Media & Communication

Master of Arts in Film and Media Studies

The Master of Arts in Film and Media Studies is a postgraduate programme offered by Moi University through the School of Arts and Social Sciences. The programme provides advanced training in film studies, media theory, and production, preparing graduates for careers in film, television, media, and academia.

The programme combines theoretical study of film and media with practical production skills, equipping students with knowledge of film history, media theory, film criticism, production techniques, and the cultural dimensions of media. Students develop competence in film analysis, screenwriting, production, media research, and critical theory.

Core areas of study include film theory, media and communication theory, film history, screenwriting, film production, documentary studies, African cinema, media and society, and research methods. The programme emphasises both analytical understanding and creative practice in film and media.

Moi University's School of Arts and Social Sciences offers programmes across literature, theatre, film, media, and social sciences. The school has a tradition of humanities education and provides access to production facilities and library resources for film and media research.

The programme is designed for graduates with backgrounds in literature, theatre, film, or media seeking advanced training. Students complete four semesters of coursework, research methodology, field research, and thesis writing, with the first two semesters devoted to coursework and the final two to research and thesis completion.

Graduates are prepared for careers as film directors, media producers, film critics, media researchers, film educators, screenwriters, and media consultants in production companies, media houses, educational institutions, and cultural organisations.

Skills Required

Film Theory and Criticism
Media Theory and Analysis
Film Production
Screenwriting
Documentary Filmmaking
African Cinema Studies
Media and Society Analysis
Film History
Media Research Methods
Critical Theory

Key Subjects

Film Theory
Media and Communication Theory
Film History
Screenwriting
Film Production
Documentary Studies
African Cinema
Media and Society
Critical Theory
Research Methods in Film and Media

Certifications

Media Council of Kenya Accreditation
Kenya Film Commission Filmmaker Registration

Specializations

Film Production

Focuses on practical filmmaking including directing, producing, cinematography, and editing for film and television.

Media Theory

Examines media and communication theory, including media effects, political economy of media, and cultural studies approaches.

Film Criticism

Covers film criticism and analysis methodologies, preparing graduates for careers in film journalism and academic criticism.

Documentary Studies

Focuses on documentary film theory and production, including ethical considerations and documentary traditions.

African Cinema

Examines African cinema history, movements, and contemporary trends, with focus on East African filmmaking.

Screenwriting

Covers the craft of screenwriting for film and television, including narrative structure and adaptation.

Media and Society

Examines the relationship between media and society, including media ethics, representation, and social impact.

Digital Media

Focuses on digital media production and theory, including new media platforms and digital storytelling.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 118,350
Private, up to: Ksh 340,900
Job market: Moderate

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Film Theory
Media and Communication Theory
Film History
Screenwriting
Film Production
Documentary Studies
African Cinema
Media and Society
Critical Theory
Research Methods in Film and Media

Modules

10 in the programme

Film Theory and Criticism
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines major film theories including formalist, realist, structuralist, and contemporary approaches to film analysis and criticism.
Media and Communication Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers major theories of media and communication including media effects, political economy of media, cultural studies, and media sociology.
Film History
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the history of cinema from its origins to contemporary film, including major movements, national cinemas, and technological evolution.
Screenwriting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers the craft of screenwriting including narrative structure, character development, dialogue, and adaptation for film and television.
Film Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines the film production process from pre-production through production to post-production, including practical filmmaking exercises.
Documentary Studies
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers documentary film theory and production including research, interviewing, observational filming, and documentary traditions.
African Cinema
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines African cinema history, movements, and contemporary trends, with focus on East African and Kenyan film industries.
Media and Society
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines the relationship between media and society including media ethics, representation, social impact, and media policy.
Research Methods in Film and Media
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers quantitative and qualitative research methodologies for conducting original research in film and media studies.
Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a film and media studies topic, demonstrating mastery of film and media analysis, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Film Production
Focuses on practical filmmaking including directing, producing, cinematography, and editing for film and television.
Media Theory
Examines media and communication theory, including media effects, political economy of media, and cultural studies approaches.
Film Criticism
Covers film criticism and analysis methodologies, preparing graduates for careers in film journalism and academic criticism.
Documentary Studies
Focuses on documentary film theory and production, including ethical considerations and documentary traditions.
African Cinema
Examines African cinema history, movements, and contemporary trends, with focus on East African filmmaking.
Screenwriting
Covers the craft of screenwriting for film and television, including narrative structure and adaptation.
Media and Society
Examines the relationship between media and society, including media ethics, representation, and social impact.
Digital Media
Focuses on digital media production and theory, including new media platforms and digital storytelling.

