Bachelor of Arts in Film Production and Directing
The Bachelor of Arts in Film Production and Directing is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in film production and directing. The programme falls under the Creative Arts & Design category and typically spans 4 Years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.
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+ (Plus) or above. 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 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Forensic Audit Investigator, at 17 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers Film Theory and History, Film and Video Production Fundamentals, Screenwriting, Cinematography, Film Directing, Film Editing and Post-Production. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Acting for film, Cinematography, Film business and entrepreneurship, Film Directing, Film production management. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.
Throughout the programme, students study Film and Video Production Fundamentals, Film Theory and History, Introduction to Screenwriting, Cinematography, Film Directing. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.
The programme offers specialisations in Film Directing, Film Production, Cinematography. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Film Production and Directing pursue careers as Film Director, Film Producer, Cinematographer, Film Editor. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.
What you study
10 subjects- Film Theory and History
- Film and Video Production Fundamentals
- Screenwriting
- Cinematography
- Film Directing
- Film Editing and Post-Production
- Sound Design for Film
- Film Production Management
- Film Business and Entrepreneurship
- Documentary Production
Modules
12 in the programmeFilm and Video Production Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Practical exposure to the roles and functions of a film producer, covering production office operations and fundamental filmmaking processes.
Film Theory and History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theoretical foundations of cinema, including film language, movements, genres, and the historical development of film as an art form.
Introduction to Screenwriting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of screenwriting, including story structure, character development, dialogue, and script formatting.
Cinematography
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Art and technique of cinematography, including camera operation, lighting design, composition, and visual storytelling.
Film Directing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Art of directing films, including working with actors, blocking, visual composition, and creative decision-making across genres.
Film Editing and Post-Production
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Techniques of film editing, including narrative editing, colour grading, sound design, and post-production workflows.
Sound Design for Film
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Audio production for film, including recording, mixing, sound effects, and sound track design.
Documentary Production
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Production of documentary films, including research, interviewing, observational filming, and documentary storytelling techniques.
Film Production Management
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Management of film productions, including budgeting, scheduling, crew management, location management, and production logistics.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Practical attachment in a film production company, television station, or media house, applying production and directing skills in a professional environment.
Film Business and Entrepreneurship
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Business aspects of the film industry, including film financing, distribution, marketing, and entrepreneurial venture creation.
Capstone Film Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year capstone project producing a complete short film, demonstrating mastery of production and directing skills, assessed by faculty and industry professionals.
Specialisations
Film Directing
Art and craft of directing films, including working with actors, visual storytelling, blocking, and creative decision-making across genres.
Film Production
Management and execution of film productions, including budgeting, scheduling, crew management, and production logistics.
Cinematography
Visual art of cinematography, including camera operation, lighting design, composition, and visual storytelling techniques.
Post-Production
All aspects of post-production including editing, colour grading, sound design, and visual effects. 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
Craft of writing scripts for film, including story structure, character development, dialogue, and genre conventions.
Film Business and Entrepreneurship
Business aspects of the film industry, including film financing, distribution, marketing, and entrepreneurial venture creation.
A day as a student
A typical day combines film theory lectures with intensive practical production work. Morning sessions may cover film theory, aesthetics, or screenwriting, while afternoons focus on hands-on production using high-end filming equipment and post-production labs. Small class sizes ensure one-on-one interaction with instructors. Students work on individual and group film projects throughout the programme, building a professional portfolio. The programme brings industry professionals into the classroom and takes students out to industry sets and productions, creating direct connections between training and professional practice.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Purely film-focused programme, not hidden under other departments, allowing deep specialisation in film production and directing. | The programme is offered exclusively at USIU-Africa, a private university with higher fees than public institutions. |
| Small class sizes ensure one-on-one student-instructor interaction for personalised learning. | Limited to one institution, reducing geographic and institutional choice for prospective students. |
| Well-equipped post-production labs and high-end filming equipment reflect global industry standards. | The creative industry is highly competitive, with graduates competing for limited formal employment positions. |
| Dual CUE and WSCUC accreditation ensures the programme meets both Kenyan and international quality standards. | Film production requires significant time investment, 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 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
USIU BA Film Prod & Directing 364,900/yr; MKU 120,000/yr; KU 204,400/yr; UoN 189,004/yr. Src: USIU, studyinkenya, joweri
USIU-Africa offers financial aid and internal scholarships for eligible students. HELB loans are available for qualifying Kenyan students. Contact the USIU-Africa financial aid office for details.
