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Engineering

Master of Science in Engineering Systems and Management

<p>The Master of Science in Engineering Systems and Management is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in engineering systems analysis, engineering management, and systems engineering. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in engineering management, systems analysis, project management, and engineering leadership.

Duration
2 years
Next intake January 2027
Public tuition
Ksh 291,000
Ksh 582,000 total
Job market
High
Market demand for graduates

The short answer

What it costs
Up to Ksh 291,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 582,000 for the whole course.The detail
Who can get in
A KCSE mean grade of N/A (Postgraduate) or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
How long, and when
Takes 2 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
Where it leads
8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Early Childhood Strategist, at 10 out of 100.The detail

The programme

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

Overview

Core areas include engineering systems analysis, engineering management, systems engineering, project management, operations management, quality management, engineering economics, risk management, systems optimisation, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical engineering management applications.

The programme is offered by Moi University, Chuka University, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, with Egerton University as a college. Egerton offers the programme through its Faculty of Engineering. Moi University offers through its School of Engineering. JOOUST offers through its engineering programmes.

Students develop competencies in systems analysis, engineering management, project planning, operations management, quality systems, engineering economics, risk assessment, and research. The programme includes coursework, case studies, examinations, supervised research, and thesis or project work.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study modes. Moi University requires Second Class Honours Upper Division in relevant degree, or Lower Second with two years experience. Moi University application fee is KES 2,000 for masters.

Graduates pursue careers as engineering managers, systems engineers, project managers, operations managers, quality managers, and lecturers in engineering firms, manufacturing companies, construction companies, government agencies, and universities.

Skills Required

  • Engineering Systems Analysis and Design
  • Engineering Project Management
  • Operations Management and Optimisation
  • Quality Management Systems
  • Engineering Economics and Cost Analysis
  • Risk Management and Assessment
  • Systems Engineering and Integration
  • Engineering Leadership and Decision Making
  • Supply Chain and Logistics Management
  • Engineering Systems Research Methods

Key Subjects

  • Engineering Systems Analysis
  • Engineering Management
  • Systems Engineering
  • Project Management
  • Operations Management
  • Quality Management
  • Engineering Economics
  • Risk Management
  • Systems Optimisation
  • Engineering Research Methods

Certifications

  • ECK Professional Registration
  • INCOSE Systems Engineering Certification

Specializations

Engineering Management

Focuses on engineering management, managing engineering teams, engineering operations, engineering projects, and leading and managing engineering organisations.

Systems Engineering

Examines systems engineering, system design, system integration, system lifecycle, and designing and managing complex engineering systems.

Project Management

Covers project management, project planning, project execution, project monitoring, and managing engineering projects from initiation to completion.

Operations Management

Focuses on operations management, production management, process optimisation, lean manufacturing, and managing and optimising engineering operations.

Quality Management

Examines quality management, quality assurance, quality control, ISO standards, Six Sigma, and managing and ensuring quality in engineering systems.

Risk Management

Covers risk management, risk assessment, risk analysis, safety management, and identifying and managing risks in engineering systems and projects.

What you study

10 subjects
  • Engineering Systems Analysis
  • Engineering Management
  • Systems Engineering
  • Project Management
  • Operations Management
  • Quality Management
  • Engineering Economics
  • Risk Management
  • Systems Optimisation
  • Engineering Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

  • Engineering Systems Analysis

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines engineering systems analysis, system design, system integration, system lifecycle, and analysing and designing complex engineering systems.

  • Engineering Management Principles

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers engineering management, engineering leadership, team management, engineering organisations, and managing engineering teams and operations.

  • Systems Engineering

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines systems engineering, system requirements, system architecture, system verification, system lifecycle management, and designing and managing complex systems.

  • Project Management for Engineers

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers project management, project planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and managing engineering projects from initiation to completion.

  • Operations Management

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines operations management, production management, process optimisation, lean manufacturing, capacity planning, and managing and optimising engineering operations.

  • Quality Management Systems

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Covers quality management, quality assurance, quality control, ISO 9001, Six Sigma, total quality management, and managing quality in engineering systems.

