Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Engineering
<p>The Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Engineering is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in sustainable energy systems, energy efficiency, and energy technology. The programme combines energy engineering theory with practical system design, energy modelling, and policy analysis application.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 260,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 520,000 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 3 institutions.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 energy utilisation concepts, energy modelling, energy efficiency, energy and environment, power generation systems, new and renewable energy technology, geothermal energy, refrigeration, research methodology, and thesis. Students engage with both energy engineering theory and practical laboratory and project work through coursework and research.
The programme is offered by JKUAT as MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering through the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the School of Mathematics, Manufacturing, Mechanical and Energy Engineering. JKUAT is a public university offering the programme over a minimum of eighteen calendar months through full-time and part-time modes of study.
Students develop competencies in energy utilisation, energy modelling, energy efficiency, power generation, renewable energy technology, geothermal energy, and refrigeration. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory work, energy projects, and a supervised research thesis with nine units of which eight are core and one is elective.
JKUAT charges approximately KES 181,000/year (KES 362,000 total) for MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Second Class Honours Lower Division in Mechanical Engineering or a related field recognised by the JKUAT Senate.
Graduates pursue careers as sustainable energy engineers, energy efficiency engineers, power generation engineers, energy modellers, energy consultants, and lecturers in sustainable energy engineering across energy companies, manufacturing firms, government agencies, consulting firms, and universities.
Skills Required
- Energy Utilisation Concepts and Policy
- Energy Modelling and Simulation
- Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management
- Power Generation Systems Design
- New and Renewable Energy Technology
- Geothermal Energy Technology
- Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technology
- Energy and Environmental Impact Assessment
- Research Methodology in Energy Engineering
- Academic Writing and Thesis Research
Key Subjects
- Energy Utilisation Concepts and Policy
- Energy Modelling and Simulation
- Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management
- Power Generation Systems Design
- New and Renewable Energy Technology
- Geothermal Energy Technology
- Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technology
- Energy and Environmental Impact Assessment
- Research Methodology in Energy Engineering
- Thesis Research
Certifications
- EPRA Energy Professional Certification
- IRENA Renewable Energy Certification
Specializations
Energy Efficiency
Focuses on energy efficiency, covering demand side management, audit, optimisation, building efficiency, and managing energy efficiency.
Power Generation
Examines power generation, covering thermal, hydro, geothermal, wind, solar, and managing power generation systems.
Renewable Energy Technology
Covers renewable energy technology, covering solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hybrid systems, and managing renewable energy technology.
Refrigeration and Climate Control
Focuses on refrigeration and climate control, covering thermal comfort, indoor climate, heat pumps, and managing refrigeration systems.
Energy Modelling
Examines energy modelling, covering simulation, forecasting, optimisation, software tools, and managing energy modelling.
Energy Policy and Environment
Covers energy policy and environment, covering policy, regulation, environmental impact, sustainability, and managing energy policy.
What you study
10 subjects- Energy Utilisation Concepts and Policy
- Energy Modelling and Simulation
- Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management
- Power Generation Systems Design
- New and Renewable Energy Technology
- Geothermal Energy Technology
- Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technology
- Energy and Environmental Impact Assessment
- Research Methodology in Energy Engineering
- Thesis Research
Modules
12 in the programmeEnergy Utilisation Concepts and Policy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines energy utilisation concepts, policy, planning, conservation, and managing energy utilisation.
Energy Modelling
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers simulation, forecasting, optimisation, software tools, and managing energy modelling.
Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines demand side management, audit, optimisation, building efficiency, and managing energy efficiency.
Energy and Environment
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers environmental impact, emissions, sustainability, assessment, and managing energy and environment.
Energy Project
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines energy project design, feasibility, implementation, and managing energy projects.
Power Generation Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers thermal, hydro, geothermal, wind, solar, and managing power generation systems.
Research Methodology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research design, data collection, analysis, energy research methods, and conducting energy engineering research, preparing students for their thesis.
