Media & Communication

Master of Film and Theatre Production

The Master of Film and Theatre Production is a postgraduate programme that prepares creative professionals for advanced practice in film and theatre production. The programme combines theoretical analysis with creative exploration and practical production skills.

Core areas include scriptwriting, directing, performance, dramaturgy, production design, film production, theatre production, digital media production, research methods, and creative project or thesis. Students engage with both creative theory and hands-on production practice.

The programme is offered by Kenyatta University through its School of Visual and Performing Arts. Moi University also offers related programmes in film and theatre. Both are public universities offering the programme over two academic years through blended learning, studio sessions, and workshops.

Students develop competencies in scriptwriting, directing, performance, production design, film production, theatre production, digital media, research methods, and academic writing. The programme includes coursework, examinations, creative projects, and thesis or creative portfolio.

Kenyatta University charges approximately KES 147,500/year for MA in Film and Theatre Arts. Moi University charges approximately KES 153,000/year for related programmes. Entry requires a Bachelor's degree in Film, Theatre, Literature, Journalism, Mass Communication, or related fields with at least Second Class Honours Upper Division or Lower Division with relevant experience.

Graduates pursue careers as film directors, theatre directors, producers, scriptwriters, production designers, film and theatre lecturers, and creative industry consultants.

Skills Required

Scriptwriting and Screenwriting
Directing for Film and Theatre
Performance and Acting
Production Design and Management
Film Production Techniques
Theatre Production and Stagecraft
Digital Media Production
Dramaturgy and Critical Analysis
Research Methods in Creative Arts
Academic Writing and Thesis Research

Key Subjects

Scriptwriting and Screenwriting
Directing for Film and Theatre
Performance and Acting
Production Design and Management
Film Production Techniques
Theatre Production and Stagecraft
Digital Media Production
Dramaturgy and Critical Analysis
Research Methods in Creative Arts
Creative Project or Thesis

Certifications

KFC Film Professional Certification
CILECT Professional Membership

Specializations

Film Production

Focuses on film production, covering directing, cinematography, editing, sound design, and producing films from concept to completion.

Theatre Production

Examines theatre production, covering stagecraft, directing for theatre, performance, set design, and producing theatrical works.

Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy

Covers scriptwriting for film and theatre, covering dramatic writing, screenwriting, dramaturgy, and story development.

Digital Media Production

Focuses on digital media production, covering digital filmmaking, animation, visual effects, and new media production.

Performance Studies

Examines performance theory and practice, covering acting, performance art, physical theatre, and performance research.

Production Design

Covers production design for film and theatre, covering set design, costume design, lighting design, and visual aesthetics.

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

The programme

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

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Blended
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Scriptwriting and Screenwriting
Directing for Film and Theatre
Performance and Acting
Production Design and Management
Film Production Techniques
Theatre Production and Stagecraft
Digital Media Production
Dramaturgy and Critical Analysis
Research Methods in Creative Arts
Creative Project or Thesis

Modules

12 in the programme

Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines dramatic writing, screenwriting, story structure, dramaturgy, and developing scripts for film and theatre.
Directing for Film and Theatre
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers directing techniques, working with actors, staging, visual storytelling, and directing for stage and screen.
Performance Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines performance theory and practice, covering acting techniques, physical theatre, voice, movement, and performance research.
Research Methods in Creative Arts
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research design, creative research methods, data collection, analysis, and conducting arts research, preparing students for their thesis or creative project.
Film Production Techniques
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers cinematography, editing, sound design, post-production, and producing films from concept to completion.
Theatre Production and Stagecraft
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines stagecraft, technical theatre, set construction, lighting, sound, and producing theatrical works.
Production Design
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers set design, costume design, lighting design, makeup, and visual aesthetics for film and theatre productions.
Digital Media Production
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines digital filmmaking, animation, visual effects, new media production, and emerging digital technologies in creative arts.
Film and Theatre Theory
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers film theory, theatre theory, critical analysis, aesthetics, and engaging with global cinematic and theatrical traditions.
Creative Industries and Business
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines creative industries, arts management, cultural policy, producing, and the business of film and theatre.
Creative Project Seminar
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Preparation of creative project or research proposal, including concept development, methodology, planning, and presentation.
Creative Project or Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original creative project (film, theatre production, or portfolio) or research thesis on a film and theatre topic, demonstrating mastery of creative practice and research, assessed through submission, presentation, and oral defence.