  • Engineering Economics and Cost Analysis

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines engineering economics, cost analysis, investment appraisal, life cycle costing, economic analysis, and applying economics to engineering decisions.

  • Risk Management and Safety

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers risk management, risk identification, risk assessment, risk analysis, safety management, and managing risks in engineering systems and projects.

  • Systems Optimisation

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Examines systems optimisation, linear programming, optimisation models, decision analysis, and optimising engineering systems and processes.

  • Engineering Research Methods

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Covers research methods for engineering, experimental design, data analysis, and conducting engineering management research, preparing students for their thesis.

  • Supply Chain and Logistics Management

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Examines supply chain management, logistics, inventory management, procurement, supply chain design, and managing engineering supply chains.

  • Research Thesis

    Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore

    Original research thesis on an engineering systems and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and engineering management knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

  • Engineering Management

    Focuses on engineering management, managing engineering teams, engineering operations, engineering projects, and leading and managing engineering organisations.

  • Systems Engineering

    Examines systems engineering, system design, system integration, system lifecycle, and designing and managing complex engineering systems.

  • Project Management

    Covers project management, project planning, project execution, project monitoring, and managing engineering projects from initiation to completion.

  • Operations Management

    Focuses on operations management, production management, process optimisation, lean manufacturing, and managing and optimising engineering operations.

  • Quality Management

    Examines quality management, quality assurance, quality control, ISO standards, Six Sigma, and managing and ensuring quality in engineering systems.

  • Risk Management

    Covers risk management, risk assessment, risk analysis, safety management, and identifying and managing risks in engineering systems and projects.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Engineering Systems and Management programme begins with morning lectures on engineering systems analysis, project management, or operations management. Students engage in theoretical discussions on systems engineering, management principles, and engineering decision-making. Engineering systems sessions cover systems analysis, system design, system integration, system lifecycle, and analysing and designing engineering systems. Engineering management sessions examine engineering leadership, team management, engineering organisations, and managing engineering teams and operations. Systems engineering sessions cover system requirements, system architecture, system verification, and designing and managing complex systems. Project management sessions involve project planning, scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and managing engineering projects. Operations management sessions cover production management, process optimisation, lean manufacturing, capacity planning, and managing and optimising operations. Quality management sessions examine quality assurance, quality control, ISO 9001, Six Sigma, total quality management, and managing quality in engineering. Engineering economics sessions cover cost analysis, investment appraisal, life cycle costing, economic analysis, and applying economics to engineering decisions. Risk management sessions involve risk identification, risk assessment, risk analysis, safety management, and managing risks in engineering systems. Systems optimisation sessions cover linear programming, optimisation models, decision analysis, and optimising engineering systems and processes. Supply chain sessions examine logistics, inventory management, procurement, supply chain design, and managing engineering supply chains. Case studies provide real-world analysis of engineering management challenges, project failures, and best practices. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering engineering research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from engineering managers, ECK officials, INCOSE specialists, and industry professionals provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis or project.

The trade-offs

In its favourAgainst it
Kenya's infrastructure development, manufacturing growth, construction sector, and technology expansion create high demand for qualified engineering management professionals.Programme requires engineering or technical background, which may exclude graduates from non-technical fields.
Programme combines technical engineering knowledge with management skills, producing professionals who can bridge engineering and business.Limited number of institutions offering the programme may restrict geographic access for prospective students.
Career opportunities with engineering firms, manufacturing companies, construction companies, government agencies, and consulting firms.Programme may be confused with MBA, leading to misaligned career expectations for some students.
Programme covers comprehensive engineering management areas including systems engineering, project management, operations, and quality management.Fee structures could not be independently verified from all official websites, making cost planning challenging.

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
Public130k to 291k
130k at Chuka University291k 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

TUK ~291K/yr (eafinder). Chuka ~130K/yr (chuka.ac.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. IEK supports professional development for engineers. INCOSE provides research grants for systems engineering. PMI supports project management training. The programme's engineering management focus attracts industry and government funding.

Funding options

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

  • IEK Professional Development

  • INCOSE Research Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

  • HELB Postgraduate Loan

    LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate engineering management studies at recognised universities.

  • IEK Professional Development

    GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan

    Institution of Engineers of Kenya supports professional development for engineers, providing funding for training and research.

