Media & Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television

The Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television is a four-year degree programme that equips students with practical production techniques and artistic skills for the film and television industries.

The curriculum covers film history, film genres, cinematography and camera techniques, film analysis, television studio operations, film theory and criticism, screenwriting, film directing, film editing, television production, interactive electronic media, acting for the screen, journalism, copywriting, educational television, television advertising and marketing, and research methods.

Students develop competencies in cinematography, film directing, editing, screenwriting, television studio operations, film analysis, acting for screen, and production management. The programme includes extensive practical production work, film projects, and studio exercises.

Graduates pursue careers as film directors, television producers, cinematographers, video editors, screenwriters, broadcast journalists, television presenters, and media consultants. They find employment in film production companies, television stations, media houses, advertising agencies, and digital content platforms.

The programme is offered at Moi University, which has an established School of Arts and Social Sciences with a Department of Film and Theatre Studies.

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, Kiswahili, Mathematics, and French, Music, or Art and Design, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of film and television studies.

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

What you study

10 subjects

History of Film
Film Genres
Cinematography and Camera Techniques
Film Analysis
TV Studio Operations
Film Theory and Criticism
Film Script Writing
Film Directing
Film Editing
Television Production

Modules

12 in the programme

History of Film
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical development of cinema from early film to contemporary, including key movements, technologies, and filmmakers.
Film Genres
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of film genres including documentary, narrative, experimental, and their conventions, codes, and evolution.
Development of Television
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Historical development of television as a medium, including technological evolution, programming formats, and cultural impact.
Television Agency and Audience
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of television audiences, including audience measurement, reception theory, and the relationship between television and society.
Cinematography and Camera Techniques
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Art and technique of cinematography, including camera operation, lighting design, composition, and visual storytelling.
TV Studio Operations
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Operations of television studios, including multicamera production, studio lighting, sound, and live broadcasting techniques.
Film Theory and Criticism
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced film theory, including auteur theory, structuralism, postcolonial film theory, and critical approaches to film analysis.
Film Script Writing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Craft of screenwriting, including story structure, character development, dialogue, and script formatting for film and television.
Film Directing
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Art of directing films, including working with actors, blocking, visual composition, and creative decision-making.
Film Editing
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Techniques of film editing, including narrative editing, continuity, pacing, and post-production workflows.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Practical attachment in a film production company, television station, or media house, applying production skills in a professional environment.
Television Advertising and Marketing
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Use of television as an advertising and marketing medium, including commercial production, media planning, and audience engagement strategies.

Specialisations

Film Production
All aspects of film production including directing, cinematography, editing, and production management for narrative and documentary films.
Television Production
Studio and field television production, including multicamera directing, live broadcasting, and television programme formats.
Screenwriting
Craft of writing scripts for film and television, including story structure, character development, and dialogue for different formats.
Film Theory and Criticism
Critical analysis of film as a medium, including film theory, ideological readings, and the role of cinema in society and culture.
Broadcast Journalism
Journalism skills for film and television, including news reporting, documentary production, and current affairs programming.
Television Advertising and Marketing
Use of television as an advertising and marketing medium, including commercial production and media planning.

A day as a student

A typical day combines film theory lectures with practical production work. Morning sessions may cover film history, film theory, or screenwriting, while afternoons focus on hands-on production in TV studios, editing suites, and on location. Students work on individual and group film projects, developing skills in cinematography, directing, and editing. TV studio sessions provide training in multicamera production, live broadcasting, and studio operations. The industrial attachment in a production company or television station provides real-world experience in professional film and television workflows.

The trade offs

In its favour

Moi University has an established Department of Film and Theatre Studies with experienced faculty and production facilities.
Kenya's film and television industry is growing rapidly with increasing demand from local productions, streaming platforms, and international co-productions.
Programme integrates film and television studies with broader humanities perspectives, providing a well-rounded education.
Industrial attachment provides hands-on experience and professional networking in the film and television industry.

Against it

The programme is offered at a limited number of universities, reducing institutional choice.
Film and television production requires expensive equipment, and students may need to invest in personal gear for advanced work.
The creative industry is highly competitive, with many graduates competing for limited formal employment positions.
Production work often requires long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends for shoots and post-production.

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

Private162k to 243k

162k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton243k 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 204,400/yr; UoN 189,004/yr; UEAB 161,600/yr; Daystar 242,800/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

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
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.
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: A Diploma in Journalism, Literature, Performing Arts, Communication Studies, or a related field from a recognised institution; OR KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the University Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular practical projects, film critiques, production 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, television production, and critical analysis content.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment performance in a film production company or television station, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Final Year Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year creative project producing a film or television programme, 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

Television Producer
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Produces television content including dramas, documentaries, news programmes, and entertainment shows for TV stations or production companies.
Film Director
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 150,000
Directs film productions, overseeing creative vision, working with actors and crew, and managing the production process.
Cinematographer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Operates cameras and designs lighting for film, television, and video productions.
Video Editor
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Edits video content for film, television, advertising, and digital media platforms.
Screenwriter
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 85,000
Writes scripts for film, television, and digital media productions.
Broadcast Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 85,000
Reports and presents news and current affairs for television, combining journalism skills with broadcast production techniques.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as film directors, television producers, cinematographers, and broadcast journalists. Demand is high with Kenya's expanding film and television industry and growing 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.
Avid Media Composer
Video editing
Industry-standard video editing software used in professional film and television post-production.
Final Cut Pro
Video editing
Professional video editing software for film and television post-production on macOS.
Celtx
Screenwriting
Screenwriting and pre-production software for scriptwriting, storyboarding, and production planning.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Film and television is just about watching movies.
The programme involves rigorous study of film theory, technical production skills, critical analysis, and creative project development, requiring both artistic and technical proficiency.
There are no career opportunities for film and television graduates in Kenya.
Kenya's film and television industry is growing rapidly, with opportunities in production companies, TV stations, streaming platforms, advertising, and digital content creation.
Film and television is the same as journalism.
While there is some overlap, film and television focuses on visual storytelling, production techniques, and creative content, while journalism emphasises news gathering and reporting.
You need to be an actor to study film and television.
The programme covers many roles beyond acting, including directing, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, and production management, offering diverse career paths.