What is Bachelor of Journalism: Full Form, Course Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Syllabus, Salary & Scope

After graduating from high school, individuals can pursue a Bachelor of Journalism (BJ) degree in the fields of journalism and mass communication. The three-year Bachelor of Journalism programme teaches students about a variety of media-related topics, including research, reporting, assembling, writing, editing, and information presentation. 

Journalism teaches aspiring journalists the essential techniques for acquiring information and then disseminating it to audiences via a range of media. Many people register in journalism schools to work for media companies, such as print or electronic media. The reach of journalism is expanding daily. Students can work in a variety of industries after completing a journalism course, including television, portals, newspapers, publishing companies, schools, and colleges.

Yes, Bachelor of Journalism (BJ) is a good course for the candidates who are interested in pursuing a career in mass communication, media and advertising. In this course, the students will receive an all-inclusive package of journalism, mass communication, and other fields, to provide a strong foundation for a successful career in the dynamic world of media.

The field offers diverse career opportunities in traditional media, public relations, digital platforms, advertising, and many more sectors.

No prior knowledge or experience is necessary for a Journalism course. However, candidates must possess the reading and writing skills to become successful journalists. Students can find information about the journalism course by visiting the college's official website. Students have the option of applying for admission offline or online. 

I believe it depends on whether you're interested in the Journalism field or not. A Bachelor of Journalism course is a theory-based program, including subjects like Media Ethics & Laws, Types of Journalism, Indian Politics, Geography, Photography, etc. So, if you have made up your mind about pursuing your career in this industry, it won't be hard for you to study these subjects.

Candidates will be considered eligible to apply for admissions if they have cleared their 10+2 from a recognised institute with a minimum aggregate of 50 percent marks. Some colleges grant admission to journalism courses on the basis of entrance exams like IIMC Entrance Exam, JMI Entrace Exam, AMU Entrance Exam, etc. 

Bachelor of Journalism programme helps students gain the ability to evaluate and analyse current events and use that information to write about them in newspapers, magazines, television, and radio programmes. It also helps students learn about the ethical and legal obligations of journalists and mass communication mediums.

No, generally there is no age limit for Journalism courses,  but some institutes set an age limit for admission in UG and PG courses. The colleges provide a rank list, depending on which applicants are enrolled in the programme of their choosing, based on the scores received in the entrance exam along with scores obtained in under graduation and other national level exams.

Admission to a Bachelor of Journalism course can be based on:

• • • Merit-based: Some colleges accept students on the basis of their class 10+2 marks
    • Entrance exams: Colleges like IIMC, JMI, and AMU conduct their own entrance exams and provide admission to the candidates who clear the entrance exam
    • Direct admissions: Some colleges offer direct admission based on interviews or portfolio reviews

The documents that you might need during admission in Journalism Course may vary from college to college but here are some common documents:

• 10th and 12th mark sheets
• Identity proof
• Migration certificate
• Category certificate (if applicable)
• Recent passport-sized photographs

Around 40 Bachelor Communication & Media colleges in India offer the Bachelor of Journalism degree program. Among them, around 3-4 colleges accept CUET exam scores, and the remaining institutes provide admission on a merit-based system. So, the selection criteria for the Bachelor of Journalism course are primarily merit-based.

The Bachelor of Journalism subjects provide an in-depth understanding of the news industry. The BJ course curriculum helps the students learn the necessary skills to communicate news and information to the public effectively. The course syllabus covers different aspects like news writing, reporting, editing, broadcasting, and photography.

Also, the BJ course syllabus equips the students on topics like media law, digital media, ethics, communication theory and public relations. These subjects provide a broader perspective on the role of journalism in society. The practical aspect of this course encourages the students to have internships and work on different projects, to help them acquire job skills and use them in real-world scenarios.

Here is the syllabus of journalism course:

• Introduction to Mass Communication 
• Reporting and Editing
• Writing for Mass Media
• Indian Government, Politics and International Relations
• Computer Application for Mass Media
• Introduction to Audio-Visual Media

The syllabus of Journalism degree in UG level which includes BA in Journalism, BJMC, BJ typically covers:

• General Knowledge and Current Affairs
• English Language and Comprehension
• Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability
• Basic Journalism Concepts
• Media Studies

The first-year curriculum of the Bachelor of Journalism program covers the foundational knowledge of the Communication & Media industry. It includes subjects such as Fundamentals of Communication Skills, Fundamentals of Journalism, Media Ethics & Laws, History of Media, etc.

Here are some popular books recommended for every Journalism student:

• All the President's Men by Carl Bernstein.
• The Bloomberg Guide to Business Journalism by Columbia Business School.
• Global Journalism Education In the 21st Century by Robyn S. Goodman & Elanie Steyn.
• Precision Journalism by Philip Meyer.
  Responsible Journalism in Conflicted Societies by Jake Lynch, Jake Lynch, and Charis Rice.

Hi, Calcutta University offered the highest placement package in between INR 5 LPA – INR 9 LPA and the prominent recruiters include TCS, Wipro, Accenture, Genpact, etc. Listed below are some of the best Journalism colleges in India along with their average placement package and the prominent recruiters:

Hope this answered your query!

Hi, to determine the top Journalism colleges in Delhi, you need to go through its total tuition fees. Listed below are some of the best Journalism colleges in Delhi along with their total tuition costs:

Hope this information proves beneficial for you!

Yes, a few colleges offer distance BJ programs in India.

