Media & Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Kiswahili and Media Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Kiswahili and Media Studies is a four-year degree programme that combines Kiswahili language and literary studies with media and communication competencies.

The curriculum covers Kiswahili grammar, linguistics, literature, oral traditions, media studies, journalism, broadcasting, print media, communication theory, media ethics, digital media, and research methods.

Students develop competencies in Kiswahili language use, literary analysis, media production, journalism, broadcasting, communication skills, and research methods. The programme combines lectures, practical workshops, studio sessions, and field assignments.

Graduates pursue careers as Kiswahili journalists, radio and television presenters, media producers, editors, translators, content creators, and communications officers. They find employment in media houses, broadcasting stations, publishing firms, government ministries, and digital media companies.

The programme is offered at Maasai Mara University, a public university located in Narok County. The KUCCPS programme code is 1165325. Annual tuition fees are KSH 153,000 for government-sponsored students and KSH 116,280 for self-sponsored students.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a minimum of C+ in Kiswahili, following KUCCPS cluster subject requirements. The programme also accepts diploma holders in relevant fields and A-level holders with two principal passes.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 189,000
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

Kiswahili Grammar
Linguistics
Kiswahili Literature
Media Studies
Journalism
Broadcasting
Communication Theory
Media Ethics
Digital Media
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Kiswahili Grammar
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of Kiswahili grammar, including parts of speech, sentence structure, and grammatical rules.
Introduction to Media Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational concepts of media studies, including media history, theory, and the role of media in society.
Communication Skills in Kiswahili
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Effective communication techniques in Kiswahili, including oral and written communication for media.
Introduction to Journalism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Fundamentals of journalism, including news writing, reporting, and editing with emphasis on Kiswahili media.
Kiswahili Literature and Media
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Kiswahili literary works and their adaptation for media platforms including radio, television, and film.
Broadcast Journalism in Kiswahili
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Techniques for radio and television news production and presentation in Kiswahili.
Communication Theory
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Theoretical frameworks for understanding mass communication, media effects, and audience behaviour.
Media Ethics and Law
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Ethical principles and legal frameworks governing media in Kenya, including defamation and press freedom.
Digital Media in Kiswahili
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital Media in Kiswahili: Digital content creation, social media, and online publishing in Kiswahili. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Print Media in Kiswahili
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Newspaper and magazine journalism in Kiswahili, including writing, editing, and layout design.
Research Methods in Media Studies
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Research design and methodology for studying media phenomena and Kiswahili communication.
Media Project and Attachment
Year 4Semester 29 creditsCore
Industry attachment in a media house or communication organisation, plus a final media project in Kiswahili.

Specialisations

Kiswahili Journalism
Focus on news gathering, writing, and reporting in Kiswahili for print, broadcast, and online media.
Broadcast Media in Kiswahili
Focus on radio and television production, presentation, and broadcasting in Kiswahili. 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.
Kiswahili Literature and Media
Focus on Kiswahili literary works and their adaptation for media platforms including radio, television, and film.
Digital Media in Kiswahili
Focus on digital content creation, social media, and online publishing in Kiswahili. 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.
Translation and Media
Focus on translating media content between Kiswahili and other languages for broadcasting and publishing.

A day as a student

A typical day combines classroom learning with practical media production. Morning sessions cover Kiswahili grammar, linguistics, or literary analysis, while afternoons focus on media workshops, broadcasting studio sessions, or digital media labs. Students engage in field assignments, news reporting exercises in Kiswahili, and media production projects. Group discussions on contemporary issues in Kiswahili media and literature complement academic instruction. Students participate in the university media club and contribute to Kiswahili language media projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme combines Kiswahili language skills with media competencies, addressing demand for Kiswahili media professionals.
Kenya's vibrant Kiswahili media landscape with numerous radio and television stations creates career opportunities.
Mandatory industry attachment provides practical media experience and networking opportunities.
Kiswahili's growing status as an East African Community official language creates regional career opportunities.

Against it

Programme is offered at only one university, limiting institutional choice.
Entry-level salaries in Kenyan media are often modest compared to other professions.
Digital disruption requires continuous skills updating beyond the programme.
Programme is relatively new with limited alumni networks for job placement.

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

Public144k to 189k

144k at University of Nairobi189k at University of Nairobi

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 144K-189K/yr. KU&Mara 153K/yr (educationnewshub). Private unverified.

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Maasai Mara University offers bursaries for needy students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship
Maasai Mara University Bursary

Scholarships

4 recorded

Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points for Maasai Mara University.
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Maasai Mara University Bursary
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at Maasai Mara University.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

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 KACE with two principal passes and a subsidiary pass; OR relevant Diploma from a recognised institution; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, media projects, practical assignments, and seminar presentations during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering Kiswahili language, literature, media studies, and communication.
Practical Media Projects
Project40% of the mark
Production of news content, broadcasts, and digital media projects in Kiswahili as part of coursework.
Industry Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of industry attachment in a media house, 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

Kiswahili Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Gathers, writes, and reports news stories in Kiswahili for print, broadcast, or online media.
Radio Presenter
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Presents radio programmes in Kiswahili, including news, talk shows, and cultural programmes.
Television Presenter
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Presents television programmes in Kiswahili, including news bulletins, talk shows, and documentaries.
Media Producer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 100,000
Produces media content in Kiswahili for radio, television, or digital platforms.
Editor
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Edits Kiswahili publications and media content for newspapers, magazines, or online platforms.
Content Creator
High demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 75,000
Creates digital content in Kiswahili for online platforms, including articles, videos, and social media posts.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as Kiswahili journalists, radio and television presenters, and media producers. Demand is moderate with Kenya's vibrant Kiswahili 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 media production in Kiswahili.
Adobe Audition
Audio editingPrimary
Audio editing software for radio production and podcast creation in Kiswahili.
WordPress
Content management
Content management system for online journalism and digital publishing in Kiswahili.
Microsoft Office
Productivity
Productivity suite for writing articles, scripts, and research papers in Kiswahili.
Hootsuite
Social media management
Social media management platform for scheduling and analysing Kiswahili social media content.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Kiswahili and Media Studies is just about speaking Kiswahili on radio.
The programme covers journalism, media production, communication theory, digital media, and literary analysis in addition to language skills.
Kiswahili media careers are limited to traditional broadcasting.
Digital media expansion has created new opportunities for Kiswahili content creators, online journalists, and social media managers.
The programme does not require formal media training.
Professional media work requires skills in ethics, law, research, production, and digital storytelling that formal training provides.
Kiswahili media has limited career prospects.
Kenya has numerous Kiswahili radio and television stations, and the East African Community's promotion of Kiswahili creates regional opportunities.