- The University of Amsterdam ranks number one in the world for Communication and Media Studies in the QS 2026 subject rankings, its ninth consecutive year at the top
- In India, the Indian Institute of Mass Communication admits most postgraduate journalism students through CUET-PG scores
- Students from any academic stream remain eligible for journalism at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Journalism is the activity or profession of gathering, writing, and presenting news for platforms such as news websites, newspapers, and magazines. A subset of mass communication, it involves creating, analysing, and presenting information to an audience clearly, accurately, and responsibly.
Today journalism is no longer limited to print. It has expanded across newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the internet, opening a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses and career paths for aspiring journalists.
What Is Journalism?
Journalism is the profession of gathering, verifying, analysing, and presenting news and information to the public. Once limited to print, it now spans newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and digital platforms. A subset of mass communication, journalism demands accuracy, ethics, and clear storytelling to keep audiences informed about events shaping society today.
From investigative reporting to broadcast anchoring and digital content creation, journalism spans many roles. It sits within the broader field of mass communication, which also covers advertising, public relations, and film, giving students flexible career options across media industries.
Career options after Class 12Read →What Skills Are Required for Journalism?
Successful journalists combine strong writing with sharp general awareness and sound judgement. Employers value clear-headed observation, logical analysis, creativity, self-motivation, and the confidence to work under pressure and tight deadlines. Curiosity, ethical integrity, and fluency across digital tools matter increasingly as newsrooms shift toward multimedia and data-driven reporting in 2026.
- Strong writing and clear-headed communication
- Broad general awareness and current affairs knowledge
- Sharp observation and logical judgement
- Creative and original thinking
- Self-motivation, confidence and fluency
- Curiosity and an inquisitive mindset
- Ethical integrity and accuracy
- Digital and multimedia reporting skills
What Is the Eligibility Criteria for Journalism?
Students from any stream can pursue journalism. For undergraduate admission in India, you generally need to pass 10+2 from a recognised board, with many colleges setting a minimum of 50 percent. Postgraduate courses require a bachelor's degree; premier institutes like IIMC admit through CUET-PG or their own entrance test in 2026.
To take admission in an undergraduate journalism course, a student must pass 10+2 from a recognised board or university. Many colleges set a minimum requirement of around 50 percent, and students from any stream, whether arts, science, or commerce, are eligible.
For postgraduate journalism courses, you need to complete a bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Premier institutes such as the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) admit most postgraduate students through CUET-PG scores, with some regional-language diplomas filled via their own entrance test.
Career counselling: the complete guideRead →What Does the Journalism Course Curriculum Cover?
Journalism curricula vary by college and level, but most cover reporting, editing, communication theory, media laws and ethics, and the history of the press. Undergraduate programmes build core skills, while postgraduate courses go deeper into development journalism, new media, cyber journalism, and specialised research, preparing students for print, broadcast, and digital newsrooms.
- Reporting: concept and process
- Editing: concept and process
- Communication: concept and process
- History of the press, media laws and ethics
- Development journalism
- New media and cyber journalism
Which Are the Top Journalism Courses for UG and PG?
Popular undergraduate options include the Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC), BA in Journalism, and BA in Film and Television production. At postgraduate level, students choose the MA in Journalism and Mass Communication, MA in Broadcast Journalism, or a Post Graduate Diploma in Communication and Journalism, such as those offered by IIMC.
Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC)
- Print journalism
- History of print and broadcasting in India
- Still photography
- Radio journalism
- Basics of camera, light, and sound
- Public relations
- Writing for media
- Basics of design and graphics
- Advertising practices
- Media organisation and management
- Media research
MA in Journalism and Mass Communication
- Introduction to mass communication
- Print journalism
- Radio structure and working
- Basic photography
- Film history and theory
- Behavioural science
- Communication skills
- Radio programming and scheduling
- Film script writing and production
- Television journalism
- Society and economy
- Media ethics
Which Are the Top Universities for Journalism in 2026?
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Communication and Media Studies, the University of Amsterdam ranks first globally for the ninth consecutive year. Other leaders include Nanyang Technological University, Harvard, the University of Texas at Austin, and Stanford, while UC Berkeley and USC Annenberg remain top United States journalism schools.
| University | Country | QS Communication & Media Studies 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| University of Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ranked #1 globally |
| Nanyang Technological University | Singapore | Top 5 |
| Harvard University | United States | Top 5 |
| University of Texas at Austin | United States | Top 5 |
| Stanford University | United States | Top 5 |
The University of Amsterdam is ranked number one in the world for Communication and Media Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, a position it has held for nine consecutive years. It teaches students from more than a hundred countries.
In the United States, UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism offers a two-year Master of Journalism, while USC Annenberg offers a BA in Journalism, and the University of Texas at Austin awards a Bachelor of Journalism through its School of Journalism and Media.