Graphic Design Courses in Kenya: Colleges and Where to Study

Want to study graphic design in Kenya? Compare certificates, diplomas and degrees, entry requirements, published fees, and where to apply.

Introduction If you want to study graphic design in Kenya, you can choose from short certificates of a few months, two-year diplomas and four-year degrees. The right one depends on your KCSE grade, your budget and how quickly you want to start working. This guide only covers programmes we could confirm on the institutions' own websites and admissions documents. It lists entry requirements, duration, fees and how to apply where the institution publishes them, and says clearly where it doesn't. Details change between intakes, so always confirm with the institution before you apply. Graphic Design, Fine Art and Digital Design: What's the Difference? Graphic design and fine art overlap, but they lead to different kinds of work, so it pays to know which one you are applying for. Graphic Design Graphic design is visual communication. You learn typography, layout, colour, branding, advertising and print and digital production, using software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Graduates usually work for clients, agencies, media houses or in-house marketing teams. Fine Art Fine art focuses on personal artistic practice, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and art history. It builds strong drawing and creative skills that are useful in design, but a fine art qualification is not the same as a graphic design qualification. Related Digital Design Courses Some programmes combine graphic design with web design, UI/UX, animation or motion graphics. Read programme titles and unit lists carefully so you know exactly what you are enrolling for. Types of Graphic Design Qualifications in Kenya Short Certificates Short certificates can offer a quicker, lower-cost route into graphic design, although entry requirements and fees vary by institution. Diplomas The diplomas in this guide go deeper into design principles, software and portfolio work. Some universities accept a relevant diploma as an alternative entry route into a degree. Degrees A design degree combines theory, history, research and studio practice. At the University of Nairobi it takes four years, with graphic design offered as a specialisation. KUCCPS vs Self-Sponsored Applications Government-sponsored ("regular") university and college places are allocated through KUCCPS. Self-sponsored places are applied for directly through each institution's own portal or eCitizen. Fees and deadlines can differ between the two routes, so check which one a published fee applies to. Where to Study Graphic Design in Kenya University of Nairobi: Bachelor of Arts in Design The University of Nairobi's Department of Art and Design offers a Bachelor of Arts in Design in which students specialise in one area, with graphic design among the options. Interior, product, fashion and textiles, and illustration design are also offered. Early units include Colour Theory, Typography and Computer Aided Design. The third-year Graphics Design Option covers Advertising and Advanced Photography. Assessment combines theory papers and portfolios. Duration: four years, ending with a fourth-year design research project. Intake: the department admits new students at the start of each academic year, usually September. Entry requirements: KCSE mean grade C+ with C+ in each of the specified clusters (Mathematics or Business Studies, English or Kiswahili, plus an art/technical or humanities cluster). Alternative routes include KCSE C- plus a certificate and diploma in a relevant field (such as graphics or fine art), a diploma plus KCSE C, A-level or IB passes, or a degree. Fees: the department page shows a fee table (code B05) with a first-year total of KSh 287,000, including KSh 240,000 tuition. The table is undated and does not say which sponsorship category it applies to, so confirm current fees with the university before you budget. Programme details, fees and the online application link are on the University of Nairobi BA in Design page. Technical University of Kenya: Certificate in Graphic Design The Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) offers a short Certificate in Graphic Design through its Department of Design and Creative Media, in the School of Creative Arts and Media. Entry requirements: KCSE D+, or D- with Art and Design. The university advises applicants to provide a portfolio where possible. Duration: two terms of three months each. Fees: approximately KSh 44,000, excluding industrial attachment. The university says fees may change without prior notice. Intake: listed as "any time". TU-K also lists a Bachelor of Technology in Design, but its application portal shows it as not on offer for the May/September 2026 intake. Check the TU-K online