Art and Design

Bachelor of Music Theory and Composition

The Bachelor of Music Theory and Composition is a four-year programme that prepares students for music composition, arranging, music analysis and contemporary music creation. Students study music theory, harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, composition techniques and music analysis. The programme combines deep theoretical knowledge with creative composition practice for the music profession.

Students develop competencies in music composition, harmonic analysis, counterpoint, orchestration, arranging, music notation and contemporary music creation. They learn to compose for various ensembles, analyse musical works, arrange music and develop a personal compositional voice. The programme covers music theory, composition, orchestration, analysis, arranging and music technology.

In Kenya, music theory and composition supports the growing music industry, film scoring, education and cultural expression. Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi offer music programmes. Graduates find roles as composers, arrangers, music analysts, music educators, film scorers and songwriters.

Teaching is delivered through lectures, composition workshops, analysis seminars, score study and research projects. Students compose original works, analyse classical and contemporary music, and develop portfolios. The programme includes a final-year composition project or research thesis.

Graduates pursue careers as composers, music arrangers, music theory teachers, film composers, songwriters and music researchers. Some work in education institutions. Others join media production, orchestras, churches, or establish freelance composition careers.

This programme is ideal for individuals with strong musical creativity, theoretical aptitude and interest in composing and analysing music.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 216,000
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: 20 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Music Theory and Analysis
Harmony and Counterpoint
Composition Techniques
Orchestration and Arranging
Contemporary Music and Songwriting
Music History and Literature
Form and Analysis
Music Technology and Notation
Ethnomusicology and Kenyan Music
Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Music Theory and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Music Theory and Analysis: Advanced music theory, notation, scales, chords and analysis Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Harmony and Counterpoint
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Harmony and Counterpoint: Harmonic progression, voice leading, counterpoint and part-writing Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Music History and Literature
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Historical styles, genres, composers and musical literature. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment t...
Composition Techniques
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Composition Techniques: Melody writing, thematic development, form and compositional methods Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Form and Analysis
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Musical forms, structural analysis and score reading. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, c...
Orchestration and Arranging
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Orchestration and Arranging: Instrumentation, orchestration, arranging for ensembles and bands Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Contemporary Music and Songwriting
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Contemporary Music and Songwriting: Contemporary styles, songwriting, popular music composition and lyrics Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Ethnomusicology and Kenyan Music
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Ethnomusicology and Kenyan Music: Study of Kenyan and African music traditions, styles and cultural context Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Music Technology and Notation
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Music Technology and Notation: Music notation software, DAWs, MIDI and technology for composers Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Film Music and Scoring
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Film Music and Scoring: Film scoring, multimedia music, synchronisation and dramatic composition Covers theoretical foundations, practical applications, and industry-relevant skills.
Advanced Composition and Portfolio
Year 4Semester 23 creditsCore
Development of a substantial composition portfolio. The module covers theoretical foundations, practical applications and industry-relevant skills, assessed through continuous assessment tests, cou...
Final Composition Project or Research Thesis
Year 4Semester 36 creditsCore
Final Composition Project or Research Thesis: Original composition or research thesis in music theory and composition Involves independent research, data analysis, and scholarly writing under super...

Specialisations

Film and Media Scoring
Specialization in Film and Media Scoring, preparing graduates for careers such as music-producer. 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.
Music Analysis
Specialization in Music Analysis, preparing graduates for careers such as music-producer. 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.
Arranging and Orchestration
Specialization in Arranging and Orchestration, preparing graduates for careers such as music-producer.
Popular Songwriting
Specialization in Popular Songwriting, preparing graduates for careers such as music-producer. 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.
Classical Composition
Specialization in Classical Composition, preparing graduates for careers such as music-producer. 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.
Kenyan Traditional Composition
Specialization in Kenyan Traditional Composition, preparing graduates for careers such as music-producer.

A day as a student

A typical day combines theory lectures with composition workshops, score analysis, listening sessions and individual composition time. Students may write original pieces, arrange music, analyse scores or use music notation software.

The trade offs

In its favour

Develops deep musical creativity and analytical skills
Opportunities in film, media, education and performance
Culturally valuable for Kenyan and African music
Combines tradition with modern music technology

Against it

Income from composition can be variable and project-based
Requires strong self-discipline and portfolio building
Niche market for classical and art music composition
May require additional performance or production skills

What it costs

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

What it costs, and where

Against 73 art and design courses

Public204k to 216k

204k at Kenyatta University216k at Technical University of Kenya

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

Pub: KU 204,000 to TUK 216,000/yr. Only Kabarak private confirmed. KUCCPS sources.

Students may access HELB loans and county bursaries. Some music organisations and foundations support composition students.

Funding options

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

Scholarships

4 recorded

County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties
Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan students admitted to recognised universities
Higher Education Fund (HEF)
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students placed by KUCCPS in public universities
Goethe-Institut Scholarship Programmes
Scholarship
Students and artists in cultural and performing arts

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+
Music
C
Any Group II, III, IV or V subject
C+
Any Group II, III, IV or V subject
C+

How you are assessed

4 components

Composition Projects and Analysis
Coursework30% of the mark
Industrial Attachment Report
Coursework10% of the mark
Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs)
Coursework20% of the mark
Final Examination and Portfolio
Coursework40% of the mark

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
InstitutionalRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Composer
Moderate demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 250,000
Creates original music for concerts, media and events
Film Composer
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Composes music for film, TV and multimedia
Songwriter
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 200,000
Writes songs and lyrics for artists and media
Music Arranger
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 180,000
Arranges music for ensembles, bands and recordings
Music Theory Teacher
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches music theory in schools and institutions

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as composers, music arrangers, music theory teachers, film composers, songwriters and music researchers in education institutions, media production, orchestras, churches and freelance composition careers.

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

Music theory and composition is only for classical music
Composition covers classical, contemporary, popular, film, jazz, and African music styles.
Composers cannot earn a living
Composers work in film, education, media, advertising, live performance and publishing.
Theory is not creative
Music theory provides tools that fuel and support creative composition.
You must be a virtuoso performer to compose
Composition is a separate skill and many successful composers are not performers.