Media & Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Film Technology and Performing Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in Film Technology and Performing Arts is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in film technology and performing arts. 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 Theatre History, Principles of Stage Acting, History of Film, Basic Video Camera Operations, Acting for TV and Film, Fundamentals of Filmmaking. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Acting for stage and screen, Cinematography, Costume and make-up design, Film and stage directing, Photography and design. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Theatre History, Principles of Stage Acting, History of Film, Basic Video Camera Operations, Acting for TV and Film. 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 Performing, Production Design, Film Technical Elements. 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 Technology and Performing Arts pursue careers as Actor, Film Director, Stage Director, Cinematographer. 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 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
Basic Video Camera Operations
Acting for TV and Film
Fundamentals of Filmmaking
Photography and Design
Video Editing
Playwriting
Stage Directing

Modules

12 in the programme

Theatre History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical development of theatre from ancient Greek to contemporary, including key playwrights, movements, and traditions.
Principles of Stage Acting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of acting for the stage, including voice, movement, character development, and improvisation.
History of Film
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical development of cinema from early film to contemporary, including key movements and filmmakers.
Basic Video Camera Operations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of video camera operation, including camera types, lenses, exposure, framing, and camera movement.
Acting for TV and Film
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Techniques for acting in front of the camera, including camera awareness, continuity, and screen performance.
Fundamentals of Filmmaking
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduction to the filmmaking process from concept to completion, including pre-production, production, and post-production.
Photography and Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of photography and visual design, including composition, lighting, and digital image editing.
Basic Video Editing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of video editing, including narrative editing, continuity, and post-production workflows.
Stage Directing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Art of directing for the stage, including blocking, working with actors, and creative vision for theatrical productions.
Film Theory and Criticism
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Critical and theoretical study of film, including film theory, ideological readings, and the role of cinema in society.
Costume and Make-Up Design
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Design and creation of costumes and make-up for theatre, film, and television productions.
Final Year Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year creative project producing a film, stage performance, or integrated work, assessed by faculty and industry professionals.

Specialisations

Performing
Acting, directing, and producing for stage and screen, including performance techniques and creative interpretation.
Production Design
Lighting, set design, costume and make-up for theatre, film, and television productions. 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 Technical Elements
Camera techniques, sound, lighting, and cinematography for film and video 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.
Post-Production
Editing, graphic design, and colour grading for film and video post-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.
Producing
Production management, executive producing, project management, marketing, and distribution for film and theatre.
Dance and Movement
Dance skills and movement techniques for performance, including choreography and physical 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 combines performance workshops with technical production training. Morning sessions cover theatre history, film theory, or playwriting, while afternoons focus on practical work in studios, on stage, and on location. Acting workshops develop performance skills, while film production sessions provide training in camera operations, editing, and directing. Students produce short films and stage performances throughout the programme, building a creative portfolio across both disciplines.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme bridges the gap between film training and industry practice, with a highly practical, industry-oriented curriculum.
Five specialisation areas allow students to focus on their strengths, from performing to production design to post-production.
Flexible duration with trimester option for self-sponsored students, enabling faster completion.
KCA University's Nairobi location provides access to Kenya's creative industry hub.

Against it

Offered exclusively at KCA University, a private institution with higher fees than public universities.
The programme is highly practical, demanding physical attendance, which may not suit students seeking flexible study options.
The creative industry is highly competitive, with graduates competing for limited formal employment positions.
Combining film technology and performing arts in one programme means less depth in each compared to specialised single-discipline programmes.

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

Private120k to 268k

120k at Mount Kenya University268k at KCA 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

KCA BA Film Tech & Performing Arts 267,795/yr; MKU 120,000/yr; KU 204,400/yr; UoN 189,004/yr. Src: KCA, studyinkenya, joweri

KCA University offers financial aid for eligible students. HELB loans are available for qualifying Kenyan students. Contact the KCA University financial aid office for details.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
Scholarship
Students placed by KUCCPS in recognised universities
KCA University Financial Aid
Scholarship
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.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points and are placed through the central placement system.
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: A Diploma in Film Studies, Theatre, Journalism, Mass Communication, or a related field from a recognised institution; OR KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the KCA University Senate. Proof of experience in the creative industry is an added advantage.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Regular practical projects, performance assessments, film critiques, written tests, and portfolio reviews during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination60% of the mark
Comprehensive written and practical examinations covering film theory, theatre history, and production techniques.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment performance in a film or theatre company, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Final Year Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year creative project producing a film, stage performance, or integrated work, 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

Actor
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 120,000
Performs roles in film, television, theatre, and digital media productions.
Film Director
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 150,000
Directs film productions, overseeing creative vision and managing the production process.
Stage Director
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Directs theatre productions, overseeing artistic vision and managing stage productions.
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.
Producer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 130,000
Manages all aspects of film or theatre production, from financing and scheduling to distribution and marketing.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as actors, film directors, stage directors, cinematographers, and producers. Demand is high with Kenya's growing creative industry spanning film, television, theatre, and digital media.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

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.
Adobe Photoshop
Photography
Image editing software for photography, design, and digital 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 and production planning.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Film technology and performing arts is just about acting.
The programme covers five specialisation areas including production design, film technical elements, post-production, and producing, offering diverse career paths beyond acting.
Performing arts has no practical career applications in Kenya.
Kenya's creative industry is growing with opportunities in film, television, theatre, advertising, cultural events, and digital content creation.
Combining film and performing arts means you master neither.
The integrated approach provides complementary skills, with theatre training enhancing film performance and film techniques enriching stage production.
A private university degree is not recognised in Kenya.
KCA University is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring the programme meets national quality standards.