Bachelor of Film and Theatre Production
The Bachelor of Film and Theatre Production is a creative arts programme that equips students with artistic, technical and business skills for careers in film, television and theatre production. Offered at Kabarak University and other Kenyan institutions, the programme emphasises hands-on training in scriptwriting, cinematography, acting, directing and stage production.
The curriculum covers theatre history, principles of stage acting, history of film, basic video camera operations, the art of storytelling, introduction to dance skills, film genres, acting for TV and film, fundamentals of filmmaking, photography and design, basic video editing, playwriting, stage directing, theatre criticism, principles of advertising, film for development, media and culture, film theory and criticism, screenwriting, director's craft, psychodrama, costume and make-up design, production design, sound design, lighting design, set design, entertainment law and ethics, producing and production management, and portfolio development. Students develop both creative and technical production skills.
The programme is designed to produce graduates who can create high-quality film and theatre content for entertainment, education and development. Students learn about both film and theatre alongside practical production skills, preparing them for versatile creative industry careers.
Graduates are prepared for careers as filmmakers, theatre directors, actors, screenwriters, cinematographers, sound engineers, production designers, editors, casting directors, drama teachers, arts managers and content creators. They work in film production companies, theatre companies, media houses, advertising agencies, educational institutions, arts organisations and freelance practice.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in English or Kiswahili, or equivalent qualifications.
Students undertake industrial attachment in film or theatre production settings.
- Duration
- 4 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 204,400
- Private, up to
- Ksh 267,795
- 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
- 20 students
- Award
- Bachelor
What you study
10 subjects- Theatre History
- Principles of Stage Acting
- History of Film
- Fundamentals of Filmmaking
- Basic Video Editing
- Playwriting
- Stage Directing
- Screenwriting
- Production Design
- Entertainment Law and Ethics
Modules
10 in the programmeTheatre History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical development of theatre. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-o...
Principles of Stage Acting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of acting for stage. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...
History of Film
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Historical development of cinema. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...
Fundamentals of Filmmaking
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Basic filmmaking techniques. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Basic Video Editing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Video editing techniques. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Playwriting
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Writing plays for theatre. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Stage Directing
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Directing for theatre. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester e...
Screenwriting
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Writing scripts for screen. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semes...
Production Design
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Design for film and theatre productions. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and...
Entertainment Law and Ethics
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Legal and ethical issues in entertainment. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework a...
Specialisations
Film Production
Focus on film production and directing. 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.
Theatre Production
Focus on theatre directing and production. 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.
Acting
Focus on acting for stage and screen. 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.
Screenwriting
Focus on writing for film and theatre. 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 involves attending lectures on film and theatre theory, participating in acting workshops, rehearsing for productions, operating camera and sound equipment, editing video content, designing sets and costumes, writing scripts, and critiquing performances. Students undertake industrial attachment in production settings.
The trade offs
In its favour
- Growing demand for local content in Kenya and Africa
- Versatile skills across film, theatre, TV and advertising
- Creative and fulfilling career path
Against it
- Competitive industry requiring strong portfolio
- Freelance income can be irregular
- Long and irregular hours during productions
- Equipment and production costs can be high
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 204,400/yr; UoN 189,004/yr (KUCCPS); Kabarak 188,100/yr; KCA 267,795/yr. Src: joweri, KUCCPS, kabarak.ac.ke
Government scholarships under the new funding model cover 53-82% of tuition for needy students. HELB provides loans up to KSh 60,000 per year. Kenya Film Commission may offer grants for film projects.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)
Scholarships
5 recordedHigher Education Fund (HEF)
ScholarshipKenyan
Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities, assessed through Means Testing Instrument
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes at recognised institutions
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+
- Alternative entry
- KCSE mean grade C- with a Diploma in Film, Theatre Arts, Mass Media or related field from a recognised institution.
English or Kiswahili
C+
How you are assessed
3 componentsEnd of Semester Examinations
Examination40% of the mark
Final written and practical examinations
Industrial Attachment and Portfolio
Project30% of the mark
Industrial attachment and portfolio development
Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Projects, performances, critiques and class participation
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Kabarak University and other institutions. The programme emphasises hands-on training in film and theatre production.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesFilmmaker
Growing demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 300,000
Creates film content
Theatre Director
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000
Directs theatre productions
Screenwriter
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 220,000
Writes scripts for film and TV
Production Designer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 230,000
Designs sets, costumes and lighting
Actor
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 250,000
Performs in film and theatre
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as filmmakers, theatre directors, actors, screenwriters and production designers in film, theatre, media and arts sectors.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Museum Exhibit FabricatorArt and Design21Low exposure
- SculptorArt and Design23Low exposure
- Automotive DesignerArt and Design26Low exposure
- Ceramicist / PotterArt and Design27Low exposure
- Floral DesignerArt and Design30Low exposure
- Fashion StylistArt and Design31Low exposure
- Tattoo ArtistArt and Design31Low exposure
- Retail Visual MerchandiserArt and Design32Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Adobe After Effects
SoftwarePrimary
Industry-standard motion graphics and visual effects software used for creating animated content for broadcast, web, and film.
Adobe Illustrator
SoftwarePrimary
Vector graphics editor used for logo design, illustration, typography, and graphic design production.
Blender
Software
Open-source 3D creation suite for modelling, animation, rigging, simulation, rendering, and compositing.
Autodesk Maya
Software
Professional 3D animation software used in film, games, and visualisation for modelling, animation, and rendering.
Adobe Photoshop
SoftwarePrimary
Raster graphics editor used for digital painting, photo editing, texture creation, and compositing.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Film and theatre is just about acting.
The programme covers scriptwriting, directing, production, design, management and law alongside acting.
Theatre is dying in Kenya.
Theatre remains vibrant in Kenya with growing festivals, corporate theatre and educational drama.
Film and theatre graduates struggle to find jobs.
Growing local content demand and streaming platforms create opportunities in film, TV, advertising and content creation.
You need to be talented to study film and theatre.
While talent helps, the programme develops skills systematically through training and practice.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Bachelor of Film and Theatre Production are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.