BA (Honours) in Journalism

Admission requirements 
Students who wish to apply for admission to Honours in Journalism must either have a bachelor degree or be in their final year of study for such a degree. Only 20 to 25 students are admitted to the course each year.

Entrance test and interview
All applicants must write an entrance test in September to assess their general knowledge, language skills, interests and cultural literacy. An individual interview will also be conducted with applicants who achieve a sub-minimum in the test.
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Plagiarism
Plagiarism is regarded in a very serious light in journalism and in the training provided by this Department. Students that commit plagiarism, will get zero for an assignment and will not be allowed to hand in any other assignment in a specific module. Follow this link to the library’s website for more information on what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.

Duration of the course
The course normally commences during the first week of February, while the final exams and projects have to be handed in by the end of November. Hereafter, students still need to complete a practical internship of at least four weeks at an approved media institution of their choice before graduating in March the next year.

Course structure
Students should expect to be occupied with assignments, classes and other related journalism activities most of the time, Mondays through Fridays, and often most weekends. A large part of the learning experience centres on the work published on the student-run digital publication, MatieMedia.

The course consists of six modules. Each of these modules forms an integral part of the training and guidance of aspiring media professionals for the digital age.

Module 1: Journalism Practice (30 credits)
This module provides the foundation for writing and editing for both print and online platforms. To successfully complete this module, students also have to complete a four-week-long internship at a recognised media institution.

Module 2: Multiplatform Journalism (15 credits)
This module complements the Journalism Practice module by guiding the students in designing content for various platforms: print, online, social media, radio, podcasts and video.

Module 3: Media Studies (20 credits)
Critical thinking and engagement with the role of the media in society is key to a well-rounded university education in Journalism. This module provides students with a background in media ethics and the context the media have to provide in order to contribute to a well-informed society.

Module 4: Media Entrepreneurship (10 credits)
This exciting new addition to the course will equip students with the essential skills to enable them to think about a career beyond traditional mainstream media. 

Module 5: Specialist Journalism (15 credits)
Another highlight of this course is the involvement of working industry professionals to share their knowledge and experience with the students. Specialists present courses in subject areas such as Science and Technology, Business, Arts, Politics and Lifestyle. 

Module 6: Research assignment (30 credits)
This module serves to test the whole range of skills the students acquire throughout the year. The assignment requires an academic research proposal on the one hand, and on the other hand, more importantly,  an industry-standard media product in the form of a series of articles, video, audio or digital publications.

Applications close on 31 August and an entrance test is written in September every year. Acceptance into the programme is dependent on meeting the minimum requirements and passing the entrance test.