Becoming an Architect in Kenya

Becoming an Architect in Kenya

By Arch. Martin Tairo -
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Architecture in Kenya is as mysterious as the professionals themselves. Rarely talked about in its exact terms, every time the word is mentioned, it is in reference to origins of a totally different thing, say the ‘goldentberg architect’ or the ‘architect of the media bill’.

Yet this is one of the most lucrative professions, a field that is barely serviced. Rarely would you hear of an unemployed graduate architect and their entry salaries mostly match those of their seniors in most other professions. Opportunities to venture into personal business either as an individual or corporate entity are vast and come early in one’s career.

Ironically though, the largest batch of architects get into the profession by ‘mistake’. Most of them passed so well in their exams but for some reason were not admitted into a course in medicine, their course of choice. Others were curious about this strange course that they could barely pronounce and just picked it up. Many others are forced by their parents/guardians who have some idea of what the course entails. Very few had set up their minds for the profession.

In the midst of all that clouds this profession, getting into it simply requires an education of five or more years from a recognized institution of higher learning, practise of 18 months under a registered architect and passing of a board examination. This is a requirement of Architects and Quantity Surveyor’s Act Cap 525 of the laws of Kenya. In exact terms, one must undergo through a degree of Bachelor of Architecture available at the University of Nairobi or the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Thereafter, work under a registered architect for 18 months and sit for a professional exam administered by the Board of Registration for Architects and Quantity Surveyors. Passing the exam entitles one to a practise certificate and a registration number. The board also regulates the practise by disciplining errant professionals.

In legal terms, no building in the city maybe constructed without the input of a registered architect. The control exists at city hall where all plans for approval must be signed by a registered architect who includes their registration certificate in the submission. However, due to corruption, this rule is barely applied. Less than 20% of all buildings in the city have the input of registered professionals. This means that 80% of Nairobians are living in spaces that can be considered ‘dangerous’. Refer to a previous article in the blog – Kenyans Living in Highrise Graveyards.

More information on the profession maybe found from the Architectural Association of Kenya, a professional body incorporating Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Engineers. You may also request information by emailing info@architecturekenya.com.

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99 COMMENTS

  3. Inez, the key subjects here are Maths, English and physics. Good performance in these subjects plus a good overall performance may grant one an opportunity. And unlike what people always assume, subjects like Woodwork, Metalwork, Building Construction, Art Design and Technical Drawing (am not sure whether these subjects are still taught in highschool) are not a requirement although they MAY be an advantage to the student.

    Bottomline is your kid MUST have interest in the course as this is a great factor in its successful completion. If you wish him to pursue this, develop the interest in him.

  5. Agree with the article in totality except this part

    “Yet this is one of the most lucrative professions, a field that is barely serviced. Rarely would you hear of an unemployed graduate architect and their entry salaries mostly match those of their seniors in most other professions”

    It is subjective!

  6. What about draftsman, is it a demanding job like architects? I want to pursue a career in drafting, please advice me on which institute i can join.

    • Erick, to become a draftsman, you need a diploma in architecture from either Kenya Polytechnic or Nairobi Institute of Technology. There may be other colleges offering the course but the above two are the most popular. In addition, advanced knowledge in CAD software like ArchiCAD and AutoCAD is a requirement. And of course, it is quite a demanding job.

    • Hi, am Gladys and I would like you guys to help me with finding the best college offering certificate in architecture..

  7. How is the bachelor of technology(the built environment and real estates connected To architecture? Is it A marketable career in kenya as it is a new course in our university?and What does it entail How long does it take to complete the course

    • It may not be an advantage for now as it wont give you a competitive edge over others who want the same course. The key subjects at the moment are Math, English, Physics and Chemistry which you must have performed so well. In addition, your grade needs to be good.

      But once you join the school of architecture, you will definitely have an advantage over other students who did not go through your course as you will be familiar with what the course entails.

