Media Planning: Admission 2024, Fees, Top Colleges, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Career
Pallavi Priyadarshini PandaContent Writer
Media Planning course focuses on the strategic selection of media platforms to locate advertisements, and it's one of the fundamental part of the Indian advertising and marketing industry. Media planning courses are designed to teach students with the skills needed to create effective media strategies that maximize the impact of advertising campaigns. Moreover, these courses are often designed to include live interactions with industry experts. Media planning courses entail practical training with tools such as Google Ads and Social Media Ads, which are also essential for today's digital landscape.
The Indian digital advertising industry is expected to grow by over INR 539 billion by the end of 2024, based on external reports.
To pursue media planning courses, students commonly need to complete their 10+2 education with a minimum 45 to 50 percent aggregate. Some institutes may require a bachelor's degree or relevant work experience in the field of Marketing, Advertising, or Mass Communication. Media planning admissions in top colleges are based on the performance in entrance exams, such as the IIMC Entrance Exam, XIC OET, and Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET).
There are best media planning colleges in India, including the Indian Institute of Digital Education (IIDE), MICA (formerly known as Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad), and Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication (SIMC).
With the increasing consumption of digital media, skilled media planners are also in demand, which makes it a lucrative career option for Media Planning graduates. The average salary for a Media Planner is INR 5.7 LPA in India, with various Media Planning jobs such as, Media Buyer, Media Analyst, Media Strategy Director, etc.
- Media Planning Course Details: Highlights
- What is Media Planning Course?
- 2.1 What is the scope of Media Planning in India?
- Media Planning Eligibility Criteria
- Top Media Planning Entrance Exams
- Media Planning Syllabus
- Top Media Planning Colleges
- 6.1 Top Media Planning Government Colleges
- 6.2 Top Media Planning Private Colleges
- Media Planning Careers, Scope, Job Profiles, Salary, and Recruiters
- 7.1 Media Planning Top Recruiters
- FAQs on Media Planning
Media Planning Course Details: Highlights
India is home to many media planning companies and the sector is growing rapidly. Today almost every company hires media planners to launch their products or services. This is the reason why many business schools and colleges are also offering a variety of programmes in media planning. Below are the Media Planning course highlights to have quick review about the course and Media Planning scope in India:
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Course Level |
UG, PG, & Diploma |
| Course Duration |
3 months to 3 years |
| Course Fee |
INR 1,000 - INR 4 lakh |
| Job Profiles |
Media Planner, Media Buyer, Media Analyst, etc. |
| Top Recruiters |
Star India, Sony Pictures Networks India, Times Group, Network18, GroupM, Omnicom Media Group, etc. |
| Average Annual Salary |
INR 5.7 LPA |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website and may vary.
Media Planning Scope Information-
Q: What is the primary responsibility of a Media Planner?
The primary function of a media planner is to promote their client's advertisements on different media platforms so as to reach the desired target group of people. This media platform includes TV, Internet, Radio, Board, Print and Email.
What is Media Planning Course?
Media planning is a strategic process that involves determining the optimal media mix and channels to reach a target audience effectively. It encompasses research, analysis, and decision-making to allocate media budgets efficiently and maximize campaign impact. Media planners collaborate with clients, advertising agencies, and media owners to develop comprehensive media strategies aligned with marketing objectives.
What is the scope of Media Planning in India?
The scope of media planning in India is vast and growing. With the increasing digital landscape and evolving consumer behavior, media planners have opportunities across traditional and new media channels. Industries like advertising agencies, media houses, FMCG, e-commerce, and entertainment companies offer roles in media planning.
Media Planning Courses Relevant Information-
Media Planning Colleges in India
Is there a specific qualification required for Media Planning?
No, there is no specific undergraduate degree mandatory for media planning, but a background in marketing, advertising, or media studies can be beneficial. Many professionals enter the field with experience in related areas like market research, sales, or digital marketing. However, a strong understanding of media concepts, consumer behavior, and data analysis is essential.
Media Planning Courses Relevant Information-
Media Planning colleges in Delhi
Media Planning colleges in Noida
Media Planning colleges in Uttar Pradesh
Media Planning Eligibility Criteria
Becoming a media planner typically requires a four-year bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, English, or Business. The eligibility criteria for these courses depend on whether the candidate is applying for an undergraduate course or a postgraduate course.