New and Renewable Energy Technology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hybrid systems, and managing renewable energy technology.
Geothermal Energy Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers exploration, drilling, power plants, direct use, and managing geothermal energy projects. Elective in Power Generation track.
Thermal Comfort and Indoor Climate
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines thermal comfort, indoor climate, ventilation, and managing indoor environmental quality. Elective in Refrigeration track.
Applied Refrigeration and Heat Pump Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers refrigeration cycles, heat pumps, cold chain, and managing refrigeration systems. Elective in Refrigeration track.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 29 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a sustainable energy engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and energy engineering knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Specialisations
Energy Efficiency
Focuses on energy efficiency, covering demand side management, audit, optimisation, building efficiency, and managing energy efficiency.
Power Generation
Examines power generation, covering thermal, hydro, geothermal, wind, solar, and managing power generation systems.
Renewable Energy Technology
Covers renewable energy technology, covering solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hybrid systems, and managing renewable energy technology.
Refrigeration and Climate Control
Focuses on refrigeration and climate control, covering thermal comfort, indoor climate, heat pumps, and managing refrigeration systems.
Energy Modelling
Examines energy modelling, covering simulation, forecasting, optimisation, software tools, and managing energy modelling.
Energy Policy and Environment
Covers energy policy and environment, covering policy, regulation, environmental impact, sustainability, and managing energy policy.
A day as a student
A typical day during the MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering programme combines lectures, laboratory sessions, project work, practical workshops, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover energy utilisation, energy modelling, energy efficiency, and power generation. Energy utilisation sessions examine concepts, policy, planning, conservation, and managing energy utilisation. Energy modelling sessions cover simulation, forecasting, optimisation, software tools, and managing energy modelling. Energy efficiency sessions cover demand side management, audit, optimisation, building efficiency, and managing energy efficiency. Energy and environment sessions cover environmental impact, emissions, sustainability, assessment, and managing energy and environment. Power generation sessions cover thermal, hydro, geothermal, wind, solar, and managing power generation systems. New and renewable energy technology sessions cover solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, hybrid systems, and managing renewable energy technology. Geothermal energy sessions cover exploration, drilling, power plants, direct use, and managing geothermal energy. Refrigeration sessions cover thermal comfort, indoor climate, heat pumps, and managing refrigeration systems. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering research design, data collection, and analysis. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with energy systems, testing equipment, simulation tools, and measurement instruments. Project work provides hands-on experience with energy system design, feasibility studies, and energy audits. Practical workshops provide hands-on experience with HOMER, RETScreen, energy modelling software, and engineering tools. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in sustainable energy and presenting research findings. Guest lectures from experienced energy engineers, policy makers, and industry professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a sustainable energy engineering topic.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| High demand for sustainable energy engineers with Kenya's push for clean energy, geothermal expansion, and energy efficiency mandates. | Programme is primarily offered by one university (JKUAT), limiting institutional choice. |
| JKUAT offers competitive fees at approximately KES 181,000/year (KES 362,000 total) for MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering. | No private university confirmed offering this programme. |
| DAAD scholarships available for MSc in Energy Technology at JKUAT, supporting international students. | Programme requires mechanical engineering or related background, limiting access for non-engineering graduates. |
| Programme includes nine units with eight core and one elective, providing both breadth and specialisation. | DeKUT and TU-K do not confirmedly offer a specific MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering. |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 332 engineering coursesAnnual 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 362K/2yr=181K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). TUK 260K/yr (eafinder). Private unverified.
HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. DAAD scholarships are available for MSc in Energy Technology at JKUAT for international students. JKUAT may offer postgraduate bursaries. Some energy companies and government agencies may sponsor staff for postgraduate study.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Scholarship
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
Scholarships
3 recordedHELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
DAAD Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 500,000
DAAD provides scholarships for MSc in Energy Technology at JKUAT for international and Kenyan students.
