The industry
Media industry is usually stereotyped as one with more work and less pay. Though this prejudiced notion about the field does not really seem to dismay younger generations, it has still left some myths around the industry live and kicking. In the recent times, a lot of youngsters are getting attracted to this industry, since it requires a strong personality who is seen and heard! With a more evolved audience to cater, media-persons and channels have also evolved in terms of providing high quality content – this trend is only set to grow.
Contrary to the notion among a lot of people who still associate media professionals with holding the mic and reporting random incidents, this field offers a much wider range of options! Copywriting, Advertising, Public Relations, Editing, Screenplay writing are just the first few off-shoots of a mammoth tree called Media. To start with...
....Opportunities in India
In India, media related courses are more professional post-graduate diploma courses rather than Master’s level degree courses. A few reputed institutes which offer media related courses include MICA (Mudra Institute of communications, Ahmedabad) XIC (Xavier’s Institute of Communication Mumbai), IIMC (Indian Institute of Mass Communication Delhi), Jamia Milia Islamia (Delhi), ACJ (Asian College Of Journalism Chennai), IIJNM (Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media Bengaluru), Christ University (Bengaluru), DU (Delhi University), PU (Panjab University), Mumbai University, Pune University and AU (Ambedkar University).
But unfortunately, most of the world renowned media and journalism courses will be found abroad – because of the sheer network of professionals and the quality of work produced. This makes studying journalism abroad lucrative for students. Let’s try and understand the prerequisites...
...to study abroad in the field of Media and journalism
Most media/journalism courses DO NOT ask for GRE or any other such test scores. Thus it becomes important for an aspirant to have a strong profile, great academics and some work experience in the field. TOEFL is a necessary exam that one needs to take in order to go for an American university. A score of 90-100 out of a total of 120 can promise a decent university to pursue one’s master in this field. That said, the bigger the better. For UK and Australia, IELTS will be a more acceptable proof of English profieciency. A 7-8 band score on 9 will be sufficient for an individual to be eligible to apply in top universities of these countries. Media and journalism are content heavy courses and a good command over english, its proof are paramount for a good admit. Also, students with a great TOEFL or IELTS score stand a better chance to get an admit. A majority of the admission will be dependent on your SoP ( Statement of Purpose) as it will directly reflect the clarity in your thought and potential of your ideas.
Study destinations
US, for one, has a wide scope for media studies with few of the top media universities providing post graduate programmes, registered under it.
Arts/Media and Humanities/Journalism courses in the US include the University of Southern California which could easily be a dream university for any media aspirant, given that its faculty, infrastructure and resources are considered to be amongst the best. University of California, Berkley and Stanford also run in this neck to neck race towards the top. Renowned for their extensive and interactive course, which includes ample amount of work experience opportunities along the course work, these universities top the tables in University rankings of the world. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and City University in the United Kingdom along with Monash University and University of Queensland from Australia, make up a strong list of colleges for a media aspirant.
Nangyang University and NUS from Singapore also offers great employment opportunities and good quality courses in Media. China and Hong Kong are another popular set of nations in Asia when one thinks about applying abroad. One must make sure that degrees conferred by Universities are accepted worldwide. With a field as practice oriented as Media, one must never take work experience too lightly since it is given extra weightage in most universities seeking applicants for Media. Many Columbian universities provide few of the best media courses in the world to individuals who show potential and have worked in the industry with ample amount of experience.
