Bachelor of Arts (Kiswahili and Communication)

Introduction to Kiswahili Studies

Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

Overview of Kiswahili as a discipline, its scope, methodology and academic significance

Kiswahili Grammar and Composition

Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

Advanced Kiswahili grammar including morphology, syntax, sentence structure, and written composition skills for developing grammatical accuracy and writing proficiency.

Communication Theory

Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

Foundational theories of human communication, mass communication and media effects

Kiswahili Grammar and Linguistics

Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

Kiswahili Grammar and Linguistics: Structural analysis of Kiswahili phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

Journalism and News Writing

Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

Skills in news gathering, writing, reporting and editing for print and digital media

Public Relations

Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

Principles and practice of public relations, media relations and corporate communication management

Digital Media Production

Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

Skills in digital content creation, including video, audio and web-based media production

Creative Writing in Kiswahili

Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

Creative Writing in Kiswahili: Techniques for writing original literary and media content in Kiswahili Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.

Broadcast Production

Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

Radio and television production techniques, including studio operations and programme formatting

Media Ethics and Law

Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

Media Ethics and Law: Ethical principles and legal frameworks governing media practice in Kenya Encourages critical thinking about moral dilemmas and professional responsibility.

Research Project/Dissertation

Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore

Research Project/Dissertation: Independent research on a selected topic in Kiswahili and communication studies Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under supervision.

Industrial Attachment

Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore

Supervised placement at a media house, PR firm or communication department for practical experience

Kiswahili Media and Journalism

Focus on Kiswahili-language journalism, news writing, broadcasting, and media production for careers in Kiswahili media houses, radio, television, and digital media platforms.

Kiswahili Literature and Publishing

Focus on Kiswahili literary analysis, creative writing, and publishing for careers in publishing houses, literary organisations, and cultural institutions.

Corporate Communication and Public Relations

Focus on strategic communication, public relations, corporate communications, and stakeholder engagement for careers in corporate communications departments and PR agencies.

Translation and Interpretation

Focus on translation theory, interpretation techniques, and bilingual communication for careers as translators and interpreters in government, international organisations, and translation agencies.

Kiswahili Education

Focus on Kiswahili language pedagogy, curriculum development, and educational methods for careers as Kiswahili teachers in secondary schools and educational institutions.

Linguistics and Language Studies

Focus on Kiswahili linguistics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and applied linguistics for careers in language research, lexicography, and language policy development.

Digital Media Content Production

Specialization in Digital Media Content Production, preparing graduates for careers such as content-writer.

Kiswahili Broadcast Journalism

Specialization in Kiswahili Broadcast Journalism, preparing graduates for careers such as journalist.

Kiswahili Publishing and Editing

Specialization in Kiswahili Publishing and Editing, preparing graduates for careers such as editor. 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.

Public Relations

Specialization in Public Relations, preparing graduates for careers such as public-relations-officer.

HELB Undergraduate Loan

County Government Bursaries

University Scholarships and Bursaries

County Government Bursaries

BursaryKenyan

Residents of respective counties

University Internal Bursaries

BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan

Needy students enrolled at the respective university, applied through the financial aid office.

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

Needy Kenyan students placed through 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

Industrial Attachment Report

Coursework100% of the mark

Practical Media Projects

Coursework35% of the mark

Final Examination

Coursework40% of the mark

Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)

Coursework25% of the mark

Continuous Assessment Tests

Coursework30% of the mark

Written tests covering Kiswahili language, literature, communication theory, and media studies, assessed through mid-semester and end-of-semester examinations.

Media Council of Kenya (MCK)

InstitutionalRequired

Commission for University Education (CUE)

Academic accreditationRequired

Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes.

Editor

Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 110,000

Edits Kiswahili publications and media content for publishing houses and media organisations

Broadcast Journalist

Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000

Produces and presents Kiswahili news and programmes for radio and television stations

Content Producer

Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 100,000

Creates digital and broadcast content in Kiswahili for media houses and corporate organisations

Public Relations Officer

High demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 120,000

Manages public relations and media relations for organisations, with Kiswahili media engagement

Journalist / Reporter

High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 60,000

Reports, writes, and edits news stories in Kiswahili for newspapers, radio, television, and digital media platforms, covering local and national news for Kiswahili-speaking audiences.

Kiswahili Teacher (TSC Grade C2)

High demandKsh 41,400 to Ksh 57,200

Teaches Kiswahili language and literature in secondary schools under TSC employment, developing students' language proficiency, literary analysis, and cultural knowledge.

Communications Officer

Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 70,000

Develops and manages organisational communications, writes press releases in Kiswahili and English, manages media relations, and coordinates internal communications for organisations.

Translator and Interpreter

Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000

Translates documents and provides interpretation services between Kiswahili and English for government, international organisations, conferences, and translation agencies.

Microsoft Office Suite

SoftwarePrimary

Productivity tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access for content creation, data management, presentations, and professional communication in Kiswahili and English.

Adobe Creative Suite

SoftwarePrimary

Media production software including Premiere Pro for video editing, InDesign for layout and publishing, and Audition for audio production — essential for journalism and media work.

Google Workspace

Software

Collaboration and productivity tools for document creation, project coordination, email communication, and team collaboration in media and communications work.

Canva

Software

Graphic design platform for creating social media content, infographics, presentations, and visual communications for media and corporate communications work.

Audacity

Software

Open-source audio editing software for podcast production, radio journalism, voice recording, and audio content creation — useful for broadcast journalism and digital media.

Microsoft Word

CreativePrimary

Google Drive

Cloud

Zoom

CloudPrimary

Google Docs

Cloud

Adobe Photoshop

Design

Kiswahili and Communication is only for becoming a Kiswahili teacher.

While teaching is a career path, graduates work in media houses as journalists and editors, in corporate communications, in translation and publishing, and in public relations — Kiswahili media is a growing sector in Kenya.

Kiswahili media has limited career opportunities compared to English media.

Kiswahili radio stations, television programmes, and digital media platforms have massive audiences in Kenya. Media houses like KBC, Royal Media Services, and Standard Group regularly recruit Kiswahili-proficient journalists and content creators.

Everyone speaks Kiswahili, so a degree in it is unnecessary.

Professional Kiswahili requires advanced grammar, literary analysis, linguistic understanding, and formal communication skills — distinct from conversational Kiswahili. The degree develops professional-level proficiency for media, education, and translation.

Communication studies is just about talking.

Communication involves theory, media analysis, message design, audience research, crisis communication, and strategic communication — skills that are essential in journalism, public relations, and corporate communications.

Kiswahili is only useful in Kenya and Tanzania.

Kiswahili is spoken across East and Central Africa and is an official language of the East African Community and the African Union. It is one of the fastest-growing African languages globally, creating opportunities in diplomacy, trade, and international organisations.