Media & Communication

Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication

The Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication is a four-year programme that prepares students for journalism, media production and mass communication. Students study journalism, media studies, broadcasting, print media, digital media and communication theory. The programme combines practical media skills with communication theory for diverse media careers.

Students develop competencies in news writing, reporting, editing, broadcasting, digital media production, media management and communication. They learn to write news, produce content, manage media platforms and communicate effectively. The programme covers journalism, broadcasting, print media, digital media, media law and communication theory.

In Kenya, journalism and mass communication is a dynamic field with growing media platforms. Kenya's media landscape including television, radio, print and digital media creates opportunities. The Media Council of Kenya regulates the profession. Graduates find roles in media houses, PR firms, corporate communication, government communication and digital media.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, media practicals, studio sessions, industrial attachment and research projects. Students write news, produce content, operate studio equipment and undertake industrial attachment. The programme includes a final-year media project or research.

Graduates pursue careers as journalists, editors, news anchors, media producers, communication officers and content creators. Some work for media houses. Others join PR firms, corporate communication departments, government or digital media.

This programme is ideal for individuals with communication skills, curiosity and interest in media and storytelling.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 277,000
Private, up to: Ksh 270,000
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: 60 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Journalism and News Writing
Broadcasting and Radio Production
Print Media and Editing
Digital Media and Online Journalism
Media Law and Ethics
Communication Theory
Media Management
Photojournalism and Visual Media
Public Relations
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Introduction to Journalism
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to Journalism: Fundamentals of journalism, news values and journalistic principles Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Communication Theory
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Communication Theory: Communication models, theories and mass communication principles Develops practical skills for academic and professional contexts.
News Writing and Reporting
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
News Writing and Reporting: News writing techniques, reporting skills and journalistic writing Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Print Media and Editing
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Print Media and Editing: Newspaper production, magazine writing, sub-editing and layout Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Broadcasting and Radio Production
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Broadcasting and Radio Production: Radio production, broadcasting techniques and studio operations Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Media Law and Ethics
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Media Law and Ethics: Media law, defamation, press freedom and journalistic ethics Encourages critical thinking about moral dilemmas and professional responsibility.
Digital Media and Online Journalism
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital Media and Online Journalism: Digital journalism, social media, content management and online media Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Photojournalism and Visual Media
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Photojournalism and Visual Media: Photojournalism, visual storytelling and multimedia production Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Public Relations
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
PR principles, corporate communication and media relations. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment te...
Television Production
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Television Production: TV production, video editing, directing and broadcast journalism Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Media Management
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Media Management: Media management, media economics and media organisation management Covers planning, organising, leadership, and control in organisational contexts.
Final Year Media Project/Research
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Independent media production project or research. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cours...

Specialisations

Photojournalism
Specialization in Photojournalism, preparing graduates for careers such as journalist. 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.
Media Management
Specialization in Media Management, preparing graduates for careers such as journalist. 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 Media
Specialization in Digital Media, preparing graduates for careers such as journalist. 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.
Public Relations
Specialization in Public Relations, preparing graduates for careers such as journalist. 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.
Print Journalism
Specialization in Print Journalism, preparing graduates for careers such as journalist. 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.
Broadcast Journalism
Specialization in Broadcast Journalism, preparing graduates for careers such as journalist. 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 morning lectures on journalism or communication theory with afternoon media practicals, studio sessions or project work. Students may write news articles, produce radio segments, edit video content, operate studio equipment or work on media projects.

The trade offs

In its favour

Dynamic and exciting career in media
Diverse career paths in media, PR and corporate communication
Digital media creates new opportunities
Opportunity to inform and influence society

Against it

Media industry can be competitive
Some media roles require irregular hours
Media freedom and safety can be challenging
MCK accreditation required for professional practice

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 Moi University277k at Multimedia University of Kenya

Private105k to 270k

105k at Mount Kenya University270k at KCA 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 239K, Moi 204K, MMU 277K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke, eafinder). MKU 105K, KCA 270K/yr (hivileo, kenyaeducationguide).

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some media houses and PR firms offer internship stipends.

Funding options

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
LoanKsh 60,000
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
Bursary
County Government Bursaries
Bursary

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
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: Relevant diploma or equivalent qualification

English or Kiswahili
C+
Mathematics A/B or any Group II
C
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+
Any Group III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Final Examination
Coursework40% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Media Practicals and Project Work
Coursework30% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). MCK accreditation is required for professional journalism practice in Kenya.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired
Media Council of Kenya (MCK)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Communication Officer
High demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 200,000
Manages communication for organisations
Editor
Moderate demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 280,000
Edits and manages content for media publications
Media Producer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Produces media content for television, radio and digital
News Anchor
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Presents news on television and radio
Journalist
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Reports and writes news for media organisations

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as journalists, editors, news anchors, media producers, communication officers and content creators in media houses, PR firms, corporate communication, government communication 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

Journalism is just about writing
Journalism covers broadcasting, digital media, production, editing and media management.
There are no jobs in journalism
Digital media expansion and corporate communication create demand.
You don't need a degree for journalism
Professional journalism requires training in ethics, law, theory and production.
Journalism is dying because of social media
Digital media creates new platforms and opportunities for journalism.