data collection, and supporting research methods and project work.

Specialisations

Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers
Focuses on embedded systems, microcontrollers, embedded programming, and embedded software. 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.
Electronic Systems and Digital Electronics
Specialises in electronic systems, digital electronics, circuit design, and electronic circuits. 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.
Computer Systems and Computer Architecture
Concentrates on computer systems, computer architecture, system design, and hardware 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.
Systems Integration and System Design
Focuses on systems integration, system design, integration engineering, and technology integration. 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.
Hardware Engineering and Computer Hardware
Focuses on hardware engineering, computer hardware, hardware design, and hardware 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 starts with morning lectures on computer systems, electronic systems, or embedded systems, followed by computer and electronic laboratories, systems projects, or industry visits. Students design computer systems, develop electronic circuits, work with embedded systems, test digital electronics, and work on their computer and electronic projects. Industrial attachments at technology companies, manufacturing industries, and government agencies provide hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — technology development, manufacturing growth, and embedded systems demand create strong demand for computer and electronic systems professionals.
Diverse applications — graduates work in technology, manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, agriculture, and various industries.
Technology — computer and electronic systems involves cutting-edge technology including embedded systems, IoT, and digital electronics.

Against it

Continuous learning — computer and electronic systems faces rapid technology changes, continuous learning requirements, and skills obsolescence.
Technical complexity — computer and electronic systems requires strong technical skills in circuit design, embedded programming, and system integration.
Precision work — electronic engineering involves precision work, detailed circuit design, and sometimes working with small components.

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 345k

200k at Kenyatta University345k at University of Nairobi

Private109k to 442k

109k at Mount Kenya University442k at USIU-Africa

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 ~200K/yr, UoN ~345K/yr. MKU ~109K (victormatara), USIU ~441.5K/yr (usiu.ac.ke).

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans and KUCCPS placement. County bursaries, technology industry sponsorships, and international engineering scholarships are available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
KUCCPS Placement
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Huawei Seeds for the Future Kenya
Scholarship
Talented ICT/STEM university students with a GPA of 3.0+
Generation Google Scholarship
Scholarship
Women in computer science and related technical fields
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing undergraduate studies at accredited universities.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
PlacementKsh 0Kenyan
Kenyan students placed to public universities through KUCCPS receive government-subsidised tuition.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Varies by county.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Computer Technology, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or related fields from recognised institutions may be considered for upgrading. Relevant computer or electronic experience is advantageous.

Mathematics
C+
Physics
C
English or Kiswahili
C
Chemistry or Biology
C

How you are assessed

5 components

Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat20% of the mark
Assignments, tests, presentations, case studies, and computer and electronic projects throughout each semester.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent computer and electronic systems research project, assessed through written report and presentation.
Computer and Electronic Systems Practical Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of computer and electronic systems competencies including computer systems, electronic systems, embedded systems, and circuit design.
Industry Attachment Assessment
Clinical10% of the mark
Assessment of industry attachments including computer and electronic work, engineering work, documentation, and supervision evaluation.
End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering computer systems, electronic systems, embedded systems, and computer and electronic research.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Certified by Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) for ICT professionals and Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) for engineering registration. The Kenya Information and Communications Act governs ICT. The Engineers Act governs engineering practice. The National ICT Policy guides digital development.

Accredited by

Engineers Board of Kenya
NationalRequired
EBK regulates engineering practice in Kenya.
Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Computer Systems Engineer / Systems Engineer
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 160,000
Designs computer systems, system architecture, hardware systems, and supports computer systems at technology companies, manufacturing industries, or government agencies.
Systems Integration Engineer / Integration Specialist
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 160,000
Integrates systems, system integration, technology integration, and supports systems integration at technology companies, manufacturing industries, or government agencies.
Electronics Engineer / Electronic Systems Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Designs electronic systems, electronic circuits, digital electronics, and supports electronic systems at technology companies, manufacturing industries, or government agencies.
Embedded Systems Engineer / Embedded Software Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Designs embedded systems, embedded software, microcontroller systems, and supports embedded systems at technology companies, manufacturing industries, or government agencies.
Hardware Engineer / Computer Hardware Engineer
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 170,000
Designs hardware, computer hardware, hardware systems, and supports hardware engineering at technology companies, manufacturing industries, or government agencies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as embedded systems engineers and electronics engineers. Computer and electronic systems is in high demand driven by technology development. Salaries range from KES 70,000 to 170,000 per month. Ministry of ICT, CAK, EBK, and technology companies offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Docker
Cloud
Git
CodePrimary
PostgreSQL
Database
VS Code
Code
Python
CodePrimary
GitHub Copilot
Ai

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Computer and electronic systems is just about repairing computers.
Computer and electronic systems includes embedded systems, circuit design, digital electronics, microcontrollers, and system integration — repairing computers is one component.
Computer and electronic systems is only for technology companies.
Computer and electronic systems applies to manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, agriculture, and many other industries beyond technology companies.
There are limited career opportunities for computer and electronic systems graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's technology development, manufacturing growth, embedded systems demand, and digital transformation create demand for computer and electronic systems professionals at technology companies, manufacturing industries, and government agencies.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.