BJMC Courses After 12th: Course Details, Fee and Career Opportunity

The younger generations today live in a whirlpool of news and information. It is easier to know what’s happening on the other side of the world than ever before. And with the changing global socio-political climate, the need to understand the art and science behind journalistic approaches is crucial. In India, and elsewhere, we have seen a focus shift from the mainstream media to independent journalists and news channels. This expands the scope of BJMC courses and opens up multiple novel career opportunities for young aspiring journalists.

Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication is one of the most highly rated and recommended courses for students who want to explore the world of news, reporting, mass communication, and beyond.

What is BJMC?

Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication revolves around the basics and advanced elements of Journalism. It focuses on extensive research, writing news reports, conducting interviews, editing, understanding photography and videography, and relevant software skills.

With an employment rate of over 90%, it is one of the most lucrative career options. Most graduates with a BJMC degree work for media houses, independent news channels, publishing houses, leading magazines, and as columnists.

Keeping up with the changes that the discipline is witnessing, the BJMC courses offer a blended curriculum, following a multi-disciplinary approach. You would be introduced to the basics of writing, the importance of language in news reporting, photojournalism, and digital competency. Introduction to related disciplines in the curriculum is aimed at nurturing versatility and increasing the employability of the students.

Who Can Apply for BJMC?

To appear in the national level entrance tests or independent exams conducted by institutes, you must complete your 10+2 with any subject combination with a 50% aggregate (or equivalent grade point) from a recognized board.

Exams like the Global Media Common Entrance Test (GMCET) and Common University Entrance Test (CUET) UG – mass media and communications allow you to enroll in any BJMC course in India. However, other reputed universities and institutes conduct independent entrance tests and Personal Interviews. Most colleges allow admission on a score-based ranking system once you have scored above the required cut-offs in these exams.

BJMC Course Details

BJMC is a 3-year degree course where each semester focuses on a detailed understanding of some of the key topics.

The first two semesters provide an introduction to the fundamentals of journalism and communication, the basics of photography and desktop publishing, writing for the web, and the use of social media in communication. Understanding Radio as a medium is an important element at the foundation level. The curriculum would encourage you to start working on soft skills right from the beginning.

The second year (3rd and 4th semesters) focuses on different genres and formats, understanding OTT and TV, and exploring camera, lighting, and video editing. As you proceed with the course, you can get yourself acquainted with advertising, creative copywriting, writing and production for TV, communication through cinema, PR, and other advanced niches.

The 5th and 6th semesters provide more hands-on training and emphasize project-oriented evaluations. You get a peek into event management, an idea of the legal framework within which the industry functions, and a knowledge of global and domestic media. You can also try your hands on documentary production and making ad films, and create a showreel that would highlight your interests, skills, and knowledge.

Internships, workshops, seminars, expert lectures, and other events make up an integral part of the curriculum, helping you with networking and landing your first job.

Where Can I Study BJMC?

Here’s a list of renowned institutes that offer a Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication –

• Lady Shree Ram College – LSRC aims to provide a journalistic voice to women with its hands-on curriculum focusing on independent projects, workshops, and seminars. The 3-year program focuses on different media types, research methodology, journalistic ethics, and legal frameworks, and touches upon the basics of advertising and PR. Facilitated by expert academicians and industry professionals, this curriculum trains students in various technical and non-technical skills, introduces them to multiple disciplines, and empowers them to express their voices and make a change.
• Madras Christian College – A mix of theory and practical subjects, the 3-year course acquaints students with a variety of niches and encourages them to adapt to the latest innovations. The curriculum provides a comprehensive knowledge of print and broadcast media, digital publishing, cybersecurity, data journalism, PR, and advertising. Complete with project-oriented evaluation, it ensures that students understand the industry well enough.
• AAFT – The 3-year degree course provides a thorough knowledge of the fundamentals and principles of journalism, an understanding of radio as a medium, and acquaints the learners with digital tools. Through a multi-discipline approach, the students learn about interviewing, journalistic research, news writing and editing, photography and videography, post-production techniques, writing for media, and legal frameworks. This course provides an overview of the industry and prepares the students for its complexities.

You can also check out Christ University, The Delhi School of Communication, and SCMC Pune for BJMC and other related courses.

BJMC Course Fee Structures

The fee structure for a degree in journalism and mass communication varies depending on the specialized subjects, infrastructures provided, training, and even the location of the university. Institutes in tier-1 cities are likely to have a higher course fee given the industry exposure and networking opportunities they might offer.