In the table below are some of the course levels provided in Media Planning by several colleges in India. To learn about the detailed eligibility requirements about the course refer to the table below:
| Course Levels |
Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate |
Bachelor's degree in any discipline (preferably marketing, advertising, or mass communication)Postgraduate |
| Postgraduate Diploma/Master's Degree |
Bachelor's degree in any discipline (work experience in advertising/media may be preferred) |
| PhD |
Master's degree in a relevant field (Media Studies, Marketing, Communication) |
Q: What are the eligibility criteria for pursuing a course in media planning?
Candidates must have passed class 12 in any stream with a minimum aggregate of 50% for taking admission to undergraduate courses. Whereas for PG courses candidates should have a graduation degree in any subject.
Q: What are the core competencies required for a Media Planner?
Hi, .
A successful media planner is someone who has a blend of analytical, strategic, and creative skills. They should have a keen understanding of media landscape, consumer behavior, market research, data analysis, and media buying.
Moreover, amazing communication, negotiation, and project management abilities are also important for effective collaboration with clients and internal teams.
All the best !
Top Media Planning Entrance Exams
Candidates can secure admission in courses related to media planning either on the basis of merit or through an entrance test. However, these days most colleges conduct an entrance exam to shortlist candidates for admission. These entrance tests are often followed by a personal interview round which students need to clear in order to secure admission in the course of their choice. Typically an entrance test consists of three to four sections that test the candidate’s comprehension, logical reasoning, general awareness, and media aptitude. Some popular entrance exams that candidates should consider taking are mentioned below:
| Exams |
Exam Dates |
Exam Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Apr '24 - already conducted |
||
| Mar '25 (tentative) |
||
| Mar ‘25 (Tentative) |
||
| Apr '25 (Tentative) |
||
| Dec ‘24 (Tentative) |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website of the institute/exam.
Jun '24 | CT SET 2024 Counselling Start TENTATIVE |
Jun '24 | CT SET 2024 Result TENTATIVE |
Feb '25 - Mar '25 | JMI Entrance Exam 2025 Applications Open TENTATIVE |
Apr '25 | JMI Entrance Exam 2025 Application Correction Win... TENTATIVE |
21 Feb ' 25 | SAT Registration Deadline for March Test |
25 Feb ' 25 | SAT Deadline for Changes, Regular Cancellation, a... |
Feb '25 - Mar '25 | FTII JET 2025 Applications Open TENTATIVE |
Apr '25 | FTII JET 2025 TENTATIVE |
Q: Which are the top entrance exams to pursue a course in Media Planning?
Students who wish to pursue media planning course can appear for various entrance exams such as Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Exam, XIC OET, IIMC Entrance Exam, FTII JET, JNUEE, CUET, DCJ Entrance Exam, MASCOM, etc.
Media Planning Syllabus
There are several colleges in India for courses in media planning. Candidates can opt for courses like BA (Hons) in Media Production, MPhil in Media Studies, MBA in Media Management, Bachelor in Mass Media, BSc in Media Science, MA in Media and Cultural Studies, PG Diploma in Event Planning & Experiential Marketing, etc.
The topics taught in some of the courses have been given in the table below:
| Semester 1 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Media Planning |
Media Research |
Media Vehicles |
| Semester 2 |
||
| Media Planning Process |
Media Scheduling |
Media Budgeting |
| Semester 3 |
||
| Media Buying |
Media Strategy |
Integrated Marketing Communications |
| Semester 4 |
||
| Media and Society |
Media Ethics |
Media Law |
Media Planning Courses Relevant Information:
Diploma in Media Planning colleges in India
Media Planning Execute Online Courses & Certifications
Q: Which courses can I pursue to become a Media Planner?
Media planners generally need a four-year bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, communications, english or business. Candidates following these programs can create a collection of their projects, which will help them demonstrate their quality to managers.
Q: Is it necessary to have a specific subject in class XII to pursue a course in Media Planning?
No, candidates from any stream can take admission in courses related to media planning.
Top Media Planning Colleges
Top Media Planning Government Colleges
Some of the government media planning colleges are given below:
| College |
Tuition Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| 68 K |
|
| 8.5 K |
|
| 1.61 L |
|
| 1.98 L |
|
| 20 K |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website/ counselling body and may vary.
Top Media Planning Private Colleges
Some of the best private media planning colleges are mentioned in the table with their tuition fees:
| College |
Tuition Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| 7.8 L |
|
| 60 K - 1 L |
|
| NA |
|
| 40 K |
|
| 3.75 L |
|
| 60.7 K |
|
| NA |
Note- This information is sourced from the official website/ counselling body and may vary.
Media Planning Applications open. Apply Now
Q: What are the popular colleges offering courses related to Media Planning?
