About Journalism

India is home to a range of journalism courses at various levels, viz. Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate and PG Diploma. Aspirants across the nation have immense opportunities to pursue a lucrative and creative career option in the field of journalism. All aspiring to pursuing a course in the discipline will be able to train themselves and inculcate skills crucial to industry within a span of 1-3 years at the UG level and 1-2 years at the PG level.

There are different courses in the field of Journalism that vary depending on the objective of the programme and the university that is offering the programme. Before picking any programme, you must learn more about the credits and the curriculum that is opted by the respective institute.

Depending on your interest in the field, you, as an aspirant will be able to pursue an education in Print, Television and Digital/Online Journalism. Moreover, there are immense opportunities to venture out into other aspects of mass communication as well such as Film, Television and Radio production.

If you have made up your mind to get into either electronic media or print media, a journalism course is a path you must follow. Media has been an integral part of India be it through newspapers or through television. With good communication skills, either in Hindi or in English or other regional languages of the country, there is a lot of scope in the journalism as a career. 

Journalism Admission Processes

Admissions To The Different Journalism Courses Offered By The Various Prestigious Journalism Courses In The Nation Are Either Merit-based Or Entrance-based. Depending On The Admission Policy Of Each Individual College, Candidates Are Required To Present The Necessary Documents And Appear For Separate Admission And Selection Processes Conducted By The Institution. Here Are The Journalism Admission Processes Usually Opted By The Colleges.

Merit-Based Admissions

• Candidates Are Required To Present The College/university With The Appropriate Documents To Prove Their eligibility To The Respective Courses, As Outlined By Individual Colleges.
• Candidates May Further Be Called For A Personal Interview And/or Group Discussion, As Per The Admissions Guidelines Of Separate Colleges.
• Based On The Overall Performance Of The Candidates In The Different Parameters Including The Past Academic Record, Performance In The Personal Interview And/or Group Discussion Will Determine The Admission Status The Aspirants.

Entrance-Based Admissions

• After Submission Of The Application Forms, Aspirants Will Be Called By The Respective Colleges For An Entrance Test Conducted By The Competent Authority. On The Stipulated Date And Time, Candidates Must Appear At The Specified Test Centres And Attempt The Exam.
• Soon After The Test, The University Or College Will Announce The Results Of The Test And Shortlist Candidates For Further Selection Processes Based On The Scores Obtained In The Test.
• Shortlisted Candidates Will Then Be Called For A Personal Interview And/or Group Discussion, Depending On The Admission Guidelines Of The College/university.
• Prospective Candidates Will Be Shortlisted For Admission Based On Their Overall Performance In The Entrance Test, Personal Interview And/or Group Discussion Along With The Past Academic Records.

Journalism Eligibility Criteria

For Undergraduate Courses:

• You Can Apply For Journalism Courses After You Have Passed Class 12 With A Minimum Of 50% Marks From Any Stream (Science, Commerce Or Arts).
• Some Colleges Require You To Possess Excellent Communication Skills, English Speaking Skills And Writing Skills.
• Admissions Are Done Either On The Basis Of Class 12 Marks Or On The Basis Of Entrance Tests (varies From University To University). Some Colleges Also Take Personal Interviews To Shortlist Students.

For Postgraduate Journalism Courses:

• You Must Have A Valid Undergraduate Degree Of A Duration Of 3 / 4 / 5 Years, Procured From A Recognised University Or Educational Institution.
• Candidates From All Streams And Disciplines Are Eligible To Pursue The PG Journalism Courses Offered By Journalism Institutions In India.
• Candidates May Be Required To Have Appeared For An Entrance Test Conducted By The College/university Offering The Course.

Diploma In Journalism: Entrance Examination

Some Of The Top Entrance Exams Conducted By The Colleges To Get Admission In Diploma In Journalism Are:

• IIMC Entrance Exam: It Is A University Level Test Conducted By The Institute Offering A Diploma In Four Courses, Journalism Is One Of Them. Candidates Should Be A Graduate To Sit For The Entrance Exam. The Entrance Exam Covers Topics Such As Sensitivity To Social Issues, Ethics And Values, Analytical And Comprehensive Skills, General Awareness About Development And Public Issues, And Aptitude And Mental Makeup.
• Asian College Of Journalism Entrance Exam: ACJ Entrance Examination Is Conducted In May/June Every Year To Admit Students In The Pg Courses Journalism. Admission Is Done Based On Entrance Exams, Group Discussions, And Personal Interviews.
• Xavier's Institute Of Communication Entrance Exam: The Entrance Exam Is Of 90 Minutes With The Subjective And Objective Type Of Questions Which Is Followed By A Personal Or Skype Interview.
• Symbiosis Institute Of Mass Communication Entrance Exam: Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) And MA (MC) Online Entrance Exam Are Conducted For Admission In Different Courses.
• Central Universities Common Entrance Test: A Common Entrance Exam Conducted For Graduate And Undergraduate Courses In 14 Central Universities And Four State Universities.

Entrance Examination Preparation Tips

• The Candidate Should Be Well Aware Of The News Around The World And Prepare Towards Improving Their Writing Skill By Starting A Blog And Reading Material.
• Journalism Deals With Projecting Oneself In The Media. Being Friendly With The Camera Is Very Crucial To Becoming Comfortable On Screen.
• Thus, One Should Prepare By Getting Educated About The Basics Of Cameras And The Media.
• Although The Entrance Exams Mainly Deal With Questions Related To The Growing Media Trends, News, Communication Objective Of Brands, Radio, And Social Media.
• The Candidate Should Be A Vivid Reader. She/he Should Be Well Aware Of The News Around The World.
• The Names Of Different Magazines And Their Types Can Be Asked In The Exams.
• Questions Related To Social Media, Digital Marketing, And Social Awareness Can Be Asked. Writing Skills Should Be Polished To Make A Piece Of Write-up Presentable.