Media & Communication

Master of Arts in Theatre Arts and Film Studies

The Master of Arts in Theatre Arts and Film Studies is a postgraduate programme that provides advanced study of theatre, film, performance, and visual storytelling. The programme equips students with theoretical knowledge, creative skills, and practical tools for understanding and producing theatre and film works.

Core areas include theatre history, film theory, dramaturgy, directing, scriptwriting, performance, production design, cinematography, editing, and cultural studies. Students engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical creative work in studios, theatres, and editing suites.

The programme is offered by the University of Nairobi through its Department of Literature, Kenyatta University through its School of Visual and Performing Arts, and Moi University through its School of Arts and Social Sciences. UoN offers MA in Theatre and Film Studies, KU offers MA in Film and Theatre Arts, and Moi offers MA in Theatre and MA in Film and Media Studies.

Students develop competencies in performance, directing, scriptwriting, production design, cinematography, editing, dramaturgy, and research. The programme includes coursework, practical projects, examinations, thesis or creative portfolio, and oral defence.

UoN charges KES 18,000 per unit (~KES 216,000/year). KU charges KES 216,000/year. Moi University charges approximately KES 187,200/year. All are public institutions. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree with at least Upper Second Class Honours in a relevant discipline.

Graduates pursue careers as theatre directors, film directors, scriptwriters, producers, drama educators, cultural officers, and media consultants in film, theatre, television, education, and cultural organisations.

Skills Required

Theatre Direction and Production
Film Direction and Production
Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy
Performance and Acting
Cinematography and Camera Work
Film Editing and Post-Production
Production Design and Stagecraft
Theatre and Film Theory
Cultural Studies and Analysis
Research Methods in Performing Arts

Key Subjects

Theatre History and Theory
Film Theory and Analysis
Dramaturgy and Scriptwriting
Directing for Theatre and Film
Performance and Acting
Cinematography and Camera Work
Film Editing and Post-Production
Production Design and Stagecraft
Cultural Studies and Performance
Research Methods in Performing Arts

Certifications

CILECT Film Education Certification
FIA Performer Certification

Specializations

Theatre Arts

Focuses on theatre arts, theatre history, dramaturgy, directing, performance, stagecraft, and understanding and producing theatre works.

Film Studies

Examines film studies, film theory, film history, film analysis, cinematography, editing, and understanding and producing film works.

Directing

Covers directing for theatre and film, directing techniques, working with actors, staging, shot composition, and directing creative productions.

Scriptwriting

Focuses on scriptwriting, playwriting, screenwriting, story development, character development, and writing scripts for theatre and film.

Production Design

Examines production design, set design, costume design, lighting, sound, and designing and managing production elements for theatre and film.

Performance Studies

Covers performance studies, acting, performance theory, physical theatre, devised performance, and developing and delivering performances.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 220,500
Job market: Low

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

Theatre History and Theory
Film Theory and Analysis
Dramaturgy and Scriptwriting
Directing for Theatre and Film
Performance and Acting
Cinematography and Camera Work
Film Editing and Post-Production
Production Design and Stagecraft
Cultural Studies and Performance
Research Methods in Performing Arts

Modules

12 in the programme

Theatre History and Theory
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines theatre history, theatre traditions, playwrights, movements, theatre theory, and understanding theatre in historical and cultural context.
Film Theory and Analysis
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers film theory, film analysis, film movements, cinema theory, and understanding and analysing film as art and communication.
Research Methods in Performing Arts
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines research methods, design, data collection, analysis, and conducting research in theatre and film studies, preparing students for their project.
Dramaturgy and Scriptwriting
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers dramaturgy, playwriting, screenwriting, story development, character development, and writing and analysing scripts for theatre and film.
Directing for Theatre and Film
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines directing techniques, working with actors, staging, shot composition, blocking, and directing theatre and film productions.
Performance and Acting
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers acting, performance theory, physical theatre, devised performance, and developing and delivering performances for theatre and film.
Cinematography and Camera Work
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines cinematography, camera work, lighting, composition, visual storytelling, and using cameras to tell stories in film.
Film Editing and Post-Production
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers film editing, post-production, sound design, colour grading, and editing and finishing film productions.
Production Design and Stagecraft
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines production design, set design, costume design, lighting, sound, and designing and managing production elements for theatre and film.
African Theatre and Film Studies
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers African theatre, African film, African performance traditions, Nollywood, and understanding and analysing African theatre and film.
Research Proposal
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of research proposal or creative project proposal, including research design, literature review, methodology, and proposal presentation.
Research Project or Creative Portfolio
Year 2Semester 24 creditsCore
Original research project or creative portfolio on a theatre or film topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and creative practice, assessed through written submission, oral defence, or creative presentation.

