Career-entry honours

BA Hons in Journalism and Media Studies (Career-entry)

You need to be a graduate in any field, wanting to become a journalist, with an average of at least 65% in your final year. If you already have more than three years' working experience in journalism, then please refer to the Mid-Career Honours. 

We encourage applicants whose first degrees are in a range of areas, including the humanities, arts, science and law.

Only 20 students per year are accepted in the Career-Entry Honours on the basis of their academic record, writing skills and commitment to the profession of journalism. Students who have worked in any media (such as campus or community outlets) will be favoured. Prospective students must take a writing test and sit an interview.

This is a one-year, full-time degree and is not available part-time. Students are required to be available to work in the mid-year study break and to complete their In-Depth Reporting Project during November.

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

This degree consists of five courses that provide a thorough grounding in the practical print and online skills necessary for a journalist, as well as the theory, knowledge and command of journalism issues needed to operate effectively in the profession.

Students will be involved in producing regular media, which ensures they get the hands-on practical experience which will enable them to operate effectively in newsrooms when they graduate. They will be involved in a weekly campus newspaper, an online newspaper, radio programming for campus broadcast, television news production and/or social media. 

All our teaching is done by experienced professionals and the curriculum includes regular workshops and seminars with leading journalists and professionals from the media industry.

Students do four compulsory courses and choose a fifth in television, radio or online.

FEES, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

Through partnerships with Media24, Reuters, Independent Newspapers and The Citizen, we offer up to six scholarships and internship opportunities to facilitate students' entry into the workplace. Students are invited to apply during the acceptance process.

Read more about Media24's bursaries and graduate training programme.

For details of fees, consult the Fees Office. For general financial assistance, including university merit awards and loans, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

International students: Please pick up an International Students handbook from the Graduate School Reception or the International Office. For further information, please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

APPLICATIONS

When to apply: Before August 31, 2012. Complete an online application form to study at Wits.

Interviews:
15 and 16 November – 08h30 - 15h00
If you haven’t been notified of the outcome by 12 November, please contact the department.

When to register: Friday, 18 January 2013 at 08h00-16h00 - Exams Hall, 2nd floor, Central Block. Please see the maps of Wits if you are unfamiliar with the campus. More information can be found on the Wits website. 

An information session will be held at the department on Wednesday, 15 August 2012, 13h15-14h00. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details. 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• Complete four compulsory courses – Journ Practice A and B, Journ Studies A and Journ Research (which includes an In-Depth Reporting Project through November).
• Complete one mid-year course. For your mid-year course you may choose from Television Journ, Radio Journ, or Photojourn (see descriptions of these courses below). Mid-year courses run fulltime for two to three weeks during the June-July break.

MID-YEAR COURSES FOR CAREER-ENTRY STUDENTS

Photojournalism This course targets mid-career journalists who want to learn the technique and language of photography. The course will combine hands-on workshops, reading and discussions. Alongside practical work, students will learn how to engage in the issue of representation and its significance in photojournalism. Guest photographers will present their work and share their experiences with the students. Students will learn not only how to take newsworthy pictures but also how to read and analyze images. Weekly seminars and some full-day practical workshops. 

Radio Journalism This course offers a practical introduction to the skills needed in radio journalism, covering everything from fast-paced bulletin work to the richness and depth of longer packages – the features of the airwaves. The course includes live broadcasting experience on campus. Full-time over two weeks, followed by requirements for further practical work in students' own time. Course co-ordinator is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

TV/Video Journalism On this course you will learn to research, write and produce television journalism and then contribute pieces to the world cup international student newsroom that we are running in June. This work will be made available to professional news organisations. You will learn skills in writing for television and how to tell stories using pictures. You will gain an understanding of the entire production and editorial process involved in producing television news and current affairs. The course is practical and will require an additional time commitment of at least one week in four weeks following the course. Co-ordinator is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .