Environmental Science

Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Transitions

The Master of Science in Sustainable Energy Transitions is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in sustainable energy systems, energy policy, energy access, and clean energy transitions. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in renewable energy, energy policy, energy access, and sustainable energy development in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Core areas include energy systems design, energy analytics, energy auditing, energy policy, energy economics, decentralised energy, energy digitalisation, entrepreneurship, project management, and research. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical sustainable energy applications through a multi-disciplinary approach.

The programme is offered by Strathmore University through its School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, with JKUAT as a college. Strathmore launched MSc SET in August 2021, with the first cohort of 10 students graduating in June 2024. The programme was developed with UK aid funding through the Transforming Energy Access Learning Partnership (TEA-LP), in partnership with eight African universities.

Students develop competencies in energy system design, data analytics, energy auditing, policy analysis, entrepreneurship, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory sessions, industry internship or capstone project, examinations, and dissertation over six trimesters.

The programme is delivered over two years divided into six trimesters, offered part-time in evenings from 5:30pm to 8:30pm EAT. Three trimesters of coursework in year one, one trimester of industry internship or capstone project, and two trimesters of dissertation. Entry requires First Class or Upper Second in Engineering, Computer Science, IT, Environmental Science, or science disciplines.

Graduates pursue careers as energy engineers, energy analysts, energy policymakers, sustainability consultants, and energy entrepreneurs in energy companies, government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Skills Required

Sustainable Energy Systems Design and Implementation
Energy Data Analytics and Research
Energy Auditing and Efficiency Assessment
Energy Policy and Regulatory Analysis
Decentralised Energy and Mini-Grid Systems
Energy Digitalisation and Smart Systems
Energy Economics and Project Finance
Energy Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Energy Project Management
Sustainable Energy Transitions Research Methods

Key Subjects

Sustainable Energy Systems
Energy Data Analytics
Energy Auditing and Efficiency
Energy Policy and Regulation
Energy Economics and Finance
Decentralised Energy Systems
Energy Digitalisation
Energy Entrepreneurship
Energy Project Management
Sustainable Energy Research Methods

Certifications

EPRA Energy Professional Certification
IRENA Sustainable Energy Certification

Specializations

Energy Systems Design

Focuses on energy systems design, renewable energy systems, solar, wind, biomass, mini-grids, energy storage, and designing and implementing sustainable energy systems.

Energy Analytics

Examines energy data analytics, energy modelling, demand forecasting, energy statistics, data visualisation, and using data analytics in the energy sector.

Energy Policy

Covers energy policy, energy regulation, energy governance, energy access, SDG 7, energy transitions, and developing and implementing energy policy.

Decentralised Energy

Focuses on decentralised energy, mini-grids, off-grid systems, rural electrification, distributed generation, and designing and implementing decentralised energy systems.

Energy Entrepreneurship

Examines energy entrepreneurship, energy business models, clean energy startups, innovation, financing, and developing and managing energy enterprises.

