Diploma in Highway Engineering
Highway Engineering Level 6 is a TVET CDACC-accredited diploma programme listed on KUCCPS. It trains highway engineering technologists who plan, design, construct, and maintain road infrastructure including highways, urban roads, and rural access roads.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 134,378 to 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 2-3 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
The curriculum covers highway geometric design, pavement materials and testing, road construction methods, highway drainage, traffic engineering, road maintenance, surveying for highways, soil mechanics, and construction project management. The programme combines civil engineering principles with specialised road infrastructure knowledge.
Kenya's massive road infrastructure development, including the expansion of the national highway network, urban road projects by KURA and KeNHA, and rural roads under KeRRA, creates sustained demand for qualified highway engineering technologists.
Training is offered at the Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT), a specialised institution under the State Department of Roads. The programme combines classroom theory with laboratory testing of pavement materials, surveying practicals, and industrial attachment on road construction sites.
Graduates work as highway engineering technicians, road construction supervisors, materials testing technicians, and road maintenance officers with road agencies, construction companies, and consulting engineering firms, with progression routes to degree programmes in civil engineering.
Skills RequiredHighway Geometric DesignPavement Material TestingRoad Construction SupervisionHighway SurveyingTraffic EngineeringRoad Drainage DesignSoil Mechanics and TestingRoad Maintenance PlanningConstruction Project ManagementQuality Control and AssuranceKey SubjectsHighway Geometric DesignPavement Materials and TestingRoad Construction MethodsHighway Drainage SystemsTraffic Engineering and Road SafetySurveying for HighwaysSoil Mechanics and
What you study
10 subjects- Highway Geometric Design
- Pavement Materials and Testing
- Road Construction Methods
- Highway Drainage Systems
- Traffic Engineering and Road Safety
- Surveying for Highways
- Soil Mechanics and Geotechnics
- Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation
- Construction Project Management
- Quality Control in Road Construction
Modules
10 in the programmeLife Skills
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Personal development and interpersonal skills for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Communication Skills, ICT and Entrepreneurship
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Foundation units covering communication skills, information communication technology.
Engineering Mathematics and Surveying
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on engineering mathematics, surveying principles, levelling for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Soil Mechanics and Geotechnics
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on soil properties, soil testing, compaction, bearing capacity for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Pavement Materials and Testing
Year 1Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on pavement materials including aggregates, bitumen for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Highway Geometric Design and Drainage
Year 1Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on highway alignment design, horizontal and vertical curves for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Road Construction Methods and Project Management
Year 2Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit on road construction processes, equipment, earthworks for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Traffic Engineering and Road Safety
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
Unit on traffic flow theory, road safety audits, signage, markings for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Road Maintenance, Quality Control and Industrial Attachment
Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore
Core unit on road maintenance strategies, quality assurance systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Road Design and Construction
Highway geometric design, pavement design, and supervision of road construction projects, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Pavement Materials Testing
Laboratory testing of soil, aggregate, bitumen, and concrete for road construction quality control, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation
Planning and implementing road maintenance, resurfacing, and rehabilitation programmes, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Traffic Engineering
Traffic flow analysis, road safety audits, and traffic management system design, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
A day as a student
A typical day combines theory lectures on highway design, pavement materials, or traffic engineering with practical laboratory sessions testing soil, aggregate, and bitumen samples. Students practise surveying using total stations and GPS equipment, and participate in site visits to active road construction projects. Industrial attachment on road construction sites provides hands-on experience.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's continuous investment in road infrastructure creates sustained high demand for highway engineering technologists. | Field work and construction site attachment can be physically demanding and may involve remote locations. |
| Specialised training at KIHBT, the national centre of excellence for roads and infrastructure training. | Limited to road infrastructure sector, which is less versatile than a general civil engineering diploma. |
| Opportunities with multiple road agencies including KeNHA, KURA, and KeRRA, plus private construction companies. | — |
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
KIHBT 60.4K Y1, TVET std 67,189/yr public (kihbt.ac.ke). Private: unverified.
Students are eligible for HELB TVET loans (up to KSH 40,000), government capitation (KSH 30,000/year), and county bursaries.
Funding options
HELB TVET Loan
Government TVET Capitation (KSH 30,000/year)
County Government Bursaries
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited TVET programmes.
Government TVET Capitation
GrantKsh 30,000Kenyan
All KUCCPS-placed students in public TVET institutions.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Needy students from respective counties.
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
Level 5 Certificate in Civil Engineering, Building Technology, or related field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 5 institutionsIncluding Nyeri National Polytechnic, Kabete National Polytechnic, Kisii National Polytechnic.
Including Nyeri National Polytechnic, Kabete National Polytechnic, Kisii National Polytechnic.
Including Nyeri National Polytechnic, Kabete National Polytechnic, Kisii National Polytechnic.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCDACC Written Assessment
Examination40% of the mark
Written theory examinations administered by TVET CDACC at the end of each unit of competency.
Practical and Laboratory Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical demonstrations of surveying, materials testing, and road construction techniques.
Industrial Attachment and Project
Coursework20% of the mark
Supervised industrial attachment on a road construction site and a final project report.
Accreditation
TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory body for CBET curriculum development, assessment and certification of highway engineering programme.
Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC)
Academic accreditationRequired
Examines the diploma programme at KIHBT alongside CDACC certification.
Accredited by the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC) under the CBET framework at Level 6. The programme is also examined by KNEC and listed on KUCCPS.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesHighway Engineering Technician
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 85,000
Assists in highway design, construction supervision, and quality control for road infrastructure projects.
Road Construction Supervisor
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 95,000
Supervises road construction activities on site, ensuring compliance with design specifications and quality standards.
Materials Testing Technician
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 75,000
Tests soil, aggregate, bitumen, and concrete samples in laboratory or field settings for road construction quality control.
Road Maintenance Officer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000
Plans and implements road maintenance and rehabilitation programmes for road agencies or county governments.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as highway engineering technicians, road construction supervisors, and materials testing technicians with road agencies and construction companies.
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
Materials Testing Equipment
Laboratory equipmentPrimary
Compaction moulds, CBR testing machines, bitumen testing equipment, and concrete testing apparatus.
Highway Design Software
Software
Computer-aided design software for highway geometric design and pavement analysis.
Surveying Equipment
Field equipmentPrimary
Total stations, GPS receivers, levels, and theodolites for highway surveying and setting out.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Highway engineering is the same as civil engineering.
While related, highway engineering specialises in road infrastructure design, construction, and maintenance, while civil engineering covers a broader range including buildings, water systems, and structures.
Highway engineering graduates only work on highways.
Graduates work on all types of roads including urban roads, rural access roads, airport runways, and parking areas, as well as in materials testing laboratories.
Road construction jobs are declining in Kenya.
Kenya continues to invest heavily in road infrastructure expansion and maintenance, with ongoing projects under KeNHA, KURA, and KeRRA creating sustained demand.
Highway engineering is only for men.
The field is open to all genders, and there are increasing initiatives to encourage women to pursue engineering careers in Kenya.