Diploma in Architectural Design
The Diploma in Architectural Design is a KUCCPS-listed programme (Building, Construction & Related cluster) that trains draughtspersons and design assistants to support architects and building professionals in producing construction drawings and design documentation.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 201,567 for the whole course.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 3 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 20 institutions.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
Students study architectural drawing and design, building construction technology, building materials, computer-aided design (CAD), building measurement, and design communication, developing the technical drafting skills architecture firms and construction companies rely on daily. Skills RequiredArchitectural DrawingComputer-Aided Design (CAD)Building Construction TechnologyBuilding Materials KnowledgeDesign CommunicationBuilding MeasurementKey SubjectsArchitectural DesignBuilding Construction TechnologyBuilding MaterialsComputer-Aided Design (CAD)Building MeasurementDesign CommunicationBuilding Services BasicsCertificationsBoard of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) Technologist RegistrationAutodesk AutoCAD Certified UserSpecializationsResidential Design DraftingFocus on producing construction drawings for houses and small residential developments. Commercial/Institutional Design DraftingFocus on larger-scale commercial and institutional building documentation. BIM and Digital DesignFocus on Building Information Modelling and advanced CAD/3D design tools.
Kenya's ongoing construction boom, spanning housing, commercial, and infrastructure projects, sustains consistent demand for skilled draughtspersons who can translate architects' concepts into accurate, buildable drawings.
Training combines design studio work with CAD software practicals, site visits to active construction projects, and a supervised industrial attachment in an architectural or construction firm.
Graduates typically work as architectural draughtspersons, design assistants, and CAD technicians in architecture and construction firms, with progression possible into Bachelor of Architecture or related built-environment degrees.
The programme suits students with a strong interest in design, drawing, and the built environment who want a practical, technically grounded entry point into the architecture and construction industry.
What you study
7 subjects- Architectural Design
- Building Construction Technology
- Building Materials
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Building Measurement
- Design Communication
- Building Services Basics
Modules
10 in the programmeArchitectural Drawing I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of technical and architectural drawing conventions for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Building Construction Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Building construction methods, structures, and materials for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Building Construction
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Construction methods and materials covering materials, techniques, safety procedures, and quality standards for construction projects.
Life Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Personal development and interpersonal skills for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Entrepreneurship Education
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Business planning and enterprise skills for enterprise development, business planning, and venture creation skills.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
CAD software skills for producing architectural drawings digitally for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Building Materials
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Properties and applications of common building materials for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Design Communication
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Presentation techniques, model-making, and design communication for clients for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Industrial Attachment / Project
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised placement in an architecture or construction firm for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Residential Design Drafting
Focus on producing construction drawings for houses and small residential developments, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Commercial/Institutional Design Drafting
Focus on larger-scale commercial and institutional building documentation, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
BIM and Digital Design
Focus on Building Information Modelling and advanced CAD/3D design tools, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Sustainable Design
Focus on green building principles, energy-efficient design, and sustainable construction materials within the Kenyan building code and environmental compliance requirements.
A day as a student
Days are spent largely in the design studio — hand-drafting and CAD exercises, model-making, and design critique sessions — alongside construction technology lectures and periodic site visits to active building projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Sustained demand from Kenya's active construction sector across residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. | Ceiling on responsibility and pay without further study toward a Bachelor of Architecture and BORAQS registration. |
| Builds transferable digital design (CAD/BIM) skills valued across architecture and engineering firms. | Requires reasonably strong mathematics and technical drawing aptitude. |
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
TVET 67,189/yr at public colleges (kuccps.ac.ke). Private: unverified.
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; some architecture firms offer attachment stipends that support students financially.
Funding options
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
Loan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
Scholarships
2 recordedCounty Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their respective counties.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
Scholarships you could apply for
9 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- University of Eldoret TAGDev 2.0 Scholarship
Closes 1 May 2027FullUniversity of Eldoret / Mastercard Foundation
Full tuition + living expenses
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- 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
- Kenyatta University Scholarship
Before semesterPartialKenyatta University
30 to 50% tuition waiver
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
A craft certificate in a building/construction-related field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 20 institutionsIncluding Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Machakos University, Rongo University.
Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Machakos University, Rongo University.
Including Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Machakos University, Rongo University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsDesign Studio Projects
Coursework30% of the mark
Ongoing design and drafting projects assessed through studio critique.
CAD Practicals
Coursework20% of the mark
Computer-lab assessment of CAD drawing skills.
Final Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
End-of-semester written and practical examinations.
Accreditation
Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised under Kenya's TVET qualifications framework.
KUCCPS-listed diploma (Building, Construction & Related cluster); examined by KNEC at most public TVET colleges.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesArchitectural Draughtsperson
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Produces construction drawings and design documentation under an architect's supervision.
CAD Technician (Construction)
Moderate demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 42,000
Prepares and maintains digital drawings and models for a construction or design firm.
Design Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 26,000 to Ksh 40,000
Supports design development, model-making, and presentation materials for an architecture practice.
Architectural Draughtsman
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Prepares architectural drawings, detail designs, and presentation materials using CAD software for architectural firms and construction companies.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as architectural draughtspersons, design assistants, and CAD technicians in architecture and construction firms.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Desalination Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- District Cooling EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- HighVoltage Substation EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Hydrogen Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Microgrid Control EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
Tools you will learn
AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Primary CAD software used for producing architectural and construction drawings.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Diploma holders can practise as registered architects.
Registered architect status in Kenya requires a Bachelor of Architecture and BORAQS registration; diploma holders typically work as draughtspersons or technologists supporting architects.
The course is purely artistic.
It is technically demanding, requiring precise drawing, construction knowledge, and CAD proficiency alongside design sensibility.