Technology

Master of Science in Software Engineering

The Master of Science in Software Engineering is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in software design, development, architecture, and project management. The programme combines software engineering theory with practical development, system design, and project management application.

Core areas include software architecture, software design patterns, requirements engineering, software testing and quality assurance, agile methodologies, DevOps, software project management, cloud computing, mobile application development, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both software engineering theory and practical development and laboratory work through coursework and research.

The programme is offered by JKUAT as MSc in Software Engineering through the School of Computing and Information Technology, and Strathmore University as MSc in Computing and Information Systems through the Faculty of Information Technology. JKUAT is a public university and Strathmore is a private university, offering programmes over two academic years through full-time and part-time modes of study.

Students develop competencies in software architecture, design patterns, requirements engineering, testing, agile methodologies, DevOps, project management, and cloud computing. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, project work, and a supervised research thesis.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 254,100/year (KES 508,200 total) for MSc in Software Engineering. Strathmore University charges approximately KES 317,500/year (KES 952,500 total) for MSc in Computing and Information Systems. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with Second Class Honours Upper Division in computer science, IT, software engineering, or related fields from a recognised university.

Graduates pursue careers as software engineers, software architects, DevOps engineers, software project managers, quality assurance engineers, and lecturers in software engineering across technology companies, financial institutions, consulting firms, government agencies, and universities.

Skills Required

Software Architecture and Design Patterns
Requirements Engineering and Analysis
Software Testing and Quality Assurance
Agile Methodologies and Scrum
DevOps and Continuous Integration
Software Project Management
Cloud Computing and Microservices
Mobile Application Development
Research Methods in Software Engineering
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Software Architecture and Design Patterns
Requirements Engineering and Analysis
Software Testing and Quality Assurance
Agile Methodologies and Scrum
DevOps and Continuous Integration
Software Project Management
Cloud Computing and Microservices
Mobile Application Development
Research Methods in Software Engineering
Thesis Research

Certifications

IEEE Computer Society Certified Software Development Associate (CSDA)
Professional Scrum Master (PSM) Certification

Specializations

Software Architecture

Focuses on software architecture, covering architectural patterns, design patterns, system design, and managing software architecture.

DevOps and Cloud

Examines DevOps and cloud computing, covering CI/CD, containers, microservices, cloud platforms, and managing DevOps operations.

Software Quality Assurance

Covers software quality assurance, covering testing, automation, quality models, standards, and managing software quality.

Agile Project Management

Focuses on agile project management, covering Scrum, Kanban, planning, estimation, and managing agile software projects.

Mobile and Web Development

Examines mobile and web development, covering mobile apps, web frameworks, APIs, UX, and managing mobile and web development.

Software Security Engineering

Covers software security engineering, covering secure design, vulnerability, testing, compliance, and managing software security.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 254,100
Job market: Very 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: 25 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Software Architecture and Design Patterns
Requirements Engineering and Analysis
Software Testing and Quality Assurance
Agile Methodologies and Scrum
DevOps and Continuous Integration
Software Project Management
Cloud Computing and Microservices
Mobile Application Development
Research Methods in Software Engineering
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Software Architecture and Design Patterns
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines architectural patterns, design patterns, system design, microservices, and managing software architecture.
Requirements Engineering and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers elicitation, analysis, specification, validation, modelling, and managing requirements.
Research Methods in Software Engineering
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, SE research methods, and conducting software engineering research, preparing students for their thesis.
Software Testing and Quality Assurance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines unit testing, integration testing, system testing, automation, TDD, and managing software quality.
Agile Methodologies and Project Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers Scrum, Kanban, planning, estimation, sprints, risk, and managing agile software projects.
DevOps and Continuous Integration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines CI/CD, containers, Docker, Kubernetes, IaC, monitoring, and managing DevOps operations.
Cloud Computing and Microservices
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers AWS, Azure, GCP, serverless, microservices, orchestration, and managing cloud infrastructure.
Mobile and Web Application Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines Android, iOS, React Native, Flutter, web frameworks, APIs, and managing mobile and web development.
Software Security Engineering
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers secure design, OWASP, vulnerability, testing, compliance, and managing software security.
Software Metrics and Process Improvement
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines software metrics, process models, CMMI, improvement, and managing software process improvement.
Emerging Technologies in Software Engineering
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers AI in SE, blockchain, IoT, low-code, and managing emerging technologies in software engineering.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a software engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and SE knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Software Architecture
Focuses on software architecture, covering architectural patterns, design patterns, system design, and managing software architecture.
DevOps and Cloud
Examines DevOps and cloud computing, covering CI/CD, containers, microservices, cloud platforms, and managing DevOps operations.
Software Quality Assurance
Covers software quality assurance, covering testing, automation, quality models, standards, and managing software quality.
Agile Project Management
Focuses on agile project management, covering Scrum, Kanban, planning, estimation, and managing agile software projects.
Mobile and Web Development
Examines mobile and web development, covering mobile apps, web frameworks, APIs, UX, and managing mobile and web development.
Software Security Engineering
Covers software security engineering, covering secure design, vulnerability, testing, compliance, and managing software security.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc in Software Engineering programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, practical workshops, project work, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover software architecture, design patterns, requirements engineering, and testing. Software architecture sessions examine architectural patterns, design patterns, system design, microservices, and managing software architecture. Requirements engineering sessions cover elicitation, analysis, specification, validation, and managing requirements. Software testing sessions cover unit testing, integration testing, system testing, automation, TDD, and managing software quality. Agile methodology sessions cover Scrum, Kanban, planning, estimation, sprints, and managing agile projects. DevOps sessions cover CI/CD, containers, Docker, Kubernetes, IaC, and managing DevOps operations. Software project management sessions cover planning, scheduling, risk, cost, team management, and managing software projects. Cloud computing sessions cover AWS, Azure, GCP, serverless, microservices, and managing cloud infrastructure. Mobile development sessions cover Android, iOS, React Native, Flutter, APIs, and managing mobile development. Software security sessions cover secure design, OWASP, vulnerability, testing, compliance, and managing software security. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with IDEs, version control, testing tools, CI/CD pipelines, and cloud platforms. Project work provides hands-on experience with real software development projects, team collaboration, and agile practices. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with Git, Jenkins, Docker, AWS, Jira, and development tools. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in software engineering and presenting research findings. Guest lectures from experienced software engineers, architects, and industry professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a software engineering topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Very high demand for software engineering professionals with Kenya's tech ecosystem growth, Silicon Savannah, and digital transformation across sectors.
Programme offered by both public (JKUAT) and private (Strathmore, KCA) universities, providing institutional choice.
JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 254,100/year (KES 508,200 total).
Graduates are eligible for IEEE CSDA and PSM professional certifications, enhancing global career prospects.

