Arts & Humanities

Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art

The Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art is a programme that provides comprehensive training in fine art, visual expression and creative practice. Offered at the Technical University of Kenya through the Department of Creative Arts and Media, the programme prepares graduates for careers in fine art, illustration, gallery practice and the creative industries.

The curriculum covers drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, digital art, art history, art theory, visual communication, studio practice, portfolio development and professional practice. Students develop technical skills across traditional and contemporary media alongside critical thinking and visual literacy.

Kenya's creative economy is growing, with increasing demand for visual artists in advertising, publishing, galleries, cultural institutions and the film industry. The programme responds to the need for professionally trained artists who can contribute to the creative industries and cultural sector.

The programme is delivered through studio-based learning, lectures, workshops, critiques, field visits to galleries and exhibitions, and a final-year exhibition. Students build a portfolio of work across multiple media and participate in industrial attachment to gain professional exposure.

Graduates pursue careers as visual artists, illustrators, gallery managers, art teachers, creative designers, curators and freelance artists. They work in galleries, advertising agencies, publishing houses, cultural institutions, film production companies and as independent practitioners. The programme also provides a foundation for postgraduate study in fine art or visual communication.

Prospective students should have a passion for visual expression, creative aptitude and an interest in developing their artistic practice within a structured academic environment. A portfolio of artworks may be required for candidates without Art and Design at KCSE level.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 204,000
Private, up to: Ksh 242,800
Job market: Low

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Drawing
Painting
Sculpture
Printmaking
Photography
Digital Art
Art History
Art Theory
Visual Communication
Professional Practice

Modules

11 in the programme

Drawing Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces fundamental drawing techniques including observational drawing, perspective, composition and mark-making, developing foundational visual representation skills.
Painting Techniques
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Explores painting media including watercolour, acrylic and oil, covering colour theory, brushwork techniques and composition for expressive visual communication.
Art History Survey
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Surveys major movements in art history from ancient to contemporary periods, examining how visual art reflects and shapes cultural, social and political contexts.
Sculpture and Three-Dimensional Design
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces sculptural techniques including modelling, carving, casting and construction, exploring form, space and material in three-dimensional art practice.
Printmaking
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers printmaking processes including relief printing, intaglio, screen printing and lithography, developing technical skills in multiple print media.
Digital Art and Photography
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Introduces digital art tools and photographic techniques, covering digital image manipulation, composition, lighting and the integration of digital processes in visual art.
Art Theory and Criticism
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines theoretical frameworks for understanding and critiquing visual art, including aesthetics, semiotics and contemporary critical theory applied to art practice.
Visual Communication
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Explores principles of visual communication including typography, layout, branding and visual storytelling, applying art skills to commercial communication contexts.
Studio Practice and Portfolio Development
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Develops an individual studio practice through self-directed projects, building a coherent portfolio that demonstrates technical skill and conceptual development.
Professional Practice in Visual Art
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers professional skills for visual artists including gallery approaches, pricing, contracts, copyright, marketing and building a sustainable creative practice.
Final Year Exhibition Project
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
A culminating body of work presented in a final-year exhibition, demonstrating the student's artistic vision, technical proficiency and professional presentation skills.

Specialisations

Painting
Focuses on painting as a primary medium, developing advanced skills in oil, acrylic and mixed media for expressive and contemporary practice.
Sculpture
Specialises in three-dimensional art including carving, modelling, casting and installation, exploring form and space in contemporary sculpture.
Digital Art
Focuses on digital media including digital painting, 3D modelling and digital illustration, preparing graduates for the digital creative industries.
Printmaking
Develops advanced skills in printmaking processes including relief, intaglio and screen printing for artistic and commercial applications.
Photography
Specialises in fine art photography, covering composition, lighting, darkroom and digital techniques for artistic expression.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning studio session focused on drawing or painting techniques, followed by a lecture on art history or visual theory. Afternoon sessions involve practical studio work where students develop their portfolios, with occasional peer critiques and guest artist workshops. Students also visit galleries and exhibitions to study contemporary practice.

The trade offs

In its favour

The programme develops both technical artistic skills and critical thinking, enabling graduates to work across multiple creative industries.
Kenya's creative economy is growing, with increasing recognition of visual arts through galleries, art fairs and cultural institutions in Nairobi and beyond.
The programme offers flexible career paths including freelance practice, employment and further specialisation through postgraduate study.

Against it

Visual art careers often require building a reputation and portfolio over time, with irregular income particularly in the early career stage.
The creative sector in Kenya is less structured than traditional professions, requiring graduates to be entrepreneurial and proactive in finding opportunities.

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 188 arts & humanities courses

Public189k to 204k

189k at University of Nairobi204k at Kenyatta University

Private243k to 243k

243k at Daystar 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 Fine Arts 204K, UoN 189K/yr. Daystar 242.8K/yr. KCA unverified.

Students can access HELB loans, NGAAF bursaries and county government bursaries. TUK also participates in government-sponsored placement through KUCCPS.

Funding options

HELB Loan
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics — Creative Economy Support

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: KCSE Mean Grade C- (Minus) with a Diploma in a relevant field from a recognised institution. A portfolio of proven experience in Fine Art must be presented to the Department.

Art and Design
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Studio Portfolio Reviews
Practicum50% of the mark
Regular portfolio reviews of studio work, assessing technical skill development, conceptual understanding and creative exploration.
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination50% of the mark
Written examinations covering art history, theory and contextual studies, testing knowledge and critical understanding.
Critique Sessions
Presentation40% of the mark
Group critiques where students present and defend their studio work, assessed on artistic intent, technical execution and critical engagement.
Final Year Exhibition
Project100% of the mark
A public exhibition of a coherent body of work, assessed on artistic quality, presentation, conceptual depth and professional practice.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at the Technical University of Kenya, a chartered public university.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya's statutory body for university accreditation.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Visual Artist
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 150,000
Creates original artworks for exhibition, commission and sale, working independently or through galleries in Kenya's growing art market.
Illustrator
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Creates illustrations for books, magazines, advertising materials and digital media, working freelance or in publishing and advertising agencies.
Gallery Assistant
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 80,000
Supports gallery operations including exhibition installation, artist liaison, sales and curatorial assistance in commercial and public galleries.
Creative Designer
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 130,000
Applies visual art skills in design roles across advertising, publishing and digital media, creating visual content for brands and organisations.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as visual artists, illustrators, gallery assistants and creative designers in galleries, advertising agencies and cultural institutions across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

A visual art degree does not lead to employment.
Graduates work in advertising, publishing, galleries, film production, education and the growing creative economy, with many also establishing successful freelance careers.
You need to be naturally talented to study visual art.
While aptitude helps, the programme teaches technical skills systematically through structured studio practice, drawing exercises and art theory, developing competence over four years.
Visual art is only about painting and drawing.
The programme covers multiple media including sculpture, printmaking, photography, digital art and professional practice, providing a broad skill set for the creative industries.
Art graduates cannot earn a living in Kenya.
Kenya's creative economy is growing, with increasing demand for visual artists in advertising, publishing, digital media, galleries and the film industry, alongside opportunities for freelance practice.