Energy Auditing and Efficiency

Covers energy auditing, energy efficiency, energy management, ISO 50001, building energy, industrial energy, and auditing and improving energy efficiency.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
Private, up to: Ksh 617,500
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Sustainable Energy Systems
Energy Data Analytics
Energy Auditing and Efficiency
Energy Policy and Regulation
Energy Economics and Finance
Decentralised Energy Systems
Energy Digitalisation
Energy Entrepreneurship
Energy Project Management
Sustainable Energy Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Energy Systems and Sustainability Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines energy systems, sustainability, energy landscape, energy resources, energy conversion, SDG 7, energy access, and understanding energy systems and sustainability.
Energy Data Analytics and Research Methods
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers energy data, energy modelling, demand forecasting, energy statistics, data visualisation, Python, R, research methods, and using data analytics in the energy sector.
Renewable Energy Systems Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines solar PV, wind, biomass, hydropower, geothermal, energy storage, grid integration, inverters, and designing and implementing renewable energy systems.
Energy Policy, Regulation and Governance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers energy policy, energy regulation, Energy Act, EPRA, energy governance, energy access, SDG 7, NDC, Paris Agreement, and developing and implementing energy policy.
Energy Economics and Project Finance
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines energy economics, project finance, LCOE, NPV, IRR, energy markets, tariffs, subsidies, PPAs, and evaluating energy projects economically.
Decentralised Energy and Mini-Grid Systems
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers mini-grids, off-grid systems, SHS, rural electrification, distributed generation, microgrids, energy storage, and designing and implementing decentralised energy systems.
Energy Auditing and Efficiency
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examines energy audit methodology, energy efficiency, ISO 50001, building energy, industrial energy, lighting, HVAC, motors, and auditing and improving energy efficiency.
Energy Digitalisation and Smart Systems
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Covers smart grids, IoT, energy management systems, digital meters, demand response, SCADA, AI in energy, and digitalising energy systems.
Energy Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Examines business models, clean energy startups, innovation, financing, pitch development, incubation, and developing and managing energy enterprises.
Energy Project Management
Year 2Semester 43 creditsCore
Covers project planning, project finance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, M and E, procurement, and managing energy projects.
Industry Internship or Capstone Project
Year 2Semester 46 creditsCore
Industry internship or capstone project providing real-world experience with energy companies, government agencies, or NGOs, applying sustainable energy knowledge to practical challenges.
Dissertation
Year 2Semester 512 creditsCore
Original dissertation on a sustainable energy transitions topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and sustainable energy knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Energy Systems Design
Focuses on energy systems design, renewable energy systems, solar, wind, biomass, mini-grids, energy storage, and designing and implementing sustainable energy systems.
Energy Analytics
Examines energy data analytics, energy modelling, demand forecasting, energy statistics, data visualisation, and using data analytics in the energy sector.
Energy Policy
Covers energy policy, energy regulation, energy governance, energy access, SDG 7, energy transitions, and developing and implementing energy policy.
Decentralised Energy
Focuses on decentralised energy, mini-grids, off-grid systems, rural electrification, distributed generation, and designing and implementing decentralised energy systems.
Energy Entrepreneurship
Examines energy entrepreneurship, energy business models, clean energy startups, innovation, financing, and developing and managing energy enterprises.
Energy Auditing and Efficiency
Covers energy auditing, energy efficiency, energy management, ISO 50001, building energy, industrial energy, and auditing and improving energy efficiency.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Sustainable Energy Transitions programme at Strathmore begins with evening classes from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. The programme is designed for working professionals, combining theory and practice through classroom lectures, laboratory sessions, and an industry internship or capstone project. Energy systems design sessions cover renewable energy systems, solar PV, wind, biomass, mini-grids, energy storage, grid integration, and designing and implementing sustainable energy systems. Energy analytics sessions examine energy data, energy modelling, demand forecasting, energy statistics, data visualisation, Python, R, and using data analytics in the energy sector. Energy auditing sessions cover energy audit methodology, energy efficiency, ISO 50001, building energy, industrial energy, lighting, HVAC, motors, and auditing and improving energy efficiency. Energy policy sessions examine energy policy, energy regulation, energy governance, Energy Act, EPRA, energy access, SDG 7, NDC, and developing and implementing energy policy. Energy economics sessions cover energy economics, project finance, LCOE, NPV, IRR, energy markets, tariffs, subsidies, and evaluating energy projects economically. Decentralised energy sessions examine mini-grids, off-grid systems, SHS, rural electrification, distributed generation, microgrids, and designing and implementing decentralised energy systems. Energy digitalisation sessions cover smart grids, IoT, energy management systems, digital meters, demand response, and digitalising energy systems. Energy entrepreneurship sessions examine business models, clean energy startups, innovation, financing, pitch development, and developing and managing energy enterprises. Project management sessions cover project planning, project finance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, M and E, and managing energy projects. The programme emphasises the 3 Ds of energy: decentralisation, de-carbonisation, and digitalisation. Laboratory sessions provide hands-on experience with energy systems, solar installations, energy monitoring, and energy auditing. The industry internship or capstone project provides real-world experience with energy companies, government, or NGOs. Dissertation work involves original research on a sustainable energy transitions topic. Guest lectures from Strathmore SERC faculty, EPRA officials, KenGen engineers, REREC experts, TEA-LP partners, and international energy experts provide real-world insights. The programme promotes Linking Industry With Academia (LIWA) and Triple Helix collaboration between academia, industry, and government. The two-year programme culminates in a dissertation.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's renewable energy targets, energy access goals, SDG 7 commitments, climate action, and energy sector growth create high demand for qualified sustainable energy professionals.
First multi-disciplinary energy programme in East Africa, developed with UK aid through TEA-LP, with partnership across eight African universities.
Career opportunities with EPRA, REREC, KenGen, energy companies, NGOs, international organisations like IRENA and SEforALL, and energy entrepreneurship.
Part-time evening programme allows working professionals to study while employed, maintaining career and networks.

