Engineering

Diploma in Architectural Draughtsmanship

The Diploma in Architectural Draughtsmanship is a KNEC-examined technical programme that equips learners with skills in architectural drawing, building design documentation, and construction detailing. The course covers technical drawing, building construction, CAD software, architectural modelling, and building finishes across progressive modules, preparing graduates to produce accurate construction documentation for architectural firms and construction companies.

Students develop competencies in orthographic projection, architectural drafting standards, building plans, sections and elevations, 3D architectural visualisation, model making, and computer-aided design using industry-standard software. The programme also covers building regulations, construction materials, workshop technology, and project management basics, ensuring graduates can translate architectural concepts into accurate technical drawings and documentation.

Kenya's construction and architectural sector is growing rapidly, with increasing demand for skilled draughtspersons who can produce accurate construction drawings. The expansion of housing projects under the Affordable Housing Programme, commercial developments in Nairobi and other cities, and infrastructure initiatives has created opportunities for architectural draughtspersons in architectural firms, construction companies, and county government planning departments.

The programme combines classroom theory with extensive drawing studio and computer laboratory practice. Students produce architectural drawings manually and using CAD software, create physical scale models, and undertake workshop practicals in building construction. A supervised industrial attachment with an architectural firm, construction company, or design consultancy provides real-world workplace experience where learners apply their drafting skills on live projects.

Graduates find employment as architectural draughtspersons, CAD technicians, building inspectors, architectural assistants, and design technicians. They work in architectural firms, construction companies, county planning departments, property development companies, and engineering consultancies. Many also offer freelance drafting services to architects and builders, or progress to degree programmes in architecture or building technology.

This programme is suitable for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- (minus) who have strong drawing abilities, spatial awareness, and attention to detail. An interest in buildings and architecture, combined with proficiency in technical subjects, is advantageous for success in architectural draughtsmanship.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
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: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

History of Architecture
Technical Drawing and Interpretation
Architectural Details and Projects
Building Finishes and Fittings
Architectural Models
Architectural Perspectives
Digital Literacy
Building Construction
Workshop Technology
Project Management

Modules

10 in the programme

Architectural Drawing I
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Fundamentals of architectural drawing including orthographic projection, plans, sections, elevations, and drafting standards for building documentation.
Building Construction I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Construction methods, building components, foundations, walls, floors, and roofs for residential and small commercial building structures.
Mathematics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Mathematical principles applied to architectural draughting including geometry, trigonometry, area and volume calculations for building projects.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Computer literacy and introduction to CAD software for architectural drawing, file management, and digital documentation in the built environment.
Architectural Drawing II
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Advanced architectural drawing including detailed plans, sections, elevations, and construction details for complex building projects using CAD.
Building Technology and Services
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Building services including plumbing, electrical installations, ventilation, and fire safety systems as integrated into architectural drawings.
Workshop Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Practical workshop skills including model making, material testing, and hands-on construction techniques for understanding building assembly processes.
Architectural Perspectives and Models
Year 3Semester 14 creditsCore
Production of architectural perspectives, 3D visualisations, and physical scale models to communicate design concepts to clients and stakeholders.
Building Finishes and Fittings
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Interior and exterior finishes, fittings, fixtures, and architectural detailing for completing building projects to specification standards.
Project Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Construction project management principles including scheduling, cost estimation, quality control, and documentation for building projects.

Specialisations

Architectural Drawing
Production of architectural plans, sections, elevations, and detail drawings using manual and CAD techniques, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Building Construction Documentation
Preparation of construction documents, working drawings, and building specifications for projects, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Architectural Modelling
Creation of physical scale models and 3D digital visualisations of architectural designs, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Building Finishes and Fittings
Specification and detailing of interior and exterior finishes, fittings, and architectural elements, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

Students spend mornings in theory classes covering architectural drawing principles, building construction, and design standards, and afternoons in the drawing studio producing architectural plans manually or using CAD software, creating scale models, and practising construction detailing.

The trade offs

In its favour

Directly serves Kenya's growing construction and housing sector with practical, employable skills.
CAD and digital drafting skills are transferable across architecture, engineering, and construction industries.
Provides a pathway to degree programmes in architecture and building technology at universities like TUK.

Against it

Career advancement beyond draughtsperson level typically requires further education to degree level.
Work is largely desk-based and screen-intensive, requiring long hours of focused drawing and detailing.

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

Public67k to 67k

67k at Rift Valley Technical Training Institute67k at Kabete National Polytechnic

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

TVET 67,189/yr at public colleges (jitimu.com). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB TVET loans, county bursaries, and NG-CDF bursaries. Some architectural firms offer sponsored attachments for promising students.

Funding options

HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
County Government Bursaries
NG-CDF Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed or accredited diploma programmes at recognised TVET institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries provided by county governments for needy students from their respective counties.
NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency Development Fund bursaries for needy students from the respective constituency.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Craft Certificate in Architectural Draughtsmanship (Level 5) from a recognised TVET institution, or equivalent qualification.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester CATs covering drawing theory, construction technology, and CAD practicals.
KNEC Module Examinations
Exam60% of the mark
National examinations administered by KNEC at the end of each module covering theory and practical drawing.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practicum10% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment report and employer assessment at an architectural firm or construction company.

Accreditation

Accredited by TVETA and examined by KNEC. The programme is offered at Level 6 (diploma) and recognised by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). Offering institutions include Jeremiah Nyagah Technical Institute and Kabete National Polytechnic.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for TVET institutions offering this diploma programme.
Kenya National Examinations Council
Examination bodyRequired
Administers national examinations for the diploma programme at each module level.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Architectural Draughtsperson
Medium demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Produces architectural drawings, plans, sections, and construction documents for architectural firms and construction companies.
CAD Technician
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Creates computer-aided design drawings and digital models for architectural, engineering, and construction projects.
Architectural Assistant
Medium demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Supports architects in design development, drawing production, project documentation, and client presentations.
Building Inspector
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Inspects building construction for compliance with approved plans, building codes, and safety standards in county governments.
Design Technician
Medium demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Produces technical design drawings and documentation for property development companies and engineering consultancies.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as architectural draughtspersons, CAD technicians, and architectural assistants in architectural firms, construction companies, and county planning departments.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard CAD software for producing 2D architectural drawings and construction documents.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Architectural draughtsmanship is just about drawing buildings.
The programme covers technical drawing, CAD software, building construction, regulations, materials, project management, and architectural modelling, making graduates versatile construction documentation professionals.
Draughtspersons are being replaced by CAD software.
CAD software is a tool that draughtspersons use; the programme teaches CAD skills alongside manual drawing, and qualified operators are in demand as construction documentation becomes more complex.
The diploma limits you to working under architects only.
Graduates work in construction companies, county planning departments, property developers, engineering consultancies, and many offer freelance drafting services independently.
There is no career progression beyond draughtsmanship.
Graduates can progress to Bachelor of Technology in Architecture, Building Construction, or Quantity Surveying at universities like the Technical University of Kenya.