Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre Arts and Film Studies
The Doctor of Philosophy in Theatre Arts and Film Studies is a doctoral programme offered at Kenyatta University through the School of Creative and Performing Arts, Film and Media Studies and at Moi University through the School of Arts and Social Sciences.
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 245,400 a year at a public institution, Ksh 736,200 to Ksh 1,227,000 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 310,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of Masters Degree or above, plus 1 subject grade. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 3-5 years, full-time, part-time, with 0 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 2 institutions.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Applied Ethicist, at 20 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
It is designed to produce scholars capable of advancing research in theatre arts, film studies and performance. The programme addresses Kenya's creative arts research and film industry development needs.
Students engage with advanced topics in theatre arts, film theory, performance studies, dramatic criticism, African theatre, film production, screenwriting, theatre for development, documentary film, digital media and research methods. The curriculum emphasises original research that develops theatre and film insights for Kenya's creative industry challenges.
Kenya's growing film industry, theatre tradition, creative economy, performing arts, cultural expression, film classification, local content production, theatre for development, digital content creation, Netflix and streaming platforms and the demand for creative arts research create demand for doctoral-level theatre and film expertise. The programme supports Kenya's creative economy and cultural development goals.
Teaching is delivered through coursework, studio sessions and supervised research. At KU, the School of Creative and Performing Arts, Film and Media Studies offers PhD in Theatre Arts and Film Studies. KSh 244,800/year for East Africans. Application fee KSh 3,000. At Moi University, the School of Arts and Social Sciences offers related programmes. Application fee KSh 2,000.
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, theatre researchers, film scholars, performing arts consultants and creative industry analysts. They work in universities, Kenya Cultural Centre, Kenya Film Commission, Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage and media organisations.
What you study
10 subjects- Advanced Theatre Theory and Performance Studies
- Film Theory and Criticism
- African Theatre and Drama
- Film Production and Direction
- Screenwriting and Dramaturgy
- Theatre for Development and Applied Drama
- Documentary Film and Non-Fiction Media
- Digital Media and Film Distribution
- Performance and Cultural Studies
- Research Methods in Theatre and Film
Modules
8 in the programmeAdvanced Theatre Theory and Performance Studies
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Theatre theory, exploring cutting-edge developments, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies at the forefront of the discipline.
Film Theory and Criticism
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Film theory, examining foundational principles, conceptual frameworks, and theoretical debates that shape contemporary understanding in this field.
African Theatre and Drama
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
African theatre, covering artistic principles, creative methodologies, and their application in cultural production and research.
Theatre for Development and Applied Drama
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Theatre for development, exploring development theories, sustainable practices, and their application in addressing contemporary challenges in Kenya and beyond.
Digital Media and Film Distribution
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital media, covering communication theories, media analysis, and their application in contemporary information environments.
Research Methods in Theatre and Film
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Research methods, covering quantitative and qualitative approaches, data collection techniques, and analytical frameworks relevant to doctoral-level research in the field.
Departmental Seminars
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Research presentations and peer review, providing a platform for doctoral candidates to present research findings, engage with peer feedback, and explore contemporary debates in the field.
Thesis Research
Year 3Semester 26 creditsCore
Doctoral thesis research and dissertation writing, involving original research, literature review, data analysis, and the production of a doctoral dissertation contributing new knowledge to the.
Specialisations
Performance Studies
Research on performance studies
Theatre for Development
Research on theatre for development
Film Studies
Research on film studies
Theatre Studies
Research on theatre studies
A day as a student
A typical day involves conducting theatre and film research, analysing performances and films, reviewing critical literature, attending seminars on film theory, meeting with supervisors to discuss research progress, and engaging with Kenya Film Commission, Kenya Cultural Centre and media organisations for research collaboration. Studio sessions and performance attendance are common.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Kenya's growing creative economy creates opportunities | Limited direct industry demand outside academia |
| Access to Kenya Film Commission and Cultural Centre | Funding for arts research is limited |
| Research contributes to cultural development | Research output can be subjective |
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 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 244,800 (ku.ac.ke). Egerton ~245K (egerton.ac.ke). Kabarak ~310K (official PDF). Strathmore unverified.
HELB provides postgraduate loans. DAAD offers scholarships for postgraduate study. NACOSTI provides research grants for science and technology research.
Funding options
HELB Postgraduate Loan
DAAD Kenya Scholarship
NACOSTI Research Grant
Scholarships
3 recordedDAAD Kenya Scholarship
ScholarshipKenyan
Postgraduate students in Kenya
NACOSTI Research Grant
GrantKenyan
Science and technology researchers in Kenya
HELB Postgraduate Scholarship
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan postgraduate students
Scholarships you could apply for
2 usable where it is taught- Chevening Scholarships Kenya
Closes 30 November 2026FullUK Government
Full masters in UK
- AfDB Japan Scholarship Program
Closes 28 February 2027FullAfrican Development Bank
Full graduate study abroad
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
At KU: MA from KU or recognised institution. School of Creative and Performing Arts, Film and Media Studies. PhD in Theatre Arts and Film Studies. KSh 244,800/year. Application fee KSh 3,000. At Moi University: MA from Moi or recognised institution. School of Arts and Social Sciences. Application fee KSh 2,000.
When it next starts
Taught at 2 institutionsIncluding Kenyatta University, Maseno University.
Including Kenyatta University, Maseno University.
Including Kenyatta University, Maseno University.
How you are assessed
3 componentsCoursework
Continuous assessment30% of the mark
Assignments, performance analysis and seminar presentations
Thesis Proposal Defence
Oral defence20% of the mark
Defence of research proposal before faculty panel
Thesis
Thesis50% of the mark
Doctoral thesis research, submission and oral defence
Accreditation
Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Statutory body responsible for accreditation of university programmes in Kenya
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Offered at Kenyatta University (School of Creative and Performing Arts, Film and Media Studies, PhD in Theatre Arts and Film Studies, KSh 244,800/year, application fee KSh 3,000) and Moi University (School of Arts and Social Sciences, application fee KSh 2,000).
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesFilm Scholar
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Research on film and cinema
Creative Industry Analyst
Moderate demandKsh 200,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analysis at Kenya Film Commission
Theatre Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Research on theatre and performance
University Professor
High demandKsh 180,000 to Ksh 450,000
Teaching and research in arts departments
Graduate outcomes
Graduates pursue careers as university professors, theatre researchers, film scholars and creative industry analysts. They work at Kenya Film Commission, Kenya Cultural Centre, media organisations and universities.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Applied EthicistArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- ChoreographerArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- Interfaith Dialogue FacilitatorArts & Humanities20Low exposure
- EpigrapherArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Indigenous Knowledge SpecialistArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Manuscript ConservatorArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Museum EducatorArts & Humanities22Low exposure
- Theological ResearcherArts & Humanities22Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Theatre and film PhD is just about acting.
The field covers film theory, performance studies, dramatic criticism, screenwriting, theatre for development and digital media.
There is no demand for theatre and film PhDs in Kenya.
Kenya's growing creative economy creates demand.
Theatre and film research is purely practical.
The programme uses critical theory, cultural studies, performance analysis and media studies.
Only actors study this PhD.
The programme attracts journalists, cultural workers, educators and media professionals.