Engineering

Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management

The Master of Science in Industrial Engineering and Management is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in industrial engineering, operations management, production systems, and engineering management. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in industrial engineering, manufacturing management, operations management, and production optimisation.

Core areas include industrial engineering, operations management, production planning, quality management, supply chain engineering, project management, systems engineering, ergonomics, lean manufacturing, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical industrial engineering and management applications.

The programme is offered by numerous Kenyan universities including University of Nairobi, JKUAT, Moi University, Technical University of Kenya, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Masinde Muliro University, Egerton University, and many others, with Egerton University as a college. DeKUT offers MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management at both main and Nairobi campuses.

Students develop competencies in industrial engineering, operations management, production systems, quality management, project management, and research. The programme includes coursework, design projects, industrial visits, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time and part-time study modes at DeKUT. DeKUT requires Second Class Upper in Engineering or Lower with 2 years experience. JKUAT offers related MSc Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Engineering option at KES 362,000 total. DeKUT application fee is KES 1,500 for Masters.

Graduates pursue careers as industrial engineers, operations managers, production managers, quality managers, project managers, and lecturers in manufacturing companies, consulting firms, logistics companies, and universities.

Skills Required

Industrial Engineering and Systems Optimisation
Operations Management and Production Planning
Quality Management and Continuous Improvement
Supply Chain Engineering and Logistics
Project Management and Engineering Economics
Lean Manufacturing and Process Improvement
Ergonomics and Work System Design
Systems Engineering and Integration
Manufacturing Strategy and Technology Management
Industrial Engineering Research Methods

Key Subjects

Industrial Engineering
Operations Management
Production Planning and Control
Quality Management
Supply Chain Engineering
Project Management
Systems Engineering
Ergonomics and Work Design
Lean Manufacturing
Industrial Engineering Research Methods

Certifications

EBK Professional Engineering Registration
INCOSE Systems Engineering Certification

Specializations

Operations Management

Focuses on operations management, production planning, capacity planning, inventory management, operations strategy, and managing and optimising operations in manufacturing and service organisations.

Quality Management

Examines quality management, quality control, total quality management, Six Sigma, ISO standards, statistical process control, and managing and ensuring quality in industrial processes.

Supply Chain Engineering

Covers supply chain engineering, logistics, supply chain optimisation, distribution, procurement, and designing and managing supply chain systems.

Lean Manufacturing

Focuses on lean manufacturing, lean principles, waste reduction, value stream mapping, continuous improvement, and applying lean methods in manufacturing and operations.

Project Management

Examines project management, project planning, project execution, project control, engineering projects, and managing engineering and industrial projects.

