Diploma in Theatre and Film
The Diploma in Theatre and Film is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in theatre performance, film production, acting, directing, stagecraft and screen media. Offered at Moi University, Kenyatta University and Maseno University, the programme prepares students for creative and technical careers in Kenya's performing arts and film industries.
The curriculum covers acting and performance, theatre production, stagecraft and design, playwriting, theatre history, film production, cinematography, screenwriting, film editing, directing for stage and screen, documentary production, media ethics, African cinema, creative writing, research methods, entrepreneurship and industrial attachment. Students develop both performance and production skills across theatre and film.
Kenya's creative economy is expanding, with growing demand for trained professionals in theatre, film, television and digital media. The programme responds to the need for skilled practitioners who can create quality content for stage and screen, supporting the growth of Kenya's cultural and creative industries.
The programme is delivered through lectures, studio sessions, practical performances, film projects, screenings, theatre productions, workshops, case studies and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in acting, directing, stage management, film production and screen performance through practical projects and attachment at theatres, film production companies or media houses.
Graduates pursue careers as actors, theatre directors, film directors, screenwriters, stage managers, producers, drama teachers and content creators in theatres, film production companies, television stations, schools and digital media platforms. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film or related degree programmes.
Prospective students should have a passion for performance, storytelling and visual arts. The programme is suitable for students seeking creative careers in theatre, film and the performing arts.
- Duration
- 2 years
- Public, up to
- Ksh 110,330
- 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
- 30 students
- Award
- Diploma
What you study
8 subjects- Acting, Performance and Theatre Production
- Stagecraft, Design and Playwriting
- Film Production, Cinematography and Editing
- Screenwriting and Directing for Stage and Screen
- Theatre History and African Cinema
- Documentary Production and Creative Writing
- Media Ethics and Entrepreneurship
- Research Methods and Industrial Attachment
Modules
8 in the programmeActing, Performance and Theatre Production
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers acting techniques, voice and movement, improvisation, performance skills, theatre production processes and rehearsal methods.
Theatre History and Stagecraft
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers theatre history from classical to contemporary, African theatre traditions, stagecraft, set design, lighting, sound and stage management.
Film Production and Cinematography
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers film production processes, camera operation, cinematography, framing, lighting for film and visual storytelling.
Screenwriting and Playwriting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers screenwriting fundamentals, story structure, character development, playwriting, dialogue writing and script analysis.
Directing for Stage and Screen
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers directing techniques for theatre and film, blocking, working with actors, visual composition and director's vision.
African Cinema and Documentary Production
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers African cinema history, film movements, documentary production, research, interviewing and non-fiction storytelling.
Media Ethics, Entrepreneurship and Creative Writing
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers media ethics, copyright, entrepreneurship in creative industries, creative writing, research methods and communication skills.
Performance Projects and Industrial Attachment
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Includes a theatre production project, a film production project, and a three-month industrial attachment at a theatre, film company or media house.
Specialisations
Theatre Performance
Focuses on acting and stage performance for careers as actors and theatre directors.
Film Production
Specialises in film production and directing for careers as film directors and producers.
Screenwriting and Playwriting
Focuses on writing for stage and screen for careers as screenwriters and playwrights.
Stage and Production Management
Specialises in stage management and production coordination for careers as stage managers.
A day as a student
A typical day begins with a morning lecture on theatre history or acting theory, followed by a studio session on performance or stagecraft. Afternoon sessions may include a film production practical, a directing workshop, or a rehearsal for a theatre production. Students also work on scripts, film projects and prepare for performances and industrial attachment.
The trade offs
In its favour
- The programme combines theatre and film, providing broader career options than either discipline alone.
- The programme is offered at three public universities, providing study location options and affordable fees.
- Graduates can progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Film or related degree programmes.
Against it
- Creative industry careers can be unpredictable, with irregular income especially for freelancers.
- The programme requires proven participation in theatre arts or film for admission at some universities.
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
KU 110,330/yr (ku.ac.ke). Private unverified.
Students can access HELB loans and government scholarships under Kenya's new funding model.
Funding options
HELB Loan
Scholarships
1 recordedHELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
- KCSE mean grade
- C
- Alternative entry
- Certificate in Theatre Arts, Film or Mass Communication from a recognised institution, or P1 certificate with Division III and proven participation in creative arts.
English
C
How you are assessed
4 componentsContinuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering theatre history, film theory, acting and production concepts.
Practical Performances and Projects
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of acting performances, theatre productions, film exercises and practical production work.
Final Production Project
Project40% of the mark
A complete theatre or film production project assessed through performance, production documentation and presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a theatre, film production company or media house.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Moi University, Kenyatta University and Maseno University.
Accredited by
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Moi University, Kenyatta University and Maseno University.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesActor
Moderate demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 500,000
Performs in theatre productions, films, television shows, commercials and digital media content.
Theatre Director
Low demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 200,000
Directs theatre productions, manages casts and crews, interprets scripts and oversees artistic vision for stage performances.
Film Director
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 400,000
Directs film and video productions, manages creative vision, works with actors and crew to bring scripts to screen.
Stage Manager
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 150,000
Manages theatre productions backstage, coordinates casts, crews, props, schedules and ensures smooth performance delivery.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as actors, theatre directors, film directors, screenwriters and stage managers in theatres, film companies, TV stations and schools.
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Theatre and film is just about acting.
The programme covers acting, directing, stagecraft, screenwriting, film production, editing, design and management, preparing graduates for multiple roles in the creative industry.
There are no jobs in theatre and film in Kenya.
Kenya's creative economy is growing, with opportunities in theatre, film, television, streaming platforms, advertising, education and digital media.
You need to be a natural performer to study theatre and film.
While talent helps, the programme teaches acting techniques, production skills and creative methods that can be learned and developed.
Theatre is outdated and irrelevant.
Theatre remains a vibrant art form in Kenya, with live performances, festivals, educational theatre and community theatre contributing to cultural expression and social dialogue.
Related courses
Further reading
Fees and entry marks for Diploma in Theatre and Film are restated every intake. Save it and the app keeps this version, so you can see what changed when it does.