Media & Communication

Bachelor of Film and Video Production

The Bachelor of Film and Video Production is a programme that provides comprehensive training in filmmaking, video production and visual storytelling. Offered at Kenya Film Commission-partnered institutions and select universities, the programme prepares graduates for careers in film, television and digital media production.

The curriculum covers film theory, screenwriting, cinematography, directing, video editing, sound design, lighting, production design, documentary filmmaking, film history, digital filmmaking, motion graphics, film business, distribution, media law, research methods and a final film project. Students develop creative and technical skills in film and video production.

Kenya's growing film industry, the rise of streaming platforms and the demand for video content create demand for film production graduates. The programme is offered through lectures, studio sessions, field production, post-production work and industry attachments.

Graduates are prepared for careers as film directors, producers, cinematographers, video editors, screenwriters, sound designers, documentary filmmakers, content creators, film critics and media consultants. They work in film production companies, TV stations, advertising agencies, digital media companies, NGOs and as freelancers.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 1.

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 276,700
Private, up to: Ksh 364,900
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

Film Theory
Screenwriting
Cinematography
Directing
Video Editing
Sound Design
Lighting
Documentary Filmmaking
Digital Filmmaking
Film Business

Modules

10 in the programme

Film Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theoretical foundations of cinema. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-o...
Screenwriting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Script writing for film and TV. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-s...
Cinematography
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Camera work and visual storytelling. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end...
Directing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Directing actors and crew. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Video Editing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Post-production editing. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semester...
Sound Design
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Audio production for film. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semest...
Documentary Filmmaking
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Non-fiction film production. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-seme...
Digital Filmmaking
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital production techniques. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-se...
Film Business
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Film industry business and distribution. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and...
Final Film Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Capstone film production. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, coursework and end-of-semeste...

Specialisations

Cinematography
Camera and visual. 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.
Post-Production
Editing and sound. 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.
Screenwriting
Script writing. 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.
Documentary Filmmaking
Non-fiction films. 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 film lectures, writing scripts, operating cameras, editing video footage, designing sound, setting up lighting, studying film theory, screening films for analysis, and working on student film projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's film industry is growing with streaming demand
Creative and dynamic career with freelance opportunities
Skills applicable to advertising, corporate video and digital media

Against it

Film industry can be unpredictable financially
Requires significant investment in equipment
Competition for top positions is intense

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

Public204k to 277k

204k at Kenyatta University277k at Multimedia University of Kenya

Private120k to 365k

120k at Mount Kenya University365k at USIU-Africa

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 204.4K (ku.ac.ke), MMU 276.7K (mmu.ac.ke). USIU 364.9K/yr, MKU 120K/yr, Kabarak 130K/yr (official sites).

HELB loans are available for eligible students. Kenya Film Commission offers some grants for student projects.

Funding options

HELB Loan
County Bursaries
NGAAF Bursary

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 30,000Kenyan
Kenyan students from participating counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Kenya Film Commission Creative Grant
GrantKsh 500,000Kenyan
Kenyan filmmakers and creatives pursuing film, TV or animation projects
Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund
Scholarship
East African students admitted to film and TV disciplines at partner Kenyan institutions

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 Kiswahili. Diploma in film, media, communication or related field from a recognised institution. KUCCPS Cluster 1.

English or Kiswahili
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Cat20% of the mark
Regular tests and assignments
Practical Productions
Practicum30% of the mark
Film and video production assessments
End of Semester Examinations
Written examination30% of the mark
End of semester written exams
Final Film Project
Project20% of the mark
Capstone film production

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Admission requires KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in English or Kiswahili. KUCCPS Cluster 1.

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

Film Director
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000
Directing films
Cinematographer
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Camera and lighting
Content Creator
High demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 300,000
Digital content production
Producer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 450,000
Film and TV production
Video Editor
High demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 300,000
Post-production editing

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as film directors, producers, cinematographers and video editors in film production companies, TV stations and digital media.

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

Film production is just about shooting videos.
The programme covers screenwriting, directing, editing, sound, lighting, business and distribution.
There are no film jobs in Kenya.
Kenya's film industry is growing with streaming platforms and local content demand.
Film is not a serious career.
Film and video production is a multi-billion shilling industry with professional roles.
Anyone with a camera can make films.
Professional filmmaking requires technical skills, creative vision and business knowledge.