Engineering

Master of Technology in Mechatronic Engineering

The Master of Technology in Mechatronic Engineering is a postgraduate programme that prepares professionals for advanced practice in mechatronics, robotics, automation, and intelligent systems. The programme provides specialised training in mechatronic systems, robotics, control engineering, embedded systems, and industrial automation.

Core areas include mechatronic systems design, robotics, control engineering, embedded systems, industrial automation, sensors and actuators, research methods, and thesis. Students engage with both theoretical and practical work through coursework, laboratory sessions, and research.

The programme is offered by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology as a public institution through the Department of Mechatronic Engineering. Dedan Kimathi University of Technology offers a related Master of Engineering programme. Both programmes are available over two years on a full-time basis.

Students develop competencies in mechatronic system design, robotics, control engineering, embedded systems, and research. The programme includes coursework, examinations, laboratory sessions, and a supervised research thesis, preparing graduates for mechatronic engineering practice and research roles.

JKUAT charges approximately KES 181,000 per year while Dedan Kimathi charges approximately KES 170,000 per year. No private university confirmed offering this exact programme. Entry requires at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Mechatronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, or a related field from a recognised institution.

Graduates pursue careers as mechatronic engineers, robotics engineers, automation engineers, control engineers, embedded systems engineers, and lecturers across manufacturing firms, automation companies, technology firms, and universities.

Skills Required

Mechatronic Systems Design
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Control Engineering and Automation
Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers
Industrial Automation and PLC Programming
Sensors and Actuators Integration
Computer-Aided Engineering
Artificial Intelligence in Mechatronics
Research Methods in Mechatronic Engineering
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Mechatronic Systems Design
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Control Engineering and Automation
Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers
Industrial Automation and PLC Programming
Sensors and Actuators Integration
Computer-Aided Engineering
Artificial Intelligence in Mechatronics
Research Methods in Mechatronic Engineering
Thesis Research

Certifications

IEEE Robotics and Automation Membership
EBK Professional Registration

Specializations

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Focuses on robotics, covering robotics, autonomous, systems, design, and managing robotics and autonomous systems engineering.

Industrial Automation

Examines industrial automation, covering industrial, automation, PLC, SCADA, and managing industrial automation and control.

Control Engineering

Covers control engineering, covering control, engineering, automation, systems, and managing control engineering and automation.

Embedded Systems

Focuses on embedded systems, covering embedded, systems, microcontrollers, design, and managing embedded systems design.

Mechatronic Systems Design

Examines mechatronic design, covering mechatronic, systems, design, integration, and managing mechatronic systems design.

Artificial Intelligence in Mechatronics

Covers AI in mechatronics, covering AI, mechatronics, intelligence, systems, and managing AI in mechatronic systems.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 181,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Mechatronic Systems Design
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Control Engineering and Automation
Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers
Industrial Automation and PLC Programming
Sensors and Actuators Integration
Computer-Aided Engineering
Artificial Intelligence in Mechatronics
Research Methods in Mechatronic Engineering
Thesis Research

Modules

12 in the programme

Mechatronic Systems Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines mechatronic systems, covering mechatronic, systems, design, integration, and managing mechatronic systems design.
Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers robotics, covering robotics, autonomous, systems, design, and managing robotics and autonomous systems engineering.
Control Engineering and Automation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines control engineering, covering control, engineering, automation, systems, and managing control engineering and automation.
Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers embedded systems, covering embedded, systems, microcontrollers, design, and managing embedded systems and microcontrollers.
Industrial Automation and PLC Programming
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines industrial automation, covering industrial, automation, PLC, SCADA, and managing industrial automation and PLC programming.
Sensors and Actuators Integration
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sensors and actuators, covering sensors, actuators, integration, signal, and managing sensors and actuators integration.
Computer-Aided Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines CAE, covering computer, aided, engineering, design, and managing computer-aided engineering and design.
Research Methods in Mechatronic Engineering
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research, methods, mechatronic, engineering, and conducting research in mechatronic engineering, preparing students for their thesis.
Artificial Intelligence in Mechatronics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines AI in mechatronics, covering AI, mechatronics, intelligence, systems, and managing AI in mechatronic systems.
Digital Manufacturing and Industry 4.0
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers digital manufacturing, covering digital, manufacturing, Industry 4.0, automation, and managing digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0.
Advanced Robotics and Control
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced robotics, covering advanced, robotics, control, systems, and managing advanced robotics and control systems.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 212 creditsCore
Original supervised research thesis on a mechatronic engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and engineering knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Focuses on robotics, covering robotics, autonomous, systems, design, and managing robotics and autonomous systems engineering.
Industrial Automation
Examines industrial automation, covering industrial, automation, PLC, SCADA, and managing industrial automation and control.
Control Engineering
Covers control engineering, covering control, engineering, automation, systems, and managing control engineering and automation.
Embedded Systems
Focuses on embedded systems, covering embedded, systems, microcontrollers, design, and managing embedded systems design.
Mechatronic Systems Design
Examines mechatronic design, covering mechatronic, systems, design, integration, and managing mechatronic systems design.
Artificial Intelligence in Mechatronics
Covers AI in mechatronics, covering AI, mechatronics, intelligence, systems, and managing AI in mechatronic systems.

A day as a student

A typical day combines lectures, laboratory sessions, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover mechatronic systems, robotics, control engineering, embedded systems, and industrial automation. Mechatronic systems sessions examine mechatronic, systems, design, integration, and managing mechatronic systems design. Robotics sessions cover robotics, autonomous, systems, design, and managing robotics and autonomous systems. Control sessions cover control, engineering, automation, systems, and managing control engineering. Embedded systems sessions cover embedded, systems, microcontrollers, design, and managing embedded systems. Industrial automation sessions cover industrial, automation, PLC, SCADA, and managing industrial automation. Laboratory sessions provide practical experience in robotics programming, PLC programming, and mechatronic system integration. The programme culminates in a supervised research thesis on a mechatronic engineering topic.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme addresses critical automation and robotics needs with growing demand for mechatronic engineers in Kenya.
Two public universities confirmed offering related programmes, providing options for students.
Programme covers cutting-edge areas including robotics, AI, and Industry 4.0.
Graduates are eligible for EBK professional registration and IEEE RAS international membership.

Against it

JKUAT programme is full-time only, limiting options for working professionals.
No private university confirmed offering this programme.
Engineering jobs may require EBK professional registration for practice.
Laboratory work requires access to specialised robotics and automation equipment which may be limited.

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

Public181k to 181k

181k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology181k 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 ~KES 181K/yr (kenyaeducationguide). DeKUT fee unverified. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Universities may offer scholarships for eligible students. IEEE RAS may offer fellowships for robotics and automation research and education.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University Scholarship
IEEE RAS Fellowship

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
University Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 181,000Kenyan
JKUAT and Dedan Kimathi may offer scholarships for eligible postgraduate engineering students.
IEEE RAS Fellowship
ScholarshipKsh 300,000
IEEE RAS may offer fellowships for robotics and automation research and education.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: JKUAT requires at least Upper Second Class Honours in Mechatronic, Mechanical, or Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Lower Second Class may be considered with at least two years of industrial experience. 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, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Written examinations covering mechatronic systems, robotics, control engineering, and embedded systems.
Laboratory Assessment
Project40% of the mark
Practical assessment through laboratory sessions, demonstrating robotics programming, PLC programming, and system integration skills.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original supervised research thesis on a mechatronic engineering topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and engineering 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 Mechatronic Engineering. Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (public) offers Master of Engineering. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in mechatronic engineering. Graduates may interact with EBK for professional registration and IEEE RAS for international standards. The programme aligns with CUE, EBK, and IEEE global mechatronic engineering frameworks.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT (public) offers MSc in Mechatronic Engineering. Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (public) offers Master of Engineering. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate training in mechatronic engineering. Graduates may interact with EBK for professional registration and IEEE RAS for international standards. The programme aligns with CUE, EBK, and IEEE global mechatronic engineering frameworks.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Mechatronic Engineer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designs and manages mechatronic systems, covering mechatronic, engineer, systems, design, and managing mechatronic engineering and systems.
Robotics Engineer
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 480,000
Designs robotic systems, covering robotics, engineer, systems, design, and managing robotics engineering and design.
Automation Engineer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 450,000
Manages automation systems, covering automation, engineer, systems, PLC, and managing automation engineering and systems.
Control Engineer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designs control systems, covering control, engineer, automation, systems, and managing control engineering and automation.
Embedded Systems Engineer
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 400,000
Designs embedded systems, covering embedded, systems, engineer, microcontrollers, and managing embedded systems engineering.
Engineering Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 400,000
Teaches mechatronic engineering at university or college level, overseeing instruction, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

MATLAB/Simulink
SoftwarePrimary
MATLAB/Simulink for mechatronic system simulation and modelling, covering MATLAB, simulation, modelling, mechatronic, and managing mechatronic system simulation.
SolidWorks
Software
SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design and modelling, covering SolidWorks, 3D, design, modelling, and managing 3D mechanical design.
ROS (Robot Operating System)
Software
ROS for robotics programming and development, covering ROS, robotics, programming, development, and managing robotics programming.
PLC Programming Software
Software
PLC programming software for industrial automation, covering PLC, programming, automation, industrial, and managing PLC programming and automation.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Mechatronic engineering is just about fixing machines.
Mechatronic engineering covers robotics, automation, control systems, embedded systems, and AI beyond just machine maintenance.
This programme is only for mechanical engineering graduates.
The programme is for professionals from electrical, electronics, mechatronics, and related fields, not just mechanical engineering.
Mechatronic engineering has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Mechatronic engineers are in high demand in manufacturing, automation, robotics, and technology sectors as Kenya industrialises.
This programme is the same as mechanical engineering.
Mechatronic engineering integrates mechanical, electrical, and computing, while mechanical engineering focuses on mechanical systems.
Mechatronics is only about industrial robots.
Mechatronics covers autonomous systems, embedded systems, AI, sensors, and control beyond just industrial robots.
You need industry experience to study this programme.
The programme is accessible to recent graduates with relevant bachelor's degrees, not just experienced professionals.