Media & Communication

Diploma in Film Costume Design and Makeup Artistry

The Diploma in Film Costume Design and Makeup Artistry is a KNEC-examined programme offered at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) and listed on KUCCPS. It trains professionals in costume design, makeup artistry, and special effects for film, television, and theatre productions.

The curriculum covers costume design principles, historical and contemporary costume construction, makeup techniques for film and stage, special effects makeup, character styling, wardrobe management, fabric selection and manipulation, pattern drafting, and costume construction for production sets.

Students also learn film production basics, visual storytelling, colour theory, period costume research, and the coordination of costume and makeup departments on film sets. The programme combines creative design skills with practical construction and application techniques.

Kenya's film industry, known as Riverwood, has grown significantly alongside international productions filming in the country. The expansion of local streaming content, television production, and theatre creates opportunities for trained costume and makeup professionals.

Training at KIMC combines studio work with practical attachments to film and television production sets. Students build portfolios through hands-on projects and industry placements. KNEC examinations are conducted at the end of each module.

Graduates work as costume designers, makeup artists, wardrobe supervisors, and special effects makeup technicians in film, television, theatre, and advertising productions.

Duration: 2-3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 101,000
Private, up to: Ksh 156,000
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: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

Costume Design Principles
Historical and Period Costume
Makeup Techniques for Film and Stage
Special Effects Makeup
Pattern Drafting and Garment Construction
Fabric Selection and Textile Science
Character Styling and Visual Storytelling
Wardrobe Management for Productions
Film Production Basics
Colour Theory and Design

Modules

10 in the programme

Pattern Drafting and Garment Construction
Year 1Semester 110 creditsCore
Core unit on pattern drafting, cutting, sewing, and garment construction for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Introduction to Costume Design and Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 16 creditsCore
Foundation unit covering costume design principles, communication skills for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Makeup Techniques for Film and Stage
Year 1Semester 18 creditsCore
Core unit covering basic and advanced makeup techniques for camera and stage for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Information Communication Technology
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Computer applications and digital literacy for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Entrepreneurship Education
Year 1Semester 12 creditsCore
Business planning and enterprise skills for enterprise development, business planning, and venture creation skills.
Fabric Selection and Textile Science
Year 1Semester 26 creditsCore
Core unit on fabric types, properties, selection criteria, and textile for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Historical and Period Costume
Year 1Semester 28 creditsCore
Study of historical costume periods, research methods, and reproduction for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Wardrobe Management and Production Coordination
Year 2Semester 16 creditsCore
Core unit on managing costume departments on set, continuity for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Special Effects Makeup and Character Styling
Year 2Semester 110 creditsCore
Advanced unit on special effects makeup including prosthetics for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Film Production Basics and Industry Attachment
Year 2Semester 210 creditsCore
Overview of film production processes and supervised industry attachment on for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Film Costume Design
Designing and constructing costumes for film and television productions, including period costumes and character-specific wardrobe.
Makeup Artistry for Screen
Applying makeup techniques for film and television including natural, character, and high-definition makeup, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Special Effects Makeup
Creating prosthetic appliances, ageing effects, injuries, and creature makeup for film and theatre, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Wardrobe Management
Managing costume departments on production sets including continuity, inventory, and coordination, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

A typical day combines studio work on costume design and construction with practical makeup application sessions. Students sketch costume designs, draft patterns, construct garments, and practise makeup techniques ranging from natural beauty to special effects. Film set visits and production attachments provide real-world experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Unique programme filling a niche in Kenya's growing film and television industry.
Hands-on training at KIMC with access to production facilities and industry attachments.
Skills are transferable across film, television, theatre, advertising, and fashion industries.

Against it

Only offered at KIMC, limiting institution choice.
Film industry work can be project-based with irregular income between productions.

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

Public101k to 101k

101k at Kenya Institute of Mass Communication101k at Kenya Institute of Mass Communication

Private156k to 156k

156k at Visualdo Institute156k at Visualdo Institute

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

KIMC 101,000/yr (kenyaeducationguide). Visualdo 156K/yr (visualdo.ac.ke).

Students are eligible for HELB TVET loans (up to KSH 40,000), government capitation (KSH 30,000/year for public institutions), and county bursaries.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan
Government TVET Capitation (KSH 30,000/year)
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

3 recorded

Government TVET Capitation
GrantKsh 30,000Kenyan
All KUCCPS-placed students in public TVET institutions.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Needy Kenyan students enrolled in accredited TVET programmes.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 20,000Kenyan
Needy students from respective counties.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: Relevant certificate in fashion design, fine arts, or related creative field from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

3 components

KNEC Module Examinations
Examination50% of the mark
Written and practical examinations administered by KNEC at the end of each module.
Studio Projects and Portfolio
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through costume design projects, makeup application practicals, and portfolio development.
Industry Attachment Assessment
Practical20% of the mark
Supervised attachment on a film or television production set, assessed through supervisor reports and logs.

Accreditation

Examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and offered at KIMC under the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy. The programme is listed on KUCCPS and recognised by KNQA at Level 6.

Accredited by

Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory body responsible for conducting examinations and certifying diploma programmes.
Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
Qualifications recognitionRequired
Recognises the qualification within the Kenya National Qualifications Framework at Level 6.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Costume Designer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 80,000
Designs and creates costumes for film, television, and theatre productions.
Makeup Artist
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 70,000
Applies makeup for film, television, advertising, and event productions.
Wardrobe Supervisor
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Manages costume departments on production sets, overseeing continuity and inventory.
Special Effects Makeup Technician
Low demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 85,000
Creates prosthetic and special effects makeup for film and theatre productions.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as costume designers, makeup artists, wardrobe supervisors, and special effects makeup technicians in film, television, theatre, and advertising.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Makeup Kits and Products
Makeup suppliesPrimary
Professional makeup kits including foundations, pigments, prosthetic materials, and application tools.
Pattern Drafting Tools
Design equipment
Pattern paper, rulers, curves, and cutting tools for costume pattern development.
Sewing Machines and Equipment
Studio equipmentPrimary
Industrial and domestic sewing machines, overlockers, and pressing equipment for costume construction.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Costume design and makeup artistry is only for film sets.
Graduates work across film, television, theatre, advertising, fashion events, and bridal industries, not just film productions.
You need to be a trained actor or filmmaker to work in costume and makeup.
Costume design and makeup artistry are specialised technical roles that require design and application skills, not acting or filmmaking training.
There are no career opportunities in Kenya's film industry for costume and makeup professionals.
Kenya's growing film industry, local streaming content, and international productions filming in Kenya create demand for trained costume and makeup professionals.
Makeup artistry is the same as beauty therapy.
Film makeup artistry involves character transformation, special effects, period makeup, and continuity management, which are distinct from beauty therapy.