Art and Design

Master of Arts in Design

The Master of Arts in Design at the University of Nairobi is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced training in design research, practice, and management. The programme extends the boundary of design knowledge, equipping graduates with professional skills to address complex design challenges at local, national, regional, and international levels.

The curriculum covers research methodology, design management, design history, studio practice in two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and thesis research. Students specialise in areas including graphics, interior design, fashion and textiles, product design, and illustration, with emphasis on translating cultural, socio-economic, and intellectual concerns into successful design concepts.

Admission requires a bachelor's degree in design or a related discipline with at least an Upper Second Class Honours from the University of Nairobi or a recognised institution. Applicants with a Lower Second Class Honours and at least three years of professional experience plus a certified portfolio may also be considered. The programme runs full-time over a minimum of four semesters and a maximum of twelve semesters.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and delivered through the Department of Art and Design within the College of Architecture and Engineering. The University of Nairobi's Department of Design has been offering design education since 1968, providing a strong foundation for postgraduate study.

Career prospects include roles in design management, creative direction, design consultancy, brand strategy, product development, fashion design, interior design, and academia. Graduates work in design agencies, fashion houses, manufacturing companies, media organisations, and academic institutions.

The programme addresses the growing demand for advanced design expertise in Kenya, where the creative economy is expanding rapidly. Design plays a critical role in product development, brand communication, user experience, and cultural expression, requiring professionals who can integrate artistic creativity with strategic thinking and research methodology.

Skills Required

Design research methodology
Design management and strategy
Creative concept development
Studio practice in 2D and 3D design
Interdisciplinary design collaboration
Brand and visual identity design
Product design and development
Fashion and textile design
Interior design
Design thesis research

Key Subjects

Research Methodology in Design
Design Management
History of Design
Studio Practice (2D Design)
Studio Practice (3D Design)
Interdisciplinary Design
Design Theory and Criticism
Sustainable Design
Digital Design Technologies
Design Thesis Research

Certifications

International Council of Design (ico-D) Membership
Adobe Certified Professional
World Design Organization (WDO) Membership
Design Society of Africa Membership

Specializations

Graphic Design

Focuses on visual communication design, including brand identity, editorial design, digital graphics, and visual storytelling for print and digital media.

Interior Design

Covers spatial design, interior architecture, furniture design, and the creation of functional and aesthetic interior environments.

Fashion and Textile Design

Examines fashion design, textile development, garment construction, and the cultural and economic dimensions of the fashion industry.

Product Design

Focuses on the design and development of physical products, integrating user needs, materials, manufacturing processes, and sustainability.

Design Management

Covers the management of design processes, design teams, design projects, and the strategic integration of design in business organisations.

Illustration

Develops advanced illustration skills for editorial, advertising, publishing, and digital media applications, combining artistic technique with communication strategy.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 487,500
Private, up to: Ksh 247,400
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 12 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Research Methodology in Design
Design Management
History of Design
Studio Practice (2D Design)
Studio Practice (3D Design)
Interdisciplinary Design
Design Theory and Criticism
Sustainable Design
Digital Design Technologies
Design Thesis Research

Modules

11 in the programme

Research Methodology in Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Research methods for design research, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, design research frameworks, and academic writing.
Design Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Management of design processes, design teams, and design projects, integrating design strategy with business objectives.
History of Design
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Historical evolution of design theory and practice, examining key movements, practitioners, and cultural influences on design.
Studio Practice (2D Design)
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Advanced studio practice in two-dimensional design areas including graphics, illustration, and visual communication.
Studio Practice (3D Design)
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Advanced studio practice in three-dimensional design areas including product design, interior design, and spatial design.
Design Theory and Criticism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Theoretical frameworks for understanding and critiquing design, including semiotics, design philosophy, and critical theory.
Interdisciplinary Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Collaborative design approaches integrating artistic, scientific, socio-political, environmental, and technological knowledge.
Sustainable Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsElective
Principles and practices of sustainable design, including environmental responsibility, material selection, and lifecycle thinking.
Digital Design Technologies
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Advanced digital design tools and technologies, including 3D modelling, digital fabrication, and interactive design software.
Design for Development
Year 2Semester 33 creditsElective
Application of design to address development challenges, including design for the disadvantaged and national development goals.
Thesis / Research Project
Year 2Semester 412 creditsCore
Independent research thesis on a design topic, conducted under faculty supervision and assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Graphic Design
Focuses on visual communication design, including brand identity, editorial design, digital graphics, and visual storytelling for print and digital media.
Interior Design
Covers spatial design, interior architecture, furniture design, and the creation of functional and aesthetic interior environments.
Fashion and Textile Design
Examines fashion design, textile development, garment construction, and the cultural and economic dimensions of the fashion industry.
Product Design
Focuses on the design and development of physical products, integrating user needs, materials, manufacturing processes, and sustainability.
Design Management
Covers the management of design processes, design teams, design projects, and the strategic integration of design in business organisations.
Illustration
Develops advanced illustration skills for editorial, advertising, publishing, and digital media applications, combining artistic technique with communication strategy.

A day as a student

A typical day combines studio practice with theoretical study. Mornings involve lectures on design research methodology, design management, or design history, followed by studio sessions where students work on design projects under faculty guidance. Afternoons include critique sessions where students present work-in-progress and receive feedback from peers and faculty. Interdisciplinary collaboration is emphasised, with projects that integrate artistic, scientific, socio-political, and technological knowledge. Students regularly engage with visiting designers and industry practitioners. Independent studio work, research, and thesis development occupy significant time, with access to design studios, computer labs, and workshop facilities.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme offered at Kenya's premier university with a design department established in 1968, providing strong academic heritage.
Comprehensive curriculum covering research, management, theory, studio practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Multiple specialisation options including graphics, interior, fashion, product design, and illustration.
Studio-based learning with access to design studios, computer labs, and workshop facilities.

Against it

Tuition of KES 975,000 for the full programme is among the higher master's fees at UoN.
Only offered at one institution, limiting choice for prospective students.
Full-time Module II format may not accommodate working professionals seeking part-time study.
Limited scholarship opportunities specifically for design at the postgraduate level in Kenya.

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

Public488k to 488k

488k at University of Nairobi488k at University of Nairobi

Private161k to 247k

161k at KCA University247k at Daystar University

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

UoN 975K/2yr~~488K/yr(arts-design.uonbi.ac.ke).Priv:Daystar~~247K/yr

HELB offers postgraduate loans for Kenyan students at public universities. UoN may offer institution-specific graduate scholarships. The creative economy sector in Kenya may provide funding opportunities for design students through cultural funds and industry partnerships.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
University of Nairobi Graduate Scholarships
Creative Economy Fund Kenya

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities. Applicants must meet HELB eligibility criteria.
University of Nairobi Graduate Scholarship
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Qualifying postgraduate students at UoN based on academic merit and financial need.
Creative Economy Fund
ScholarshipKsh 200,000Kenyan
Design and creative arts students may access funding through Kenya's creative economy support programmes.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is open to graduates from design-related disciplines including fine arts, architecture, media, and technology. Applicants with lower qualifications but with publications and postgraduate diplomas after a bachelor's degree may also be considered. Module II (self-sponsored) programme running full-time with a minimum of 4 semesters and maximum of 12 semesters.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
Ongoing assessment through studio projects, design portfolios, assignments, and seminar presentations throughout each semester.
End-of-Semester Examination
Examination60% of the mark
Written examination conducted at the end of each semester for theoretical course units.
Studio Project Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of studio design projects through portfolio review, critique sessions, and final project presentations.
Thesis / Research Project
Project100% of the mark
Independent research thesis on a design topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya's statutory body for university quality assurance. The University of Nairobi is a CUE-accredited public university.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation required for all university programmes in Kenya. The University of Nairobi is a CUE-accredited public university.
International Council of Design (ico-D)
Professional membership
Global professional body for design professionals. Graduates may seek membership for professional recognition and international networking.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Design Manager
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 300,000
Manages design teams and projects for design agencies, corporate organisations, or manufacturing companies, overseeing design strategy and execution.
Creative Director
Moderate demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 400,000
Leads creative strategy and direction for agencies, brands, or media organisations, overseeing visual identity and brand communication.
Design Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 350,000
Provides design advisory services to businesses, organisations, and government on product development, brand strategy, and design innovation.
Product Designer
High demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 280,000
Designs and develops products for manufacturing companies, integrating user needs, materials, manufacturing processes, and sustainability.
University Lecturer in Design
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 250,000
Teaches design courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, conducts research, and supervises student design projects.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers in design management, creative direction, design consultancy, brand strategy, product development, fashion design, interior design, and academia across design agencies, fashion houses, manufacturing, and media.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Creative Cloud
Design softwarePrimary
Industry-standard design software suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and XD for graphic, product, and digital design.
AutoCAD
Design softwarePrimary
Computer-aided design software for 2D and 3D drafting, used in interior design, product design, and spatial design.
Rhino 3D
3d modelling
3D modelling software for product design, industrial design, and complex surface modelling.
Figma
Digital design
Collaborative interface design tool for digital product design, UX/UI design, and prototyping.
SPSS
Research software
Statistical analysis software for design research, user studies, and data-driven design decisions.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Design is just about making things look good.
The programme emphasises research, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and the translation of complex socio-economic concerns into functional design solutions.
A master's in design is unnecessary for a design career.
The programme addresses gaps in undergraduate design education, providing advanced research skills, management expertise, and professional competence for leadership roles.
Design has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's growing creative economy, manufacturing sector, and digital media industry create demand for advanced design expertise in multiple specialisations.
The programme is only for those with fine arts backgrounds.
The programme accepts graduates from any design-related discipline, including architecture, engineering, media, and technology fields.
Design research is not real research.
The programme includes rigorous research methodology, thesis research, and evidence-based design practice that contributes to academic knowledge.
The programme is too expensive for the career prospects.
While tuition is higher than some programmes, design professionals with advanced qualifications can earn competitive salaries in design management, consultancy, and creative direction.