Media & Communication

Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies

The Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies is a comprehensive programme that prepares learners for careers in the dynamic media and communications industry. The course covers news writing and reporting, broadcast production, photojournalism, media law and ethics, online journalism, and media management, equipping students with both traditional and digital media competencies.

Students develop practical skills in interviewing techniques, news gathering, feature writing, sub-editing, radio and television production, camera operation, video editing, and online content creation. The programme also covers public relations principles, advertising fundamentals, and mass media research methodologies, ensuring graduates understand the broader media ecosystem.

Kenya's media landscape is one of the most vibrant in East Africa, with over 100 licensed radio stations, numerous television channels, and a rapidly growing digital media sector. The expansion of online platforms and social media has created new opportunities for content creators, digital journalists, and multimedia producers who can navigate both traditional and new media environments.

The programme combines classroom lectures with extensive practical studio work. Students operate campus radio and television studios, produce news bulletins, write articles for publications, and undertake industrial attachment in media houses, PR firms, or digital content companies. Assessment includes continuous practical assignments, portfolio development, and final examinations.

Graduates find employment as reporters, sub-editors, radio and television producers, news anchors, photojournalists, copywriters, social media managers, and public relations officers. They work in media houses, corporate communications departments, NGOs, government information services, and digital content agencies. Many also pursue freelance journalism and content creation.

This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- (minus) who have strong writing skills, curiosity about current affairs, and a passion for storytelling across multiple media platforms. Proficiency in English and Kiswahili is essential for success in this field.

Duration: 3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 96,000
Private, up to: Ksh 63,868
Job market: High

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: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Journalism
News Writing
Media Studies
Broadcast Journalism
Print Journalism
Digital Journalism
Media Law
Photojournalism

Modules

12 in the programme

Journalism and Media Fundamentals
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to journalism and media industry, media history, journalism ethics, and career pathways in media and communications.
Communication Skills
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Professional communication, media writing, interview techniques, and interpersonal skills for journalists and media practitioners.
ICT and Digital Media
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Digital media tools, content management systems, social media platforms, and ICT applications for modern journalism practice.
Entrepreneurship
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Media enterprise management, content business models, freelance journalism, and entrepreneurial skills for media professionals.
News Writing and Reporting
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
News writing and reporting techniques, including lead writing, story structure, attribution, and news values for print and broadcast.
Media Studies and Theory
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Media studies theory, mass communication models, media effects, audience analysis, and theoretical frameworks for media analysis.
Print Journalism
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Print journalism production, newspaper layout, magazine writing, editorial management, and print media publishing operations.
Photojournalism
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Photojournalism techniques, news photography, photo story development, image editing, and visual storytelling for news media.
Broadcast Journalism
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Broadcast journalism for television and radio, including news scriptwriting, production, packaging, and on-air presentation techniques.
Media Management and Marketing
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Media management and marketing, audience engagement, media business models, and strategic management of media organisations.
Digital and Online Journalism
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Digital and online journalism, web content creation, social media reporting, and multimedia storytelling for digital platforms.
Media Production
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Media production techniques including audio production, video production, editing, and multimedia content creation for broadcast and online.

Specialisations

Digital Journalism
Produce digital and online news content, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards, regulatory requirements, and professional best practices.
Print Journalism
Write and edit for newspapers and magazines, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards, regulatory requirements, and professional best practices.
Investigative Journalism
Conduct investigative reporting and in-depth stories, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Broadcast Journalism
Report and produce news for TV and radio, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards, regulatory requirements, and professional best practices.

A day as a student

Students attend theory lectures on journalism and media, combined with practical sessions in newsrooms and media studios. Activities include news writing, reporting, editing, photojournalism, broadcast production, interview techniques, media production, digital content creation, and media law analysis. Industrial attachment at media houses, radio stations, or online media platforms provides real-world journalism experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

Digital media expansion creates new opportunities
Versatile skills for print, broadcast, and digital media
Self-employment potential — freelance journalism or content creation

Against it

Competitive field with many graduates
Media industry faces financial pressures

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

Public67k to 96k

67k at TVET institutions (KUCCPS rate)96k at Kenya Institute of Mass Communication

Private64k to 64k

64k at College of Human Resource Management64k at College of Human Resource Management

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 96K/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com), TVET 67K. CHRM 63.9K/yr (chrm.or.ke).

HELB TVET loans available (KES 40,000-60,000 per year). Under the new funding model, government scholarships cover 38-82% of fees depending on need category. Media organizations may offer internships and scholarships. NG-CDF and county bursaries also available.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan
NG-CDF Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Needy students in respective constituencies.
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in TVET-accredited programmes.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C- (Minus)
Alternative entry: Certificate in Journalism, Media, Communication, or related field from a recognized institution.

English or Kiswahili
C-

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment
Cat20% of the mark
Internal continuous assessment including assignments, news exercises, and media projects.
Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment: news article, broadcast segment, or media production.
Module Examination
Exam40% of the mark
KNEC modular examination at the end of each module.

Accreditation

Accredited by TVETA. Examined by KNEC (modular system). Media Council of Kenya (MCK) accreditation is required for practicing journalists in Kenya.

Accredited by

Media Council of Kenya
Professional accreditationRequired
MCK accreditation is required for practicing journalists in Kenya.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Institutional accreditationRequired
Accredits institutions offering journalism training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Reporter
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 85,000
Gather news, conduct interviews, report stories, and cover events for media organizations.
News Editor
Medium demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 100,000
Edit news content, manage editorial teams, oversee news production, and ensure quality.
Journalist
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 90,000
Research, write, and report news stories across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
Media Producer
Medium demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 95,000
Produce media content, manage production, coordinate teams, and oversee media projects.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as journalists, reporters, news editors, media producers, content creators, and broadcast presenters in media houses, TV stations, radio stations, online media, newspapers, and corporate communication. Starting salaries range from KES 35,000-90,000.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Premiere Pro
CreativePrimary
Audacity
Creative
Hootsuite
Social media management
InDesign
Design software

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Journalism is dying because of the internet.
Journalism is evolving — digital journalism, data journalism, multimedia journalism, and content creation are growing fields. The core skills of news writing, investigation, editing, and media production remain essential.
Graduates of this programme end up unemployed in Kenya.
Kenya's expanding sectors create steady demand for diploma holders, with opportunities in county governments, private companies, and self-employment.