Diploma in Petroleum and Geoscience
The Diploma in Petroleum and Geoscience is a KUCCPS-listed programme (Natural Sciences & Related cluster) that trains technicians to support oil, gas, and mineral exploration through geological and petroleum science fundamentals.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, 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 3 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 6 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 geology basics, petroleum exploration techniques, well logging, sedimentology, and petroleum economics, building foundational competence for Kenya's developing oil and gas sector. Skills RequiredGeology FundamentalsPetroleum Exploration TechniquesWell LoggingSedimentologyRock and Mineral AnalysisKey SubjectsGeology FundamentalsPetroleum ExplorationWell LoggingSedimentologyPetroleum EconomicsCertificationsKenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) RecognitionSpecializationsPetroleum ExplorationFocus on techniques for locating and assessing oil and gas reserves. Mineral ExplorationFocus on geoscience techniques applied to mineral and mining exploration.
Kenya's oil discoveries in Turkana and ongoing exploration activity have created a small but growing need for technicians trained in petroleum geoscience fundamentals, alongside established mineral exploration needs.
Training combines classroom geoscience theory with laboratory rock and mineral analysis practicals, plus a supervised industrial attachment with an exploration or energy company.
Graduates work as junior geoscience technicians, exploration support staff, and laboratory technicians for petroleum and mining companies, with progression into Bachelor of Science degrees in Geology or Petroleum Engineering.
The programme suits students with strong geography, chemistry, and physics grades interested in earth sciences and the energy/extractive sector.
What you study
6 subjects- Geology Fundamentals
- Petroleum Exploration
- Well Logging
- Sedimentology
- Petroleum Economics
- Research Methods
Modules
10 in the programmePetroleum Exploration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques and processes for locating petroleum reserves for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Petroleum Geology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Geology of petroleum systems including site investigation, soil testing, foundation design, and ground improvement techniques.
Sedimentology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Sedimentary rocks and processes as applied to petroleum and geoscience principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Geology Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Basic geological principles, rock types, and formations for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Sedimentology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of sedimentary rocks and depositional environments for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Well Logging
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Well log interpretation as applied to petroleum and geoscience principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Well Logging
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Techniques for recording and interpreting well data for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Petroleum Exploration
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Exploration techniques and methods as applied to petroleum and geoscience principles, practices, and professional competency requirements.
Petroleum Economics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Economic principles applied to petroleum exploration and production for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Supervised placement with an exploration or energy company for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Specialisations
Petroleum Exploration
Focus on techniques for locating and assessing oil and gas reserves, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Mineral Exploration
Focus on geoscience techniques applied to mineral and mining exploration, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Well Logging and Formation Evaluation
Focus on well log interpretation, formation evaluation, petrophysical analysis, and reservoir characterisation within Kenyan petroleum exploration contexts.
Drilling Operations Support
Focus on drilling fundamentals, rig operations, drilling fluids, and well construction support within Kenyan petroleum drilling operations.
A day as a student
Days combine geoscience theory with laboratory practicals analysing rock and mineral samples, plus occasional field trips to exploration or mining sites where accessible.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Positions graduates for Kenya's developing oil, gas, and mining sectors. | The petroleum sector job market in Kenya is currently small given the early stage of commercial oil production. |
| Transferable geoscience skills applicable beyond petroleum, including mining and environmental geology. | Fewer institutions offer this specialised diploma, limiting options and intake capacity. |
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
Kabete 34,670/yr, TVET 67,189/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com). Private: unverified.
Students can access HELB loans and county bursaries; petroleum and mining companies occasionally sponsor students for attachment placements.
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 recordedHELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited diploma programmes.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Bursaries for needy students from their 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
A relevant certificate in geoscience or a related field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 6 institutionsIncluding Eldoret Polytechnic, Kitale National Polytechnic Trans Nzoia County, Kisumu Polytechnic.
Including Eldoret Polytechnic, Kitale National Polytechnic Trans Nzoia County, Kisumu Polytechnic.
Including Eldoret Polytechnic, Kitale National Polytechnic Trans Nzoia County, Kisumu Polytechnic.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Tests across geoscience theory units.
Laboratory Practicals
Coursework20% of the mark
Assessed rock and mineral analysis exercises.
Final Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations.
Accreditation
Kenya National Qualifications Authority
Qualification recognitionRequired
Recognised under Kenya's TVET qualifications framework.
KUCCPS-listed diploma (Natural Sciences & Related cluster); examined by KNEC at most offering institutions.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesJunior Geoscience Technician
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Supports geological data collection and analysis for an exploration company.
Exploration Support Staff
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 48,000
Supports field exploration activities for a petroleum or mining company.
Laboratory Technician (Geoscience)
Low demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 42,000
Analyses rock and mineral samples in a geoscience laboratory.
Well Site Geologist
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 90,000
Analises rock cuttings, monitors drilling parameters, and provides geological support during drilling operations in Kenyan petroleum exploration.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as junior geoscience technicians, exploration support staff, and laboratory technicians for petroleum and mining 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
Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Productivity suite for documentation, reports, and presentations.
Microsoft Excel
Productivity
Data analysis, calculations, and project planning.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Kenya's oil and gas sector already employs large numbers of technicians.
Commercial oil production in Kenya remains at an early stage, so the job market for petroleum geoscience technicians is currently small, though growing.
This diploma only applies to oil exploration.
Geoscience skills learned also apply to mineral and mining exploration, a more established sector in Kenya.