Engineering

Master of Architecture

The Master of Architecture at the University of Nairobi is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced education and training in architectural design, research, and specialised areas of architectural practice. The programme prepares graduates for advanced architectural practice, research, academia, and specialised consultancy in the built environment.

The curriculum covers applied design studio, theory of design, research methods, human settlements, human factors in environmental design, urban design, sustainable architecture, building technology, and architectural thesis. Students develop advanced design skills through studio projects and research capabilities through thesis work in their selected area of specialisation.

Admission requires a first degree in Architecture with at least an Upper Second Class standing from the University of Nairobi or any recognised university. Holders of a Lower Second Class Honours with a relevant postgraduate diploma or at least two years of relevant work experience, and holders of a Pass degree with credit in a relevant postgraduate diploma or at least four years of experience, may also be considered.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered through the Department of Architecture at the University of Nairobi. The programme comprises coursework, studio projects, examination, and thesis over a minimum of four semesters, offered full-time, part-time, and through open, distance and electronic learning (ODeL).

Career prospects include roles in advanced architectural practice, urban design, architectural research, academia, heritage conservation, sustainable design consultancy, and construction project management. Graduates work in architectural firms, government planning departments, research institutions, universities, and international built environment organisations.

The programme addresses Kenya's need for advanced architectural expertise in managing rapid urbanisation, sustainable development, heritage conservation, and climate-responsive design. With growing complexity in the built environment and increasing emphasis on sustainable, human-centred design, demand for architects with advanced specialisation continues to grow across public and private sectors.

Skills Required

Advanced architectural design
Architectural research methodology
Urban design and planning
Sustainable architecture
Building technology and materials
Human factors in environmental design
Architectural theory and criticism
Heritage conservation
Construction project management
Digital design and modelling

Key Subjects

Applied Design Studio
Theory of Design
Research Methods in Architecture
Human Settlements
Human Factors in Environmental Design
Urban Design
Sustainable Architecture
Building Technology
Architectural Heritage
Digital Design

Certifications

Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS) Registration
Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) Membership
International Union of Architects (UIA) Membership
LEED Green Associate Certification

Specializations

Urban Design

Focuses on the design of urban spaces, public realm, and the relationship between buildings and their urban context.

Sustainable Architecture

Examines green building design, energy-efficient architecture, climate-responsive design, and sustainable construction practices.

Architectural Heritage Conservation

Covers conservation of historic buildings, heritage management, and adaptive reuse of architectural heritage.

Housing and Human Settlements

Focuses on housing design, settlement planning, and addressing housing challenges in urban and rural contexts.

Building Technology

Examines advanced building technologies, construction methods, materials innovation, and building performance optimisation.

Digital Architecture

Covers computational design, BIM, parametric design, and digital fabrication in architectural practice.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 583,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Online
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Applied Design Studio
Theory of Design
Research Methods in Architecture
Human Settlements
Human Factors in Environmental Design
Urban Design
Sustainable Architecture
Building Technology
Architectural Heritage
Digital Design

Modules

11 in the programme

Introductory to Applied Design Studio
Year 1Semester 19 creditsCore
Advanced design studio focusing on architectural design projects of increasing scale and complexity, developing design skills through studio-based project work.
Theory of Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced theoretical frameworks for architectural design, including contemporary design theories, critical theory, and architectural philosophy.
Research Methods in Architecture
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methodology for architectural research, including qualitative and quantitative methods, case study research, and academic writing.
Human Settlements
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of human settlements, including settlement patterns, urbanisation, housing, and planning issues in developing countries.
The Human Factor in Environmental Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examination of human factors, ergonomics, environmental psychology, and user-centred design in architectural and environmental design.
Advanced Design Studio (Specialisation)
Year 1Semester 29 creditsCore
Specialised design studio in the student's chosen area of specialisation, developing advanced design projects with faculty guidance.
Urban Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and practice of urban design, including public realm design, urban morphology, and the relationship between buildings and urban spaces.
Sustainable Architecture
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Sustainable design principles, green building strategies, climate-responsive design, and environmental performance of buildings.
Building Technology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Advanced building technologies, construction methods, materials innovation, and building performance optimisation.
Architectural Heritage Conservation
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Conservation of historic buildings, heritage management, adaptive reuse, and preservation of architectural heritage.
Thesis / Research Project
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research thesis on an architectural topic in the student's area of specialisation, conducted under faculty supervision and assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Urban Design
Focuses on the design of urban spaces, public realm, and the relationship between buildings and their urban context.
Sustainable Architecture
Examines green building design, energy-efficient architecture, climate-responsive design, and sustainable construction practices.
Architectural Heritage Conservation
Covers conservation of historic buildings, heritage management, and adaptive reuse of architectural heritage.
Housing and Human Settlements
Focuses on housing design, settlement planning, and addressing housing challenges in urban and rural contexts.
Building Technology
Examines advanced building technologies, construction methods, materials innovation, and building performance optimisation.
Digital Architecture
Covers computational design, BIM, parametric design, and digital fabrication in architectural practice.

