Engineering

Diploma in Architecture

The Diploma in Architecture is a technical programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in architectural design, building construction and architectural drawing. Examined by KNEC and offered at JKUAT and Kirinyaga University, the programme prepares students for careers in architectural practice and the construction industry.

The curriculum covers architectural design, building construction, architectural drawing, technical drawing, building materials, construction technology, structural mechanics, building services, site surveying, quantity surveying, town planning, landscape design, computer-aided design (CAD), building regulations, project management, mathematics, communication skills, ICT and entrepreneurship. Students develop both design creativity and technical construction knowledge.

Kenya's construction industry requires qualified architectural technicians who can support architects in design, drawing production and project supervision. The programme responds to the need for skilled personnel who can prepare architectural drawings, assist in design development and support construction projects.

The programme is delivered through lectures, design studio sessions, drawing office practicals, computer laboratory sessions, site visits and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in architectural drawing, CAD, model making and building construction through studio projects and site visits to construction projects.

Graduates pursue careers as architectural technicians, architectural assistants, CAD technicians, building inspectors, site supervisors, quantity surveying assistants and construction project assistants in architectural firms, construction companies, government departments, county governments and property development companies. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Architecture or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have strong mathematics and physics foundations, drawing ability and spatial awareness. The programme is suitable for students seeking a technical foundation in architecture for employment or further study.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 121,000
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

8 subjects

Architectural Design and Building Construction
Architectural Drawing and Technical Drawing
Building Materials and Construction Technology
Structural Mechanics and Building Services
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Site Surveying and Quantity Surveying
Town Planning and Landscape Design
Building Regulations and Project Management

Modules

8 in the programme

Architectural Design and Drawing Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers architectural design principles, architectural drawing techniques, technical drawing, scale, proportion, orthographic projection and presentation drawings.
Building Materials and Construction Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers building materials, construction methods, foundation systems, wall construction, floor systems, roof systems and construction technology principles.
Structural Mechanics and Mathematics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers structural mechanics, forces, stress and strain, beam analysis, structural elements, engineering mathematics and applied mechanics for construction.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Services
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers CAD software (AutoCAD/ArchiCAD), 2D and 3D drafting, building services including electrical, plumbing, ventilation and fire safety systems.
Advanced Architectural Design and Town Planning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers advanced design projects, residential and commercial building design, town planning principles, urban design, zoning and land use planning.
Site Surveying and Quantity Surveying
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers site surveying methods, levelling, setting out, quantity surveying principles, cost estimation, bill of quantities preparation and cost control.
Building Regulations and Project Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers building codes and regulations, planning permissions, building approvals, construction project management, contract administration and quality control.
Industrial Attachment and Design Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at an architectural firm or construction company, assessed through an attachment report and a comprehensive architectural design project.

Specialisations

Archural Design
Focuses on architectural design, building design and presentation for careers as architectural designers.
Construction Technology
Specialises in construction methods, building technology and site supervision for careers in construction management.
CAD and Digital Design
Focuses on computer-aided design, 3D modelling and digital design tools for careers as CAD technicians.
Town Planning
Specialises in urban planning, land use planning and zoning for careers in planning departments.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on building construction or structural mechanics, followed by a design studio session working on architectural drawings and design projects. Afternoon sessions may include a CAD laboratory using AutoCAD or ArchiCAD, a site visit to a construction project, or a model-making workshop. Students also work on technical drawing assignments and building regulations studies.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's growing construction industry creates consistent demand for architectural technicians and CAD technicians.
The programme combines creative design with technical construction knowledge, providing versatile skills for the built environment sector.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Architecture with credit transfers, reducing the time and cost of degree study.

Against it

A diploma does not qualify graduates to practise as registered architects, requiring further study for professional registration.
The programme is demanding, requiring proficiency in both creative design and technical subjects including mathematics and structural mechanics.

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

Public51k to 121k

51k at Kirinyaga University121k at Technical University of Kenya

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

Kirinyaga 51K, JKUAT 93K, TUK 121K/yr (kenyaplex, studyinkenya, tukenya.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

Students can access HELB loans. Some institutions offer internal bursaries for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: KCE Division III with credit in English and Maths, or KACE with at least 1 Principal Pass in Maths or Physics, or relevant certificate with credit pass from a recognised institution.

Mathematics
C-
Physics or Chemistry
C-
English or Kiswahili
C-

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering building construction, structural mechanics and mathematics.
Design Studio Projects
Practicum50% of the mark
Assessment of design studio work including architectural drawings, design projects and CAD assignments.
KNEC Module Examinations
Written examination60% of the mark
KNEC examinations for each module, covering all subjects through written papers and practical drawing assessments.
Industrial Attachment and Design Project
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment performance and a comprehensive architectural design project assessed through drawings and oral presentation.

Accreditation

Examined by KNEC. The programme is offered at JKUAT and Kirinyaga University. Regulated by the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS).

Accredited by

Kenya National Examinations Council
AcademicRequired
Examined by KNEC. The programme is offered at JKUAT and Kirinyaga University. Regulated by the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS).

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Architectural Technician
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Supports architects in design development, prepares architectural drawings, assists in project documentation and coordinates with construction teams.
CAD Technician
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 120,000
Produces 2D and 3D architectural drawings using CAD software, prepares construction documents and supports design teams in architectural firms.
Architectural Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 110,000
Assists architects in design, site supervision, client coordination, preparation of presentations and project administration.
Site Supervisor
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 120,000
Supervises construction sites, ensures compliance with architectural drawings, monitors construction quality and coordinates construction activities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as architectural technicians, CAD technicians and architectural assistants in architectural firms, construction companies and government departments.

Tools you will learn

AutoCAD
ToolPrimary
ArchiCAD
Tool

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A diploma in architecture qualifies you to be an architect.
A diploma prepares you to be an architectural technician or assistant. To become a registered architect, you need a Bachelor of Architecture and registration with BORAQS.
Architecture is only about drawing buildings.
Architecture encompasses design, construction technology, building materials, structural mechanics, building services, regulations, project management and environmental considerations.
There are no jobs for architectural diploma graduates.
Kenya's growing construction industry creates demand for architectural technicians, CAD technicians and architectural assistants in firms, construction companies and government.
You cannot progress to a degree after a diploma in architecture.
Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Architecture or related degree programmes with credit transfers, reducing the duration of degree study.