Bachelor of Technology in Electrical and Computer Engineering
The BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY IN ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in electrical and computer engineering. The programme falls under the Engineering & Built Environment category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 396,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 1,584,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 119,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ (Plus) or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, part-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers Engineering Mathematics, Engineering Drawing, Mechanics of Materials, Thermodynamics, Electrical Circuits, Fluid Mechanics. 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 Foundations of the Discipline, Research Methods, Communication Skills, Information Technology Fundamentals, Statistics and Data Analysis. 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, Research and Analysis, General Practice. 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 TECHNOLOGY IN ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING pursue careers as Graduate Trainee, Research Assistant, Project Officer, Analyst. 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.
What you study
10 subjects- Engineering Mathematics
- Engineering Drawing
- Mechanics of Materials
- Thermodynamics
- Electrical Circuits
- Fluid Mechanics
- Structural Analysis
- Construction Technology
- Engineering Economics
- Project Management
Modules
8 in the programmeCommunication Skills
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Communication Skills: Academic writing, presentation skills, and professional communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Foundations of the Discipline
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundations of the Discipline: Introduction to core concepts, theories, and principles of the field. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Information Technology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Computer applications, data processing, and digital literacy for academic and professional use.
Research Methods
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data collection, and analysis techniques.
Statistics and Data Analysis
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Statistical methods, probability, and data interpretation for research and practice.
Professional Ethics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical principles, professional conduct, and regulatory frameworks in the field.
Project Management
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Project Management: Project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation techniques. Covers project lifecycle, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Business planning, venture creation, and innovation management. Equips students with practical skills for venture creation and business management.
Specialisations
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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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.
Research and Analysis
Focus on research methods, data analysis, and evidence-based decision making. 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 involves attending engineering lectures, conducting laboratory experiments, working on design projects, using CAD software, and completing problem sets. Students also participate in industrial visits.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). | Limited programme specialisation options may be available. |
| Graduates are eligible for HELB loans and government funding. | Competitive job market requiring practical experience and networking. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering coursesAnnual 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 270K/yr (KUCCPS); UoN BEng 396K/yr; JKUAT 245,950/yr. MKU BTech 119K/yr.
Government scholarships cover up to 53% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to Ksh 60,000. JICA and KOICA offer international scholarships for engineering students.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Scholarship
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
JICA Scholarship
Scholarship
Engineering students in partnership with Japanese institutions
Scholarships
5 recordedHigher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need.
KCDF More Girls for Engineering Opportunities
ScholarshipKenyan
Young women from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing engineering
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
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE C+ (Plus) OR A Level with two principal passes; OR a relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR any other qualification recognised by the university senate and CUE.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Multimedia University of Kenya.
Including Multimedia University of Kenya.
Including Multimedia University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
2 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Written tests, assignments, and practical exercises throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering all course content for the semester.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Engineering programmes are also regulated by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) for professional registration.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesGraduate Trainee
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 60,000
Entry-level position applying academic knowledge in a professional environment.
Research Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 65,000
Supporting research projects through data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Project Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 80,000
Coordinating and implementing projects in public, private, or NGO sectors.
Analyst
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analysing data, trends, and patterns to support decision-making.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as graduate engineers, site engineers, design engineers, project managers, and construction managers in Kenya's infrastructure and manufacturing sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Desalination Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- District Cooling EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- HighVoltage Substation EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Hydrogen Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Microgrid Control EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Subsea Cable EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Traction Power EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
Tools you will learn
AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard 2D and 3D CAD software for architectural drawing, drafting, and technical documentation.
Autodesk Revit
SoftwarePrimary
Building Information Modelling (BIM) software for architectural design, structural engineering, and construction documentation.
SketchUp
Software
3D modelling software widely used for conceptual design, massing studies, and architectural visualisation.
Adobe Photoshop
Software
Image editing software used for architectural presentation boards, rendering post-production, and portfolio production.
V-Ray
Software
Photorealistic rendering plugin for 3D modelling software, used to produce high-quality architectural visualisations.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Engineering is only for men.
Increasing numbers of women are pursuing engineering in Kenya, with organisations like Women in Engineering (WIE) supporting participation.
Engineering graduates automatically become professional engineers.
EBK registration requires a bachelor's degree plus supervised training and professional exams after graduation.
All engineering programmes take 5 years.
Most engineering bachelor's degrees take 5 years, but some related programmes like architecture take 5-6 years and built environment programmes take 4 years.
Engineering is too difficult and has high dropout rates.
While engineering is rigorous, universities provide support systems. Dropout rates are comparable to other demanding programmes.