Art and Design

Bachelor of Arts in Arts - Fine Art

This Bachelor's programme prepares students for professional careers in fine art. It develops expertise in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and art history while building creative skills for artistic expression and visual communication.

Students analyse artistic concepts, design visual compositions, implement artistic techniques, evaluate artistic work, conduct art research, apply creative principles, manage art projects, and develop sustainable artistic practices. They also strengthen analytical thinking, creative skills, communication, teamwork, and artistic abilities.

Kenya requires fine art to support cultural development, promote artistic expression, and enhance visual communication, creating demand for professionals who can create art, teach art, manage artistic projects, and support the creative industry.

The programme combines coursework, studio work, fieldwork, art projects, and research. Students gain hands-on experience through artistic creation, exhibitions, and studio practice.

Graduates pursue careers as fine artists, art teachers, gallery curators, art consultants, and graphic designers across art studios, galleries, educational institutions, and creative organizations.

The programme is ideal for students interested in fine art, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and artistic expression. The programme emphasises practical skills through studio work, industrial attachments, and creative projects that prepare graduates for real-world design and artistic challenges across the creative economy.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

6 subjects

Fine Art
Drawing
Painting
Sculpture
Printmaking
Art History

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Fine Art
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Fine Art: Overview of fine art, artistic principles, and creative expression. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Drawing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Drawing techniques, sketching, and visual representation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment test...
Painting
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Painting: Painting techniques, color theory, and painting composition. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Sculpture
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Sculpture: Sculptural techniques, three-dimensional design, and sculptural materials. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Printmaking
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Printmaking techniques, print processes, and print design. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tes...
Art History
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Art movements, art appreciation, and historical context. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests...
Digital Art
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital Art: Digital techniques, digital media, and digital art creation. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Art Criticism
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Art analysis, art criticism, and art evaluation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, course...
Exhibition Design
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Exhibition Design: Exhibition planning, gallery design, and exhibition management. Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
Professional Practice
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Professional Practice: Art business, portfolio development, and professional skills. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Fine Art Studio
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Fine Art Studio: Artistic creation, studio projects, and practical applications. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Fine Art Project
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent project on fine art topic. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and e...

Specialisations

Painting
Focus on painting techniques, color theory, and painting composition. 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.
Printmaking
Focus on printmaking techniques, print processes, and print 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.
Sculpture
Specialization in sculptural techniques, three-dimensional design, and sculptural materials. 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.
General Practice
Broad foundational knowledge covering core principles and practices in the field. 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

Students attend lectures, conduct studio work, participate in gallery visits, and engage in art projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Creative career with opportunities for artistic expression and innovation.
Studio work provides hands-on experience in artistic creation.
Growing demand for creative professionals in the digital age.

Against it

Art career can be competitive with variable income.
Artistic work requires continuous practice and portfolio development.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public184k to 189k

184k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

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

KU 183,600/yr (joweri); UoN BA 189,004/yr (KUCCPS). Private null—Daystar/KCA lack Fine Art programme.

HELB loans available for eligible students. Some universities offer scholarships based on artistic talent and academic performance.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)

Scholarships

3 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities demonstrating financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan students in public universities under the new funding model based on financial need assessment.
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+ (plus) mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Diploma holders in Fine Art, Design, or related fields with Credit pass from recognized institutions may also apply.

English/Kiswahili
C+
Any Group II subject
C
Any Group III subject
C
Any Group IV or V subject
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat30% of the mark
Regular tests, assignments, and studio projects throughout the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Exam70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research project on fine art topic.
Studio Practice Assessments
Practicum100% of the mark
Evaluation of studio skills, artistic creation, and practical applications.

Accreditation

Accredited by Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Graphic Designer
Medium demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 95,000
Design graphics, create visual content, and support design projects.
Art Teacher
Medium demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 90,000
Teach art, inspire students, and develop artistic skills.
Gallery Curator
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 110,000
Curate exhibitions, manage galleries, and promote artists.
Fine Artist
Medium demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 100,000
Create art, develop artistic practice, and produce visual artwork.
Art Consultant
Low demandKsh 48,000 to Ksh 105,000
Provide art advice, consult on art projects, and support art initiatives.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in fine art, art education, and creative industries across Kenya's art sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Illustrator
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard vector graphics software for logo design, illustration, typography, and brand identity development used by professional graphic designers.
Adobe Photoshop
SoftwarePrimary
Image editing and manipulation software for photo retouching, digital art, graphic design, and visual content creation for print and digital media.
AutoCAD
SoftwarePrimary
Computer-aided design software for 2D and 3D drafting, essential for interior design, architectural drawing, and technical design documentation.
Figma
Software
Collaborative interface design tool for UI/UX design, prototyping, and digital product design used by digital design professionals and teams.
Blender
Software
Open-source 3D modelling, animation, and rendering software for product visualisation, 3D design, and digital prototyping.