Diploma in Cartography and GIS
The Diploma in Cartography and GIS is offered by the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), an inter-governmental organisation, and combines traditional cartographic map-making with modern Geographic Information Systems (GIS) skills.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 101,250 a year at a public institution, Ksh 253,125 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 2.5 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 5 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Climate Change Analyst, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Students study cartographic design, GIS software and spatial database management, remote sensing basics, map production, and geospatial data analysis, producing graduates equipped for the digital shift in mapping and land information work. Skills RequiredGIS Software UseCartographic DesignSpatial Database ManagementRemote Sensing BasicsGeospatial Data AnalysisKey SubjectsCartographic DesignGeographic Information Systems (GIS)Remote Sensing BasicsSpatial Database ManagementMap ProductionCertificationsEsri GIS Software Certification (where offered)SpecializationsGIS AnalysisFocus on spatial analysis and database management using GIS software. Remote SensingFocus on interpreting satellite and aerial imagery for mapping and monitoring.
GIS skills are in growing demand across Kenyan government agencies, utility companies, environmental organisations, and private geo-information consultancies, making this a more digitally current qualification than a pure cartography diploma.
Training combines classroom GIS and cartography theory with extensive computer-lab practicals using GIS software, remote sensing imagery, and spatial databases, plus a supervised industrial attachment.
Graduates work as GIS technicians, cartographic/GIS analysts, and geospatial data assistants for government ministries, utility companies (power, water, telecom), environmental agencies, and geo-information consultancy firms.
The programme suits students with an interest in both mapping and computing who want a technically current, digitally-oriented career in geospatial data and mapping.
What you study
6 subjects- Cartographic Design
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Remote Sensing Basics
- Spatial Database Management
- Map Production
- Research Methods
Modules
10 in the programmeIntroduction to GIS
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems and spatial data for professional practice and competency development in the field.
GIS Applications
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
GIS software and spatial analysis as applied to cartography and gis principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Communication 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.
Cartographic Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of designing clear, accurate maps using cartographic standards for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Map Projections
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Map projection systems and coordinate systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Remote Sensing Basics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Interpretation of satellite and aerial imagery for mapping purposes for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Spatial Database Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Building and managing databases of geographic information for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Map Production
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Producing finished digital and printed maps from GIS data for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 16 creditsCore
Supervised placement with a GIS, mapping, or land-related organisation for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
GIS Analysis
Focus on spatial analysis and database management using GIS software, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Remote Sensing
Focus on interpreting satellite and aerial imagery for mapping and monitoring, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Spatial Data Management
Focus on spatial database design, data quality control, metadata management, and GIS data administration for Kenyan land and resource management applications.
Cartographic Visualisation
Focus on map design principles, cartographic visualisation techniques, thematic mapping, and map production for Kenyan geographic information applications and land management.
A day as a student
Days are largely computer-lab based, working with GIS software to build and analyse spatial databases, process remote sensing imagery, and produce digital and printed maps, alongside cartographic design theory.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Strong alignment with growing digital GIS demand across government and utility sectors. | Available at a limited number of institutions, concentrating options around Nairobi. |
| Offered by RCMRD, a well-regarded regional geospatial training institution with international linkages. | Requires comfort with computer software and spatial/mathematical thinking. |
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, RCMRD 101.3K/yr pub. Private: unverified (rcmrd.institute, kenyaplex.com).
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; utility companies and government mapping agencies occasionally sponsor students.
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
1 usable where it is taught- 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 certificate in Cartography, GIS, or a related field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 5 institutionsIncluding Kabete National Polytechnic, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, Nyeri National Polytechnic.
Including Kabete National Polytechnic, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, Nyeri National Polytechnic.
Including Kabete National Polytechnic, Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development, Nyeri National Polytechnic.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests across cartography and GIS theory units.
GIS Lab Practicals
Coursework20% of the mark
Assessed computer-lab GIS and remote sensing exercises.
Final Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
End-of-semester written and practical examinations.
Accreditation
Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised within Kenya's geospatial/TVET qualifications landscape; RCMRD is an inter-governmental training institution.
Offered by RCMRD, an inter-governmental organisation; recognised for KUCCPS-linked placement pathways in Kenya's geospatial diploma cluster.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesGIS Technician
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Supports GIS data collection, mapping, and analysis for an organisation.
Cartographic/GIS Analyst (Junior)
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 48,000
Produces maps and spatial analyses for planning, environmental, or utility applications.
Geospatial Data Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 27,000 to Ksh 42,000
Maintains and updates geospatial datasets for a government or private organisation.
GIS Analyst
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 75,000
Analyses geographic data, creates spatial models, and produces GIS outputs for land management, planning, and environmental applications in Kenya.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as GIS technicians, cartographic/GIS analysts, and geospatial data assistants for government, utilities, and geo-information consultancies.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Climate Change AnalystEnvironmental Science10Low exposure
- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Wildlife Corridors EcologistEnvironmental Science10Low exposure
- Finance AnalystEnvironmental Science11Low exposure
- Mangrove Restoration SpecialistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Mine Reclamation SpecialistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Riparian Restoration EcologistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
- Urban Forestry SpecialistEnvironmental Science12Low exposure
Tools you will learn
ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
Widely used commercial GIS software for spatial analysis and map production.
QGIS
Software
Open-source GIS software alternative commonly taught alongside ArcGIS.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
This diploma is identical to the plain Diploma in Cartography.
It has a much stronger GIS, remote sensing, and spatial database component, better aligned with current digital mapping demand.
GIS work is only for computer science graduates.
GIS training is applied and accessible to KCSE graduates through dedicated diploma programmes without requiring a computing background first.