Engineering

Master of Arts in Construction Management

The Master of Arts in Construction Management at the University of Nairobi is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced training in the management of construction projects and organisations. The programme integrates knowledge from management, law, economics, and technology to equip graduates with the skills to manage construction industry challenges effectively and profitably.

The curriculum covers construction project management, construction economics, construction law and contracts, building technology, quality management, research methods, and strategic management of construction enterprises. Students develop expertise in the nine knowledge areas of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) as applied to construction, enabling them to make rational decisions in complex construction situations.

Admission requires a minimum of an Upper Second Class Honours degree in a relevant discipline from the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification from a recognised institution. Persons with lower qualifications but with publications and postgraduate diplomas after a bachelor's degree may also be considered. The programme is offered on a part-time basis over two years, covering four semesters.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered through the Department of Real Estate, Construction Management and Quantity Surveying within the Faculty of the Built Environment and Design. The University of Nairobi is Kenya's premier public university, located in Nairobi, the hub of Kenya's construction industry.

Career prospects include roles in construction project management, construction consultancy, quantity surveying, contract administration, construction economics, and real estate development. Graduates work in construction firms, consulting practices, government agencies, real estate companies, and international development organisations.

The programme addresses the growing complexity of construction projects in Kenya and East Africa, where infrastructure development, urbanisation, and commercial construction are expanding rapidly. The construction industry requires skilled managers who can integrate technical knowledge with management expertise to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.

Skills Required

Construction project management
Construction economics and cost control
Contract law and administration
Building technology and methods
Quality management in construction
PMBOK knowledge areas application
Construction risk management
Strategic management of construction enterprises
Construction research methods
Project planning and scheduling

Key Subjects

Construction Project Management
Construction Economics
Construction Law and Contracts
Building Technology and Methods
Quality Management in Construction
Research Methods in Construction
Strategic Management of Construction Enterprises
Construction Risk Management
Project Planning and Scheduling
Construction Procurement

Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
RICS Chartered Surveyor Certification
National Construction Authority (NCA) Registration
Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) Membership

Specializations

Construction Project Management

Focuses on managing construction projects using PMBOK frameworks, covering scope, time, cost, quality, and risk management in construction contexts.

Construction Economics

Examines economic principles applied to construction, including cost estimation, life-cycle costing, investment appraisal, and construction market analysis.

Construction Law and Contracts

Covers legal frameworks governing construction projects, including contract law, dispute resolution, procurement law, and construction claims management.

Building Technology and Methods

Explores advanced construction methods, building systems, innovative technologies, and sustainable construction practices.

Quality and Safety Management

Addresses quality assurance, quality control, and occupational health and safety management in construction projects.

Construction Enterprise Management

Focuses on strategic management of construction firms, including business planning, financial management, and organisational development.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 178,500
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Construction Project Management
Construction Economics
Construction Law and Contracts
Building Technology and Methods
Quality Management in Construction
Research Methods in Construction
Strategic Management of Construction Enterprises
Construction Risk Management
Project Planning and Scheduling
Construction Procurement

Modules

11 in the programme

Construction Project Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and practices of construction project management using PMBOK frameworks, covering scope, time, cost, quality, and integration management.
Construction Economics
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Economic principles applied to construction, including cost estimation, life-cycle costing, investment appraisal, and construction market analysis.
Construction Law and Contracts
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Legal frameworks governing construction projects, including contract law, procurement law, dispute resolution, and construction claims management.
Building Technology and Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced construction methods, building systems, innovative technologies, and sustainable construction practices.
Research Methods in Construction
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Quantitative and qualitative research methods for construction management research, including research design, data collection, and analysis.
Construction Risk Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Identification, assessment, and management of risks in construction projects, including risk allocation, insurance, and contingency planning.
Quality Management in Construction
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Quality assurance and quality control systems in construction, including ISO standards, quality management frameworks, and performance assessment.
Construction Procurement
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Procurement strategies and methods for construction projects, including tendering processes, procurement law, and supplier management.
Strategic Management of Construction Enterprises
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Strategic management principles for construction firms, including business planning, competitive strategy, and organisational development.
Project Planning and Scheduling
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Advanced project planning and scheduling techniques, including critical path method, resource levelling, and project scheduling software.
Research Project
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research project on a construction management topic, conducted under faculty supervision and assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Construction Project Management
Focuses on managing construction projects using PMBOK frameworks, covering scope, time, cost, quality, and risk management in construction contexts.
Construction Economics
Examines economic principles applied to construction, including cost estimation, life-cycle costing, investment appraisal, and construction market analysis.
Construction Law and Contracts
Covers legal frameworks governing construction projects, including contract law, dispute resolution, procurement law, and construction claims management.
Building Technology and Methods
Explores advanced construction methods, building systems, innovative technologies, and sustainable construction practices.
Quality and Safety Management
Addresses quality assurance, quality control, and occupational health and safety management in construction projects.
Construction Enterprise Management
Focuses on strategic management of construction firms, including business planning, financial management, and organisational development.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with evening lectures on construction project management, construction economics, or contract law, as the programme runs on a part-time basis. Lectures cover PMBOK knowledge areas, construction technology, and strategic management principles. Seminars involve case study analysis of real construction projects, contract dispute resolution exercises, and cost estimation workshops. Weekend sessions may include field excursions to construction sites and guest lectures from industry practitioners. Independent reading, assignment preparation, and research project development occupy significant time between classes, with regular consultations with faculty supervisors for the research project component.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at Kenya's premier university, located in Nairobi which is the hub of Kenya's construction industry.
Part-time format designed for working professionals, allowing students to apply learning directly to their construction industry roles.
High demand for construction management professionals driven by Kenya's infrastructure development and urbanisation.
Comprehensive curriculum integrating management, law, economics, and technology following PMBOK standards.

