Media & Communication

Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication

The Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication is a four-year degree programme that combines English language studies with communication and media training.

The curriculum covers English grammar and syntax, phonetics and phonology, sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, communication theory, media studies, journalism, public relations, business communication, and research methods.

Students develop competencies in critical analysis, academic and journalistic writing, oral communication, media production, public relations, editing, and research methodology. The programme includes practical courses in business English, English for specific purposes, communication skills, and media production. An attachment period provides hands-on experience in a media house, communications department, or public relations firm.

Graduates pursue careers as journalists, communications officers, public relations practitioners, content creators, editors, broadcasters, and English teachers. They find employment in media houses, corporate communications departments, public relations firms, non-governmental organisations, publishing houses, and educational institutions.

The programme is offered at Laikipia University, Maasai Mara University, Maseno University, Moi University, Chuka University, Kisii University, and other institutions.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring the programme meets national quality standards. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a minimum of C+ in English or Kiswahili, reflecting the language and communication focus of the programme.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,004
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
Job market: High

The programme

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

Practicalities

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

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to the Study of Language
Communication Theory
English Grammar and Syntax
Phonetics and Phonology
Sociolinguistics
Discourse Analysis
Media Studies
Journalism
Public Relations
Research Methods in Communication

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to the Study of Language
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts in linguistics, including the nature of language, linguistic levels, and basic terminology.
Understanding Media and Communication
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to media systems, communication processes, and the role of media in society.
Introduction to Literature
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to literary analysis, including key concepts, genres, and critical approaches to literature.
The Communication Process
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Theories and models of communication, including interpersonal, group, mass, and intercultural communication.
The Structure of Language
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Analysis of language structure, including phonology, morphology, syntax, and semantics.
Communication Theory
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced communication theories, including agenda-setting, framing, uses and gratifications, and critical theories.
English Phonetics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of English speech sounds, their production, transcription, and phonological organisation.
English Syntax
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Syntactic analysis of English, including phrase structure, transformations, and contemporary syntactic theory.
Business English
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Professional English for business contexts, including report writing, correspondence, and corporate communication.
English for Specific Purposes
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
English language skills tailored to specific professional contexts, including academic, technical, and diplomatic communication.
Attachment
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Practical attachment in a media house, communications department, or public relations firm, applying language and communication skills.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Independent research project at the intersection of English language and communication, culminating in a written dissertation.

Specialisations

English Language Studies
Study of the structure and use of the English language, including grammar, phonetics, sociolinguistics, and discourse analysis.
Media and Journalism
Application of English language skills in media contexts, including news writing, broadcasting, and digital media production.
Public Relations and Corporate Communication
Strategic communication for organisations, including media relations, corporate messaging, and stakeholder engagement.
Sociolinguistics
Study of the relationship between language and society, including language variation, language policy, and communication in multilingual contexts.
Business Communication
Professional communication in business contexts, including report writing, presentations, negotiations, and corporate correspondence.
Publishing and Editing
Editorial processes, publishing workflows, and content development for print and digital media. 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 combines language analysis lectures with communication and media courses. Morning sessions may cover English grammar, phonetics, or sociolinguistics, while afternoons focus on communication theory, journalism, public relations, or media production. Practical workshops develop skills in news writing, editing, and presentation. The attachment period in a media house, PR firm, or corporate communications department provides hands-on experience applying language and communication skills in professional settings.

The trade offs

In its favour

Dual focus on English language and communication provides versatile skills applicable across media, corporate, education, and publishing sectors.
Growing demand for communication professionals in Kenya's expanding media, corporate, and digital content sectors.
Offered at multiple public universities with affordable tuition through KUCCPS government sponsorship.
Practical attachment component provides hands-on industry experience before graduation.

Against it

Entry-level positions in media and communications can be competitive with limited openings in established organisations.
Entry-level salaries in media and journalism are often modest compared to corporate or technology careers.
The programme covers a broad range of topics, which may mean less depth in any single area compared to specialised degrees.
Rapid changes in digital media require graduates to continuously update their skills beyond the formal curriculum.

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

Public153k to 189k

153k at Kenyatta University189k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 243k

105k at Mount Kenya University243k at Daystar University

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 153,000/yr; UoN 189,004/yr; MKU 105,000/yr; PAC 187,760/yr. Src: educationnewshub.co.ke

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS placement. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Universities also offer internal bursaries and merit-based scholarships for financially needy and academically outstanding students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
University Internal Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points and are placed in the programme through the central placement system.
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
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities through KUCCPS or self-sponsored. Must demonstrate financial need.
University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need. Application through the respective university financial aid office.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary; OR a Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised institution; OR a mean grade of C (Plain) at KCSE with a Diploma from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, essays, assignments, oral presentations, and practical media exercises conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations at the end of each semester covering language analysis, communication theory, and media studies.
Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of practical attachment performance in a media house, communications department, or PR firm, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Research Project
Research100% of the mark
Final-year independent research project at the intersection of English language and communication, culminating in a written dissertation.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 75,000
Researches, writes, and reports news stories for print, broadcast, or digital media platforms.
Communications Officer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Manages internal and external communications for organisations, including press releases, reports, and digital content.
Public Relations Specialist
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Manages public image and communications for organisations, including media relations and corporate messaging.
Content Writer
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 75,000
Creates written content for digital media, marketing, corporate communications, and publishing.
Editor
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Edits and proofreads content for publications, media houses, and corporate communications departments.
Broadcaster
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Presents news, programmes, or content on radio or television, applying communication and language skills.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as journalists, communications officers, public relations practitioners, and content creators. Demand is high in Kenya's growing media, corporate communications, and digital content sectors.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets for writing, editing, and professional communication.
Adobe InDesign
Publishing
Desktop publishing software for designing and producing print and digital publications.
Grammarly
Writing assistant
AI-powered writing assistant for grammar checking, style suggestions, and proofreading.
WordPress
Content management
Content management system for publishing blogs, articles, and web content.
Hootsuite
Social media management
Social media management platform for scheduling posts, monitoring engagement, and analysing performance across platforms.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

An English and Communication degree is the same as a journalism degree.
While there is overlap in media-related courses, this programme places greater emphasis on English language structure, linguistics, and communication theory, providing a broader foundation than a dedicated journalism degree.
Graduates can only work in media houses.
Graduates work in diverse sectors including corporate communications, public relations, publishing, education, diplomacy, and digital content creation.
The programme is less rigorous than a pure English or linguistics degree.
The programme combines the rigour of linguistic analysis with practical communication skills, requiring both analytical thinking and creative application.
Communication skills are natural and cannot be taught.
While some people have natural aptitude, professional communication involves theory, strategy, ethics, and technical skills that require formal study and practice.