Media & Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Film Technology (Option)

The Bachelor of Arts in Film Technology (Option) is a four-year degree programme offered as a specialisation within the Bachelor of Arts (Theater Arts and Film Technology) at Kenyatta University.

The curriculum covers video camera operations, art and technique of filmmaking, screenwriting, film directing, radio broadcasting techniques, advertising, entertainment law and ethics, animation, documentary video production, video editing, film theory and criticism, and production management.

Students develop competencies in camera operations, film directing, video editing, screenwriting, documentary production, animation, sound design, and production management. The programme is hands-on, requiring students to conceptualise and produce their own video and film projects. Students have the opportunity to produce short films in all four years of study, building a professional portfolio.

Graduates pursue careers as film directors, cinematographers, video editors, screenwriters, documentary filmmakers, broadcast technicians, and film producers. They find employment in film production companies, television stations, media houses, advertising agencies, and digital content platforms.

The programme is offered at Kenyatta University, which has a well-established School of Creative and Performing Arts, Film and Media Studies with modern facilities including film studios, editing suites, and performance spaces.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring the programme meets national quality standards. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a minimum of C+ in English or Kiswahili and Mathematics or any Group II subject, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the programme.

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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Video Camera Operations
Art and Technique of Filmmaking
Screenwriting
Film Directing
Video Editing
Documentary Video Production
Animation
Radio Broadcasting Techniques
Entertainment Law and Ethics
Advertising

Modules

12 in the programme

Video Camera Operations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Fundamentals of video camera operation, including camera types, lenses, exposure, framing, and camera movement techniques.
Art and Technique of Filmmaking
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to the filmmaking process from concept to completion, including pre-production, production, and post-production stages.
Introduction to Screenwriting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of screenwriting, including story structure, character development, dialogue, and script formatting.
Radio Broadcasting Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Techniques of radio broadcasting, including studio operations, voice training, programme production, and broadcast technology.
Film Directing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Art of directing films, including working with actors, blocking, visual composition, and creative decision-making.
Video Editing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Techniques of video editing, including narrative editing, continuity, pacing, and post-production workflows.
Animation
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and techniques of animation, including 2D animation, motion graphics, and digital animation for film.
Documentary Video Production
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Production of documentary films, including research, interviewing, observational filming, and documentary storytelling.
Entertainment Law and Ethics
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Legal and ethical issues in the entertainment industry, including copyright, contracts, censorship, and professional ethics.
Industrial Attachment
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Practical attachment in a film production company, television station, or media house, applying film technology skills in a professional environment.
Advertising
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of advertising, including commercial production, media planning, and creative advertising for film and television.
Final Year Film Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year creative project producing a short film or documentary, demonstrating mastery of film technology skills.

Specialisations

Film Technology
Technical aspects of film production including camera operations, lighting, sound recording, editing, and post-production workflows.
Film Directing
Art of directing films, including working with actors, visual composition, and creative decision-making.
Documentary Production
Production of documentary films, including research, interviewing, observational filming, and documentary storytelling.
Screenwriting
Craft of writing scripts for film and television, including story structure, character development, and dialogue.
Animation
Animation techniques for film, including 2D animation, motion graphics, and digital 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.
Broadcast Production
Radio and television broadcasting techniques, including studio operations, live production, and broadcast technology.

A day as a student

A typical day combines film theory with intensive hands-on production work. Morning sessions cover film theory, screenwriting, or entertainment law, while afternoons focus on practical production in studios, editing suites, and on location. Students operate professional cameras, set up lighting, record sound, and edit footage. Short film projects are produced throughout all four years, building a professional portfolio. The industrial attachment provides real-world experience in a film production company or media house.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenyatta University has modern film studios, editing suites, and production equipment for hands-on learning.
Programme is hands-on, requiring students to produce short films in all four years, building a professional portfolio.
Kenya's film industry is growing rapidly with increasing demand for skilled film technology professionals.
KU's location in Nairobi provides access to a vibrant arts scene and industry connections.

Against it

The programme is offered at a limited number of universities, reducing institutional choice.
Film production equipment is expensive, and students may need to invest in personal gear for advanced work.
The creative industry is highly competitive, with many graduates competing for limited formal positions.
Production work requires long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends for shoots.

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 film tech 267,795/yr; MKU 120,000/yr; KU 204,400/yr; UoN 189,004/yr. Src: KCA, studyinkenya, joweri, KUCCPS

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

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
University Internal Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities through KUCCPS or self-sponsored. 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: KACE with two principal passes and one subsidiary; OR a Diploma in Film Studies, Theatre Arts, Journalism, Mass Communication, or a related field from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the Kenyatta University Senate.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular practical film projects, production exercises, written tests, and portfolio reviews conducted during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written and practical examinations covering film theory, production techniques, and technical skills.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of industrial attachment performance in a film production company or media house, including supervisor evaluation and report.
Final Year Film Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year creative project producing a short film or documentary, assessed by a panel of 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

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.
Film Director
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 150,000
Directs film productions, overseeing creative vision and managing the production process.
Documentary Filmmaker
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 100,000
Produces documentary films on social, cultural, environmental, and educational topics.
Broadcast Technician
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Operates and maintains broadcast equipment for television and radio stations.
Screenwriter
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 85,000
Writes scripts for film, television, and digital media productions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as film directors, cinematographers, video editors, and documentary filmmakers. Demand is high with Kenya's growing film and television industry.

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.
Final Cut Pro
Video editing
Professional video editing software for film and television post-production on macOS.
Adobe Audition
Sound design
Audio editing and mixing software for sound design and post-production audio.
Celtx
Screenwriting
Screenwriting and pre-production software for scriptwriting and production planning.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Film technology is only about operating cameras.
The programme covers all aspects of filmmaking including directing, screenwriting, editing, animation, sound design, and production management, providing comprehensive film industry training.
A film technology degree has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's film industry is growing rapidly with increasing demand from streaming platforms, television stations, advertising agencies, and international productions filming in Kenya.
Film technology is less rigorous than traditional academic degrees.
The programme requires both creative talent and technical proficiency, combining theoretical study with demanding practical production work across multiple film disciplines.
You need your own equipment to study film technology.
Kenyatta University provides film studios, editing suites, and production equipment for student use, though students may invest in personal equipment as they advance.