Specialisations

Film Production
Focuses on film production, covering directing, cinematography, editing, sound design, and producing films from concept to completion.
Theatre Production
Examines theatre production, covering stagecraft, directing for theatre, performance, set design, and producing theatrical works.
Scriptwriting and Dramaturgy
Covers scriptwriting for film and theatre, covering dramatic writing, screenwriting, dramaturgy, and story development.
Digital Media Production
Focuses on digital media production, covering digital filmmaking, animation, visual effects, and new media production.
Performance Studies
Examines performance theory and practice, covering acting, performance art, physical theatre, and performance research.
Production Design
Covers production design for film and theatre, covering set design, costume design, lighting design, and visual aesthetics.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Film and Theatre Production programme combines lectures, studio sessions, practical workshops, rehearsals, screenings, seminars, and independent study. Sessions cover scriptwriting, directing, performance, production design, and digital media. Scriptwriting sessions examine dramatic writing, screenwriting, story structure, and developing scripts for film and theatre. Directing sessions cover directing techniques, working with actors, staging, and visual storytelling. Performance sessions cover acting techniques, physical theatre, voice, and movement. Production design sessions cover set design, costume design, lighting design, and visual aesthetics for film and theatre. Film production sessions cover cinematography, editing, sound design, and post-production. Theatre production sessions cover stagecraft, technical theatre, and producing theatrical works. Digital media sessions cover digital filmmaking, animation, visual effects, and new media production. Research methods sessions prepare students for their thesis or creative project, covering research design, creative research, and analysis. Studio sessions provide hands-on experience with production equipment, editing suites, and theatre facilities. Practical workshops provide opportunities to develop creative projects, rehearse scenes, and produce short films or theatrical works. Screenings and performances provide opportunities to showcase work and receive feedback. Seminars and discussion groups provide opportunities for debating current issues in film and theatre. Guest lectures from experienced filmmakers, theatre directors, and creative industry professionals provide practical insights. The programme culminates in a research thesis or creative portfolio.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's creative industry is growing rapidly, with increasing demand for qualified film and theatre professionals.
Programme combines theoretical analysis with practical production skills, providing both knowledge and hands-on experience.
Programme offers access to studios, editing suites, and theatre facilities for practical training.
Fees are relatively affordable at ~KES 147,500-153,000/year at public universities.

Against it

Only two public universities confirmed offering this programme, limiting institutional choice.
No private university confirmed offering this exact programme, limiting options for private institution preference.
Career prospects may be limited outside the creative industries sector.
Creative industry incomes can be variable and uncertain, especially for freelancers and independent practitioners.

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. Private unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KFC may provide training support for film professionals. Kenya Cultural Centre may provide support for theatre and performing arts. Some creative organisations may sponsor practitioners for film and theatre postgraduate study.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KFC Film Training Support
Kenya Cultural Centre Support

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate studies at recognised universities.
KFC Film Training Support
ScholarshipKsh 150,000Kenyan
Kenya Film Commission supports training and professional development for film professionals in Kenya.
CILECT Professional Development
GrantKsh 200,000
International Association of Film and Television Schools provides professional development support for film and television educators globally.

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: KU requires a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields with Upper Second Class Honours. Lower Second Division holders with at least three years of work experience or credit grades in relevant units are considered. Contact respective universities for specific admission requirements.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework25% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, creative exercises, seminar presentations, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination25% of the mark
Written examinations covering film and theatre theory, dramaturgy, production techniques, and critical analysis.
Practical Production Assessment
Practical50% of the mark
Practical assessment through film projects, theatre productions, creative portfolios, scriptwriting, and demonstrating production skills.
Creative Project or Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original creative project (film, theatre production, or portfolio) or research thesis on a film and theatre topic, demonstrating mastery of creative practice and research, assessed through submission, presentation, and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Kenyatta University and Moi University (both public) offer Master's programmes in Film and Theatre Production or related fields. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate creative arts training. Graduates are eligible for KFC professional certification and CILECT professional membership.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Kenyatta University and Moi University (both public) offer Master's programmes in Film and Theatre Production or related fields. All programmes meet CUE standards for postgraduate creative arts training. Graduates are eligible for KFC professional certification and CILECT professional membership.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Film Director
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 800,000
Directs films and video productions, overseeing creative vision, directing actors, managing production, and delivering film projects.
Theatre Director
Low demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 500,000
Directs theatrical productions, overseeing creative vision, directing performers, managing rehearsals, and delivering theatre productions.
Producer
Moderate demandKsh 100,000 to Ksh 700,000
Produces film and theatre productions, overseeing production management, financing, scheduling, and delivering creative projects.
Scriptwriter
Moderate demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 500,000
Writes scripts for film, television, and theatre, overseeing story development, scriptwriting, and script revision.
Production Designer
Low demandKsh 80,000 to Ksh 450,000
Designs visual elements for film and theatre productions, overseeing set design, costume design, and visual aesthetics.
Film and Theatre Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaches film and theatre at university or college level, overseeing instruction, creative practice, research, and academic supervision.

Graduate outcomes