Diploma in Animation and Digital Media Technology
The Diploma in Animation and Digital Media Technology is a programme that equips students with skills in digital animation, multimedia design and digital media production. Offered at Pan Africa Christian University through the PAC Institute of Technology and Social Studies, the programme combines creative design skills with technical competencies in animation and digital media.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 110,330 a year at a public institution, Ksh 220,660 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 200,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Cloud Security Engineer, at 14 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
The curriculum covers 2D and 3D animation, digital illustration, character design, storyboarding, motion graphics, video editing, visual effects, digital photography, graphic design, web design, sound design, interactive media, game design basics, scriptwriting, project management, communication skills, ICT and entrepreneurship. Students develop both creative artistic skills and technical digital media competencies.
Kenya's growing creative economy and digital media sector require skilled animators and digital media designers who can create content for film, television, advertising, gaming, education and online platforms. The programme responds to the need for creative professionals who can produce digital media content using modern animation and design tools.
The programme is delivered through lectures, computer laboratory sessions, studio practicals, project-based learning and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in animation production, digital design, video editing and multimedia development through extensive laboratory sessions and creative projects.
Graduates pursue careers as animators, motion graphics designers, video editors, graphic designers, digital media producers, multimedia developers, content creators and visual effects assistants in advertising agencies, media houses, production companies, gaming studios, educational content developers and freelance practice. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Film, Animation or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have creative ability, visual aptitude and interest in digital technology. The programme is suitable for students seeking a practical foundation in animation and digital media for employment or further study.
What you study
8 subjects- 2D and 3D Animation
- Digital Illustration and Character Design
- Motion Graphics and Visual Effects
- Video Editing and Digital Photography
- Graphic Design and Web Design
- Sound Design and Interactive Media
- Storyboarding and Scriptwriting
- Project Management and Entrepreneurship
Modules
8 in the programmeAnimation Fundamentals and Digital Illustration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers animation principles, 2D animation basics, digital illustration, character design, storyboarding and introduction to animation software.
Graphic Design and Web Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers graphic design principles, typography, layout design, digital imaging, web design fundamentals and user interface design.
3D Animation and Motion Graphics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers 3D modelling, texturing, rigging, 3D animation, motion graphics, kinetic typography and compositing techniques.
Video Editing and Visual Effects
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers video editing techniques, colour correction, visual effects, compositing, green screen techniques and post-production workflows.
Sound Design and Interactive Media
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers sound design, audio editing, music for media, interactive media design, game design basics and user experience design.
Scriptwriting and Digital Photography
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers scriptwriting for animation, narrative structure, digital photography, cinematography basics and visual storytelling.
Project Management and Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers project management for media projects, entrepreneurship in creative industries, freelancing, client management and business planning.
Industrial Attachment and Portfolio Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at a media house, production company or advertising agency, assessed through an attachment report and a portfolio of creative work.
Specialisations
3D Animation
Focuses on 3D modelling, rigging, animation and rendering for careers in 3D animation studios and game development.
Motion Graphics
Specialises in motion graphics, visual effects and compositing for careers in advertising and broadcast media.
Video Production
Focuses on video editing, post-production and visual storytelling for careers in film and video production.
Interactive Media
Specialises in interactive media design, game design and user experience for careers in game development and digital media.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on animation principles or character design, followed by a computer laboratory session using animation software such as Maya or After Effects. Afternoon sessions may include a practical exercise on motion graphics, a group project creating a short animated sequence, or a studio session on digital photography. Students also work on storyboarding assignments and video editing projects.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| The programme combines creative and technical skills, preparing graduates for the growing digital media and creative economy in Kenya. | The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options. |
| The programme includes hands-on training with industry-standard software, ensuring graduates are job-ready with practical skills. | The creative industry can be competitive, requiring a strong portfolio and continuous skill development to secure good opportunities. |
| Graduates can work as freelancers, offering flexibility and entrepreneurship opportunities in the creative sector. | — |
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 coursesAnnual 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
ADMI 200K/yr private. KU 110K/yr, Okame TVC public (ku.ac.ke, kenyaplex).
Students can access HELB loans. PAC University may offer internal financial aid for qualifying students.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Scholarships you could apply for
3 usable where it is taught- HELB Undergraduate Scholarship
Closes 31 July 2027PartialHigher Education Loans Board
KES 40,000 to 60,000 per year
- County Government Scholarships
Varies by countyPartialCounty Governments
KES 50,000 to 200,000 per year
- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Certificate in a related field from a recognised institution.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Pan Africa Christian University, ICS Technical College.
Including Pan Africa Christian University, ICS Technical College.
Including Pan Africa Christian University, ICS Technical College.
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination20% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering animation theory, design principles and digital media concepts.
Practical Projects
Practicum50% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory practical sessions including animation exercises, design projects and video editing assignments.
Portfolio Project
Project50% of the mark
A comprehensive portfolio of creative work demonstrating skills in animation, design and digital media production.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a media house, production company or advertising agency.
Accreditation
TVET CDACC
AcademicRequired
Offered at PAC Institute, a constituent college of PAC University, registered under the TVET Act. Assessed by TVET CDACC.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesAnimator
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 150,000
Creates 2D and 3D animations for film, television, advertising, educational content and online platforms using industry-standard software.
Motion Graphics Designer
Moderate demandKsh 38,000 to Ksh 130,000
Creates motion graphics, animated content and visual effects for advertising, broadcast media and corporate communications.
Video Editor
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Edits video content for film, television, online platforms and corporate media, handling post-production including editing, colour and sound.
Digital Media Producer
Low demandKsh 42,000 to Ksh 140,000
Produces digital media content including animations, videos, graphics and interactive media for organisations and media platforms.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as animators, motion graphics designers and video editors in advertising agencies, media houses, production companies and freelance practice.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Cloud Security EngineerTechnology14Low exposure
- Industrial Robotics ProgrammerTechnology14Low exposure
- Embedded Firmware EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Embedded Linux DeveloperTechnology15Low exposure
- Site Reliability EngineerTechnology15Low exposure
- Applied Cryptography EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
- Database Reliability EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
- Edge Computing EngineerTechnology16Low exposure
Tools you will learn
Adobe After Effects
ToolPrimary
Autodesk Maya
Tool
Adobe Premiere Pro
Tool
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Animation is just about drawing cartoons.
Animation encompasses 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, visual effects, character design, storyboarding and interactive media, requiring both artistic and technical skills.
There are no career opportunities for animators in Kenya.
Kenya's growing creative economy, advertising sector, film industry and digital media platforms create demand for skilled animators and digital media designers.
You need to be a great artist to study animation.
While artistic ability is helpful, the programme teaches digital design skills, software proficiency and creative techniques that can be developed through practice and instruction.
Animation and digital media is a hobby, not a career.
Animation and digital media is a growing professional field with career opportunities in advertising, film, television, gaming, education, corporate communications and freelance practice.