Against it

Programme requires First Class or Upper Second in Engineering, Computer Science, IT, Environmental Science, or science discipline, which excludes many graduates.
Only offered at Strathmore University (private), with no public university option for this exact programme.
Estimated total fees of approximately KES 840,000 are relatively expensive, limiting accessibility.
Small cohort size (first cohort had 10 students) may limit peer diversity and networking opportunities.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 181 environmental science courses

Public193k to 296k

193k at Egerton University296k at Kenyatta University

Private150k to 618k

150k at Mount Kenya University618k at Strathmore University

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

Egerton 192,900, KU 295,800/yr. Strathmore ~617,500/yr (shika.co.ke). MKU unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. TEA-LP provides scholarships through UK aid funding for MSc SET students. Strathmore University offers financial aid and work-study programmes. IRENA and SEforALL support sustainable energy capacity building. The programme's sustainable energy focus attracts energy, climate, and international development funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
TEA-LP Scholarships
Strathmore University Financial Aid

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate sustainable energy studies at recognised universities.
TEA-LP Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 500,000
TEA-LP provides scholarships through UK aid funding for MSc SET students at Strathmore University, supporting sustainable energy education in Africa.
Strathmore University Financial Aid
ScholarshipKsh 300,000Kenyan
Strathmore University offers financial aid and work-study programmes for postgraduate students based on academic merit and financial need.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (KCSE or equivalent)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from engineering, computer science, IT, environmental science, and science-related disciplines. Strathmore requires First Class or Upper Second, or Lower Second with PGD/Certificate or energy sector experience. KCSE certificate required. Part-time evening programme with 6 trimesters over 2 years.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, energy analysis projects, audit reports, policy briefs, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering energy systems, analytics, policy, economics, and auditing, conducted at end of each trimester.
Internship or Capstone Project
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of industry internship or capstone project, including project report, presentation, and supervisor evaluation.
Dissertation
Research100% of the mark
Original dissertation on a sustainable energy transitions topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and sustainable energy knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Strathmore University launched MSc SET in August 2021 through its School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, with CUE approval. The first cohort graduated in June 2024. The programme was developed with UK aid funding through TEA-LP. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate sustainable energy training. EPRA regulates energy in Kenya, and IRENA and SEforALL support sustainable energy internationally.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Strathmore University launched MSc SET in August 2021 through its School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, with CUE approval. The first cohort graduated in June 2024. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate sustainable energy training.
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA)
Professional accreditation
EPRA regulates energy and petroleum in Kenya. Graduates working in energy sector may benefit from EPRA licensing and knowledge of energy regulations.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Energy Engineer
High demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Designs and implements sustainable energy systems, overseeing solar, wind, mini-grid projects, and supporting renewable energy development.
Energy Analyst
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses energy data, overseeing energy modelling, demand forecasting, data analytics, and supporting energy planning and decision-making.
Energy Policy Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Analyses energy policy, overseeing policy research, regulatory analysis, energy access, and supporting energy policy development.
Sustainability Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Provides sustainability consultancy, overseeing energy audits, sustainability assessments, ESG, and supporting organisations in energy transitions.
Energy Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 800,000
Develops and manages energy enterprises, overseeing clean energy startups, mini-grid businesses, and supporting energy access and innovation.
Energy Project Manager
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages energy projects, overseeing project planning, implementation, stakeholder engagement, and supporting energy project delivery.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as energy engineers, energy analysts, and energy policymakers in energy companies, government, NGOs, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

HOMER Energy
SoftwarePrimary
Software for renewable energy system design, hybrid system optimisation, microgrid design, mini-grid sizing, and sustainable energy feasibility analysis.
Python
SoftwarePrimary
Programming language for energy data analytics, energy modelling, data visualisation, pandas, numpy, and data analysis in the energy sector.
RETScreen
Software
Clean energy management software for renewable energy project analysis, feasibility studies, energy modelling, and sustainable energy project evaluation.
PVsyst
Software
Software for photovoltaic system design, PV simulation, solar resource analysis, and designing and analysing solar PV systems.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Sustainable energy transitions is just about installing solar panels.
The programme involves energy systems design, analytics, policy, economics, entrepreneurship, digitalisation, auditing, and research, covering comprehensive sustainable energy transitions.
This programme is only for engineering graduates.
The programme is multi-disciplinary, accepting graduates from engineering, computer science, IT, environmental science, and science-related disciplines.
There is limited demand for sustainable energy professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's renewable energy targets, energy access goals, SDG 7 commitments, climate action, and energy sector growth create high demand for qualified sustainable energy professionals.
Sustainable energy transitions is only about technology.
The programme is multi-disciplinary, covering technology, policy, economics, entrepreneurship, regulation, and social aspects of energy transitions.
Energy transitions are only relevant for developed countries.
Sub-Saharan Africa faces unique energy transition challenges and opportunities, making this programme highly relevant for developing sustainable energy solutions in the region.
A master's in sustainable energy is redundant after an engineering degree.
The master's provides specialised sustainable energy skills, multi-disciplinary expertise, research capability, and career progression to senior energy sector positions.