Media & Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Film and Animation Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Film and Animation Studies is a four-year degree programme that combines creative storytelling with technical skills in film production and animation.

The curriculum covers film theory and history, screenwriting, cinematography, film directing, video editing, sound design, animation techniques including 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, visual effects, digital storytelling, film production management, and research methods.

Students develop competencies in screenwriting, cinematography, video editing, animation production, sound design, visual effects, directing, and production management. The programme includes extensive practical studio work, film projects, and animation exercises. An industrial attachment provides hands-on experience in a film production company, animation studio, or media house.

Graduates pursue careers as film directors, animators, video editors, cinematographers, screenwriters, sound designers, motion graphics artists, and film producers. They find employment in film production companies, television stations, animation studios, advertising agencies, digital media companies, and as independent content creators.

The programme is offered at Mount Kenya University, Multimedia University of Kenya, and Kenyatta University. Multimedia University offers a related Bachelor of Film Production and Animation, while Kenyatta University offers a Bachelor of Film and Theatre Arts.

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 storytelling and communication focus of film and animation studies.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 204,400
Private, up to: Ksh 183,550
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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Film Theory and History
Screenwriting
Cinematography
Video Editing
2D and 3D Animation
Sound Design for Film
Visual Effects
Film Directing
Production Management
Digital Storytelling

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Film Theory and History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts in film theory, including film language, genres, movements, and the historical development of cinema.
Introduction to Screenwriting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of screenwriting, including story structure, character development, dialogue, and script formatting.
Introduction to Animation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles of animation, including timing, motion, squash and stretch, and basic 2D animation techniques.
Digital Video Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of digital video production, including camera operation, lighting, sound recording, and basic editing.
Cinematography
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Art and technique of cinematography, including camera work, lighting design, composition, and visual storytelling.
Video Editing and Post-Production
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques of video editing, including narrative editing, colour grading, and post-production workflows.
3D Animation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
3D animation techniques, including modelling, rigging, texturing, lighting, and rendering using industry-standard software.
Sound Design for Film
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Audio production for film and animation, including recording, mixing, sound effects, and sound track design.
Film Directing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Art of directing films, including working with actors, blocking, visual composition, and creative decision-making.
Visual Effects and Motion Graphics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Creation of visual effects and motion graphics, including compositing, CGI integration, and digital post-production.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Practical attachment in a film production company, animation studio, or media house, applying production skills in a professional environment.
Creative Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year creative project producing a short film or animation piece, demonstrating mastery of film or animation production skills.

Specialisations

Film Production
All aspects of film production including directing, cinematography, editing, and production management for narrative and documentary films.
Animation
2D and 3D animation techniques, including character animation, motion graphics, and stop-motion animation for film, television, and digital media.
Screenwriting
Craft of writing scripts for film, television, and digital media, including story structure, character development, and dialogue.
Sound Design
Audio production for film and animation, including recording, mixing, sound effects, and sound track composition.
Visual Effects
Creation of visual effects for film and animation, including compositing, CGI, and digital post-production techniques.
Digital Media Production
Production of digital content for streaming platforms, social media, and online distribution channels.

A day as a student

A typical day combines theoretical study with extensive practical studio work. Morning sessions may cover film theory, screenwriting, or animation principles, while afternoons focus on hands-on production in editing suites, animation labs, and film studios. Students work on individual and group film projects, developing skills in cinematography, editing, and animation. Equipment training sessions provide proficiency with cameras, lighting, sound recording, and editing software. The industrial attachment in a production company or animation studio provides real-world experience in professional film and animation workflows.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's film industry is growing rapidly with increasing demand for content from streaming platforms, television, and digital media.
Programme combines creative storytelling with technical skills, producing versatile professionals for the creative industry.
Practical studio work and industrial attachment provide hands-on experience with professional equipment and workflows.
Graduates can work as independent content creators, offering flexibility and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Against it

Film and animation equipment is expensive, and students may need to invest in personal equipment for advanced work.
The creative industry is highly competitive, with many graduates competing for limited formal employment positions.
Entry-level salaries in film and animation can be modest, particularly for independent content creators building their portfolios.
The programme requires long hours of practical work, including evenings and weekends for film shoots and rendering.

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

Public189k to 204k

189k at University of Nairobi204k at Kenyatta University

Private120k to 184k

120k at Mount Kenya University184k at Kabarak 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 204,400/yr; UoN 189,004/yr; MKU 120,000/yr; Kabarak 183,550/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 for financially needy students.

Funding options

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

Scholarships

5 recorded

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.
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
Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund
Scholarship
East African students admitted to film and TV disciplines at partner Kenyan institutions

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 Film Production, Film Studies, Animation, or a related field from a recognised institution with at least a credit pass; OR a mean grade of C- (Minus) at KCSE with a relevant Diploma from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular practical projects, film critiques, animation exercises, written tests, and portfolio reviews conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written and practical examinations covering film theory, animation principles, and production techniques.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment performance in a film production company or animation studio, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Creative Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year creative project producing a short film or animation piece, assessed by a panel of faculty and industry professionals.

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

Video Editor
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Edits video content for film, television, advertising, and digital media platforms.
Animator
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 95,000
Creates 2D and 3D animations for film, television, advertising, gaming, and digital media.
Cinematographer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Operates cameras and designs lighting for film, television, and video productions.
Screenwriter
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 85,000
Writes scripts for film, television, and digital media productions.
Sound Designer
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 85,000
Creates and manages audio elements for film, animation, and digital media productions.
Motion Graphics Artist
High demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 90,000
Creates motion graphics and visual effects for advertising, broadcasting, and digital media.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as film directors, animators, video editors, cinematographers, and content creators. Demand is high with Kenya's growing film industry and expanding streaming platforms.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Premiere Pro
Video editingPrimary
Professional video editing software for film, television, and digital media post-production.
Adobe After Effects
Visual effectsPrimary
Motion graphics and visual effects software for compositing, animation, and post-production.
Autodesk Maya
3d animation
3D animation, modelling, simulation, and rendering software for film and animation production.
Adobe Audition
Sound design
Audio editing and mixing software for sound design and post-production audio.
Celtx
Screenwriting
Screenwriting and pre-production software for scriptwriting, storyboarding, and production planning.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Film and animation is just about watching movies.
The programme involves rigorous study of film theory, technical production skills, animation techniques, and creative project development, requiring both artistic and technical proficiency.
There are no career opportunities for film graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's film industry is growing rapidly, with opportunities in film production, television, streaming platforms, advertising, animation studios, and digital content creation.
You need expensive equipment to study film and animation.
Universities provide production equipment, editing suites, and animation labs for student use, though students may invest in personal equipment as they advance.
Animation is only for making cartoons for children.
Animation is used across industries including advertising, education, gaming, visual effects, scientific visualisation, and corporate communications.