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

Know all about Mass Communication & Media Colleges

Here are some top Bachelor of Journalism college options in India offering great placement opportunities:

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

The field of Journalism is widening rapidly with global digitalisation. There is a lot of potential for the students in the field of Journalism, as this field is no longer limited to traditional means. The increasing proliferation of the Internet has increased employment opportunities in the field of journalism. The career opportunities for students in the field of Mass Communication are very high.

Candidates who complete BJ can choose to work for news channels, newspapers, publishing houses, television,  radio, internet, etc., and earn a decent pay. BJ course is for candidates who wish to build their careers in the field of Journalism and Mass Communication. Candidates need to be sharp-minded, and attentive, besides possessing strong communication skills in order to join the media industry. 

Read More: Profiles of the companies hiring Mass Communication Graduates

Some of the common job profiles after Bachelor of Journalism course are:

Desk Writers: This is mostly the entry-level job profile of companies that function under the ambit of print or broadcast journalism. In this job profile one needs to write stories/ news pieces on major happenings of the day across different beats.

Correspondent: A correspondent is an on-the-scene reporter or a journalist who contributes reports to a newspaper, radio, television or internet. 

Reporters: In this profile, an individual has to get information regarding local, national or international events. Reporters work across different beats such as politics, law, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, education, etc.

Journalist: In this job profile an individual is expected to work under different beats such as Politics, Sports, Crime, Education, Entertainment etc. A Journalist is expected to research, write, edit and present the events/ news in an honest, unbiased and ethical way.

Yes, the concept of journalism has developed over time to reach its current state. Instead of being consumed in a traditional and conventional fashion through television and radio, it has enriched itself along the roads of modernisation and reflects it in unusual ways like blogs, social media, and much more. It is now admired in prestigious contexts, including consulting businesses and law firms, and is not merely limited to conventional reporting. Therefore, from the perspective of a career, journalism is a very good choice. 

Hope this information proves beneficial for you!

It is difficult to conclude a specific job profiles as the highest-paying because the salary package is majorly based on aspects like the employer, job location, candidates' relevant experience, and their expertise. However, some top positions such as Senior Journalist, News Anchor, Editor-In-Chief, Marketing Manager, Brand Manager, etc., are high-paying.
To get a good pay, you can also take freelance projects based on your work and you'll get paid according to your goodwill in the market and your portfolio.
All the best.

Know more about Scope or Journalism

Being a Journalist in India, you can polish your skills and use them in other career options that usually do not need a full-time job. Some popular alternate career choices among Journalists are:

• Blogger: Posting articles and blogs on your website about specific topics.
• Social Media Content Creator: Making videos in different niches for social media platforms. 
• SEO Specialist: Improving a website's ranking, etc.
• Communications Specialist: Handling an organization's communication with clients and general public.
• Editor: Editing copies for the webpages.

Yes, candidates can pursue courses like MJ (Master of Journalism), Master in Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC), MMC (Master of Mass Communication), PG Diploma in Mass Communication etc. The degree programme forms the foundation for higher level study in this area, such as M.A. and Ph.D.

While discussing a news station, it is necessary to highlight its foundation. To become a news anchor in India, students can pursue a Bachelor of Journalism,  MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication),  or MJMC degree. To become a news anchor, you typically need a combination of education, skills, and experience. Here are some steps you can take to pursue a career as a news anchor:

1.     Earn a Bachelor's Degree: While a specific degree is not always required,  a bachelor's degree in journalism, mass communication,  or a related field can provide you with a solid foundation in news reporting, broadcast journalism, and media ethics. It equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills for the profession.

2.     Develop Strong Communication Skills: News anchors must have excellent verbal communication skills, including clear diction, proper pronunciation, and the ability to convey information effectively. Work on improving your public speaking, voice modulation, and presentation skills.

A Bachelor's Degree in Journalism can be defined as a programme that teaches prospective journalists the fundamental skills of gathering information, and then communicating it to audiences through a variety of media. People who are interested in working for media organizations, such as print or electronic media, frequently enroll in journalism courses. 

The scope of Journalism is widening day by day. After completing a Journalism course, students can enter different fields like television, portals, newspapers, publishing houses, schools, and colleges.

Here are some reasons why you should go for the BJ course:

• Career Growth: A bachelor's degree in journalism is an exciting career that enables a candidate to travel and interact with a wide range of individuals. The course will enable students to work in an industry, where they can meet prominent personalities and interview them.
• Respectful Profession: A Bachelor of Journalism allows candidates to work in the television and media industry, which is associated with fame and respect.
• Real Experience: The Bachelor of Journalism programme provides a strong emphasis on practical experience through internships, student publications, radio stations, and online media outlets. They attain real-world experience with the aid of this hands-on instruction.
• Employment: Graduates with a Bachelor of Journalism degree can pursue careers as editors, writers, reporters, news anchors, multimedia journalists, and media researchers, in various media organizations.

Those who possess strong communication skills and have a good catch in current affairs can join this journalism course.

• Those who are interested in a career in Journalism, Creative Writing, Publishing, or Mass Communication & Media can also enroll in this program.
• Candidates who fulfill the set eligibility criteria can get admission to the Bachelor of Journalism course. 
• A candidate for a bachelor's degree in journalism must have highly developed language skills, solid media awareness, and an interest in current events.

Hope this helps.

Of course, being a Bachelor of Journalism student doesn't mean your career possibilities are limited to only media houses. It depends on your career choice, which industry will be suitable for you. For example, if you want to pursue a career in Photography, then Event Management, Advertising, Digital Marketing, Entertainment, and so on fields are open for you.