  9. am a student in form 4 nairobi school and wonderin where i can pursue the career(university) and how long the course is. i have the passion for it and would love to be an architect one day!!!!!

  12. I have already applied for a diploma and ma application approved but am getin lots of pressure that its a hard course,is it realy hard? and if u r not so good in drawing but much interested is it ok?

    • Njoro, ‘hard’ would be the wrong term. Maybe ‘demanding’. Its quite unfortunate that interest alone is not enough but knowledge in drawing is something you would need to have. But lucky you, nowadays, pencils have been thrown into the dustbins, people most use CAD software.

  14. Goodmorning Sir, My name is Newton Mbogori. I am an student in Nairobi school,Westlands. I would like to be an architect when i grow up.I would like you to be my mentor and advisor. Please help?

    • Frankline, tough one. You will have to undertake a degree course in architecture. It takes six years. if you are patient enough and willing, just visit any of the schools listed above. All the best.

  17. Hi sir…i’ve had great passion for architecture since i was young…can one take the course at kenyatta university? What is the least amount an architect can earn?? Plz tell me mo about this career…..

  18. I have look at private student fee structure in nairobi university to be around 330k per year at JKUAT 240k per year what is the fee structure for kenya polytechnic regards your anser will be helpfull for me to make a good decision

  19. I gt math A,phyc A,history A,kiswahili A,bio nd chem B+,geog B, do you thnk i cn qualify 4 arch in kenya polytechnic? I really hv passion!!

  20. Hallo sir/madam, my name is Haroun and i have completed a diploma in Architecture at Kiambu Institute Of science and technology which i sat on 2008 but i got refered. I have worked under a registered Architect for the last 5 years since then. I was wondering if i can get admission to a university with the results of the modules,please advice

  21. I salute you Sir/Madam, I am LORD LLOYD-DE-LA MARTIN LEE. I am a staff of Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) in the monuments division, Cape Coast, Ghana. I already have good results in XXXXXXX programs from different institutions. I have worked under different registered Architects for the last 10 years during and after school and currently in practice. Where should I start.

  22. Ok,i got a B plain at kcse,and got an A in maths,B in physics,B in geography,an i don know whether am qualified for a degree in architecture,please help me!

  24. plz tel me …… if i want transfer form Pakistan university to Kenya …… any university… plz tel any one if
    have a knowledge about it…….

  25. Generally I do not read article on blogs, but I desire to are convinced that this write-up very pressured me to use and do so!

    Your writing taste has been amazed me. Thanks, quite great article.

    • hi my name is Rampan Keen and i got passion in architecture and it’s my career i love it bt i have not done physics in high school my question is is it possible to pursue architecture without physics ?? help me

  26. I am a droughts man and I want to be an architect. I droped from a dip. in Civil Engineering at third year due to lack of fee but so far I have done Archicad and autocad which am good at. Where can I start? which college can join now

  28. Hi.I am a form for to be and i have always wanted to pursue achritecture. please give more information on the basic requriments one has to avail so as to study architecture,and also employment and salary upcomes

  29. Am so intrested in Arc’,i believe i’m gifted at drawing and am encouraged by many people especially my mum to take up Arc’,the thing is that i didnt thak up physics at secondary school,do i stand a chance?

  30. ….if this is realy true, am gland that i was given discountinuation from taking B.sc in my first yr later God let me chose Archite***ture. this is wot i realy wanted.

  31. Hello sir /madam…. My name is frank kiptoo and I completed my four year course in high school and I am looking forward to study b. Architecture. I really have a passion for it and would like advice and a mentor to kindly help me

  32. Am peter saoke ,I got A- in KCSE 2013,wiht B+ in maths anphysics ,B in English . Do I stand achance to persue architecture

  33. I did my kcse last year (2013) and got A-(78 pts)..with an A in maths A- in physics and B plain in English Geo A.
    Do I have any chance of doing architecture as a government sponsored student?.

