Journalism Courses After 12th: Check UG, Diploma & Short Term Courses
School students planning to build a career in Journalism must know the courses they need to pursue after Class 12th. This article provides information on the list of top courses of some of the top colleges in India and abroad that a student can take to become a successful journalist.
Journalism Courses After 12th
Journalism Courses After 12th: An education in journalism opens up a boatload of career opportunities for students. Being a journalist also brings a certain amount of power with it. Right after high school, students become eager to learn the trade. Earlier, the options in journalism were limited to TV and print and, to some extent, Radio, but now with the innovation in Digital media, journalism as a career option has grown broader. Apart from regular job roles, there are new roles for News Writers, Beat Specialist Writers, Video Editors, Photographers/ Videographers, Photojournalists, Investigative Journalists, and Freelance Journalists. Journalists are also working successfully in Public Relations, Content Marketing, and Social Media to create narratives and spread information.
While there are several undergraduate and postgraduate journalism courses, students can also choose to pursue diploma and certificate courses to learn various aspects of journalism right after class 12. In this article, we will discuss these courses, the colleges that offer them, job roles that students can pursue, and more. Learn all about journalism courses after 12th in the article below.
- Why Pursue Journalism After 12th?
- Bachelor's Courses in Journalism After 12th
- Diploma Courses in Journalism After 12th
- Short-term/ Part-time Courses in Journalism After 12th
- Famous Journalism Institutes in India
- Top Universities for Journalism Courses After 12th in India/ Abroad
- Skills Required to Become a Journalist
- Career Opportunities After Journalism Courses
- Top Entrance Exams for Journalism Courses
Why Pursue Journalism After 12th?
Given below are some reasons why pursuing a journalism course right after high school is beneficial.
- Starting a journalism course after 12th allows students to build a strong foundation. If they plan to pursue a postgraduate degree course in the future, they are already familiar with some concepts, teaching styles, and what to expect as learning outcomes.
- Joining a journalism course after 12th helps students in networking and building connections with professors, mentors, and people in the industry through internships, which can be pursued during undergraduate, diploma, and certificate courses.
- Mass communication institutes that offer journalism courses after 12th often conduct debate competitions, mock newsrooms, interviews, etc., that give students good exposure and training. This, in turn, helps in building confidence.
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Bachelor's Courses in Journalism After 12th
Students who are keen on making a career in journalism look for journalism courses after 10+2. Although there are several diploma courses as well as short-term courses available, it is always advised to have a degree in journalism to cement your chances, as many media organisations ask for a bachelor's degree as a requirement for employment. Students can check the list of various UG journalism courses and other relevant courses in the table below.
Undergraduate Journalism Courses After 12th
| Course |
Duration of the course |
|---|---|
| 3 years |
|
| Bachelor in Journalism |
3 years |
| 3 years |
|
| 3 years |
|
| B.A. in Journalism and Communication Studies |
3 years |
| B.A. in Scriptwriting |
3 years |
| B.Sc in Mass Communication, Journalism and Advertising |
3 years |
| B.Sc in Mass Communication and Journalism |
3 years |
| Bachelor's in Media Science |
3 years |
To join journalism after 12th it is best to start with the basics, that is appear for the mass communication entrance exams after successfully qualifying the 10+2. Major media institutions conduct their entrance exam such as the IIMC, JMI, etc. Appear in these exams and crack them. Once you crack any of these exams, you will be eligible to appear in their counselling process from where you can choose a course as per your interest and rank. Get enrolled in the course to start your journalism studies.
The minimum eligibility criteria required to appear in any journalism course is 10+2. Many mass media colleges or institutes ask for a 10+2 qualification certificate during the admission process. As far as the age is concerned it ranges around 17-18 years which is the common age for students who are in their 12th. Students who are in their 10th and want to pursue a course in Journalism are suggested to qualify 12th. Although there are a lot of Diploma courses available, but having a degree in journalism gives an upper hand as compared to a Diploma course. Short-term Diploma courses can be pursued after completing graduation.
