Is GIS and Remote Sensing Marketable in Kenya? List of universities offering GIS and Remote Sensing and admission requirements

GIS and Remote Sensing is one of the most marketable courses in Kenya. Most organizations dealing with research, data analysis and environment employ GIS specialists. When you possess a course in GIS and advanced skills in Data Analysis, you will certainly get a job. With a diploma in GIS,you will earn an average salary of Ksh 60,000.If you possess a degree in GIS,you will earn over Ksh 80,000 monthly. With a Masters course, you are guaranteed of Ksh 150,000 to Ksh 250,000 monthly salary.

Masters in GIS can be pursued by those possessing undergraduate degree in planning, statistics, Geography,Physics,Mathematics,Computer Science, Project Management or Monitoring and Evaluation.

Possible areas of employment, engagement and career advancement exist in sectors like the National government, county governments, international organizations, government parastatals, research organizations and the private sector (consultancies). Geography graduates have found jobs with international organisations such as United Nations Environment Programmeme (UNEP), UN- Habitat, United Nations Development Programmeme (UNDP), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Consultative Group in International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) centres, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), etc. Transport Geographers have found jobs with the World Health Organisation (WHO) where they work alongside the epidemiologists, while Agricultural Geographers have found jobs with FAO, IFAD among other Agricultural organisations. Geographers also work with International Organisations and NGOs involved in combating desertification and climate change

Institutions offering GIS and Remote Sensing courses in Kenya and admission requirements

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems

Entry Requirements 

The common regulations for the Masters degrees in the University of Nairobi shall apply.

The following shall be eligible for admission:

1. a)    Holders of a Bachelor’s degree in any geoinformation related discipline with at least upper second class honours of the University of Nairobi, or equivalent qualifications from other institutions recognized by the Senate.
2. b)    Holders of a Bachelor’s degree in any geoinformation related discipline with at least lower second class honours of the University of Nairobi, or equivalent qualifications from other institutions recognized by the Senate, and two years experience in GIS.
3. c)         Holders of a Bachelor’s pass degree in any geoinformation related discipline of the University of Nairobi, or equivalent qualifications from other institutions recognized by the Senate, and five years  experience in GIS.

Course Duration: 2 academic years

JKUAT

M.Sc. GIS & Remote Sensing

M.Sc. programme in GIS and Remote Sensing  is a two year masters course which aims to offer sound training and research in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Renote Sensning. The course is tailored to suit various professionals in different field which use these two technologies as tools to aid in meeting their objectives.

Admission Requirements
The following shall be eligible for registration for the Master of Science in Environmental Information Systems:

(a) A holder of at least an upper second class honors Bachelors degree of JKUAT in
a spatial information based or associated field, OR
(b) A holder of at least a Second Class Honours (Upper Division), Bachelor of Science degree in relevant field, from any other institution recognized by the University Senate as being of equivalent academic status to (a) OR
(c) A holder of a Bachelor of Science degree of at least Second Class Honours (Upper Division), in a related field, which is recognized by the University Senate as an adequate pre-requisite for M.Sc. in Environmental Information Systems OR
(d) A holder of a Second Class Honours (Lower Division), Bachelor of Science degree from JKUAT or any other institution which is recognized by the University Senate as being of equivalent academic status and who in addition must show proof of either two years relevant experience and professional development or academic advancement through research and publication since graduation with the Bachelors degree or a Postgraduate Diploma in the relevant field.
(e) A holder of other qualifications recognized by JKUAT Senate as being equivalent to (a), (b) and (c).
(f) A holder of a JKUAT postgraduate Diploma in the corresponding area of specialization. Such candidate will be exempted from the course work part of the M.Sc. programme which he/she will already have covered under the postgraduate diploma programme

DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Science and Remote Sensing

Entry Requirements.

1. KCSE applicants:  In the individual cluster subjects, a candidate must have at least the scores given below:

Cluster subjects

Mathematics     C+           Physics       C+            Physical Sciences       B          Geography        C
or
Any group II, III, IV or V                      Biological Sciences Subject    C+
Group IV Subject

Diploma applicants: A candidate must be a holder of a KNEC diploma in land surveying, geomatics, cartography, photogrammetry, remote sensing, or equivalent programme with at least a credit and one who had direct qualification for admission into the diploma programme.

Mode of Study: Full Time

Duration: 4 years

UIVERSITY OF NAIROBI

Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Engineering

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements
F1 Candidates shall be eligible for admission into the Bachelor of Science
degree in the School of Engineering in the following categories.

1. a) KCSE Candidates
   The basic admission requirement shall be the minimum requirement set for entry
   into Public Universities which is a mean grade of at least C+ in Kenya Certificate
   of Secondary Education (KCSE). In addition, candidates shall have obtained at
   least C+ in each of the four cluster subjects from any of the following alternative
   However, a cut-off grade higher than C+ in each cluster subject shall be
   preferred if limitations of the number of places available for each degree

programme versus the number of qualified candidates so demand. The said cut-
off grades shall be determined and implemented by the School Board.