application portal for current availability. Kenya Institute of Mass Communication: Diploma in Web & Graphic Design The Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) lists a Diploma in Web & Graphic Design at its main campus on Uholo Road, South B, Nairobi. This programme combines graphic design with web design. Entry requirements: KCSE mean grade C (plain). How to apply: self-sponsored applications go through KIMC's eCitizen portal. Regular (government-sponsored) places are applied for through KUCCPS. Intake: the May 2026 self-sponsored intake closed on 10 April 2026. The next intake date was not published at the time of writing. Duration and fees: we could not verify these from KIMC's published intake document. Contact KIMC admissions for current figures. Intake notices and contact details are on the KIMC website. Africa Digital Media Institute: Graphic Design Diploma and Certificate Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI) in Nairobi offers two graphic design programmes. Diploma in Graphic Design: a two-year programme using a hybrid model of online learning, on-campus bootcamps and project work. The published curriculum covers typography, colour theory, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign and After Effects, brand identity, packaging and portfolio development. ADMI lists January 2027 and May 2027 intakes. Certificate in Graphic Design: a professional certificate of about three and a half months, focused on Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign for print and digital work. Applying: ADMI asks for a KCSE certificate (or ID for the certificate course). Submitting creative work is described as optional. We could not find a minimum KCSE grade on ADMI's course pages. Fees: ADMI's diploma page shows two different per-semester figures, so we have not quoted a diploma fee. Ask ADMI admissions for a written fee breakdown before enrolling. The certificate page lists KSh 50,000, but the payment period is unclear. Confirm the full fee and payment schedule with ADMI before enrolling. ADMI describes both programmes as TVETA registered. Full details are on ADMI's Diploma in Graphic Design and Certificate in Graphic Design pages. Studying Fine Art Instead: Kenyatta University Kenyatta University's Department of Fine Art and Design is often mentioned in graphic design searches. However, the programmes it lists are Fine Art qualifications, not dedicated graphic design courses. Diploma in Fine Art: two years, with May and September intakes. Entry is KCSE C (plain) plus C- in Art and Design, a recognised Art and Design certificate, or a portfolio interview. Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) and Bachelor of Education (Fine Art): four years, September intake. Entry is KCSE C+ with C in Art and Design, or alternative routes including a portfolio interview or a diploma in Art and Design. Fine art can be a strong foundation if you love drawing or want to teach art. If your goal is branding, advertising or digital design, compare it carefully with the graphic design options above. Details are on the Kenyatta University Fine Art and Design page. Comparing Your Options The table below summarises figures published by each institution. Fees and intakes can change; "Not published" means we could not verify a figure in the reviewed official material. Institution Programme Level Duration Minimum entry Published fee University of Nairobi BA in Design (graphic design option) Degree 4 years KCSE C+ (or alternative routes) KSh 287,000 in Year 1 (undated table; confirm) Technical University of Kenya Certificate in Graphic Design Short certificate 2 terms of 3 months KCSE D+, or D- with Art and Design About KSh 44,000 KIMC Diploma in Web & Graphic Design Diploma Not published KCSE C (plain) Not published ADMI Diploma in Graphic Design Diploma 2 years KCSE certificate (grade not published) Unclear; confirm with ADMI ADMI Certificate in Graphic Design Professional certificate About 3.5 months ID or KCSE certificate KSh 50,000 listed; payment period unclear Kenyatta University Diploma / BA / BEd in Fine Art (not graphic design) Diploma and degrees 2–4 years KCSE C to C+ with Art and Design routes Not reviewed How to Choose the Right Course Check Accreditation Before paying fees, verify the institution and the specific programme. For universities, check the Commission for University Education (CUE); for TVET institutions, consult the official TVETA register of accredited institutions. Ask the institution which body examines and awards the qualification. ADMI describes its own graphic design programmes as TVETA registered; check the register and confirm programme details directly before paying fees. Match the Course to Your Budget and Time A short certificate gets you using design software quickly and cheaply. A diploma or degree takes longer but goes much deeper. Ask