Bachelor of Arts (Kiswahili and Mass Communication)

Kiswahili Grammar and Composition

Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

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

Introduction to Mass Communication

Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

Foundational concepts in mass communication including communication models, media systems, media effects, audience theory, and the role of mass media in society.

Kiswahili Literature

Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

Study of Kiswahili literary genres including poetry, prose, drama, and oral literature, examining major authors and literary movements in East African literature.

Journalism and News Writing

Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

Principles of journalism including news values, news writing, reporting, interviewing, and editorial skills — with practical exercises writing news stories in Kiswahili.

Broadcasting and Radio Production

Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

Radio broadcasting techniques including scriptwriting, voice training, presentation, studio operations, and programme production — with practical studio sessions in Kiswahili.

Linguistics and Language in Media

Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

Linguistic analysis of Kiswahili in media contexts including phonology, morphology, syntax, sociolinguistics, and the use of Kiswahili in different media registers.

Media Ethics and Law

Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

Media ethics, press freedom, media law in Kenya, defamation, privacy, copyright, and regulatory frameworks governing media practice — including the Media Council Act.

Print Media and Publishing

Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

Print journalism including newspaper production, magazine publishing, editorial management, layout and design, and print media business models — with practical production exercises.

Digital Media and Online Journalism

Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

Digital media production including online journalism, social media content creation, podcasting, digital storytelling, and content strategy for digital platforms in Kiswahili.

Public Relations and Corporate Communication

Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

Principles of public relations, corporate communication, stakeholder engagement, crisis communication, and strategic communication planning for organisations.

Television Production

Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore

Television production techniques including camera operation, directing, editing, programme production, and studio management — with practical TV production exercises in Kiswahili.

Final Year Research Project

Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore

Final-year research project integrating Kiswahili studies and mass communication, with fieldwork, media analysis, written dissertation, and oral defence.

Kiswahili Broadcast Journalism

Focus on radio and television journalism in Kiswahili including news production, scriptwriting, presenting, and studio operations for careers in Kiswahili broadcasting.

Kiswahili Print Media and Publishing

Focus on print journalism, editorial work, and publishing in Kiswahili for careers in newspapers, magazines, and publishing houses.

Digital Media and Content Creation

Focus on digital journalism, social media content, podcasting, and online media in Kiswahili for careers in digital media platforms and content agencies.

Public Relations and Corporate Communication

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

Kiswahili Literature and Media

Focus on Kiswahili literary analysis, creative writing, and literary journalism for careers in publishing, literary media, and cultural programming.

Media Ethics and Law

Focus on media law, ethics, press freedom, and regulatory frameworks for careers in media regulation, legal journalism, and media policy.

HELB Undergraduate Loan

County Government Bursaries

University Scholarships and Bursaries

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

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

Needy Kenyan students enrolled in recognised university programmes.

County Government Bursaries

BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan

Students from the respective county, applied through county education offices.

University Internal Bursaries

BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan

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

Continuous Assessment Tests

Coursework25% of the mark

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

Media Production Practical Assignments

Coursework30% of the mark

Journalism assignments, radio production exercises, TV production practicals, digital content creation, and editing projects assessed through practical demonstrations and submissions.

Research Papers and Essays

Coursework15% of the mark

Research papers, media analysis essays, literary analysis assignments, and literature reviews assessed throughout each semester.

Final Examinations and Research Project

Examination30% of the mark

End-of-semester written examinations and a final-year research project integrating Kiswahili and mass communication, with written dissertation and oral defence.

Commission for University Education (CUE)

Academic accreditationRequired

Programme accredited by CUE in 2025. Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities offering degree programmes.

Kiswahili 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.

Broadcast Journalist

High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 70,000

Produces and presents Kiswahili radio and television programmes including news bulletins, current affairs, talk shows, and documentaries for broadcasting stations.

Content Creator

High demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 55,000

Creates written, digital, and multimedia content in Kiswahili for media houses, marketing agencies, NGOs, and online platforms — leveraging language and media production skills.

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.

Public Relations Officer

Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000

Manages public relations, develops communication strategies, writes press releases, organises events, and maintains stakeholder relationships for organisations using Kiswahili and English.

Adobe Creative Suite

SoftwarePrimary

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

Microsoft Office Suite

SoftwarePrimary

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

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 — essential for broadcast journalism.

Kiswahili mass communication is the same as general mass communication.

This programme specifically develops Kiswahili-language media skills — writing, broadcasting, and content creation in Kiswahili — which require advanced language proficiency distinct from English-language journalism.

Kiswahili media has limited career opportunities compared to English media.

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

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

Professional Kiswahili media requires advanced grammar, literary analysis, formal writing, and broadcasting skills — distinct from conversational proficiency. The degree develops professional-level competency for media careers.

Mass communication is just about talking on radio or TV.

Mass communication involves theory, media law, ethics, research, production, editing, audience analysis, and strategic communication — skills essential for professional media practice across platforms.

This degree only leads to journalism.

Graduates work in broadcasting, print media, public relations, corporate communications, publishing, digital content creation, and government communications — the skills are transferable across multiple media and communication roles.