Architecture is one of the top 10 best degree courses to study in Kenya. The course is extremely marketable in the country. Out of 1000 jobs being created, at least 50 of them are for Architects.
If you want to know that Architecture is marketable, look at the number of new building coming up. In the Kenya of today, every new structure MUST be designed by an Architect. The design built are of the standard of architectural design. When a structure undergoes approval through NCA and County, you must show them the signature and certificate of a registered Architect.
Another reason why Architecture is marketable is because graduates are few—you can count them; they cannot meet the ever growing demand in the market. You go to a city like Nakuru and realize that only less than 10 Architects are in that city.
Bachelor of Architecture takes 5 years to complete. Upon completion, you are required to practice for at least 1 year before opening your own firm. When you own your firm, you will set the figure to charge for each house design.
Which is better between being employed and owning your own architectural firm
Architects who own their firms earn more money than those attached to institutions. For instance, you will design a house worth Ksh 20 million and charge 10% of the cost. This means that the owner will pay you Ksh 2 million. Even if you charge 2%, you will still make good amount of money.
For you to become successful and be among top 10 in the industry, you have to do excellent work. When the work is good, you will get referrals.
Employment is good when starting your career. After a couple of years, plan on how to set up your own firm.
Salaries of Architects in Kenya
Fresh graduates earn Ksh 70,000 to Ksh 120,000 monthly. Those with over 3 years of experience ern Ksh120,000 to Ksh200,000. If you work for more than 5 years, expect to earn not less than Ksh250,000 monthly.
Those who are self-employed make over Ksh 500,000 monthly.
Best institutions for Bachelor of Architecture in Kenya and Admission Requirements
You can opt to enroll for Actuarial Science under self-sponsored or through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS). For those enrolling under KUCCPS you must score at least A- in KCSE to get a chance in the local university.
For self-sponsored courses, here are the best universities and admission requirement
University of Nairobi—KCSE Grade(C+)
Kenyatta University— Bachelor of Architecture/Architectural Studies (B.Arch)
Entry Requirements—KCSE C+ and above
JKUAT— Bachelor of Architectural Studies (B.A.S.)
Entry Requirements—KCSE C+ and above
Technical University of Kenya— Bachelor of Architectural Studies
Entry Requirements—KCSE C+ and above
The University of Nairobi is very competitive. Select Technical University of Kenya or Kenyatta University if you didn’t score grade A in KCSE.But if you scored A plain, choose JKUAT or The University of Nairobi.
Courses which are better or equal to Bachelor of Architecture in Kenya
When selecting for a course, you may be required to select more than one course. Below are equally marketable degree courses in Kenya:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Structural engineering
- Bachelor of Construction Management
- Bachelor of Quantity Surveying
- Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Bachelor of Computer Science
- Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor of Computer Engineering
- Bachelor of Software Engineering
Future of Architecture in Kenya
With Artificial Intelligence, the future of Architecture may not be so bright, unless one is extremely talented to draw designs which do not exist.AI tools will be designing magnificent houses.
There is also competition from other professionals and people who didn’t study for Architecture. They design good structures cheaply. The competition is killing the profession.