A day as a student

A typical day centres on the design studio, the core of architectural education. Mornings involve lectures on theory of design, human settlements, or building technology, followed by studio design sessions where students work on architectural projects of increasing scale and complexity. Afternoons include research methodology sessions, seminars on contemporary architectural issues, or digital design workshops. Students spend significant time in the studio developing design portfolios, producing physical and digital models, and refining architectural drawings. Critique sessions with faculty and visiting architects provide feedback on design work. Independent research, thesis preparation, and site visits to significant architectural projects occupy the second year, with access to the department's design studios, model-making workshops, and digital fabrication facilities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Offered at Kenya's premier architecture department with established faculty and studio facilities.
Multiple study modes including full-time, part-time, and ODeL accommodate working professionals.
Studio-based learning provides practical design experience alongside theoretical study.
Strong career prospects in Kenya's growing construction and urban development sectors.

Against it

Only offered at one institution, limiting choice for prospective students.
Programme cost of KES 1,142,000 total is relatively high for a public university programme.
Studio-based learning requires significant time commitment beyond scheduled classes.
Requires an architecture undergraduate degree, limiting eligibility to relevant degree holders.

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

Public280k to 583k

280k at Technical University of Kenya583k at University of Nairobi

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

UoN 559,000-583,000/yr verified. TUK ~280,000. Private unverified.

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students. The University of Nairobi may offer institutional graduate scholarships based on academic merit. The AAK may provide professional development grants for continuing architectural education.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UoN Graduate Scholarships
AAK Professional Development Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities. Applicants must meet HELB eligibility criteria.
UoN Graduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 583,000Kenyan
The University of Nairobi may offer institutional graduate scholarships based on academic merit. Contact the School of Graduate Studies for details.
AAK Professional Development Grant
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
The Architectural Association of Kenya may provide professional development grants for continuing architectural education and research.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: Holders of a Pass degree in Architecture with credit pass in a relevant Postgraduate Diploma or at least four years of relevant work experience may also be considered. The programme is offered full-time, part-time, and through ODeL over a minimum of four semesters (two years) at the University of Nairobi, Department of Architecture.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Ongoing assessment through design studio projects, portfolio reviews, seminar presentations, research papers, and technical assignments throughout each semester.
End-of-Semester Examination
Examination60% of the mark
Written examination conducted at the end of each semester for theoretical course units.
Studio Portfolio Assessment
Practical50% of the mark
Assessment of design studio work through portfolio submission, design critique sessions, and presentation of architectural projects to faculty and external reviewers.
Thesis / Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research thesis on an architectural topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya's statutory body for university quality assurance. The University of Nairobi is a CUE-accredited public university. Graduates may pursue professional registration with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation required for all university programmes in Kenya. The University of Nairobi is a CUE-accredited public university.
Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors (BORAQS)
Professional registration
Statutory body for registration of architects in Kenya. Graduates may pursue professional architect registration with BORAQS after meeting requisite experience requirements.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Senior Architect
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 450,000
Leads architectural design projects, manages design teams, and oversees complex building projects for architectural firms and construction companies.
Urban Designer
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 380,000
Designs urban spaces, public realm projects, and master plans for government, developers, and urban planning consultancies.
University Lecturer in Architecture
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 300,000
Teaches architecture courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, conducts research, and supervises design studios and thesis projects.
Heritage Conservation Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 320,000
Provides consultancy on heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, and restoration of historic buildings for government and private sector.
Sustainable Design Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 350,000
Advises on green building design, energy efficiency, and sustainable construction practices for architectural firms and development organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in advanced architectural practice, urban design, research, academia, heritage conservation, sustainable design consultancy, and construction project management across architectural firms, government, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

AutoCAD
Design softwarePrimary
Industry-standard CAD software for architectural drawing, 2D drafting, and construction documentation.
Revit
Bim softwarePrimary
Building Information Modelling software for 3D architectural design, structural engineering, and construction documentation.
Rhino
3d modelling software
3D modelling software for architectural design, parametric modelling, and complex geometric form generation.
SketchUp
3d modelling software
3D modelling software for conceptual architectural design, presentation models, and rapid design visualisation.
Adobe Creative Suite
Design software
Design software suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign for architectural presentation, visualisation, and portfolio production.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Architecture is just about drawing buildings.
Architecture encompasses design, engineering, social science, environmental studies, technology, and research, addressing complex human and environmental needs.
A master's in architecture is redundant after a bachelor's.
The master's programme provides advanced specialisation, research skills, and expertise in specific areas not covered in undergraduate education.
Architects only work in private practice.
Architects work in government, academia, research institutions, international organisations, construction companies, and consultancy firms, not only private practice.
Sustainable architecture is too expensive for Kenya.
Sustainable architecture often uses local materials and passive design strategies that are cost-effective and appropriate for Kenyan climates.
Digital architecture replaces traditional design skills.
Digital tools enhance but do not replace fundamental design thinking, spatial reasoning, and understanding of human-environment relationships.
Heritage conservation prevents development.
Heritage conservation integrates historic preservation with adaptive reuse, contributing to cultural identity and economic value through heritage tourism.