Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Production
The Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Production is a four-year degree programme that prepares students for careers in professional and technical broadcast production. Students study broadcast production techniques, radio and television production, film production, screenplay writing, scriptwriting, directing, camera operations, sound design, editing, documentary production, and media law.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 204,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 816,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 364,900 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 4 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Crisis Communication Director, at 18 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The programme is offered at the University of Nairobi through its School of Journalism and Mass Communication, a CUE-accredited public university. Graduates pursue careers as broadcast producers, film directors, camera operators, sound engineers, screenwriters, video editors, production managers, and content creators — working in television stations, radio stations,.
The programme is delivered over eight semesters through lectures, studio practicals, field production exercises, and industry attachments. Students work with professional broadcast equipment, producing radio programmes, television content, and short films.
Entry-level salaries for broadcast production graduates in Kenya range from KES 35,000–80,000/month depending on the role and organisation, with opportunities in media houses, production companies, advertising agencies, and digital content platforms. The programme suits creative students with interest in visual storytelling and technical production.
Skills RequiredRadio and Television ProductionFilm Production and DirectingCamera Operations and CinematographySound Design and Audio ProductionVideo Editing and Post-ProductionScreenplay Writing and ScriptwritingDocumentary ProductionProduction ManagementBroadcast Technology and Equipment OperationCreative Writing for ProductionKey SubjectsRadio ProductionTelevision ProductionFilm ProductionScreenplay Writing and ScriptwritingCamera Operations and CinematographySound Design and Audio ProductionVideo Editing and Post-ProductionDocumentary ProductionBroadcast Media Law and EthicsProduction ManagementCertificationsMedia Council of Kenya (MCK) AccreditationKenya Film Commission RegistrationAdobe Certified Professional in Video EditingSpecializationsRadio ProductionFocus on radio broadcasting — covering radio programme production, sound design, studio operations, radio drama, talk shows, music programming, and the technical and creative aspects of radio production. Television ProductionFocus on television broadcasting — covering multi-camera studio production, live broadcasting, television directing, graphics, lighting, and the technical and creative aspects of television content production.
Film ProductionFocus on filmmaking — covering screenplay writing, directing, cinematography, editing, sound design, production design, and the complete film production pipeline from concept to final cut.
What you study
10 subjects- Radio Production
- Television Production
- Film Production
- Screenplay Writing and Scriptwriting
- Camera Operations and Cinematography
- Sound Design and Audio Production
- Video Editing and Post-Production
- Documentary Production
- Broadcast Media Law and Ethics
- Production Management
Modules
12 in the programmeIntroduction to Broadcast Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational introduction to broadcast production — covering the history, principles, and workflows of radio, television, and film production, and the roles and responsibilities of production teams.
Radio Production Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Practical radio production — covering studio operations, sound recording, mixing, radio programme formats, music programming, talk shows, and the technical skills of radio broadcasting.
Television Production Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical television production — covering multi-camera studio operations, directing, vision mixing, graphics, lighting, set design, and the technical and creative skills of television production.
Camera Operations and Cinematography
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Camera work for film and television — covering camera operation, shot composition, lighting techniques, lens selection, camera movement, and the visual language of cinematography.
Sound Design and Audio Production
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Audio production for broadcast and film — covering sound recording, mixing, sound effects, music scoring, dialogue editing, and the technical and creative aspects of sound design.
Screenplay Writing and Scriptwriting
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Writing for screen — covering screenplay structure, character development, dialogue, scene construction, narrative techniques, and writing for film, television, and radio drama.
Video Editing and Post-Production
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Post-production for film and television — covering non-linear editing, colour grading, visual effects, sound post-production, and the complete post-production workflow.
Film Directing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
The art and craft of directing — covering working with actors, blocking scenes, visual storytelling, directing documentary and drama, and the creative leadership of film and television production.
Broadcast Media Law and Ethics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Legal and ethical frameworks for broadcast media — covering media law, copyright, defamation, content regulation, broadcasting standards, and the ethical responsibilities of media producers.
Documentary Production
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Documentary filmmaking — covering research, storytelling, interview techniques, observational filming, narrative structure, ethics, and the production of factual content for broadcast and digital p...
Production Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Management of broadcast and film productions — covering budgeting, scheduling, crew management, location management, equipment logistics, risk management, and the organisational aspects of production.
Final Production Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Capstone production project — demonstrating mastery of production skills through the creation of a complete broadcast or film production, from concept development through to final delivery.
Specialisations
Radio Production
Focus on radio broadcasting — covering radio programme production, sound design, studio operations, radio drama, talk shows, music programming, and the technical and creative aspects of radio production.
Television Production
Focus on television broadcasting — covering multi-camera studio production, live broadcasting, television directing, graphics, lighting, and the technical and creative aspects of television content production.
Film Production
Focus on filmmaking — covering screenplay writing, directing, cinematography, editing, sound design, production design, and the complete film production pipeline from concept to final cut.
Documentary Production
Focus on factual and documentary filmmaking — covering research, storytelling, interview techniques, observational filming, narrative structure, and the ethical considerations of documentary production.
Screenplay Writing and Scriptwriting
Focus on writing for screen — covering screenplay structure, character development, dialogue, narrative techniques, adaptation, and writing for film, television, and digital platforms.
Production Management
Focus on the business and management side of production — covering budgeting, scheduling, crew management, location management, equipment logistics, and the organisational aspects of broadcast and film production.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on production theory, media law, or scriptwriting with afternoon studio practicals where students operate cameras, sound equipment, and editing suites. Students work on production projects — shooting scenes, recording radio programmes, editing footage, and preparing screenplays. Field production exercises involve location shooting, while industry attachments provide real-world experience in media houses and production companies.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Hands-on practical training — the programme emphasises studio and field production, giving students real experience with professional broadcast equipment and workflows. | Equipment-intensive — students may need personal storage devices, and access to equipment outside class hours can be limited due to high student-to-equipment ratios. |
| Versatile career options — graduates work across television, radio, film, streaming, advertising, corporate communications, and digital media, with growing demand for content creators. | Competitive job market — while demand for content is growing, entry-level positions in major media houses are competitive, with many graduates starting as freelancers. |
| Strong industry connections — the programme is offered at UoN's School of Journalism, with links to major media houses and production companies for attachments and internships. | Rapidly evolving technology — the broadcast industry undergoes constant technological change, requiring graduates to continuously update their skills in new equipment, software, and platforms. |
| Creative and technical blend — the programme develops both creative storytelling skills and technical production competence, making graduates versatile media professionals. | — |
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 coursesAnnual 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 204K/yr; UoN 189K/yr. USIU 364,900/yr; MKU 120K/yr (official fee schedules).
Students can access HELB loans, university internal bursaries, and Kenya Film Commission grants for film-related projects. Government scholarships under the new funding model cover a portion of tuition for placed students.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
University of Nairobi Scholarships and Bursaries
Kenya Film Commission Grants
Scholarships
5 recordedUniversity of Nairobi Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Needy students enrolled at the University of Nairobi, applied through the financial aid office.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Kenya Film Commission Creative Grant
GrantKsh 500,000Kenyan
Kenyan filmmakers and creatives pursuing film, TV or animation projects
Nation Media Group Journalism Graduate Trainee Programme
ScholarshipKenyan
Recent journalism, media and communication graduates with strong digital skills
Scholarships you could apply for
10 usable where it is taught- Equity Group Foundation Wings to Fly
Closes 28 February 2027FullEquity Bank
Full secondary + university
- Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullAga Khan Foundation
Full university study
- KCB Foundation Scholarship
Closes 31 March 2027FullKCB Bank
Full tuition + stipend
- Mombasa Cement Scholarship
Closes 31 May 2027PartialMombasa Cement Ltd
KES 100,000 per year
- Safaricom Foundation ICT Scholarship
Closes 30 June 2027FullSafaricom Foundation
Full tuition + internship
- Family Bank Foundation Education Support
Closes 30 June 2027PartialFamily Bank
KES 80,000 per year
- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in English or Kiswahili, or KCSE C plain with a Diploma (Distinction/Credit) from a recognised institution, or KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary pass. Applicants must have minimum C+ in English or Kiswahili.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding University of Nairobi.
Including University of Nairobi.
Including University of Nairobi.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework20% of the mark
Written tests covering production theory, media law, scriptwriting, and broadcast technology — assessed through mid-semester and end-of-semester examinations.
Practical Production Assignments
Coursework40% of the mark
Hands-on production projects — covering radio programmes, television segments, short films, documentaries, and editing exercises, assessed through portfolio review and critique.
Industry Attachment Reports
Coursework15% of the mark
Reports from industry attachment at media houses, production companies, or broadcasting stations — documenting practical experience and learning outcomes.
Final Examinations and Production Project
Examination25% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations and a final-year production project demonstrating mastery of broadcast production skills through a complete creative work.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes. The Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Production is CUE-accredited at the University of Nairobi.
Media Council of Kenya (MCK)
Professional accreditation
Statutory body regulating media practice in Kenya — graduates working in media houses require MCK accreditation for professional practice.
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) at the University of Nairobi. The programme is offered through the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, with options in Radio, Television, and Film.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesBroadcast Producer
High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 80,000
Produces radio and television content — managing productions from concept to delivery, coordinating crews, overseeing creative direction, and ensuring technical quality in media houses and production companies.
Camera Operator / Cinematographer
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 75,000
Operates cameras for television, film, and digital content — covering shot composition, lighting, camera movement, and visual storytelling in studio and on-location productions.
Video Editor
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000
Edits video content for television, film, and digital platforms — handling non-linear editing, colour grading, sound post-production, and the assembly of raw footage into finished productions.
Sound Engineer / Audio Producer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Records and mixes audio for broadcast and film — covering sound recording, dialogue editing, sound effects, music scoring, and the technical aspects of audio production.
Screenwriter / Scriptwriter
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 60,000
Writes screenplays and scripts for film, television, and radio — developing stories, characters, dialogue, and narrative structures for drama, documentary, and factual content.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as broadcast producers, film directors, camera operators, sound engineers, screenwriters, video editors, and production managers — in television stations, radio stations, film companies, and digital content platforms.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Crisis Communication DirectorMedia & Communication18Low exposure
- Documentary Impact ProducerMedia & Communication19Low exposure
- Livestream Broadcast ProducerMedia & Communication19Low exposure
- Applied EthicistArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- ChoreographerArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- Interfaith Dialogue FacilitatorArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- Health Communication SpecialistMedia & Communication21Low exposure
- Corporate SpeechwriterMedia & Communication22Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Adobe Premiere Pro
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard video editing software — used for non-linear editing, colour grading, and post-production of film and television content.
Adobe Audition
SoftwarePrimary
Professional audio editing software — used for sound recording, mixing, editing, and audio post-production for radio, television, and film.
DaVinci Resolve
Software
Professional colour grading and video editing software — widely used in film and television post-production for colour correction and editing.
Final Draft (Screenwriting)
Software
Industry-standard screenwriting software — used for formatting screenplays, teleplays, and stage plays according to industry standards.
Professional Broadcast Equipment
HardwarePrimary
Studio cameras, mixing consoles, lighting kits, and editing suites available at the UoN School of Journalism — providing hands-on training with industry-standard broadcast equipment.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Broadcast Production is just about operating cameras.
The programme covers the full production pipeline — from concept development and scriptwriting to directing, camera work, sound design, editing, and production management — preparing graduates for diverse roles in the industry.
You need expensive equipment to learn broadcast production.
The university provides access to professional broadcast studios, cameras, and editing suites — students train with industry-standard equipment as part of their coursework.
Broadcast Production graduates can only work in TV and radio stations.
Graduates work across film, streaming platforms, advertising agencies, corporate communications, digital media, NGOs, and independent production — with growing demand for content creators in the digital age.
The programme is purely practical with no theory.
The programme balances practical production skills with theoretical foundations in media law, ethics, communication theory, and critical analysis — developing both technical competence and intellectual rigour.
Broadcast Production is the same as Journalism.
While related, Broadcast Production focuses on the technical and creative aspects of producing content — camera work, sound, editing, directing, while Journalism focuses on news gathering, reporting, and editorial decision-making.