  37. Hello friends would someone please advice me if i study Auto CAD & Arch CAD can i get a job or do i still have tostudy Architecture please i will appreciate your advice….or else if u good in this field please take me as your student and let me learn through you and am willing to work for any Architect just to become one someday am willing and it has been my dream to became one please help.

  38. much interest in arch but missed out in most intakes pleace advice on which college to finally try that best offers the course.

  40. Kelvin.do I qualify for a diploma in architecture having maths c- English B+ kiswahili c+ physicsD+ chemistryD+ and history c+ in kcse

  41. HI am Michael from JKUAT UNIVERSITY where i did my diploma in Architecture and am looking for a firm where i can get an internship as I wait for my certificate to be out.if you may help contact me thru my email adress (mikewanjoroge@gmail.com)

  43. Caleb Otweyo
    I have completed a bachelors degree in education, technology education building and civil engineering option, yet so much interested in Architecture,at what level must I start to become an architect?. I also have a diploma in civil engineering.

  45. am peter studying architect at kabete tti is the school …is the school recognised by architectural firms

  46. Hi
    My name is Amisi. I did my dip in Land Surveying, and later did my degree in surveying technology. Am interested in being an architect, do I qualify for for masters in architecture and later registration for licence?

  47. FRED
    i just attained a B in the 2016 kcse exams and performed well in math and physics…am interested in architecture……what does this course entail in the Kenyan universities? with my mean grade do i qualify???? please respond

    • Hi Kimathi,

      Please visit the websites of any of the 5 universities offering Architectural undergraduate programs to check the requirements or and specifics for the programs. The Universites are University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology, Technical University of Kenya, Technical university of Mombasa and Kenyatta University.

  50. Hi.I’m a student in form 3 and I didn’t do physics.Will it affect me wanting to pursue architecture course?
    Or can it be bridged?

    • Hello, am Geoffrey. A 2016 KCSE Graduate. I have an interest in the venture yet due to circumstances, I did not do well in Math. I then did a Bridging course. Uum…friends are advising me not to pursue it terming it as ‘haina market’ this got me worried.

      • Hi Geoffrey, thak you for visiting our website. I do not know how well versed your friends are with the architectural world. I would advise you to pursue it if it is what you want, it is a very marketable course and you can do a lot with it,.

  52. Good Afternoon Sir, My name is Ahmed from somaliland British a’m finish first degree of Bachelor of Architecture in Hargeisa, Somaliland. now, i went to start master in Nairobi.
    what are the requirements to start master program of architecture?

    • Hi Ahmed.

      You can check out the websites of University of Nairobi or Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology to get more info on their post-graduate programs. You should get all the necessary requirements on those websites.

  56. Goodmorning Sir, My name is Anisa. I am an student in Langata Barracks . I would like to be an architect when i grow up.I would like you to be my mentor and advisor. Please help?Thank you!

  60. I am a diploma holder in building technology with credit,i wish to proceed with bachelor of Architecture

  61. Now that Computer Aided Design apps available for download even on personal phones,are architecture professionals set to be jobless in the near future?

  62. I am interested in pursuing a diploma in architecture. I did GCSE education system and obtained grade B with A in Maths, A in physics and so far I have done certificate in woodwork at NITA. How do I progress to Nairobi Institute of Technology to do diploma in architecture?

  63. I am a form four leaver From oloolaiser High school, scored a MG of an A- with A in math A phy A chem and B- in Eng and would like to persue architecture in UON orJKUAT is it possible?

  65. do I need 2 do form 5 and form 6 if I want to become an architect. I will finish my edexcell for form 4 next month.

  66. I am Liam would like to ask whether Technical university of Mombasa offers bachelor of architecture or it offers diploma in architecture

  67. I am asking the way forward to becoming an architect, I have little knowledge that I got in technical school,we used to call it technical drawing, where do I start.

  69. If a person has acquired an architectural degree in a different country can they still register under the board of registration for architects?

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