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Media & Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Science, Graphics, Communication and Advertising

The Bachelor of Arts in Science, Graphics, Communication and Advertising is a multidisciplinary programme that combines graphic design, communication and advertising. The programme prepares graduates for careers in graphic design, advertising and visual communication.

The curriculum covers graphic design, visual communication, typography, illustration, digital design, photography, advertising principles, advertising copywriting, media planning, brand communication, marketing, public relations, mass communication, communication theory, media law and ethics, digital media, web design, print production, research methods, and a research project. Students develop both creative design and communication skills.

The programme is designed to produce graduates who can create visual communication and advertising content across media platforms. The programme combines artistic creativity with strategic communication, preparing graduates for the advertising and design industry.

Graduates are prepared for careers as graphic designers, art directors, advertising executives, brand managers, visual communicators, creative directors, copywriters, media planners, digital designers, content creators and design consultants. They work in advertising agencies, design studios, media houses, corporate communication, publishing houses, printing companies and as freelancers.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with C+ in English or Arts.

Prospective students should have strong analytical skills, a commitment to continuous learning, and an interest in contributing to Kenya's socio-economic development. The programme provides a solid foundation for further postgraduate study and professional advancement in related fields.

Duration
4 years
Public, up to
Ksh 283,000
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
  • Graphic Design
  • Visual Communication
  • Advertising Principles
  • Typography
  • Digital Design
  • Photography
  • Brand Communication
  • Marketing
  • Media Planning
  • Research Methods

Modules

10 in the programme

  • Graphic Design

    Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore

    Design principles and practice. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...

  • Visual Communication

    Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore

    Visual communication theory. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...

  • Advertising Principles

    Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore

    Advertising theory and practice. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-...

  • Typography

    Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore

    Type design and layout. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ...

  • Digital Design

    Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore

    Digital design tools. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...

  • Photography

    Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore

    Photographic techniques. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...

  • Brand Communication

    Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore

    Brand strategy and management. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...

  • Marketing

    Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore

    Marketing principles. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...

  • Media Planning

    Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore

    Planning media campaigns. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...

  • Research Methods

    Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore

    Research methodology. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester ex...

Specialisations

  • Brand Management

    Focus on brand strategy. 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.

  • Graphic Design

    Focus on visual design. 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.

  • Advertising

    Focus on advertising. 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.

  • Digital Design

    Focus on digital design. 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 involves attending lectures on graphics and advertising, designing visual content, studying advertising principles, working with design software, researching brand communication, studying marketing, creating advertising campaigns, analysing media, participating in creative projects, and engaging with current design and advertising trends. Students undertake industrial attachment.

The trade offs

In its favour

  • Combines creativity with strategic communication
  • Growing demand for digital design and advertising
  • Diverse career options in creative industries

Against it

  • Competitive industry requiring strong portfolio
  • May require working to tight deadlines
  • Starting salaries may be modest
  • Requires keeping up with rapidly changing design technology

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
Public153k to 283k
153k at Kenyatta University283k at University of Nairobi
Private105k to 243k
105k at Mount Kenya University243k 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

KU 153K, UoN 283K/yr; Daystar 242.8K, MKU 105K (educationnewshub)

Government scholarships under the new funding model cover 53-82% of tuition for needy students in public universities. HELB provides loans up to KSh 60,000 per year.

Funding options

  • HELB Undergraduate Loan

  • Government Scholarship (New Funding Model)

Scholarships

5 recorded

  • Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan

    LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan

    Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programmes at recognised institutions

  • Higher Education Fund (HEF)

    ScholarshipKenyan

    Needy students placed by KUCCPS in public universities, assessed through Means Testing Instrument

  • County Government Bursaries

    BursaryKenyan

    Residents of respective counties pursuing undergraduate studies

  • 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+
Alternative entry
KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in English or Arts. KACE with two principal passes. Diploma in graphic design, advertising or related field from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

3 components

  • Continuous Assessment

    Coursework30% of the mark

    Regular design projects, campaigns, presentations and class participation

  • Industrial Attachment and Research Project

    Practical30% of the mark

    Industrial attachment and creative research project

  • End of Semester Examinations

    Examination40% of the mark

    Final written and practical examinations

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE C+ with C+ in English or Arts.

Accredited by

  • Commission for University Education

    AcademicRequired

    Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

  • Graphic Designer

    Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 280,000

    Creates visual designs

  • Brand Manager

    Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Manages brand strategy

  • Art Director

    Low demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 350,000

    Directs creative vision

  • Advertising Executive

    Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 300,000

    Manages advertising

  • Digital Designer

    High demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 300,000

    Designs digital content

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as graphic designers, art directors, advertising executives and brand managers in advertising agencies, design studios and media houses.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

  • Adobe Premiere Pro

    Editing softwarePrimary

    Film editing.

  • DaVinci Resolve

    Editing software

    Colour grading and editing.

  • Adobe Photoshop

    SoftwarePrimary

    Image editing and graphic design software for creating visual content for print, digital media, and social media platforms.

  • WordPress

    Software

    Content management system for web publishing, blog management, and online content creation used by media houses and corporate websites.

  • Hootsuite

    Software

    Social media management platform for scheduling posts, monitoring engagement, and analysing social media performance across multiple platforms.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

  • Graphics and advertising is just about drawing.

    The programme covers visual communication, brand strategy, media planning, marketing and digital design.

  • This is only for creative people.

    The programme combines creativity with strategic thinking, research and business communication.

  • There are no jobs in advertising.

    Kenya's advertising industry is growing, with demand for skilled designers and communicators.

  • Graphic design is being replaced by AI.

    While AI tools assist design, creative direction and strategic communication remain human-driven.

Related courses

Further reading

Keep this

Fees and entry marks for Bachelor of Arts in Science, Graphics, Communication and Advertising are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.

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