Candidates can pursue courses in media planning from colleges mentioned below:
· Christ University, Bangalore
· Amity School of Communication, Delhi
· Future Media School, Kolkata
· National Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi
· TISS- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
· Xavier Institute of Communications
Q: What is the average cost for pursuing Media Planning?
The fees depend on level one is pursuing. The fee for a UG course ranges from INR 1 Lacs to 3 Lakh. Whereas fees for PG courses range from INR 3.5 Lacs to INR 6 Lakh.
Q: What are the best institutes offering Media Planning courses in India?
Hi,
There are many institutes in India offer media planning courses and certifications. Some renowned institutions include Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC), National Institute of Advertising (NIA), and various private media training academies.
Hope it answered your question well !
Popular Private Media Planning Colleges in India
Media Planning Applications open. Apply Now
Media Planning Careers, Scope, Job Profiles, Salary, and Recruiters
Some programs offer specialized tracks in areas like media buying, media strategy, or digital media. Given the increasing importance of digital media, a strong emphasis on digital media planning and analytics is common.
| Job Profile |
Job Description |
Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Media Planner |
Develops media strategies, selects media channels, and allocates budgets to optimize advertising campaigns. |
4-8 LPA |
| Senior Media Planner |
Oversees media planning process, provides strategic guidance, and manages a team of media planners. |
6-12 LPA |
| Media Strategist |
Develops overarching media strategies aligned with client's business objectives, analyzing market trends and consumer behavior. |
8-15 LPA |
| Media Manager |
Manages media planning and buying teams, ensuring campaign execution and achieving client objectives. |
10-18 LPA |
| Media Director |
Leads the media department, responsible for client relationships, revenue generation, and overall media strategy. |
15+ LPA |
Note- The above salary has been taken from external sources, and hence may vary.
Media Planning Courses Relevant Information:
MBA in Media Planning Colleges in India
Media Planning Top Recruiters
The working hours of a media planner are similar to those of various businesses within the promotion and advertising industry. However, they are also sometimes required to attend meetings outside their normal working hours, in line with the schedule of the clients. Candidates can work in several brand content organizations, brand experience organizations, creative agencies, outdoor agencies, and direct marketing agencies.
| Industry | Key Companies |
|---|---|
| Advertising and Media Agencies |
GroupM
Omnicom Media Group
Publicis Media
Dentsu
|
| FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) |
Hindustan Unilever
Procter & Gamble
Coca-Cola
PepsiCo
Nestle
|
| E-commerce |
Amazon
Flipkart
Tata Cliq
Myntra
|
| Automotive |
Maruti Suzuki
Hyundai
Tata Motors
Mahindra & Mahindra
|
| Telecommunications |
Airtel
Jio
Vodafone
Idea
|
| BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) |
HDFC Bank
ICICI Bank
SBI
Axis Bank
|
| Technology |
Google
Meta
Microsoft
Amazon
|
Media Planning Courses Relevant Information:
Q: What is the remuneration offered to Media Planners?
Candidates can start their career with a package of INR 3-5 LPA which increases with experience. An experienced professional gets a package of up to INR 8-12 LPA in this field.
Q: In which field can I work after doing a course in Media Planning?
Candidates can work with various organisations such as Brand content organisations, Brand experience organisations, Creative agencies and Outdoor agencies. Direct marketing agencies, etc.
Q: Can I do an internship after completing Media Planning course?
Yes, candidates can do internships in advertising firms or advertising departments of various organisations. They can also look for internship opportunities in media houses that promote all types of media, in new media houses that focus on text messaging and the Internet, and in advertising teams and organisations.
FAQs on Media Planning
Some of the FAQs related to Media Planning courses are mentioned below:
Q: What is the growth path for a Media Planner?
Hi,
With experience and expertise, media planners can progress to roles like Senior Media Planner, Media Strategist, Media Manager, and eventually Media Director. Some professionals may also choose to start their own media consulting firms.
Hope it clears your doubt !
Q: What are the challenges faced by Media Planners?
Hi,
Media planners often face challenges like staying updated with the rapidly changing media landscape, managing tight deadlines, dealing with complex data, and measuring campaign effectiveness.
Moreover, negotiating with media vendors and managing budgets can be demanding.
Hope it resolved your query !
Q: How important is digital media in Media Planning?
Hi,
Digital media has become increasingly important in media planning. Understanding digital platforms, audience behavior, and digital advertising formats is essential for effective media planning. Media planners need to integrate digital channels into their strategies to reach target audiences effectively.
Hope it cleared you question !
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