every institution for a full fee breakdown, including registration, examination and attachment costs, not just tuition. Start Building a Portfolio Early The University of Nairobi assesses studio work by portfolio, and TU-K and ADMI both invite applicants to share creative work. Start now with posters, logos or illustrations. Free software is enough to practise. Our guide to the best free software for drawing tablets covers tools such as GIMP, Inkscape and Krita. What Equipment Do Graphic Design Students Need? None of the programmes above lists a drawing tablet as an entry requirement. Ask your institution what equipment and software access it provides. For practising at home, these help: A computer: a laptop or desktop that can run your course software comfortably. Design software: what your course uses, or free alternatives while you learn. A drawing tablet (optional): a pen tablet makes illustration, retouching, lettering and sketching faster and more natural than using a mouse. It is not required to enrol. If you're unsure what kind of tablet suits you, our guide to pen tablets vs pen displays vs pen computers explains the differences, and our complete guide to buying a drawing tablet in Kenya covers pricing and what to check before you buy. Recommended Graphics Tablets Kenya Products A screenless pen tablet is the most affordable way to start, because it works with the computer you already use. All four below use a battery-free pen with 8,192 levels of pressure sensitivity. For help choosing a size, see how to choose the right drawing tablet size. Huion Inspiroy H420X: Lowest-Cost Start The Huion Inspiroy H420X is a very compact, 105 g tablet with a 106 × 66 mm (4.17 × 2.6 inch) working area and USB-C connection. It has no shortcut keys, which keeps it simple for first-time users practising drawing and photo editing. Huion Inspiroy H640P: Everyday Student Tablet The Huion Inspiroy H640P offers a 160 × 100 mm (6.3 × 3.9 inch) working area and six programmable shortcut keys. At 8 mm thick it fits easily in a laptop bag, and it supports Windows, macOS, Android and Linux. Huion Inspiroy H580X: More Drawing Room The Huion Inspiroy H580X gives you an 8 × 5 inch (203.2 × 127 mm) working area, eight programmable press keys and ±60° tilt recognition for more natural shading and brush control. It is a practical choice for diploma or degree students doing regular illustration and layout work. Huion Inspiroy 2 M: Shortcut Keys for Design Software The Huion Inspiroy 2 M has a 221 × 138 mm (8.7 × 5.4 inch) working area, eight programmable press keys with three shortcut groups, a customisable scroller and ±60° pen tilt. It suits students who spend long sessions in Photoshop or Illustrator. Our guide on using a Huion tablet in Photoshop shows how to set it up. On a tight budget? Browse our pen tablets or pre-owned tablets. Frequently Asked Questions Can I study graphic design in Kenya with a C- or D+? Yes, at certificate level. TU-K's Certificate in Graphic Design lists KCSE D+, or D- with Art and Design. Diplomas and degrees generally ask for higher grades: KIMC's diploma lists C (plain) and the University of Nairobi's degree lists C+. Some degrees also accept a relevant certificate and diploma as an alternative route. Is fine art the same as graphic design? No. Fine art focuses on personal artistic practice such as drawing, painting and sculpture. Graphic design focuses on visual communication for clients, including branding, layout, typography and advertising. Kenyatta University's listed programmes, for example, are Fine Art qualifications. Do I need a drawing tablet before I start a course? No. None of the programmes in this guide lists a tablet as an entry requirement, and you can start with a mouse. A pen tablet becomes useful once you do a lot of illustration, retouching or hand-drawn work. Can I learn graphic design online in Kenya? Partly. ADMI describes its diploma as combining online learning with on-campus bootcamps. Ask each institution how much is taught in person. Which software will I use? It depends on the course. ADMI's published curriculum, for example, covers Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and After Effects. You can practise beforehand with free tools such as GIMP, Inkscape and Krita. Next Steps Shortlist two or three programmes that match your grades, budget and goals. Then contact each institution directly to confirm the current intake, the full fee breakdown and how the qualification is accredited. Start a small portfolio now, because it will help with admissions and with finding work later. If you're ready to add a drawing tablet to your setup, use Find My Tablet to get a recommendation based on your budget and how you'll use it. When it arrives, our Huion driver installation and setup guide walks you through getting started. Our support team is also happy to help.