Specialisations

Theatre Arts
Focuses on theatre arts, theatre history, dramaturgy, directing, performance, stagecraft, and understanding and producing theatre works.
Film Studies
Examines film studies, film theory, film history, film analysis, cinematography, editing, and understanding and producing film works.
Directing
Covers directing for theatre and film, directing techniques, working with actors, staging, shot composition, and directing creative productions.
Scriptwriting
Focuses on scriptwriting, playwriting, screenwriting, story development, character development, and writing scripts for theatre and film.
Production Design
Examines production design, set design, costume design, lighting, sound, and designing and managing production elements for theatre and film.
Performance Studies
Covers performance studies, acting, performance theory, physical theatre, devised performance, and developing and delivering performances.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MA Theatre Arts and Film Studies programme combines lectures, studio sessions, practical workshops, and research. Sessions cover theatre history, film theory, dramaturgy, directing, scriptwriting, performance, and production design. Theatre history sessions examine theatre traditions, playwrights, movements, and understanding theatre in historical and cultural context. Film theory sessions cover film analysis, film movements, cinema theory, and understanding and analysing film as art and communication. Dramaturgy sessions examine playwriting, script analysis, story structure, character development, and writing and analysing scripts. Directing sessions cover directing techniques, working with actors, staging, shot composition, and directing theatre and film productions. Performance sessions examine acting, performance theory, physical theatre, devised performance, and developing and delivering performances. Cinematography sessions cover camera work, lighting, composition, visual storytelling, and using cameras to tell stories. Editing sessions examine film editing, post-production, sound design, and editing and finishing film productions. Production design sessions cover set design, costume, lighting, sound, and designing and managing production elements. Cultural studies sessions examine performance and culture, African theatre and film, cultural representation, and understanding theatre and film in cultural context. Practical training includes studio sessions, rehearsals, film shoots, and collaborative projects using theatres, film studios, and editing suites. The programme uses a blended learning model combining in-person workshops, studio sessions, and online coursework. Guest lectures from directors, actors, producers, and film and theatre professionals provide real-world insights. The programme culminates in a research project or creative portfolio.

The trade offs

In its favour

Programme available at three public universities (UoN, KU, Moi) providing choice of institution and location.
Programme combines theoretical analysis with practical creative work in studios, theatres, and editing suites.
Kenya's growing film industry, theatre scene, and streaming platforms create emerging opportunities for qualified professionals.
KU offers blended learning model with state-of-the-art facilities including theatres, film studios, and editing suites.

Against it

Job market demand is low compared to other fields, with limited formal employment opportunities in theatre and film.
Many graduates need to freelance or self-produce, requiring entrepreneurship skills beyond the programme.
No private university confirmed offering this programme, limiting options for those preferring private institutions.
Practical creative work may require additional costs for equipment, production, and fieldwork.