Alternative A:

Physics Biology or Geography or any Group IV Subject
Chemistry
Mathematics

Alternative B:

Physical Sciences Geography or any Group IV Subject
Biological Sciences
Mathematics

Group IV Subjects:

Home Science Building Construction
Art and Design Power Mechanics
Agriculture Electricity
Woodwork Drawing and Design
Metalwork Aviation Technology

1. b) A-Level Candidates

Candidates with a minimum entry requirement of principal C passes in
Mathematics and Physics and a Subsidiary level pass in Chemistry with a credit
pass in English at ‘O’ level, except that for Geospatial Engineering, a subsidiary
level pass in Geography shall also be accepted in lieu of Chemistry.

1. c) KNEC Higher National Diploma (HND) or Equivalent

Candidates with Higher National Diploma in the following broad areas of
study:
i) Agricultural Engineering
ii) Civil engineering
iii) Electrical engineering
iv) Mechanical engineering
v) Geospatial Engineering
vi) Any other approved subject area.

1. d) Ordinary KNEC Diploma or equivalent (with credit pass)
2. i) Agricultural Engineering
   ii) Civil engineering
   iii) Electrical engineering
   iv) Mechanical engineering
   v) Geospatial Engineering
   vi) Any other approved subject area.
3. e) Diploma from Science/Technical Teacher Training Colleges

Candidates with a Diploma in Mathematics and Physics from recognized
teacher training colleges.

1. f) BSc/BEd (Science) degrees from Universities or any other relevant
   degrees
   Candidates with a Bachelor of Science or Education degree in Physics
   and Mathematics from recognized institutions or any other relevant degree
   from a recognized institution.

Exemption from any Courses in the Programme

1. a) The point of entry into the programme for candidates with a KNEC higher
   national diploma or its equivalent in accordance with F1 (c) shall be in the
   second year of study.
2. b) The point of entry into the programme for candidates with an ordinary
   KNEC diploma or its equivalent in accordance with F1 (d) shall be in the
   first year of study.
3. c) The point of entry into the programme for candidates with qualification
   other than those outlined in F1 (a), F1 (b), F1 (c) and F1 (d) shall be
   approved by Senate on the recommendations of the School Board of
   Engineering and the College Academic Board and shall be based on the
   qualifications of the applicant.
4. d) Where a candidate wishes to be exempted from any course or courses,
   he/she shall send a formal application to the Academic Registrar justifying
   his/her request and attaching evidence of the credentials which support
   such request. Such a candidate may be required to sit and pass an
   exemption examination set and administered by the School, and approved
   under the authority of the Senate after payment of a prescribed fee.
5. e) Based on the assessment of the exemption examination, the School
   Board of Engineering shall make its recommendations to the Senate. The
   Academic Registrar shall communicate to the candidate, the Senate’s

JKUAT

B.Sc Geospatial Information Science

Admission Requirements

In addition to university and faculty of engineering common regulations the following requirements should be fulfilled by prospective candidates:

1)      Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) applicants should satisfy all the requirements below:

• A candidate must have a mean aggregate of at least grade C+ (plus);
• The mean grade  for the total score in the four cluster subjects must be at least C+ (plus);
• In the individual cluster subjects, a candidate must have at least the scores given below:

2)      Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) or the A-level equivalent should satisfy all the requirements below:

• At least two principal passes in Mathematics and Physics;
• At least a total score of nine (9) points at the KACE or equivalent;
• At least a credit pass in chemistry at the KCE or its equivalent.

3)      Diploma applicants:

A candidate must be a holder of JKUAT diploma with at least a credit pass in the relevant discipline.

4)      A holder of other qualifications recognized by the Senate as equivalent to 1, 2 and 3 above.

KENYA INSTITUTE OF SURVEYING AND MAPPING

Diploma and Higher Diploma in Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

Diploma and Higher Diploma in Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing

Course duration: Three (3) years Diploma, Two (2) years higher Diploma

Examining body: The Kenya National examination Council (KNEC) / TVETCDACC

Syllabus: Approved by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

Course Commencement: September every year

Minimum Course entry requirements

Diploma: KCSE C- aggregate or KCE division II or equivalent qualification

with C- in mathematics, English and physics/Physical Science.

Higher Diploma: Diploma in Photogrammetry & Remote sensing or any other equivalent qualification

Apart from the trainees two core subjects i.e. Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, the trainees of this course are also taught common and trade support subjects i.e. Communication Skills, Social studies, Entrepreneurship, Management, Land survey, Cartography, Mathematics, Physics and Geography

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF KENYA

DIPLOMA IN TECHNOLOGY: GEO-INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY