Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Multimedia Journalism
The Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Multimedia Journalism is a four-year degree programme that equips students with practical skills in multimedia storytelling, journalism, and communication across print, broadcast, and digital media platforms. Students study communication theory, news writing and reporting, multimedia journalism, photojournalism, radio and television production, digital media, media ethics and law, editing, investigative journalism, and media management.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 240,000 a year at a public institution, Ksh 960,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 194,600 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 Riara University, a CUE-accredited private university in Nairobi, through its School of Communication and Multimedia Journalism. Graduates pursue careers as multimedia journalists, news reporters, broadcast producers, digital content creators, photojournalists, editors, communication officers, and media entrepreneurs.
The programme is delivered over eight semesters through lectures, studio-based practical sessions, field reporting, and industry attachments. Students develop portfolios of still photos, video clips, and print media stories.
Entry-level salaries for multimedia journalism graduates in Kenya range from KES 35,000–65,000/month depending on the role and organisation. The programme suits students passionate about storytelling, media production, and journalism across multiple platforms.
Skills RequiredMultimedia Storytelling and ProductionNews Writing and ReportingPhotojournalism and Visual CommunicationRadio and Television ProductionDigital Media and Online JournalismInvestigative JournalismEditing and CopyeditingMedia Ethics and LawCommunication Theory and AnalysisMedia Portfolio DevelopmentKey SubjectsCommunication TheoryNews Writing and ReportingMultimedia JournalismPhotojournalismRadio and Television ProductionDigital MediaMedia Ethics and LawInvestigative JournalismEditing and PublishingMedia ManagementCertificationsMedia Council of Kenya (MCK) AccreditationGoogle Digital Marketing CertificationAdobe Certified Professional in Video EditingSpecializationsPrint and Online JournalismFocus on print and digital news media — covering news writing, feature writing, investigative reporting, online journalism, content management, and the editorial processes of print and digital news platforms. Broadcast JournalismFocus on radio and television journalism — covering broadcast reporting, studio production, news anchoring, video editing, radio production, and the technical and creative aspects of broadcast news.
Photojournalism and Visual CommunicationFocus on visual storytelling — covering photojournalism, documentary photography, visual editing, image ethics, and the use of photography and visual media in news and communication.
What you study
10 subjects- Communication Theory
- News Writing and Reporting
- Multimedia Journalism
- Photojournalism
- Radio and Television Production
- Digital Media
- Media Ethics and Law
- Investigative Journalism
- Editing and Publishing
- Media Management
Modules
12 in the programmeNews Writing and Reporting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Journalism fundamentals — covering news values, news writing, reporting techniques, interviewing skills, feature writing, and the practical skills of print and online journalism.
Introduction to Communication and Media Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational communication and media theory — covering models of communication, mass media theory, the role of media in society, and the historical development of journalism and communication as di...
Radio and Television Production
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Broadcast media production — covering studio operations, radio production, television production, scripting, directing, editing, and the technical and creative aspects of broadcast journalism.
Photojournalism and Visual Communication
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Visual storytelling through photography — covering photojournalism techniques, documentary photography, image composition, photo editing, visual ethics, and the use of photography in news and commu...
Media Ethics and Law
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical and legal frameworks for journalism — covering media ethics, codes of conduct, defamation law, copyright, privacy, freedom of expression, and the regulatory framework for media in Kenya.
Multimedia Journalism and Digital Media
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Multimedia storytelling across platforms — covering digital journalism, social media journalism, multimedia content creation, podcasting, and the integration of text, audio, video, and images in di...
Investigative Journalism
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
In-depth investigative reporting — covering research methods, data journalism, source development, document analysis, ethics of investigation, and the production of investigative stories.
Editing and Publishing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Editorial processes — covering copyediting, sub-editing, layout and design, headline writing, editorial decision-making, and the editorial management of print and digital publications.
Development Communication
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Communication for social change — covering development communication theory, participatory communication, health communication, advocacy campaigns, and the use of media for community development.
Media Management and Entrepreneurship
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Management of media organisations and media entrepreneurship — covering media business models, content management, audience engagement, digital media monetisation, and media start-up development.
Advanced Multimedia Production
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced media production techniques — covering documentary production, advanced video editing, multimedia project management, studio direction, and the production of complex multimedia content.
Journalism Portfolio and Media Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year journalism portfolio and media project — demonstrating mastery of multimedia journalism through a comprehensive portfolio of published work and a capstone media production project.
Specialisations
Print and Online Journalism
Focus on print and digital news media — covering news writing, feature writing, investigative reporting, online journalism, content management, and the editorial processes of print and digital news platforms.
Broadcast Journalism
Focus on radio and television journalism — covering broadcast reporting, studio production, news anchoring, video editing, radio production, and the technical and creative aspects of broadcast news.
Photojournalism and Visual Communication
Focus on visual storytelling — covering photojournalism, documentary photography, visual editing, image ethics, and the use of photography and visual media in news and communication.
Digital Media and Online Content
Focus on digital journalism and content creation — covering social media journalism, multimedia storytelling, podcasting, digital content strategy, and the use of digital platforms for news and communication.
Investigative Journalism
Focus on in-depth investigative reporting — covering research methods, data journalism, source development, document analysis, ethics of investigation, and the production of investigative stories.
Media Production and Editing
Focus on the technical aspects of media production — covering video production, audio production, editing, post-production, studio management, and the technical skills for multimedia content creation.
A day as a student
A typical day combines morning lectures on communication theory, media ethics, or journalism principles with afternoon studio sessions in radio production, video editing, or photojournalism. Students engage in field reporting assignments, writing real stories about real people in real situations. Studio-based production work involves camera operation, editing, and multimedia content creation. Students build portfolios of still photos, video clips, and print stories throughout the programme. Industry practitioners regularly visit as guest speakers, sharing real-world experience and networking opportunities.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Practical studio-based learning — the programme is highly practical, with studio sessions, field reporting, and portfolio development, giving graduates hands-on experience before entering the job market. | Single university offering — the programme is only offered at Riara University, limiting choice and potentially requiring relocation to Nairobi. |
| Portfolio development — students build impressive portfolios of still photos, video clips, and print stories, giving them a competitive advantage when seeking employment. | Private university fees — at KES 97,300/semester, the programme is more expensive than public university alternatives, though HELB loans are available. |
| UNESCO-inspired curriculum — the programme is inspired by the UNESCO Model Curricula for Journalism Education, ensuring alignment with global journalism education standards. | Competitive job market — the media and journalism sector is competitive, with many graduates from various programmes competing for entry-level positions. |
| Industry engagement — the school regularly engages industry practitioners as guest speakers, providing networking and real-world insights for students. | — |
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 153K, UoN 240K/yr; MKU 105K, Riara 194.6K/yr (educationnewshub; UoN; businessradar Riara).
Students can access HELB loans and Riara University internal scholarships and bursaries. Some media organisations offer internship-to-sponsorship pathways for promising journalism students.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
University Scholarships and Bursaries
Media Organisation Internships
Scholarships
5 recordedHigher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited university programmes.
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
Media Council of Kenya Journalism Training Fund
BursaryKenyan
Journalism and communication students accredited by the Media Council of Kenya
Riara University Internal Scholarships
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Merit-based and need-based scholarships offered by Riara University, applied through the financial aid office.
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- 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
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in English or Kiswahili and D+ in Mathematics, or KACE with two principal passes and a subsidiary pass, or Diploma with a credit pass in a relevant discipline from a recognised institution, or any other qualification accepted by the University Senate as equivalent.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Riara University.
Including Riara University.
Including Riara University.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Coursework20% of the mark
Written tests covering communication theory, media law, journalism principles, and media ethics — assessed through mid-semester and end-of-semester examinations.
Practical Studio Assignments and Field Reports
Coursework35% of the mark
Studio-based production assignments, field reporting, photojournalism projects, video production, and multimedia content creation — assessed through portfolio review and practical evaluation.
Journalism Portfolio Development
Coursework20% of the mark
Ongoing portfolio of published work — including still photos, video clips, print stories, and multimedia content, assessed for quality, breadth, and professional standards.
Final Examinations and Capstone Media Project
Examination25% of the mark
End-of-semester written examinations and a final-year capstone media project demonstrating mastery of multimedia journalism through a comprehensive production project.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes. The Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Multimedia Journalism is CUE-accredited at Riara University (approved 2017).
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) at Riara University (approved 2017). The programme is offered through the School of Communication and Multimedia Journalism and is inspired by the UNESCO Model Curricula for Journalism Education.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesMultimedia Journalist
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Produces news content across multiple media platforms — covering print, broadcast, and digital journalism, with skills in writing, photography, video production, and online content creation.
Broadcast Producer / Reporter
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Produces and reports for radio or television — covering studio production, field reporting, news anchoring, video editing, and the creative and technical aspects of broadcast news.
Digital Content Creator
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Creates digital media content for media platforms and organisations — covering social media journalism, multimedia storytelling, podcasting, and digital content strategy.
Photojournalist
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Captures and produces visual news content — covering photojournalism, documentary photography, image editing, and visual storytelling for media houses and publications.
Communication Officer / Editor
High demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 65,000
Manages communication and editorial content for organisations — covering corporate communication, content editing, media relations, and digital content management.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as multimedia journalists, news reporters, broadcast producers, digital content creators, photojournalists, and communication officers — in media houses, digital platforms, corporate organisations, and NGOs.
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 Creative Suite (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, InDesign, Audition)
SoftwarePrimary
Media production software for video editing, photo editing, print layout, and audio production — essential for multimedia journalism, photojournalism, and broadcast production.
Microsoft Office Suite
SoftwarePrimary
Productivity tools including Word for news writing and scripts, Excel for data journalism, and PowerPoint for story pitches and presentations.
Content Management Systems (WordPress, Drupal)
Software
Web publishing platforms for online journalism — covering content management, digital publishing, SEO, and the management of online news and media content.
Social Media Management Tools (Hootsuite, Buffer)
Software
Social media management platforms for scheduling posts, monitoring engagement, analysing performance, and managing social media journalism content.
Riara University Studio Facilities
Resource
Riara University School of Communication and Multimedia Journalism facilities — including radio studios, television production facilities, editing suites, cameras, and media production equipment.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Multimedia Journalism is just about reading news on TV.
The programme covers print, broadcast, digital, and photojournalism — students learn to produce content across all media platforms, not just broadcast presentation.
You need expensive equipment to study multimedia journalism.
Riara University provides studio facilities, cameras, and editing equipment — students do not need to bring their own equipment, though personal devices can enhance learning.
Journalism is dying because of digital media.
Journalism is evolving, not dying — digital media has created new platforms and formats for journalism, with growing demand for multimedia content creators who can produce across platforms.
Multimedia Journalism is the same as Mass Communication.
Multimedia Journalism focuses on practical journalism skills across media platforms — covering reporting, production, and storytelling, while Mass Communication is broader, covering PR, advertising, and communication theory.
Private university journalism degrees are not recognised.
Riara University is CUE-accredited and the programme is approved — the degree is fully recognised in Kenya and the programme's practical, studio-based approach is valued by employers.