Media & Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in journalism. The programme falls under the Media & Communication category and typically spans 3.5 Years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers News Writing and Reporting, Media Ethics, Broadcast Journalism, Print Journalism, Digital Media, Photojournalism. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Broadcast Production, Digital Storytelling, Ethical Reasoning, Investigative Reporting, Media Analysis. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Introduction to Journalism, News Writing and Reporting, Media Ethics, Communication Theory, Broadcast Journalism. 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 Broadcast Media, Print Media, Public Relations. 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 Journalism pursue careers as Reporter, Broadcast Journalist, Editor, Public Relations Specialist. 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: 3.5 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 243,000
Private, up to: Ksh 364,900
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

News Writing and Reporting
Media Ethics
Broadcast Journalism
Print Journalism
Digital Media
Photojournalism
Media Law
Communication Theory
Editing
Public Relations

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Journalism
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of journalism, including its history, principles, and role in society.
News Writing and Reporting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Skills and techniques for gathering, writing, and reporting news across media platforms.
Media Ethics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethical principles and dilemmas in journalism, including accuracy, fairness, and accountability.
Communication Theory
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theoretical frameworks for understanding mass communication, media effects, and audience behaviour.
Broadcast Journalism
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques for television and radio news production, including reporting, anchoring, and editing.
Print Journalism
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Skills for newspaper and magazine journalism, including writing, editing, and layout design.
Media Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Legal frameworks governing media in Kenya, including defamation, privacy, and press freedom.
Digital Media and Online Journalism
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital journalism tools and techniques, including social media, content management, and online storytelling.
Photojournalism
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Visual storytelling through photography, including photo essays, news photography, and image editing.
Public Relations
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles and practices of public relations, including media relations, crisis communication, and strategic communication.
Investigative Journalism
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques for in-depth investigative reporting, including research, source development, and data analysis.
Internship and Final Project
Year 4Semester 29 creditsCore
Three-month internship in a media house or PR firm, plus a final journalism project demonstrating professional competencies.

Specialisations

Broadcast Media
Focus on television and radio journalism, including news anchoring, reporting, production, and broadcast management.
Print Media
Focus on newspaper and magazine journalism, including news writing, feature writing, editing, and print production.
Public Relations
Focus on corporate communication, media relations, crisis communication, and strategic public relations management.
Digital Journalism
Focus on online media, social media journalism, digital storytelling, and multimedia content production.
Investigative Journalism
Focus on in-depth investigative reporting, data journalism, and accountability journalism. 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 classroom learning with practical media production. Morning sessions cover communication theory, media ethics, or news writing, while afternoons focus on studio work, broadcast production, or digital media labs. Students engage in field assignments, interviewing, and news reporting exercises. The programme emphasises hands-on experience with students producing documentaries, news features, and presentations each semester. Guest lectures by practising journalists and media professionals complement academic instruction. Students participate in the journalism club and contribute to university media projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offers three concentration areas allowing students to specialise in broadcast, print, or public relations.
Mandatory three-month internship provides practical industry experience and networking opportunities.
Kenya's vibrant media landscape with numerous TV, radio, and online platforms creates career opportunities.
Programme follows the American liberal arts model, providing broad educational foundation.

Against it

Programme is offered at only one university with relatively high fees of approximately KSH 365,000 per year.
Journalism profession in Kenya faces challenges including job insecurity and pressure on press freedom.
Digital disruption has transformed traditional media, requiring continuous skills updating.
Entry-level salaries in Kenyan media are often modest compared to other professions.

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

Public201k to 243k

201k at University of Nairobi243k at University of Nairobi

Private105k to 365k

105k 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

UoN BA Journalism 201K-243K/yr (official). KU 204K/yr. USIU 365K/yr, MKU 105K/yr

HELB loans are available for eligible students. USIU-Africa offers financial aid and scholarships for needy students. The Media Council of Kenya and media organisations occasionally provide scholarships for journalism students.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
Loan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes
USIU-Africa Financial Aid
Scholarship
Academically outstanding and financially needy students
Media Council of Kenya Training Grants
Bursary
Practising journalists and journalism students

Scholarships

5 recorded

USIU-Africa Financial Aid
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at USIU-Africa.
Media Council of Kenya Journalism Scholarships
Professional scholarshipKenyan
Journalism students demonstrating academic excellence and financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Media Council of Kenya Journalism Training Fund
BursaryKenyan
Journalism and communication students accredited by the Media Council of Kenya
Nation Media Group Journalism Graduate Trainee Programme
ScholarshipKenyan
Recent journalism, media and communication graduates with strong digital skills

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ or equivalent; OR 5 credits in KCE or EACE; OR GED certificate with minimum score of 45 on each section and overall score of 250; OR State High School Proficiency Examination; OR relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR equivalent international qualifications. International students must demonstrate English proficiency (TOEFL score of 550 or equivalent).

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, news articles, media projects, and seminar presentations during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering journalism theory, media law, ethics, and practice.
Practical Media Projects
Project40% of the mark
Production of documentaries, news features, broadcasts, and multimedia content as part of coursework.
Internship Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of three-month internship performance, including supervisor evaluation and written reports.

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

Reporter
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Gathers, writes, and reports news stories for print, broadcast, or online media outlets.
Broadcast Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Produces and presents news content for television or radio, including reporting and anchoring.
Editor
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Reviews, edits, and oversees news content for publication in print or digital media.
Public Relations Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Manages communication between organisations and their publics, including media relations and crisis communication.
Content Creator
High demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 75,000
Creates engaging content for digital platforms, including articles, videos, and social media posts.
Communications Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Manages internal and external communications for organisations, including press releases and newsletters.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as journalists, reporters, editors, broadcast presenters, and PR specialists. Demand is moderate with Kenya's vibrant media landscape.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Premiere Pro
Video editingPrimary
Professional video editing software for broadcast and digital journalism production.
Adobe InDesign
PublishingPrimary
Desktop publishing software for print media layout and design.
WordPress
Content management
Content management system for online journalism and digital publishing.
Adobe Photoshop
Image editing
Image editing software for photojournalism and visual content production.
Hootsuite
Social media management
Social media management platform for scheduling and analysing social media content.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Journalism is a dying profession due to digital media.
Digital media has transformed journalism, creating new opportunities in digital storytelling, data journalism, and multimedia production.
A journalism degree only leads to working in newsrooms.
Graduates work in diverse fields including PR, corporate communications, content creation, media consulting, and academia.
Journalism does not require formal training.
Professional journalism requires skills in ethics, law, research, writing, and multimedia production that formal training provides.
Journalism pays poorly in Kenya.
While entry-level salaries vary, experienced journalists at major media houses and international organisations earn competitive salaries.