Against it

Only offered at one institution, limiting choice for prospective students.
Part-time only mode may not suit those seeking full-time intensive study.
Programme cost of KES 339,000 may be significant for some students, though competitive for a specialised master's.
Limited scholarship opportunities specifically for construction management at the postgraduate level.

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

Public170k to 179k

170k at University of Nairobi179k 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

UoN 178,500/yr (Y1) verified, avg 169,500. TUK, private unverified.

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students at public universities. The National Construction Authority may provide training grants for construction professionals. UoN may offer institution-specific financial aid for qualifying postgraduate students.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University of Nairobi Graduate Scholarships
NCA Training Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities. Applicants must meet HELB eligibility criteria.
NCA Training Grant
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Construction professionals seeking advanced training, supported by the National Construction Authority's capacity building initiatives.
University of Nairobi Graduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
Qualifying postgraduate students at UoN based on academic merit and financial need.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is open to graduates from built environment disciplines including construction management, quantity surveying, architecture, engineering, real estate, and related fields. Relevant professional experience in the construction industry may be considered. The programme is offered on a part-time basis over two years.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Ongoing assessment through assignments, case study analyses, project management exercises, and seminar presentations throughout each semester.
End-of-Semester Examination
Examination60% of the mark
Written examination conducted at the end of each semester for each course unit.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on a construction management topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence at the end of the second year.
Field Excursion Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Assessment based on field visits to construction sites, including site analysis reports and practical observation exercises.

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.

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.
National Construction Authority (NCA)
Professional registration
Kenyan government body regulating the construction industry. Graduates working as construction managers should register with NCA for professional practice.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Construction Project Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages construction projects from inception to completion, overseeing scope, time, cost, quality, and risk management for construction firms and developers.
Construction Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 300,000
Provides advisory services on construction project management, contract administration, and construction economics for consulting firms and clients.
Contract Administrator
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Manages construction contracts, oversees compliance with contractual terms, handles claims and disputes, and ensures project delivery within legal frameworks.
Construction Economist
Moderate demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 280,000
Provides cost analysis, investment appraisal, and economic advisory services for construction projects and real estate developments.
Construction Firm Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 400,000
Manages construction companies, overseeing business operations, strategic planning, project portfolios, and organisational development.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in construction project management, construction consultancy, quantity surveying, contract administration, and construction economics across construction firms, consulting practices, and government agencies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Project
Project managementPrimary
Project management software for construction project planning, scheduling, resource management, and progress tracking.
Primavera P6
Project managementPrimary
Enterprise project portfolio management software widely used in construction for scheduling, resource management, and project control.
AutoCAD
Design software
Computer-aided design software for construction drawings, plans, and technical documentation.
SPSS
Research software
Statistical analysis software for construction management research, survey data analysis, and project performance evaluation.
Excel
Cost management
Spreadsheet software for cost estimation, budgeting, cash flow analysis, and financial modelling in construction projects.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Construction management is just about building houses.
The programme covers complex commercial, industrial, and infrastructure construction projects, integrating management, law, economics, and technology.
You need to be an architect or engineer to study construction management.
The programme is open to graduates from various built environment disciplines including quantity surveying, real estate, architecture, engineering, and construction management.
Construction management has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's booming construction sector, infrastructure development, and urbanisation create strong demand for qualified construction management professionals.
The part-time format is less rigorous than full-time study.
The part-time programme delivers the same curriculum and assessment standards as full-time study, designed for working professionals in the construction industry.
Construction management is only for those already working in construction.
While many students are industry professionals, the programme is open to all qualified graduates seeking to enter or advance in the construction management field.
The programme focuses only on technical construction skills.
The programme integrates management, law, economics, and technology, developing well-rounded professionals capable of strategic decision-making in construction.