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

Public221k to 221k

221k at University of Nairobi221k at University of Nairobi

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 MA 220.5K/yr (uonbi.ac.ke). Moi fee unverified (image schedule). Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. Kenya Film Commission supports film development in Kenya. CILECT supports film education globally. The programme's creative arts focus attracts film commission, cultural sector, and arts funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
Kenya Film Commission Grants
CILECT Education Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate theatre and film studies at recognised universities.
Kenya Film Commission Grants
GrantKsh 250,000Kenyan
Kenya Film Commission supports film development in Kenya, providing grants for filmmakers and film students.
CILECT Education Funding
FellowshipKsh 200,000
CILECT supports film education globally, providing fellowships for postgraduate study in film and television.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: KU requires holders of Lower Second class degrees to have at least three years of work experience or grade Credit and above in units relevant to their areas of specialisation. UoN offers full-time and part-time modes through its Department of Literature. KU offers full-time mode at Main and Ruiru campuses with blended learning combining in-person workshops, studio sessions, and online coursework. Moi University offers full-time mode. Two-year programme with coursework, practical projects, examinations, and thesis or creative portfolio. Intakes in September and January.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, essays, critical analysis papers, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Practical Projects and Productions
Practical40% of the mark
Practical assessment through studio projects, film shoots, theatre productions, directing exercises, and creative portfolio development.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering theatre history, film theory, dramaturgy, and research methods, conducted at end of each semester.
Research Project or Creative Portfolio
Research100% of the mark
Original research project or creative portfolio on a theatre or film topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and creative practice, assessed through written submission, oral defence, or creative presentation.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). University of Nairobi offers MA in Theatre and Film Studies through its Department of Literature. Kenyatta University offers MA in Film and Theatre Arts through its School of Visual and Performing Arts. Moi University offers MA in Theatre and MA in Film and Media Studies. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate theatre and film studies training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. UoN offers MA in Theatre and Film Studies through its Department of Literature. KU offers MA in Film and Theatre Arts through its School of Visual and Performing Arts. Moi University offers MA in Theatre and MA in Film and Media Studies. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate theatre and film studies training.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Theatre Director
Low demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 400,000
Directs theatre productions, overseeing artistic vision, casting, rehearsals, staging, and delivering theatre productions.
Film Director
Low demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 500,000
Directs film productions, overseeing artistic vision, directing actors, shot composition, editing, and delivering film productions.
Scriptwriter
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 350,000
Writes scripts for theatre, film, and television, developing stories, characters, dialogue, and delivering scripts for production.
Producer
Low demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 450,000
Produces theatre and film productions, overseeing production management, financing, scheduling, and delivering productions.
Drama Educator
Moderate demandKsh 90,000 to Ksh 350,000
Teaches drama and theatre in schools and universities, training future performers, directors, and theatre professionals.
Cultural Officer
Low demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 350,000
Manages cultural programmes and institutions, overseeing cultural events, arts promotion, and supporting cultural development.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as theatre directors, film directors, scriptwriters, producers, and drama educators in film, theatre, television, education, and cultural organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Adobe Premiere Pro
SoftwarePrimary
Video editing software for film editing, post-production, colour grading, and editing and finishing film productions.
Final Draft
Software
Screenwriting software for scriptwriting, formatting, story development, and writing scripts for theatre, film, and television.
Adobe After Effects
Software
Visual effects and motion graphics software for film post-production, compositing, animation, and creating visual effects.
Celtx
Software
Pre-production software for scriptwriting, storyboarding, scheduling, budgeting, and managing film and theatre productions.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Theatre and film studies is just about acting.
The programme covers directing, scriptwriting, production design, cinematography, editing, dramaturgy, theory, and research, far beyond acting alone.
There are no career opportunities in theatre and film in Kenya.
Kenya's growing film industry, theatre scene, television, streaming platforms, and cultural sector create opportunities for qualified theatre and film professionals.
A master's in theatre and film is unnecessary for a career in the arts.
The master's provides advanced theoretical knowledge, practical skills, research capability, and career progression to senior creative, academic, and management positions.
The programme is only for those who want to be performers.
Graduates pursue careers as directors, producers, scriptwriters, educators, cultural officers, and media consultants across the creative and cultural industries.
Theatre and film studies is not a rigorous academic discipline.
The programme involves rigorous theory, research methods, critical analysis, and scholarly writing comparable to other humanities disciplines.
The programme is the same as media studies or journalism.
While related, theatre and film studies focuses specifically on theatre and film as art forms, distinct from broader media studies or journalism.