Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Technology in Electrical Engineering

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

The curriculum covers Circuit Theory and Analysis, Electronics and Digital Systems, Power Systems Engineering, Electrical Machines and Drives, Control Systems Engineering, Telecommunications 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 Signals and Systems, Power Systems I, Electrical Machines II, Electronics I, Electrical Machines I. 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 General Practice, Control and Automation, Power Systems 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 Technology In Electrical Engineering pursue careers as Control and Automation Engineer, Power Systems Engineer, Electrical Contractor, Telecommunications 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
Private, up to: Ksh 500,000
Job market: Very high

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 50 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Circuit Theory and Analysis
Electronics and Digital Systems
Power Systems Engineering
Electrical Machines and Drives
Control Systems Engineering
Telecommunications Engineering
Power Electronics
Renewable Energy Systems
Signal Processing
Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

Modules

12 in the programme

Circuit Theory I
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
DC circuit analysis including Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's laws, and network theorems.
Electronics I
Year 1Semester 24 creditsCore
Electronics I: Semiconductor devices, diodes, transistors, and basic amplifier circuits. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Electrical Machines I
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Electrical Machines I: Transformers and DC machines: principles, construction, and performance. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Signals and Systems
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Continuous and discrete signal analysis, Fourier transforms, and system response.
Power Systems I
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Power Systems I: Power generation, transmission, and distribution fundamentals. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Electrical Machines II
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Electrical Machines II: AC machines: induction motors, synchronous machines, and special machines. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Control Systems Engineering
Year 3Semester 14 creditsCore
Feedback control theory, system modelling, stability analysis, and controller design.
Telecommunications Engineering
Year 3Semester 24 creditsCore
Telecommunications Engineering: Analogue and digital communication systems, modulation, and transmission. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Power Electronics
Year 3Semester 24 creditsCore
Power Electronics: Power semiconductor devices, converters, inverters, and motor drives. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Power System Protection
Year 4Semester 14 creditsCore
Power System Protection: Relays, circuit breakers, and protection schemes for power systems. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 28 creditsCore
3-month supervised attachment at a power utility, telecom company, or manufacturing firm.
Final Year Project
Year 5Semester 16 creditsCore
Comprehensive electrical engineering design or research project, culminating in a defended report.

Specialisations

Renewable Energy Engineering
Specialisation in solar, wind, and hybrid energy systems design and 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.
Control and Automation
Specialisation in industrial automation, PLC programming, and SCADA 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.
Power Systems Engineering
Specialisation in generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power. 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

Mornings involve lectures on circuit theory, power systems, or control systems, followed by afternoon lab sessions building and testing electronic circuits, programming microcontrollers, and operating electrical machines. Students use MATLAB for simulation and AutoCAD Electrical for design. From the fourth year, students undertake industrial attachment at power plants, telecom companies, or manufacturing firms.

The trade offs

In its favour

Very high demand in power, telecom, manufacturing, and renewable energy sectors
Versatile skills applicable across multiple industries and international markets
Strong entrepreneurship potential through electrical contracting and consulting

Against it

Rigorous five-year program with heavy mathematics and physics
Risk of electrical hazards in field work; strict safety compliance required
Requires 3 years supervised practice before EBK professional registration

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

Private111k to 500k

111k at Mount Kenya University500k at Strathmore 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

TUK ~199.5K/yr, UoN ~396K/yr (topnews.ke). MKU ~111K, Strathmore ~500K/yr (eduguide).

HELB loans available. Power utilities (KenGen, KPLC) occasionally offer sponsored training. Telecommunications companies offer internship-linked scholarships.

Funding options

HELB Loan
KUCCPS Placement

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Government-sponsored students via KUCCPS.
Utility Company Sponsorships
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
KenGen and KPLC occasionally sponsor students in exchange for service bonds.
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+
Alternative entry: Holders of a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from a recognised technical institution may upgrade to BTech through a bridging program.

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

How you are assessed

4 components

Lab Reports
Cat20% of the mark
Reports on circuit experiments, machine tests, and microcontroller projects.
Final Year Project
Research15% of the mark
Comprehensive design or research project defended before faculty.
Design Projects
Project20% of the mark
Electrical system design projects requiring calculations, simulations, and drawings.
Written Examinations
Exam45% of the mark
End-of-semester exams covering electrical engineering theory and problem-solving.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) and CUE. Graduates need 3 years supervised practice and EBK professional exam for registration. Electrical contractors require additional licensing from EPRA.

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.
Engineers Board of Kenya
Professional registrationRequired
Graduates need 3 years supervised practice and professional exam.
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority
Contractor licensing
Additional licensing required for electrical contractors.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Control and Automation Engineer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 320,000
Design and implement industrial automation systems using PLCs and SCADA in manufacturing firms.
Power Systems Engineer
Very high demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 350,000
Design and maintain power generation, transmission, and distribution systems at KenGen, KPLC, or KETRACO.
Electrical Contractor
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000
Licensed electrical contractor providing installation and maintenance services. Requires EPRA licensing.
Telecommunications Engineer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 380,000
Design and maintain telecom infrastructure at Safaricom, Telkom, or international telecom companies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as electrical engineers in power utilities (KenGen, KPLC, KETRACO), telecommunications (Safaricom, Telkom), manufacturing firms, consulting firms, and renewable energy companies. Career paths include power systems engineer, control engineer, telecommunications engineer, electrical contractor, and project manager.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

AutoCAD Electrical
CadPrimary
Electrical drafting and circuit design software
MATLAB
SimulationPrimary
Electrical system simulation and signal processing
Proteus
Circuit design
Electronic circuit simulation and PCB design
Multisim
Circuit design
Circuit simulation and analysis software
Python
Programming
Programming for electrical automation
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet
Electrical calculations and data analysis

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Electrical engineers only do wiring.
Electrical engineering covers power generation, telecommunications, electronics, control systems, renewable energy, and smart grid technologies.
Electrical engineering is dangerous.
While safety is critical, engineers follow strict safety standards and protocols. Modern engineering is largely design, analysis, and project management.
There are limited jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's electrification programs, renewable energy expansion, and telecom growth create very high demand for electrical engineers.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.