  • INCOSE Research Grants

    GrantKsh 300,000

    INCOSE provides research grants for systems engineering research, supporting training and research in systems engineering globally.

Scholarships you could apply for

2 usable where it is taught
Save one and be reminded before it closes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade
N/A (Postgraduate)minimum entry
Alternative entry

The programme accepts engineering, technology, applied sciences, and related graduates. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time options. Moi University requires Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Second with 2 years experience. Moi University application fee KES 2,000 for masters programmes.

When it next starts

Taught at 1 institution
January 20271 institution

Including Egerton University.

May 20271 institution

Including Egerton University.

September 20271 institution

Including Egerton University.

How you are assessed

4 components

  • Coursework and Assignments

    Coursework30% of the mark

    Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, engineering analysis projects, management exercises, and class participation.

  • Written Examinations

    Examination30% of the mark

    Written examinations covering engineering systems, management, project management, and operations management, conducted at end of each semester.

  • Case Studies and Projects

    Practical40% of the mark

    Assessment of case studies, engineering management projects, system design projects, project planning, and project presentations.

  • Research Thesis

    Research100% of the mark

    Original research thesis on an engineering systems and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and engineering management knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

  • Commission for University Education (CUE)

    Academic accreditationRequired

    Programme accredited by CUE. Egerton offers through its Faculty of Engineering. Moi University offers through its School of Engineering. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate engineering management training.

  • Engineering Council of Kenya (ECK)

    Professional accreditation

    ECK registers engineers and regulates engineering practice in Kenya. Graduates working in engineering management may benefit from ECK professional registration.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Egerton offers through its Faculty of Engineering. Moi University offers through its School of Engineering. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate engineering management training. Engineering Council of Kenya (ECK) regulates engineering practice in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

  • Engineering Manager

    High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000

    Manages engineering teams and operations, overseeing engineering projects, technical operations, and ensuring effective engineering delivery in organisations.

  • Systems Engineer

    High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Designs and manages complex engineering systems, overseeing system integration, system lifecycle, and ensuring system performance and reliability.

  • Project Manager

    High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Manages engineering projects, overseeing project planning, execution, monitoring, and ensuring project delivery on time and within budget.

  • Operations Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000

    Manages engineering operations, overseeing production, process optimisation, quality, and ensuring efficient and effective operations.

  • Quality Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Manages quality systems, overseeing quality assurance, quality control, ISO compliance, and ensuring quality standards in engineering.

  • University Lecturer

    High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000

    Teaches engineering management and systems engineering in universities, conducting research and training future engineering management professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as engineering managers, systems engineers, and project managers in engineering firms, manufacturing companies, and construction companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Microsoft Project

    SoftwarePrimary

    Project management software for engineering project planning, scheduling, resource management, and tracking engineering projects.

  • MATLAB

    SoftwarePrimary

    Technical computing software for engineering analysis, systems modelling, optimisation, simulation, and engineering data analysis.

  • Minitab

    Software

    Statistical software for quality management, Six Sigma analysis, process improvement, and statistical analysis in engineering systems.

  • SPSS

    Software

    Statistical software for engineering management research data analysis, survey analysis, and statistical modelling.

Common misconceptions

  • Engineering systems and management is just an MBA for engineers.

    The programme involves systems engineering, technical management, operations research, and engineering analysis, far beyond general business management.

  • This programme is the same as project management.

    While project management is a component, the programme covers systems engineering, operations management, quality management, and engineering economics comprehensively.

  • There is limited demand for engineering managers in Kenya.

    Kenya's infrastructure development, manufacturing growth, construction sector, and technology expansion create high demand for qualified engineering management professionals.

  • This programme is only for engineering graduates.

    The programme accepts graduates from engineering, technology, applied sciences, and related fields with engineering or technical management background.

  • Engineering management is not technical enough to be valuable.

    The programme combines technical engineering knowledge with management skills, producing professionals who can bridge the gap between engineering and business.

  • A master's in engineering management is redundant after an engineering bachelor's plus experience.

    The master's provides formal systems engineering and management knowledge, research capability, and career progression to senior engineering leadership positions.

Further reading

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