Media & Communication

Bachelor of Arts in Technical and Professional Communication

The Bachelor of Arts in Technical and Professional Communication is a four-year degree programme that prepares students to bridge the gap between technical experts and general audiences. Technical and professional communicators translate complex technical information into clear, accessible content for diverse audiences.

The curriculum covers technical writing, professional communication, documentation design, digital media, content strategy, user experience writing, editing, publishing, and communication theory. Students explore both theoretical foundations and practical applications in technical communication.

Students develop competencies in technical writing, content design, documentation, editing, digital publishing, user experience writing, and visual communication. The programme combines lectures, workshops, project-based learning, and industry attachment. Students create technical documents, design user guides, develop content strategies, and produce professional communication materials.

Graduates pursue careers as technical writers, content designers, documentation specialists, corporate communicators, editors, and digital content strategists. They find employment in technology companies, publishing houses, corporate communication departments, NGOs, and media organisations across Kenya.

The programme is offered at Daystar University (private, KSH 242,800 per year) through the School of Communication. Daystar is a leading Christian university accredited by the Commission for University Education, known for its strong communication and media programmes. The programme is available to both government-sponsored and self-sponsored students.

Accreditation is provided by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya. Admission requires a KCSE mean grade of C+ with a strong emphasis on English proficiency, consistent with Daystar University undergraduate admission requirements.

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

Technical Writing
Professional Communication
Documentation Design
Digital Media
Content Strategy
User Experience Writing
Editing and Publishing
Communication Theory
Visual Communication
Information Architecture

Modules

12 in the programme

Communication Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theories and models of communication, including audience analysis and message design.
Introduction to Technical Communication
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Technical Communication: Foundational concepts, principles, and practices of technical communication. Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
Technical Writing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Principles and techniques of writing technical documents, manuals, and user guides.
Editing and Publishing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Editing and Publishing: Editorial processes, publishing workflows, and content quality assurance. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Digital Media and Publishing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital publishing platforms, content management systems, and online documentation.
Documentation Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Documentation Design: Design and structure of technical documentation for clarity and usability. Covers design principles, creative processes, and practical project development.
User Experience Writing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Writing for digital interfaces, including microcopy, user guidance, and accessibility.
Visual Communication
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Visual design principles for communication, including infographics and data visualisation.
Content Strategy
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Content Strategy: Planning, creating, managing, and governing content across platforms. Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Professional Communication
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Corporate communication, including reports, proposals, presentations, and business writing.
Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Final-year research project on a technical communication topic, including dissertation.
Industrial Attachment
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Industrial Attachment: Supervised attachment with a communication or publishing organisation. Provides hands-on industry experience, mentorship, and professional skills development.

Specialisations

Technical Writing
Focus on creating user manuals, technical documentation, and instructional materials. 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 Content Strategy
Focus on planning, creating, and managing digital content across platforms. 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.
Corporate Communication
Focus on internal and external communication in corporate environments. 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.
Publishing and Editing
Focus on editorial processes, publishing workflows, and content quality assurance. 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.
User Experience Writing
Focus on writing for digital interfaces, including microcopy and user guidance. 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.
Science Communication
Focus on translating scientific and technical information for public audiences. 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, writing workshops, and project-based learning. Morning sessions cover communication theory, technical writing principles, and documentation design, while afternoons focus on practical writing exercises, editing workshops, and digital content creation. Students work on real-world projects, creating user manuals, designing content strategies, and producing professional communication materials. Industry attachment provides hands-on experience in corporate or publishing environments.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme develops specialised skills in high demand in Kenya's growing technology sector.
Daystar University has a strong reputation in communication and media education.
Small class sizes enable personalised attention and practical project-based learning.
Graduates can pursue diverse careers in tech, publishing, corporate communication, and digital media.

Against it

Only offered at one private university with relatively high tuition fees.
Programme is not widely known in Kenya, potentially limiting employer awareness.
Technical communication as a distinct profession is still emerging in Kenya.
Some graduates may need to supplement with additional technical skills for tech industry roles.

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

Public189k to 204k

189k at University of Nairobi204k at Kenyatta University

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 Comm 204K, UoN BA 189K/yr (KUCCPS). Daystar 242.8K, MKU 105K/yr (KUCCPS).

Daystar University offers merit-based scholarships, need-based bursaries, work-study programmes, and payment plans. HELB loans are available for eligible students.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
Daystar University Scholarships
KUCCPS Government Sponsorship

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
Government loanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities. Must demonstrate financial need.
Daystar University Merit Scholarship
University scholarshipKenyan
Students demonstrating academic excellence at Daystar University.
Daystar University Need-Based Bursary
University bursaryKenyan
Registered students demonstrating financial need at Daystar University.
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+ (Plus)
Alternative entry: KCSE mean grade C+ or equivalent; OR 5 credits in IGCSE with 2 credit passes at A level; OR Division 2 in GCE; OR a relevant diploma from a recognised institution. Applicants with C+ in English must take ENG 098 and ENG 214; those with B- in English take ENG 214.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Regular written assignments, writing portfolios, project submissions, and presentations.
End of Semester Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
Comprehensive written examinations covering communication theory and technical writing.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Final-year research project on a technical communication topic, including dissertation.
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of supervised attachment performance and portfolio.

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

Technical Writer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Creates technical documentation, user manuals, and instructional materials for technology companies.
Content Designer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Designs and creates digital content for websites, apps, and online platforms.
Corporate Communicator
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 140,000
Manages internal and external communication for corporate organisations.
Editor
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 120,000
Edits and oversees content quality for publishing houses or corporate communications.
Documentation Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Creates and maintains technical documentation for software and technology products.
Digital Content Strategist
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 160,000
Develops and implements content strategies for digital platforms and brands.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as technical writers, content designers, and corporate communicators. Demand is growing with the expansion of Kenya's technology sector.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Microsoft Office
ProductivityPrimary
Productivity suite for documentation, reports, and presentations.
Adobe Creative Suite
DesignPrimary
Design tools for visual communication, documentation, and digital content.
Content Management Systems
Publishing
CMS platforms for digital publishing and content management.
Google Workspace
Collaboration
Collaboration tools for document sharing and team projects.
Figma
Design
Design platform for user experience writing and interface content.

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Technical communication is just about writing manuals.
Technical communication covers digital content, user experience writing, content strategy, and corporate communication.
The programme only leads to writing jobs.
Graduates work in content strategy, editing, publishing, corporate communication, and digital media.
Technical communication has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's growing technology sector is creating demand for technical writers and content designers.
Anyone who can write can be a technical communicator.
Technical communication requires specialised skills in information design, audience analysis, and documentation processes.