Media & Communication

Bachelor in Interactive Media Technology

The Bachelor in Interactive Media Technology is an interdisciplinary programme combining digital design, computer science, and multimedia production. Students learn to create, design, and develop innovative interactive media solutions for the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Students gain competencies in digital graphic design, 2D and 3D animation, web authoring, multimedia programming, digital audio and video production, and interactive media design. The programme emphasises hands-on project work, portfolio development, and industry-relevant skills.

Kenya's digital economy is expanding rapidly, with growing demand for interactive media professionals in fintech, e-commerce, education technology, and entertainment. Nairobi is a regional tech hub hosting numerous digital agencies, software companies, and creative studios. The Communications Authority of Kenya and Kenya ICT Authority are key stakeholders driving digital transformation.

The programme is delivered through online and blended learning, practical projects, and industry attachments. Students work on individual and group projects building interactive websites, mobile applications, games, and multimedia content.

Graduates find employment as UX/UI designers, web developers, mobile app developers, game developers, multimedia artists, animators, and digital content creators. Common employers include digital agencies, tech startups, media houses, e-learning companies, and corporate IT departments.

This programme suits students with strong creative aptitude, technical curiosity, attention to detail, and a passion for digital media. Prospective students should enjoy blending artistry with technology, solving user experience problems, and working in collaborative project teams. The interactive media field requires adaptability, continuous learning, and a strong portfolio. Students who thrive combine design sensibility with programming capability.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 79,000
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Online
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 35 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Digital Graphic Design
Web Authoring
2D Computer Animation
3D Computer Animation
Multimedia Programming
Digital Audio and Video Production
Game Design
User Experience Design
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Interactive Media Authoring

Modules

10 in the programme

Introduction to Multimedia
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of multimedia, interactive media, and digital content production.
Digital Graphic Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of visual design, typography, colour theory, and digital image creation.
Principles of Computer Programming
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduction to programming concepts and languages used in interactive media development.
Web Based Authoring
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive web design for interactive web applications.
2D Computer Animation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques for creating 2D animations including keyframing, tweening, and motion paths.
Digital Audio and Video Production
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Recording, editing, and producing digital audio and video content for interactive media.
User Experience Design
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
UX research methods, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and user-centred design.
3D Computer Animation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
3D modelling, texturing, rigging, and animation for games and interactive experiences.
Game Design and Development
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Game Design and Development: Game mechanics, level design, game engines, and interactive game development. Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Final Year Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Capstone project developing an interactive media application, assessed through presentation and portfolio.

Specialisations

UX/UI Design
User experience research, interface design, prototyping, and usability testing for web and mobile applications.
Game Development
Game design, programming, 2D and 3D game development, and interactive game experiences. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Web and Mobile Development
Front-end and back-end web development, mobile app development, and responsive design. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Animation and Motion Graphics
2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, visual effects, and digital video production. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending online lectures on design principles and programming concepts, followed by practical lab sessions working on interactive media projects. Students use tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Unity to create digital prototypes, animations, and interactive applications. Group projects simulate real-world agency workflows, with students collaborating on web, mobile, and game development assignments.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's growing digital economy creates strong demand for interactive media professionals
Diverse career paths across web, mobile, games, animation, and UX design
Creative and technical skills enable entrepreneurial opportunities in digital agencies

Against it

Rapidly evolving technology requires continuous self-learning beyond the curriculum
Limited specialised interactive media programmes at Kenyan universities
Portfolio quality matters more than degree classification for many employers
Entry-level competition is high due to self-taught designers and bootcamp graduates

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 106 media & communication courses

Public79k to 79k

79k at Open University of Kenya79k at Open University of Kenya

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

OUK 79K/yr (ouk.ac.ke). Not found at KU/UoN. Private: unverified.

Government scholarships under the New Higher Education Funding Model cover 53–82% of programme cost for needy students in public universities. HELB provides undergraduate loans up to KES 60,000 per year. County bursaries and NGAAF provide additional support for eligible students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
County Bursary

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in CUE-accredited undergraduate programmes at recognised institutions.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKsh 65,000Kenyan
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities, assessed through Means Testing Instrument.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in interactive media, multimedia technology, computer science, or related field from a recognised institution. Portfolio for recognition of prior learning may be considered.

How you are assessed

3 components

Project Portfolio
Project40% of the mark
Continuous project-based assessment including design portfolios, prototypes, and interactive applications.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam40% of the mark
Written examinations covering theoretical and technical aspects of each module.
Practical Assignments
Practicum20% of the mark
Hands-on lab assignments evaluating technical proficiency with design and development tools.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Open University of Kenya and Technical University of Kenya. Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ or equivalent. OUK offers the programme fully online with flexible study options.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Programme accreditationRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya. Open University of Kenya and Technical University of Kenya are CUE-accredited institutions.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Junior UX/UI Designer
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 80,000
Designs user interfaces and experiences for web and mobile applications in digital agencies and tech companies.
Front-End Web Developer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 90,000
Builds responsive websites and web applications using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and modern frameworks.
Multimedia Content Creator
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Creates digital content including animations, videos, and interactive graphics for media and marketing.
Mobile App Developer
High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 95,000
Develops mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms for startups and tech companies.
Game Developer
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 75,000
Designs and programmes interactive games using game engines like Unity and Unreal.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as UX/UI designers, web developers, mobile app developers, game developers, multimedia artists, and digital content creators in digital agencies, tech startups, media houses, and corporate IT departments. Starting salaries range from KES 40,000–80,000 per month.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Creative Suite
DesignPrimary
Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign for media design
Figma
Ui/ux designPrimary
Collaborative interface design and prototyping
Unity
Game engine
Game development and interactive media creation
Blender
3d modeling
3D modeling and animation software
Visual Studio Code
Ide
Code editor for interactive media development
HTML/CSS/JavaScript
Web development
Web technologies for interactive media

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Interactive media is just about making websites.
The field covers game development, virtual reality, mobile apps, animation, UX research, and digital content creation across multiple platforms.
You need to be an artist to study interactive media.
The programme teaches both technical and creative skills. Many successful graduates come from analytical backgrounds and develop design abilities through structured learning.
Interactive media jobs are scarce in Kenya.
Kenya's digital economy is growing rapidly with increasing demand for UX designers, web developers, and digital content creators across fintech, e-commerce, and media sectors.
A degree in interactive media is less rigorous than computer science.
The programme combines programming, design theory, multimedia production, and project management, requiring both technical and creative competencies.