Engineering

Diploma in Mechatronics

The Diploma in Mechatronics is a KUCCPS-listed programme (Engineering, Technology & Related cluster) that trains technicians in the interdisciplinary combination of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering used in modern automated systems.

Students study mechanical systems, electronics and control systems, robotics and automation basics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and industrial maintenance, building competence to work with automated machinery and production systems. Skills RequiredMechanical SystemsElectronics and Control SystemsRobotics and Automation BasicsProgrammable Logic Controllers (PLCs)Industrial MaintenanceKey SubjectsMechanical SystemsElectronics and Control SystemsRobotics and AutomationProgrammable Logic Controllers (PLCs)Industrial MaintenanceCertificationsEngineers Board of Kenya (EBK) Technician RegistrationSpecializationsIndustrial AutomationFocus on automated production line systems and PLCs. RoboticsFocus on robotic systems design, operation, and maintenance. Skills RequiredElectronics and Control SystemsIndustrial MaintenanceMechanical SystemsProgrammable Logic Controllers (PLCs)Robotics and Automation BasicsKey SubjectsMechanical SystemsElectronics and Control SystemsRobotics and AutomationProgrammable Logic Controllers (PLCs)Industrial MaintenanceResearch MethodsCertificationsKenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) CertificationSpecializationsIndustrial AutomationFocus on automated production line systems and PLCs. RoboticsFocus on robotic systems design, operation, and maintenance.

As Kenyan manufacturing and processing industries adopt more automation, demand has grown for technicians who can install, maintain, and troubleshoot mechatronic and automated systems.

Training combines classroom engineering theory with hands-on workshop practicals on automated systems, robotics, and PLCs, plus a supervised industrial attachment at a manufacturing or automation company.

Graduates work as mechatronics/automation technicians, industrial maintenance technicians, and robotics support staff for manufacturing, processing, and engineering companies, with progression into Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechatronic Engineering.

The programme suits students with strong mathematics and physics grades who want a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary technical career at the intersection of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.

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

6 subjects

Mechanical Systems
Electronics and Control Systems
Robotics and Automation
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Industrial Maintenance
Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

Mechanical Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of mechanical systems used in automated machinery for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Electronics and Control Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Electronic and control principles applied to automated systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Pneumatics and Hydraulics
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
Pneumatic and hydraulic systems as applied to mechatronics principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Programmable Logic Controllers
Year 2Semester 14 creditsCore
PLC programming and automation as applied to mechatronics principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Programming and applying PLCs in industrial automation for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Robotics and Automation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of robotic systems and automated production for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Robotics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Robotics and automated systems as applied to mechatronics principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Trade Project
Year 3Semester 14 creditsCore
Practical mechatronics project demonstrating competency and integrating skills across all course modules and units.
Industrial Maintenance
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Maintenance and troubleshooting of automated industrial systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Industrial Attachment / Project
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised placement at a manufacturing or automation company for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Industrial Automation
Focus on automated production line systems and PLCs, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Robotics
Focus on robotic systems design, operation, and maintenance, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
PLC Programming and Control
Focus on programmable logic controller programming, industrial control system design, HMI development, and automation integration within Kenyan manufacturing.
Sensor and Actuator Systems
Focus on industrial sensors, actuators, transducers, signal conditioning, and measurement systems for mechatronics applications in Kenyan industries.

A day as a student

Mornings typically cover mechanical and control systems theory, while afternoons are spent in workshops programming PLCs, assembling automated systems, and troubleshooting robotics equipment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Positions graduates at the leading edge of Kenya's growing industrial automation adoption.
Interdisciplinary skill set (mechanical, electrical, control) is highly versatile.

Against it

Requires strong mathematics and physics grades, a higher bar than many other diplomas.
The specialised job market is still developing in Kenya relative to more established engineering fields.

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 121k

67k at Public TVET colleges121k 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

TVET 67K, Meru 75K, TUK 121K/yr (northeasternpoly.ac.ke, tvet.must.ac.ke, tukenya.ac.ke).

Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; manufacturing and automation companies occasionally sponsor students for attachment and 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 recorded

County 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.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: A craft certificate in a relevant engineering field from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests across mechatronics theory units.
Workshop Practicals
Coursework20% of the mark
Hands-on PLC programming and automation assembly assessments.
Final Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
End-of-semester written and practical examinations.

Accreditation

KUCCPS-listed diploma (Engineering, Technology & Related cluster); examined by KNEC at most public TVET colleges.

Accredited by

Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised under Kenya's TVET qualifications framework.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Automation Engineer
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Designs, programs, and maintains industrial automation systems including PLCs, robotics, and control systems for manufacturing industries in Kenya.
Mechatronics/Automation Technician
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 50,000
Installs and maintains automated systems for a manufacturing or processing company.
Industrial Maintenance Technician
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 48,000
Maintains and troubleshoots industrial machinery and automated equipment.
Robotics Support Technician
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 50,000
Supports installation and maintenance of robotic systems for a company.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as mechatronics/automation technicians, industrial maintenance technicians, and robotics support staff.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Arduino
Microcontroller platformPrimary
Open-source microcontroller platform for prototyping mechatronic systems, robotics, and automation projects.
PLC Trainer (Siemens)
Industrial automationPrimary
Programmable Logic Controller training kit for industrial automation, sequencing, and control system programming.
MATLAB/Simulink
Simulation software
Numerical computing and simulation software for modelling mechatronic and control systems.
AutoCAD
Design software
Computer-aided design software for mechanical drawings, component design, and assembly layouts.
Multimeter and Oscilloscope
Test equipment
Electronic test instruments for measuring and debugging circuits in mechatronic systems.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mechatronics is just mechanical engineering with a new name.
It specifically integrates mechanical, electrical, and computer/control engineering for automated systems, distinct from standalone mechanical engineering.
Robots and automation aren't relevant to Kenyan industry yet.
Manufacturing, processing, and increasingly agriculture in Kenya are adopting automation, creating real demand for mechatronics-trained technicians.