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.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 121,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 363,000 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 25 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Overhead Transmission Technician, at 10 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
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.
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 programmeMechanical 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 | Against it |
|---|---|
| Positions graduates at the leading edge of Kenya's growing industrial automation adoption. | Requires strong mathematics and physics grades, a higher bar than many other diplomas. |
| Interdisciplinary skill set (mechanical, electrical, control) is highly versatile. | 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 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, 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 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 a relevant engineering field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 25 institutionsIncluding Meru University of Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya, Sigalagala National Polytechnic.
Including Meru University of Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya, Sigalagala National Polytechnic.
Including Meru University of Science and Technology, Technical University of Kenya, Sigalagala National Polytechnic.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous 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
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 rolesAutomation 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- Overhead Transmission TechnicianEngineering10Low exposure
- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Desalination Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- District Cooling EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- HighVoltage Substation EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Hydrogen Systems EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Microgrid Control EngineerEngineering14Low exposure
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.