Technology

Bachelor of Arts in Film Production, Animation and Gaming

The Bachelor of Arts in Film Production, Animation and Gaming is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in film production, animation and gaming. The programme falls under the Creative Arts & Design category and typically spans 4 Years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Film Production, 2D and 3D Animation, Game Design and Development, Screenwriting and Digital Storytelling, Visual Effects and Motion Graphics, Computer Graphics. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in 2D and 3D Animation, Creative entrepreneurship, Digital Storytelling, Film Production, Game design and development. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Film Production, Introduction to Animation, Introduction to Game Design, Digital Storytelling, 3D Animation and Modelling. 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 Production, Animation, Game Design and Development. 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, Animation and Gaming pursue careers as Animator, Game Designer, Film Producer, Motion Graphics Artist. 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.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 204,400
Private, up to: Ksh 364,900
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

Film Production
2D and 3D Animation
Game Design and Development
Screenwriting and Digital Storytelling
Visual Effects and Motion Graphics
Computer Graphics
Interactive Media Design
Sound Design
Creative Entrepreneurship
Research Methods in Creative Arts

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Film Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of film production including camera operation, lighting, sound recording, and basic editing.
Introduction to Animation
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of animation including timing, motion, squash and stretch, and basic 2D animation techniques.
Introduction to Game Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of game design including game mechanics, player experience, prototyping, and interactive storytelling.
Digital Storytelling
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Craft of creating narratives for digital media, film, animation, and interactive games.
3D Animation and Modelling
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
3D animation techniques including modelling, rigging, texturing, lighting, and rendering.
Game Development
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Game development using industry-standard engines, including programming, level design, and asset integration.
Visual Effects and Motion Graphics
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Visual Effects and Motion Graphics: Creation of visual effects and motion graphics for film, animation, and gaming. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant ski...
Film Directing and Production
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Art of directing and producing films, including creative decision-making and production management.
Interactive Media Design
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Design of interactive media experiences, including user interface design, user experience, and interactive narratives.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Practical attachment in a film studio, animation company, or game development studio.
Creative Entrepreneurship
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Business skills for creative enterprises in film, animation, and gaming industries.
Capstone Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year capstone project producing a film, animation, or game, assessed by faculty and industry professionals.

Specialisations

Film Production
All aspects of film production including directing, cinematography, editing, and production management.
Animation
2D and 3D animation techniques for film, television, gaming, and digital media. 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 and Development
Design and development of interactive games, including game mechanics, level design, and interactive storytelling.
Visual Effects and Motion Graphics
Creation of visual effects and motion graphics for film, animation, gaming, and digital media. 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.
Digital Content Creation
Production of digital content for streaming platforms, social media, and online distribution. 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.
Creative Entrepreneurship
Business skills for creative enterprises in film, animation, and gaming industries. 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 combines creative theory with hands-on digital production. Morning sessions cover film theory, animation principles, or game design concepts, while afternoons focus on practical work in computer labs and production studios. Students work on animation projects, game prototypes, and film productions, building a digital portfolio. The industrial attachment provides real-world experience in a creative studio environment.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique tri-disciplinary programme combining film, animation, and gaming, offering diverse career paths in the creative digital economy.
Kenya's digital creative industry is growing rapidly with increasing demand for content across multiple platforms.
Programme equips graduates with entrepreneurial skills to create their own content and ventures.
MKU offers flexible study modes including full-time and digital learning options.

Against it

Offered exclusively at Mount Kenya University, limiting institutional choice.
Combining three disciplines in four years means less depth in each compared to specialised programmes.
Requires significant computing resources and software licences that students may need to purchase personally.
The gaming industry in Kenya is still nascent, with limited formal employment opportunities compared to film and animation.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public189k to 204k

189k at University of Nairobi204k at Kenyatta University

Private120k to 365k

120k at Mount Kenya University365k at USIU-Africa

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; USIU 364,900/yr. Src: joweri, KUCCPS, studyinkenya, USIU

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS placement. HELB loans are available for eligible students. MKU also offers internal bursaries for financially needy students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
Scholarship
Students placed by KUCCPS in recognised universities
Mount Kenya University Financial Aid
Bursary
Academically outstanding and financially needy students

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
MKU Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need. Application through the MKU 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 Studies, Animation, Journalism, Mass Communication, or a related field from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the MKU Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular practical projects, production exercises, game prototypes, and written tests during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written and practical examinations covering film, animation, and gaming content.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment performance in a creative studio, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Capstone Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year capstone project producing a film, animation, or game, assessed by 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

Animator
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 95,000
Creates 2D and 3D animations for film, television, gaming, and digital media.
Game Designer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 110,000
Designs and develops games for mobile, web, and console platforms.
Film Producer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages film productions from concept to distribution.
Motion Graphics Artist
High demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 90,000
Creates motion graphics for advertising, broadcasting, and digital media.
Visual Effects Artist
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Creates visual effects for film, television, and digital media productions.
Digital Content Creator
High demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 100,000
Creates digital content for streaming platforms, social media, and online distribution.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as film producers, animators, game designers, and digital content creators. Demand is high with Kenya's growing creative digital economy.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Unity
Game enginePrimary
Game development engine for creating 2D and 3D games across multiple platforms.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Video editingPrimary
Professional video editing software for film and digital media post-production.
Autodesk Maya
3d animation
3D animation, modelling, and rendering software for film and game development.
Adobe After Effects
Visual effects
Motion graphics and visual effects software for compositing and post-production.
Blender
3d animation
Open-source 3D creation suite for modelling, animation, and game development.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Gaming is just about playing video games.
Game design involves programming, storytelling, visual design, user experience, and project management, requiring both technical and creative skills.
There is no gaming industry in Kenya.
Kenya has a growing game development community with studios creating mobile games, educational games, and interactive content for local and international markets.
Animation and gaming are separate fields that cannot be combined.
Animation and gaming are increasingly interconnected, with animation skills essential for game development and game engines used for animation production.
This programme is less rigorous than traditional degrees.
The programme requires proficiency in multiple technical tools, creative disciplines, and production workflows, making it intellectually and practically demanding.