Against it

Strathmore University (private) charges significantly higher fees at approximately KES 317,500/year (KES 952,500 total).
Rapidly evolving technologies require continuous self-learning and certification beyond the curriculum.
KCA specific software engineering fees not independently verified.
Programme requires computer science, IT, or related background, which may limit access for non-related graduates.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public254k to 254k

254k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology254k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

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

JKUAT MSc SE 254.1K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). Strathmore/KCA don't offer MSc SE. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. JKUAT may offer postgraduate bursaries. Strathmore University offers financial aid for eligible students. Some technology companies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
Strathmore University Financial Aid

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
Strathmore University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Strathmore University offers financial aid for eligible postgraduate students.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT requires Upper Second in relevant fields, or Lower Second with three years experience, or Pass with five years experience. Strathmore requires relevant degree with minimum Upper Second. KCA requires relevant degree with minimum Upper Second. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, project work, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering software architecture, design patterns, testing, agile methodologies, and DevOps.
Practical and Project Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through software development projects, coding exercises, system design, and demonstrating software engineering skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a software engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and SE knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Software Engineering through the School of Computing and Information Technology. Strathmore University (private) offers MSc in Computing and Information Systems. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in software engineering. Graduates are eligible for IEEE CSDA and PSM professional certifications.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Software Engineering through the School of Computing and Information Technology. Strathmore University (private) offers MSc in Computing and Information Systems. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate training in software engineering. Graduates are eligible for IEEE CSDA and PSM professional certifications.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Software Engineer
Very high demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 700,000
Develops software systems, overseeing design, development, testing, deployment, and managing software development.
Software Architect
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 800,000
Architects software systems, overseeing design, patterns, decisions, and managing software architecture.
DevOps Engineer
Very high demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 750,000
Manages DevOps operations, overseeing CI/CD, containers, cloud, and managing DevOps infrastructure.
Software Project Manager
High demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 750,000
Manages software projects, overseeing planning, scheduling, risk, teams, and managing software projects.
Quality Assurance Engineer
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 650,000
Manages software quality, overseeing testing, automation, standards, and managing quality assurance.
Software Engineering Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches software engineering at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Git
SoftwarePrimary
Git for version control, covering branching, merging, collaboration, and managing source code.
Jenkins
Software
Jenkins for CI/CD, covering build automation, pipelines, deployment, and managing continuous integration.
Docker
Software
Docker for containerisation, covering containers, images, compose, and managing containerised applications.
Jira
Software
Jira for project management, covering agile, Scrum, tracking, and managing software projects.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Software engineering is just about writing code.
Software engineering covers comprehensive architecture, design, requirements, testing, project management, and DevOps beyond just writing code.
This programme is only for programmers.
Software engineering skills are valuable for project managers, quality assurance engineers, DevOps engineers, architects, and consultants beyond just programmers.
Agile is just about having daily meetings.
Agile covers comprehensive Scrum, Kanban, planning, estimation, sprints, retrospectives, and continuous improvement.
DevOps is just about deployment automation.
DevOps covers comprehensive CI/CD, containers, infrastructure as code, monitoring, security, and culture beyond just deployment automation.
Software testing is just about finding bugs.
Software testing covers comprehensive unit, integration, system, performance, security, automation, and quality assurance management.
Software architecture is just about drawing diagrams.
Software architecture covers comprehensive patterns, decisions, trade-offs, quality attributes, and architectural evaluation.