Funding options
HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
USIU-Africa Financial Aid
Scholarship
Academically outstanding and financially needy students
County Government Bursaries
Bursary
Kenyan students from respective counties demonstrating financial need
Scholarships
5 recordedHigher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
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
USIU-Africa Financial Aid
University scholarshipKenyan
Students demonstrating academic merit and financial need. Application through the USIU-Africa financial aid office.
USIU-Africa Internal Scholarships
University scholarshipKenyan
Outstanding students meeting specific academic criteria. Application through the university scholarships office.
Scholarships you could apply for
5 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
- Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Varies by partner universityFullMastercard Foundation
Full university education
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
- USIU-Africa Merit Scholarship
Before admissionPartialUSIU-Africa
50 to 100% tuition
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary; OR a Diploma in Film Studies, Journalism, Mass Communication, or a related field from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the USIU-Africa Senate.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding St. Paul's University, United States International University Africa.
Including St. Paul's University, United States International University Africa.
Including St. Paul's University, United States International University Africa.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Regular practical film projects, production exercises, written assignments, and portfolio reviews conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination60% of the mark
Comprehensive written and practical examinations covering film theory, production techniques, and critical analysis.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment performance in a film production company, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Capstone Film Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year capstone project producing a complete short film, assessed by a panel of faculty and industry professionals.
Accreditation
Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
CUE is the statutory body responsible for the accreditation and quality assurance of university programmes in Kenya.
WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
International accreditation
WSCUC is a regional accrediting agency in the United States that accredits USIU-Africa, providing international quality assurance.
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) in Kenya and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) in the United States, ensuring both national and international quality standards.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
6 rolesFilm 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.
Film Producer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages all aspects of film production, including financing, scheduling, crew management, and distribution.
Cinematographer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Operates cameras and designs lighting for film, television, and video productions.
Film Editor
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 95,000
Edits film and video content, shaping narrative through cutting, pacing, and post-production techniques.
Sound Engineer
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 85,000
Records and mixes audio for film, television, and digital media productions.
Film Entrepreneur
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 200,000
Establishes and manages a film production business, creating content for distribution across multiple platforms.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as film directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, and film entrepreneurs. Demand is high with Kenya's growing media industry and increasing local content requirements.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Forensic Audit InvestigatorBusiness17Low exposure
- Ceramics DesignerArt and Design18Low exposure
- Crisis Communication DirectorMedia & Communication18Low exposure
- Franchise Operations ManagerBusiness18Low exposure
- Infrastructure Finance SpecialistBusiness18Low exposure
- Intermodal Reefer TechnicianBusiness18Low exposure
- Theatrical ScenographerArt and Design18Low exposure
- Ceramic Product DesignerArt and Design19Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Adobe Premiere Pro
Video editingPrimary
Professional video editing software for film and television post-production.
Adobe After Effects
Visual effectsPrimary
Motion graphics and visual effects software for compositing and post-production.
DaVinci Resolve
Colour grading
Professional colour grading and video editing software used in film post-production.
Avid Media Composer
Video editing
Industry-standard video editing software used in professional film post-production.
Celtx
Screenwriting
Screenwriting and pre-production software for scriptwriting, storyboarding, and production planning.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Film production and directing is only about making movies.
The programme covers all aspects of the film industry including business management, entrepreneurship, distribution, and marketing, preparing graduates for the full spectrum of film industry careers.
USIU-Africa is too expensive for ordinary Kenyans.
USIU-Africa offers financial aid and scholarship programmes for qualifying students, making the programme accessible to a wider range of applicants.
A film degree is not practical in Kenya.
Kenya's film industry is growing rapidly with increasing demand for local content from streaming platforms, television stations, and international productions.
You need prior film experience to enrol.
The programme starts with fundamentals and builds progressively, making it accessible to students with a passion for film but no prior production experience.