Bachelor of Film Production and Animation
The Bachelor of Film Production and Animation is a creative arts programme that combines film production with animation technology. Offered at Multimedia University of Kenya, the programme prepares graduates for careers in the growing film and animation industry, addressing the demand for skilled content creators in film, television, gaming and digital media.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 204,400 a year at a public institution, Ksh 817,600 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 364,900 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C+ or above, plus 2 subject grades. 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 Ceramics Designer, at 18 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers history of film, film theory, introduction to animation, animation principles, 2D animation, 3D animation, character design, storyboarding, screenwriting, cinematography, video camera operations, video editing, sound design, visual effects, motion graphics, digital imaging, film production, directing, producing, film for development, media and culture, entertainment law and ethics, entrepreneurship, game design, e-learning content development, and portfolio development. Students develop both film production and animation skills.
The programme is designed to produce graduates who can create film and animation content for entertainment, education, advertising and gaming. Students learn about film production alongside animation techniques, preparing them for versatile creative industry careers. Animators have opportunities in video games, special effects, web animation, advertising and e-learning, while film producers work in production and post-production houses.
Graduates are prepared for careers as animators, film producers, film directors, cinematographers, video editors, visual effects artists, motion graphics designers, game designers, screenwriters, sound designers, content creators and e-learning content developers. They work in film production companies, animation studios, media houses, advertising agencies, game development companies, e-learning companies 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 and Kiswahili, or equivalent qualifications. Diploma graduates with at least a credit pass join in the second year.
Students undertake industrial attachment in film or animation studios.
What you study
10 subjects- History of Film
- Introduction to Animation
- 2D Animation
- 3D Animation
- Cinematography
- Video Editing
- Visual Effects
- Motion Graphics
- Screenwriting
- Game Design
Modules
10 in the programmeHistory of Film
Year 1Semester 13 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...
Introduction to Animation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of animation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
2D Animation
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Two-dimensional animation techniques. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and en...
3D Animation
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Three-dimensional animation techniques. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and ...
Cinematography
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Camera techniques and visual storytelling. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework a...
Video Editing
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Post-production editing techniques. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-...
Visual Effects
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Creating visual effects for film. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of...
Motion Graphics
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Graphic design in motion. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...
Screenwriting
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Writing scripts for film and animation. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and ...
Game Design
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Design principles for video games. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-o...
Specialisations
Animation
Focus on 2D and 3D animation. 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.
Visual Effects
Focus on visual effects and motion graphics. 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.
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.
Game Design
Focus on video game design. 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 animation theory, working on animation projects using industry software, filming and editing video content, developing 3D models and characters, creating storyboards, participating in critique sessions, and building portfolio pieces. Students undertake industrial attachment in film or animation studios.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Growing demand for animation in film, gaming, advertising and e-learning | Software and equipment can be expensive |
| Skills applicable across multiple creative industries | Requires continuous skills updating with evolving technology |
| Creative and technically challenging career | Freelance income can be irregular |
| — | Competitive industry requiring strong portfolio |
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; MKU 120,000/yr; USIU 364,900/yr. Src: joweri, KUCCPS, studyinkenya, USIU fee schedule
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 recordedCounty 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)
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
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
A-Level two principal passes and one subsidiary pass in relevant subjects, or relevant professional qualifications approved by the University Senate. Diploma graduates with at least a credit pass join in the second year.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Multimedia University of Kenya.
Including Multimedia University of Kenya.
Including Multimedia University of Kenya.
How you are assessed
3 componentsContinuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Projects, critiques, assignments and class participation
End 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
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Multimedia University of Kenya. The programme combines film production with animation technology.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
5 rolesGame Designer
Growing demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 280,000
Designs video games
Film Producer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 300,000
Produces film content
Visual Effects Artist
Growing demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 280,000
Creates visual effects
Video Editor
Growing demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000
Edits video content
Animator
Growing demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 250,000
Creates animations for various media
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as animators, film producers, editors, visual effects artists and game designers in film, animation, gaming and digital media.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Ceramics DesignerArt and Design18Low exposure
- Theatrical ScenographerArt and Design18Low exposure
- Ceramic Product DesignerArt and Design19Low exposure
- Circular Fashion DesignerArt and Design19Low exposure
- Architectural Model MakerArt and Design20Low exposure
- Exhibition Experience DesignerArt and Design20Low exposure
- Wardrobe Design SpecialistArt and Design20Low exposure
- Furniture Product DesignerArt and Design21Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Facebook Ads Manager
Analytics
Mailchimp
Analytics
Google Ads
Analytics
Google My Business
Analytics
Canva
CreativePrimary
Adobe Illustrator
DesignPrimary
Adobe Photoshop
Design
Google Analytics
Analytics
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Film and animation is just entertainment.
Animation is used in education, advertising, gaming, e-learning and simulations alongside entertainment.
Animation requires drawing skills only.
Modern animation involves 3D modelling, rigging, programming and technical skills alongside artistic ability.
The Kenyan film industry is too small.
Growing local content demand, streaming platforms and government support are expanding the industry.
You need expensive equipment to study animation.
Universities provide computer labs with industry-standard software for student use.