Art and Design

Bachelor of Arts in Music

The Bachelor of Arts in Music is a four-year degree programme that provides students with comprehensive training in music theory, performance, composition, and music history.

The curriculum covers music theory, aural skills, music history, performance, composition, arranging, ethnomusicology, African music, Western music traditions, choral and instrumental conducting, music technology, and music education.

Students develop competencies in performance, composition, music analysis, aural skills, conducting, music technology, and music education. The programme combines lectures, practical lessons, ensemble participation, recitals, and research projects.

Graduates pursue careers as music teachers, performers, composers, music producers, choir directors, music therapists, arts administrators, and ethnomusicologists. They find employment in schools, media houses, recording studios, cultural institutions, churches, and arts organisations.

The programme is offered at Kenyatta University, Moi University, Maseno University, Technical University of Kenya, Daystar University, and University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. Annual tuition fees range from KSH 153,000 at Moi University to KSH 242,800 at Daystar University.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with at least C+ in Music, following KUCCPS cluster 18 subject requirements. The programme also accepts diploma holders and A-level holders with appropriate qualifications, and may require an audition or placement examination.

Duration: 4 Years
Public, up to: Ksh 204,000
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
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: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Music Theory
Aural Skills
Music History
Performance
Composition
Ethnomusicology
African Music
Choral and Instrumental Conducting
Music Technology
Music Education

Modules

12 in the programme

Music Theory I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Foundational music theory, including notation, scales, intervals, chords, and harmonic analysis.
Aural Skills I
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Development of aural skills through sight-singing, dictation, and rhythmic training.
Music History I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Survey of Western music history from medieval to baroque periods, including styles, forms, and composers.
African Music I
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Study of African music traditions, including instruments, rhythms, scales, and cultural contexts of music in Africa.
Performance I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Individual instruction on a primary instrument or voice, including technique, repertoire, and performance practice.
Composition I
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Principles of musical composition, including melody writing, harmonic progressions, and small-form composition.
Choral and Instrumental Conducting
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Techniques of conducting choral and instrumental ensembles, including score reading, rehearsal methods, and baton technique.
Ethnomusicology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Study of music in cultural context, including field research methods, musical ethnography, and analysis of world music traditions.
Music Technology
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Music production techniques, including digital audio workstations, recording, mixing, and sound synthesis.
Music Education
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and methods of teaching music in schools and communities, including pedagogy, curriculum development, and assessment.
Advanced Performance
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced individual instruction on a primary instrument or voice, including advanced repertoire and public recital preparation.
Senior Recital and Research Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
Final-year public recital demonstrating performance proficiency, plus a research project on a music-related topic.

Specialisations

Performance
Focus on instrumental or vocal performance, including solo and ensemble performance, recitals, and concert practice.
Composition
Focus on composing original music, including orchestration, arranging, and contemporary composition techniques.
Music Education
Focus on teaching music in schools and communities, including pedagogy, curriculum development, and music instruction methods.
Ethnomusicology
Focus on the study of music in cultural context, including African music traditions, field research, and musical ethnography.
Music Technology
Focus on music production, recording, sound design, and digital music creation using technology. 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 lectures, practical lessons, and ensemble rehearsals. Morning sessions cover music theory, aural skills, or music history, while afternoons focus on instrumental or vocal lessons, ensemble participation, and composition workshops. Students practise individually in practice rooms, participate in choir or band rehearsals, and work on composition assignments using music technology. Group projects involve arranging music for ensembles, organising recitals, and conducting field research on traditional music. Students participate in the university choir, orchestra, or traditional music ensemble and attend masterclasses by visiting musicians.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offers diverse career paths in performance, education, composition, production, and arts administration.
Students study both Western and African music traditions, developing a broad musical perspective.
Programme offered at six universities, providing institutional and fee options.
Practical training in performance, composition, and music technology provides hands-on experience.

Against it

Music careers can be financially unpredictable, especially for performers and freelancers.
Programme requires an audition or placement examination in addition to academic qualifications.
Music teaching careers require additional TSC certification.
Specialised music technology equipment and instruments may require additional personal investment.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public189k to 204k

189k at University of Nairobi204k at Kenyatta University

Private162k to 243k

162k at University of Eastern Africa, Baraton243k at Daystar 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

UoN BA 189K, KU Music 204K/yr. UEAB 161.6K, Daystar 242.8K/yr. KUCCPS+univ sites

Government-sponsored students receive fee subsidies through KUCCPS. HELB loans are available for eligible students. Universities offer internal bursaries for needy students.

Funding options

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

Scholarships

5 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies
Goethe-Institut Scholarship Programmes
Scholarship
Students and artists in cultural and performing arts
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
Government subsidyKenyan
Kenyan students who meet KUCCPS cluster cut-off points for participating universities.
University Internal Bursaries
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at their respective universities.

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+ with at least C+ in Music; OR KCSE mean grade C plain with a Diploma in Music or Diploma in Education with Music from a recognised institution; OR P1 Certificate with ABRSM Theory of Music grade 5; OR equivalent qualifications recognised by the university senate. Some universities may require an audition or placement examination.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written tests, aural skills assessments, performance practicals, and seminar presentations during the semester.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering music theory, history, ethnomusicology, and music education.
Performance Recital
Practical100% of the mark
Public recital demonstrating performance proficiency on a primary instrument or voice, assessed by faculty jury.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project on a music-related topic, including ethnographic fieldwork, analysis, and written dissertation.

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

Music Teacher
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Teaches music in secondary schools, requiring TSC certification and pedagogical skills.
Performer
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 150,000
Performs as a vocalist or instrumentalist in concerts, events, recordings, and media productions.
Composer
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 120,000
Composes original music for media, film, advertising, concerts, and educational materials.
Music Producer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 140,000
Produces music recordings in studios, including arranging, recording, mixing, and mastering.
Choir Director
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 100,000
Directs choral ensembles in schools, churches, and community organisations.
Arts Administrator
Low demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 110,000
Manages arts organisations, festivals, and cultural programmes, including event planning and artist coordination.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as music teachers, performers, composers, and music producers. Demand is moderate with opportunities in education, media, and the creative industry.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Sibelius
Music notationPrimary
Music notation software for composing, arranging, and publishing sheet music.
Ableton Live
Music productionPrimary
Digital audio workstation for music production, recording, and live performance.
Logic Pro
Music production
Digital audio workstation for music production, recording, and mixing.
MuseScore
Music notation
Free open-source music notation software for composing and arranging.
GarageBand
Music production
Entry-level digital audio workstation for music creation and recording.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A music degree is only for those who want to become performers.
Graduates work as teachers, composers, producers, arts administrators, choir directors, and ethnomusicologists across diverse sectors.
Music is not a serious academic subject.
The programme includes rigorous study of music theory, history, ethnomusicology, and research methods alongside practical performance training.
Music graduates cannot find employment in Kenya.
Kenya's growing creative economy, media industry, and education sector create demand for qualified music professionals.
You need to be a prodigy to study music at university.
The programme is designed to develop musical skills progressively, requiring dedication and consistent practice rather than exceptional talent.