JKUAT Postgraduate Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 100,000Kenyan
JKUAT offers postgraduate bursaries for eligible students.
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
JKUAT requires at least Second Class Honours Lower Division in Mechanical Engineering from JKUAT or recognised institution, or in a field recognised by the University Senate as adequate prerequisite for MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering. Contact JKUAT for specific admission requirements.
When it next starts
Taught at 3 institutionsIncluding Kenyatta University, Africa Nazarene University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including Kenyatta University, Africa Nazarene University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
Including Kenyatta University, Africa Nazarene University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.
How you are assessed
4 componentsCoursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, energy project reports, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering energy utilisation, modelling, efficiency, power generation, and renewable energy technology.
Practical and Project Assessment
Practical30% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory exercises, energy projects, system design, energy audits, and demonstrating energy engineering skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a sustainable energy engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and energy engineering knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering through the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in sustainable energy engineering. Graduates are eligible for EPRA energy professional certification and IRENA renewable energy certification.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering through the Department of Mechanical Engineering and MSc in Energy Technology through the Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in sustainable energy engineering. Graduates are eligible for EPRA energy professional certification and IRENA renewable energy certification.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesSustainable Energy Engineer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Designs and manages sustainable energy systems, overseeing efficiency, generation, and managing sustainable energy projects.
Energy Efficiency Engineer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages energy efficiency programmes, overseeing audit, optimisation, DSM, and managing energy efficiency.
Power Generation Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages power generation systems, overseeing design, operation, maintenance, and managing power generation.
Energy Modeller
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 550,000
Develops energy models, overseeing simulation, forecasting, optimisation, and managing energy modelling.
Energy Consultant
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 650,000
Provides energy consulting, overseeing advisory, assessment, strategy, and managing energy consulting.
Energy Engineering Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches sustainable energy engineering at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as sustainable energy engineers, energy efficiency engineers, power generation engineers, energy modellers, energy consultants, and lecturers in sustainable energy engineering across energy companies, manufacturing firms, government agencies, consulting firms, and universities.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Early Childhood StrategistEducation10Low exposure
- Special Needs EducatorEducation10Low exposure
- Career Guidance CounselorEducation11Low exposure
- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Early Literacy SpecialistEducation14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- STEM Laboratory EducatorEducation14Low exposure
- TVET Competency AssessorEducation14Low exposure
Tools you will learn
HOMER Energy
SoftwarePrimary
HOMER for energy system modelling, covering hybrid systems, optimisation, simulation, and managing renewable energy system design.
RETScreen
Software
RETScreen for energy project analysis, covering feasibility, financial analysis, GHG, and managing renewable energy project assessment.
MATLAB
Software
MATLAB for energy system simulation, covering modelling, analysis, optimisation, and managing energy system simulation.
EnergyPlus
Software
EnergyPlus for building energy simulation, covering building modelling, thermal analysis, and managing building energy performance.
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Sustainable energy engineering is just about renewable energy.
Sustainable energy engineering covers comprehensive energy utilisation, efficiency, modelling, power generation, refrigeration, and policy beyond just renewable energy.
This programme is only for mechanical engineers.
Sustainable energy engineering skills are valuable for electrical, chemical, environmental, and agricultural engineers beyond just mechanical engineers.
Energy efficiency is just about turning off lights.
Energy efficiency covers comprehensive demand side management, audit, optimisation, building systems, and industrial efficiency.
Power generation is just about building power plants.
Power generation covers comprehensive thermal, hydro, geothermal, wind, solar, hybrid systems, and grid integration.
Energy modelling is just about spreadsheets.
Energy modelling covers comprehensive simulation, forecasting, optimisation, software tools, and system analysis.
Refrigeration is just about air conditioning.
Refrigeration covers comprehensive thermal comfort, indoor climate, heat pumps, cold chain, and industrial refrigeration.