A day as a student

A typical day involves attending lectures on film theory, media studies, or production techniques at Moi University's School of Arts and Social Sciences. Students engage in film screenings and critical discussions, analysing films from African and global cinema. Practical sessions involve screenwriting workshops, camera operation, and editing exercises. Students work on individual and group film projects, developing skills in directing, cinematography, and post-production. The programme includes seminar presentations on contemporary media issues and guest lectures from media professionals. In the third semester, students focus on field and library research, data analysis, and thesis drafting, while the fourth semester involves completing coursework alongside final thesis writing.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme combines film studies with media theory, providing a broader academic foundation than film-only programmes.
Offered at Moi University, a public university with affordable fees compared to private university alternatives.
Structured programme with clear progression from coursework to research to thesis, ensuring comprehensive training.
Available in both full-time and part-time modes, accommodating working professionals.

Against it

Access to professional-grade film equipment may be limited compared to specialised film schools.
The Kenyan film industry, while growing, is still relatively small compared to established global film industries.
Only one institution offers this specific programme, limiting choice and comparison.
The programme requires a thesis, which may extend completion time beyond the standard 2 years for some students.

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

Public118k to 118k

118k at Maseno University118k at Maseno University

Private341k to 341k

341k at USIU-Africa341k at USIU-Africa

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

Maseno 118,350/yr (yumpu). Moi offers but fee not public. USIU 340,900/yr proxy (usiu.ac.ke). KCA null.

Funding options include HELB postgraduate loans for Kenyan students, Moi University bursaries for demonstrated financial need, and government scholarship programmes through the Higher Education Financing portal.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Moi University Bursary
Government Scholarship Programme

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
Moi University Bursary
ScholarshipKsh 50,000Kenyan
Moi University students demonstrating academic merit and financial need.
Government Scholarship Programme
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Kenyan students applying through the Higher Education Financing portal for government scholarships.

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 students who satisfy Moi University Senate approved requirements for Master's degrees. The programme runs for 4 semesters over 2 years, with semesters 1-2 devoted to coursework and research methodology, semester 3 to field and library research, and semester 4 to coursework and thesis completion.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment
Coursework40% of the mark
CATs, film analysis essays, media research assignments, seminar presentations, and production exercises conducted throughout each semester.
Final Examination
Examination40% of the mark
End-of-semester examination covering film theory, media theory, and criticism, including essay questions and film analysis.
Practical Production Project
Practical20% of the mark
Practical assessment involving production of a short film or media project, demonstrating skills in production and post-production.
Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a film and media studies topic, assessed through written submission and oral defence, submitted at least one month before programme end.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), ensuring recognition across Kenya and the wider East African region. The programme is offered by Moi University's School of Arts and Social Sciences.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Statutory accreditation for all Kenyan universities and their degree programmes.
Media Council of Kenya
Professional accreditation
Kenyan media regulatory body. Media accreditation recommended for media practitioners in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Film Director
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 500,000
Directs film and television productions, overseeing the creative vision from script to screen for production companies or independent projects.
Media Producer
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 400,000
Produces media content for television, film, or digital platforms, managing production from development through to delivery.
Film Critic
Low demandKsh 50,000 to Ksh 200,000
Writes film criticism and analysis for publications, websites, or broadcast media, applying theoretical knowledge to evaluate films.
Media Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 250,000
Conducts research on media audiences, content, and effects for media organisations, research institutions, or academic bodies.
Screenwriter
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 300,000
Writes screenplays for film, television, and digital media, developing original stories or adapting existing works for screen.
Film Educator
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 180,000
Teaches film and media studies at universities or colleges, combining academic knowledge with practical filmmaking experience.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as film directors, media producers, film critics, media researchers, and film educators in production companies, media houses, and educational institutions.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Premiere Pro
SoftwarePrimary
Professional video editing software used for film and television post-production, including editing, colour grading, and audio mixing.
Final Cut Pro
SoftwarePrimary
Professional video editing software for macOS, widely used in film and television post-production.
Adobe After Effects
Software
Motion graphics and visual effects software used for compositing, animation, and post-production effects in filmmaking.
Celtx
Software
Screenwriting and pre-production software for writing scripts, creating storyboards, and managing film production schedules.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Film and media studies is just about watching films.
The programme involves rigorous theoretical study, critical analysis, media research, and practical production, combining academic and creative disciplines.
You need a film degree to be admitted.
The programme accepts graduates with degrees in Literature, Theatre, Film, or equivalent qualifications, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of film and media studies.
Film and media studies has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's media and film industry is growing with streaming platforms investing in local content, creating demand for skilled film and media professionals.
Media theory is irrelevant to practical filmmaking.
Media theory provides critical frameworks that inform creative decisions, helping filmmakers understand audience reception, media effects, and cultural impact.
This programme is the same as journalism.
While related, film and media studies focuses on film as an art form and media as cultural institutions, while journalism focuses on news gathering and reporting.
A public university degree in film is inferior to studying at a specialised film school.
The programme provides a strong theoretical foundation alongside practical skills, with the university's resources and faculty providing comprehensive training in film and media.