Diploma Courses in Journalism After 12th
Students can also opt for a diploma in journalism after completing their 12th. Many of these diploma courses are a year or two long. Students who have already graduated from a different stream and are looking to take a diploma course in journalism can also opt for these courses. Some of the diploma courses in journalism that students can opt for after class 12 are mentioned below -
- Diploma in Journalism
- Diploma in Broadcast Journalism
- Diploma in Creative Multimedia and Journalism
- Diploma in Creative Media Production (Broadcast Journalism)
- Diploma in Documentary Photography
- Diploma in Photojournalism
Short-term/ Part-time Courses in Journalism After 12th
Along with the full-time bachelor's and diploma courses in journalism, students can also go for short-term or part-time courses in journalism for their skill enhancement. These courses can be taken along with their regular courses, and they will only add to their journalism skills. The minimum eligibility criteria required to appear in any of these courses is 10+2, while the course duration is usually 6 months. Some of the most popular short-term/ part-time courses in journalism after 12th are mentioned below -
- Diploma in News Reading, Anchoring, Radio Jockeying, Editing & Reporting
- Diploma in Video Production, Camera & Light
- Diploma in Radio Jockeying
- Diploma in Photography
- Diploma in Video Editing and related software
- Diploma in Acting & Performing Media
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Famous Journalism Institutes in India
To become a skilled journalist, students must acquire a degree in journalism from a reputable media institute. Mentioned below are some of the best mass communication and media institutes in India that students can consider for journalism courses after 12th.
Famous Mass Communication and Media Colleges in India
| Government Media Institutions |
Private Media Institutions |
|---|---|
| Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal |
|
| Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Mumbai |
|
| Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, BHU, Varanasi |
|
| Commits Institute of Journalism and Mass Communication, Bengaluru |
|
First of all it is about the interest and the zeal to make a career in journalism. The first eligibility criterion is your own “will” to pursue a course in journalism. Once you have figured out and are serious about making a career in journalism, the next step is meeting the minimum educational qualification which is 10+2 to appear in any mass communication entrance exams conducted by the Indian Institute of Mass Communication or the Jamila Milia Islamia or the Delhi University etc. Students who qualify in any of these entrance exams are eligible to pursue a course in journalism.
Top Universities for Journalism Courses After 12th in India/ Abroad
Many students often aim to study abroad after completing their 10+2. This helps them get international exposure and the opportunity to work for foreign media and international channels, or news agencies. Also, after returning to India, they can expect higher packages as compared to their subordinates who have studied here. Some of the most popular universities abroad where students can pursue journalism courses after 12th are mentioned below -
- The University of Melbourne, Australia
- McGill University, Canada
- Columbia University, USA
- The University of the West of England, UK
- The University of Lincoln, UK
- The University of British Columbia, Canada
- University of California - Berkeley Campus, USA
- University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Teesside University, UK
- Hofstra University, USA
Skills Required to Become a Journalist
The job of a journalist is very challenging; right from their first assignment, they need to be on their toes. From chasing a politician or an officer for a quick media byte to asking tough questions during press conferences or looking confident while delivering a report on air. Journalists need to be confident, fierce, and active, and most importantly, they need to have deep knowledge of the subject matter they are dealing with. While going through any of the journalism courses after 12th, students will be taught these skills. The courses will also give students ample opportunity to develop these skills. If students already possess these skills, even better. Some of these journalistic skills are listed below.
| Skills of a Good Journalist |
|
|---|---|
| Communication Skills |
Knack for Perfection |
| Error-free Work |
Persistence |
| Research Skills |
Digital Literacy |
| Logical Reasoning and Objectivity |
Investigative Reporting |
| Problem-solving Skills |
Ethical Journalism Skills |
Also Read:
How to Become a News Anchor After 12th
Difference between Reporter and Journalist
List of AI News Anchors in India
Career Opportunities After Journalism Courses
Earlier, there were fewer media channels, because of which not many people went for a career in journalism. However, now, the demand for skilled journalists and media professionals has increased tremendously. Companies are offering jobs to graduates of journalism courses in different areas, from print to digital media. Journalism students can look for a job in the following profiles after completing their Journalism courses:
| Job Options After Journalism Courses |
|
|---|---|
| Feature Writer or Columnist |
Correspondent/ Special Reporter |
| Critic |
Video Presenter/ Anchor/ Host |
| Researchers |
Ground Reporter |
| Beat specialist - Crime/ Politics/ Sports, etc. |
|
| Freelance Journalist |
Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha Reporter |
Top Entrance Exams for Journalism Courses
To make a career in journalism, students must pursue a relevant journalism course in the field of their choice. Check out the table below to know the top entrance exams for journalism after 12th and graduation:
| Top Entrance Exams for Journalism After 12th | |
|---|---|
| GMCET | CUET UG |
| Top Entrance Exams for Journalism After Graduation | |
| IIMC Entrance Exam (Converged with CUET-PG) | MASCOM Entrance Exam |
| JMI Entrance Exam | FTII JET |
| ACJ Entrance Exam | CUET PG |
| XET | - |
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Many colleges offer journalism courses after 12th, it depends upon which one you want to go with - government colleges or private colleges. Here are some of the best colleges for both: