Diploma in Automotive Engineering
The Diploma in Automotive Engineering is a KUCCPS-listed programme (Engineering, Technology & Related cluster) that trains technicians to test, diagnose, and manage vehicle systems, from engines to production-line quality.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 77,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 231,000 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 177 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Auto Diagnostics Technician, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students study vehicle petrol and diesel engine systems, braking and suspension systems, automotive electrical systems, vehicle bodywork interpretation, production-line management, and ICT applications in the vehicle industry, alongside occupational health and safety practice. Skills RequiredEngine Diagnostics and RepairAutomotive Electrical SystemsBraking and Suspension SystemsVehicle Production Line ManagementWorkshop SafetyDiagnostic Equipment UseKey SubjectsVehicle Petrol Engine SystemsVehicle Diesel Engine SystemsAutomotive Electrical SystemsBraking and Suspension SystemsTechnical DrawingApplied MathematicsOccupational Health and SafetyCertificationsNational Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Trade TestKenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) RecognitionSpecializationsEngine SystemsFocus on petrol and diesel engine diagnostics, repair, and maintenance. Automotive Electrical SystemsFocus on vehicle wiring, sensors, and electronic control systems. Vehicle Production and Quality ManagementFocus on assembly-line processes and quality control in vehicle manufacturing.
Kenya's large and growing vehicle fleet, dominated by imported secondhand cars, along with expanding local vehicle assembly, sustains strong and steady demand for qualified automotive technicians and workshop supervisors.
Training combines classroom theory with extensive workshop practicals on real vehicles and engines, diagnostic equipment training, and a supervised industrial attachment with a garage, dealership, or vehicle assembly plant.
Graduates work as automotive technicians, workshop supervisors, vehicle diagnostics specialists, and quality inspectors at garages, dealerships, and assembly plants, with clear progression into Bachelor of Science degrees in Automotive or Mechanical Engineering.
The programme suits KCSE graduates with an interest in mechanics and electronics who want a practical, in-demand technical trade with strong employment and self-employment prospects.
What you study
7 subjects- Vehicle Petrol Engine Systems
- Vehicle Diesel Engine Systems
- Automotive Electrical Systems
- Braking and Suspension Systems
- Technical Drawing
- Applied Mathematics
- Occupational Health and Safety
Modules
10 in the programmeCommunication Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Written and oral communication skills for professional workplace communication and effective correspondence.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Vehicle Petrol Engine Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Construction, operation, and maintenance of petrol engines for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Vehicle Diesel Engine Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Construction, operation, and maintenance of diesel engines for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Engine Technology
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Engine construction and fuel systems covering construction, operation, performance testing, and maintenance of engine systems.
Vehicle Electrical Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Vehicle electrical and electronic systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Automotive Electrical Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Vehicle wiring, charging systems, and electronic controls for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Braking and Suspension Systems
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Diagnosis and repair of braking and suspension systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Vehicle Production Line Management
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of managing a vehicle assembly or production line for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Industrial Attachment / Project
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised placement with a garage, dealership, or assembly plant for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Engine Systems
Focus on petrol and diesel engine diagnostics, repair, and maintenance, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Automotive Electrical Systems
Focus on vehicle wiring, sensors, and electronic control systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Vehicle Production and Quality Management
Focus on assembly-line processes and quality control in vehicle manufacturing, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Transmission and Drivetrain Systems
Focus on manual and automatic transmission systems, clutch assemblies, differential units, and drivetrain diagnostics within the Kenyan automotive service industry.
A day as a student
Mornings typically cover engine theory, electrical systems, and diagnostics, while afternoons are spent in the workshop stripping engines, testing components, and practising diagnostic equipment use on real vehicles.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Consistently high demand given Kenya's large and growing vehicle fleet. | Rapidly evolving vehicle technology (EVs, hybrids) requires ongoing upskilling beyond the base diploma. |
| Strong self-employment potential through independent garages. | Physically demanding, workshop-based work with exposure to noise and fumes. |
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 67K, MUST TVET 77K/yr (tvet.must.ac.ke). Private: unverified.
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; vehicle dealerships and assemblers occasionally sponsor students for guaranteed employment.
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
6 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
- 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
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
A craft certificate in Motor Vehicle Mechanics or a related field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 177 institutionsIncluding Meru University of Science and Technology, Machakos University, National Defence University - Kenya.
Including Meru University of Science and Technology, Machakos University, Taveta Technical and Vocational College.
Including Meru University of Science and Technology, Machakos University, National Defence University - Kenya.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests and workshop assignments across the programme.
Workshop Practicals
Coursework20% of the mark
Hands-on assessment of diagnostic and repair 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 (Engineering, Technology & 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 rolesAutomotive Technician
High demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Diagnoses and repairs vehicle systems at a garage or dealership.
Workshop Supervisor (Junior)
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 50,000
Oversees a small team of technicians and workshop operations.
Vehicle Diagnostics Technician
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 48,000
Specialises in using diagnostic equipment to identify vehicle faults.
Automotive Diagnostic Technician
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 75,000
Performs advanced vehicle diagnostics using electronic tools, identifies complex engine and system faults, and carries out repairs in automotive service centres.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as automotive technicians, workshop supervisors, vehicle diagnostics specialists, and quality inspectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Auto Diagnostics TechnicianTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Automotive Service AdvisorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- BlacksmithTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Boda Motorcycle MechanicTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- CNC MachinistTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Construction Safety OfficerTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Crane OperatorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
- Custom Apparel TailorTrades & Vocational3Low exposure
Tools you will learn
OBD-II Scanner
Diagnostic equipmentPrimary
On-board diagnostic scanner for vehicle fault diagnosis
AutoCAD
Design softwarePrimary
CAD software for automotive component design
Engine Analyser
Diagnostic equipment
Equipment for engine performance testing and analysis
Multimeter
Diagnostic equipment
Digital multimeter for automotive electrical testing
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Automotive engineering diploma holders only fix engines.
The curriculum also covers electrical systems, production-line management, and ICT applications, opening roles beyond basic repair.
It's the same as a Motor Vehicle Mechanic certificate.
The diploma is a higher-level, broader qualification than the shorter Motor Vehicle Mechanic craft certificates, with more theory and management content.