Systems Engineering

Covers systems engineering, systems design, systems integration, systems analysis, complex systems, and designing and managing complex engineering systems.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 291,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Industrial Engineering
Operations Management
Production Planning and Control
Quality Management
Supply Chain Engineering
Project Management
Systems Engineering
Ergonomics and Work Design
Lean Manufacturing
Industrial Engineering Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Industrial Engineering Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines industrial engineering principles, systems analysis, process design, work study, operations research, and applying engineering to industrial systems.
Operations Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers operations management, operations strategy, production planning, capacity planning, inventory management, and managing and optimising operations in organisations.
Quality Management and Continuous Improvement
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines quality management, quality control, total quality management, Six Sigma, ISO standards, statistical process control, and managing and ensuring quality.
Production Planning and Control
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers production planning, scheduling, material requirements planning, capacity planning, production control, and planning and controlling production systems.
Supply Chain Engineering and Logistics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines supply chain engineering, supply chain design, logistics, distribution, procurement, inventory management, and designing and managing supply chain systems.
Project Management and Engineering Economics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers project management, project planning, project execution, project control, engineering economics, cost analysis, and managing engineering and industrial projects.
Systems Engineering and Integration
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines systems engineering, systems design, systems integration, systems analysis, complex systems, lifecycle management, and designing and managing complex engineering systems.
Lean Manufacturing and Process Improvement
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers lean manufacturing, lean principles, waste reduction, value stream mapping, continuous improvement, 5S, Kaizen, and applying lean methods in manufacturing.
Ergonomics and Work System Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines ergonomics, work system design, human factors, workplace safety, anthropometry, biomechanics, and designing safe and efficient work systems.
Industrial Engineering Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for industrial engineering, experimental design, data analysis, simulation, optimisation methods, and conducting industrial engineering research, preparing students for their thesis.
Manufacturing Strategy and Technology Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines manufacturing strategy, technology management, manufacturing systems, automation, Industry 4.0, and developing and implementing manufacturing strategy and technology.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on an industrial engineering and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and industrial engineering knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Operations Management
Focuses on operations management, production planning, capacity planning, inventory management, operations strategy, and managing and optimising operations in manufacturing and service organisations.
Quality Management
Examines quality management, quality control, total quality management, Six Sigma, ISO standards, statistical process control, and managing and ensuring quality in industrial processes.
Supply Chain Engineering
Covers supply chain engineering, logistics, supply chain optimisation, distribution, procurement, and designing and managing supply chain systems.
Lean Manufacturing
Focuses on lean manufacturing, lean principles, waste reduction, value stream mapping, continuous improvement, and applying lean methods in manufacturing and operations.
Project Management
Examines project management, project planning, project execution, project control, engineering projects, and managing engineering and industrial projects.
Systems Engineering
Covers systems engineering, systems design, systems integration, systems analysis, complex systems, and designing and managing complex engineering systems.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Industrial Engineering and Management programme begins with morning lectures on industrial engineering, operations management, or production systems. Students engage in theoretical discussions on engineering systems, process improvement, and management principles. Industrial engineering sessions cover industrial engineering principles, systems analysis, process design, work study, and applying engineering to industrial systems. Operations management sessions examine operations strategy, production planning, capacity planning, inventory management, and managing and optimising operations. Production planning sessions cover production planning, scheduling, material requirements planning, capacity planning, and planning and controlling production. Quality management sessions examine quality management, quality control, total quality management, Six Sigma, statistical process control, and managing and ensuring quality. Supply chain engineering sessions cover supply chain design, logistics, distribution, procurement, inventory, and designing and managing supply chain systems. Project management sessions examine project planning, project execution, project control, risk management, engineering projects, and managing engineering and industrial projects. Systems engineering sessions cover systems design, systems integration, systems analysis, complex systems, lifecycle management, and designing and managing complex engineering systems. Ergonomics sessions examine ergonomics, work system design, human factors, workplace safety, and designing safe and efficient work systems. Lean manufacturing sessions cover lean principles, waste reduction, value stream mapping, continuous improvement, 5S, and applying lean methods in manufacturing. Engineering economics sessions examine cost analysis, investment analysis, economic evaluation, financial analysis, and applying economics to engineering decisions. Design projects provide hands-on experience in designing industrial systems, optimising processes, and improving operations. Industrial visits provide exposure to manufacturing facilities, production operations, and industrial practices. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering industrial engineering research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from IEK fellows, KAM industry leaders, EBK registrars, and manufacturing executives provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's manufacturing sector, infrastructure development, logistics industry, and quality improvement needs create high demand for qualified industrial engineering and management professionals.
Programme is offered by numerous Kenyan universities including UoN, JKUAT, TUK, DeKUT, Moi, and many others, providing wide geographic access.
DeKUT offers both full-time and part-time study modes at main and Nairobi campuses, accommodating working professionals.
Programme combines engineering with management, providing versatile skills for both technical and management career paths.

Against it

Programme requires an engineering degree background, which excludes non-engineering graduates.
DeKUT requires Lower Division applicants to have 2 years of relevant work experience, which may exclude recent graduates.
Programme involves rigorous quantitative and technical content including operations research, statistics, and systems engineering, which may be challenging for some students.
With 36 universities listed, programme quality, facilities, and industry linkages may vary significantly across institutions.

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

Public153k to 291k

153k at South Eastern Kenya 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 Grp I Eng ~291K/yr(eafinder). SEKU ~153K/yr(tuko.co.ke). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KAM supports manufacturing industry capacity building. INCOSE supports systems engineering research. IISE supports industrial engineering research. The programme's industrial engineering and management focus attracts industry and professional body funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KAM Industry Funding
INCOSE Research Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate industrial engineering and management studies at recognised universities.
KAM Industry Funding
GrantKsh 300,000Kenyan
Kenya Association of Manufacturers supports manufacturing industry capacity building, providing funding for training and research in industrial engineering.
INCOSE Research Grants
GrantKsh 400,000
INCOSE supports systems engineering research, providing funding for research and training in systems engineering globally.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from all engineering disciplines and related technical fields. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time modes at DeKUT. DeKUT requires Second Class Upper in Engineering or Lower with 2 years experience. DeKUT application fee KES 1,500 for Masters. MMUST application fee KES 2,000. JKUAT offers related MSc Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Engineering option at KES 362,000 total.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, case studies, process improvement projects, quality analysis, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering industrial engineering, operations management, quality management, and systems engineering, conducted at end of each semester.
Design Projects and Industrial Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of design projects, industrial visits, process improvement projects, system design, and practical industrial engineering reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on an industrial engineering and management topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and industrial engineering knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). DeKUT offers MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management at main and Nairobi campuses. JKUAT offers related MSc Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Engineering option. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate industrial engineering and management training. EBK regulates engineering practice and IEK supports engineering professionals in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. DeKUT offers MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management at main and Nairobi campuses. JKUAT offers related MSc Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Engineering option. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate industrial engineering and management training.
Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)
Professional accreditation
EBK regulates engineering practice in Kenya. Graduates working as engineering professionals may require EBK registration and professional engineering licensing.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Industrial Engineer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Designs and optimises industrial systems, overseeing process improvement, work systems, production systems, and ensuring efficient industrial operations.
Operations Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages operations in manufacturing and service organisations, overseeing production, quality, inventory, and ensuring efficient and effective operations.
Production Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages production operations, overseeing production planning, scheduling, quality control, and ensuring efficient and quality production.
Quality Manager
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages quality in organisations, overseeing quality systems, quality control, ISO compliance, continuous improvement, and ensuring product and process quality.
Project Manager
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages engineering and industrial projects, overseeing project planning, execution, control, and delivering projects on time, within budget, and to specification.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches industrial engineering and management in universities, conducting research and training future industrial engineering professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as industrial engineers, operations managers, and production managers in manufacturing companies, consulting firms, and logistics companies.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Minitab
SoftwarePrimary
Statistical software for quality control, statistical process control, Six Sigma analysis, design of experiments, and quality data analysis in industrial engineering.
Microsoft Project
SoftwarePrimary
Project management software for project planning, scheduling, resource management, project tracking, and managing engineering and industrial projects.
Arena Simulation
Software
Simulation software for discrete event simulation, process simulation, system simulation, and modelling and analysing industrial systems.
Microsoft Excel
Software
Spreadsheet software for industrial engineering data analysis, production planning, inventory management, and operations data management.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Industrial engineering and management is just about factory management.
The programme involves systems engineering, operations research, quality management, supply chain, ergonomics, and research, covering all aspects of industrial systems, not just factory management.
This programme is only for mechanical engineering graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from all engineering disciplines including mechanical, electrical, civil, industrial, agricultural, and related engineering fields.
There is limited demand for industrial engineers in Kenya.
Kenya's manufacturing sector, infrastructure development, logistics industry, and quality improvement needs create high demand for qualified industrial engineering and management professionals.
Industrial engineering is the same as mechanical engineering.
While related, industrial engineering focuses on systems optimisation, operations management, and process improvement, while mechanical engineering focuses on machine design and thermodynamics.
Engineering management is not a real engineering discipline.
The programme combines engineering principles with management science, requiring strong engineering background and providing rigorous training in both technical and management skills.
A master's in industrial engineering is redundant after a bachelor's in engineering.
The master's provides specialised industrial engineering and management skills, research capability, and career progression to senior engineering management and operations leadership positions.