On average, courses related to Journalism and Mass Communication can cost anywhere between ₹9,000 and ₹800,000. Depending upon the infrastructure and curriculum, course fees in some of the highest-rated institutes can be up to ₹50,000-₹800,000. In Private colleges, the fee could be around ₹100,000-₹800,000, and Government colleges might offer courses at ₹6,500-₹400,000.

However, there are tens of institutes offering a Journalism degree in India, and the fees might vary depending on the duration, job prospects offered, disciplines covered, ranking, and other faculty specifications.

Career Opportunities after BJMC Course

BJMC courses offer a plethora of opportunities in the media and publishing industry. If you are a recent graduate, you could create a portfolio of your work or a brief showreel to approach the potential recruiters.

• In Media Houses – As a recent graduate, you can apply for the positions of news anchors, web copywriters, editors, journalists, videographers/photographers, and other technical and management-level positions. The salary in entry-level jobs can range between ₹3-5 LPA for journalists and news anchors, ₹3-4 LPA for editors, and ₹3.5-5 LPA for copywriters and content writers.
• Radio – If you want to work as an RJ, you can further specialize and opt for an RJ course. You can also write for radio, work in production, media management, or take up other roles depending on your skills and area of interest. The average salary of an RJ who’s just starting out could be ₹2-5 LPA. Writers can expect up to ₹2.8-4.5 LPA, and so on.
• Public relations – a Journalism and Mass Communications degree makes you proficient in communication, improves your negotiation skills, and understanding of consumer behavior, and introduces you to image creation. PR professionals can earn up to ₹4-6 LPA in entry-level roles.
• Digital Media – with the emergence and growing popularity of digital media, roles that specialize in content creation, production, and management are in demand. A BJMC degree would equip you with all the necessary skills and tools to adapt to the needs of the digital age. You can apply for the positions of social media manager, website copy/content writer, content strategist, SEO specialist, and so much more. The average salary for freshers can be anywhere around ₹2.5-4 LPA for copy/content writers, and ₹2.7-6.5 LPA and ₹3-7 LPA for content strategists and social media managers respectively.

Skills Required

If you are an aspiring journalist, you might want to brush up on a few essential skills that would help you throughout the course and while navigating the industry. A professional course facilitates the development of different skills and provides an opportunity to excel in media/publishing through different internships and classroom projects.

• Soft Skills – Working in the media requires effective communication, collaboration, coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Working your way through the complexities of the professional realm requires critical thinking skills, cultural sensitivity, adaptability, empathy, and objectivity.
• Technical Skills – Some of the key skills you’d need as a journalist/media professional are the ability to extensively research a topic, short and long-form writing, conducting interviews, and knowing the basics of camera/photography/videography. Understanding different mediums and a grasp of social media could help you get ahead of the curve too.
• Digital Knowledge – With the steady shift toward digital mediums, being tech-savvy and knowing different editing, post-production, and other relevant software could come in really handy. You might want to acquaint yourself with the basics of Photoshop, Premiere Pro, WordPress, and other tools that could help you adapt to any changes quickly.

Industry Trends

The news and media industry has witnessed a remarkable shift in the last decade, especially with the increasing popularity of digital media and independent news agencies.

• The popularity of New Media – A recent survey showed close to 43% of Indians prefer digital sources including websites, online journals, and similar outlets. This is attributed to their portability, ease of access, and environment-friendly approaches.
• Multi-Platform publishing – To maximize their reach and increase their viewership, and number of subscribers, most media houses are publishing their news/content on varying platforms at the same time. Mastering the functioning of different channels is going to be a key skill that recruiters would look for in new professionals in the coming years.
• Social Media for Journalism – According to a report, close to 28% of Indians prefer getting their news/information from social media. Social media has emerged as a platform that is diverse and accessible, making it highly popular among Gen-Z and younger Millennials.
• Ethical Journalism – With a surge of fake and fraudulent news, BJMC courses are more focused on stressing the importance of ethical reporting, fact-checking, and using socially and culturally appropriate vocabulary. It diminishes the chances of spreading misinformation and promotes advanced fact-based news broadcasts.

End Note

Journalism is a profession that is revered globally. The media and publishing industry requires professionals to adapt to complexities and dynamic changes. A BJMC course will empower you with all the knowledge, skills, and technological proficiency required and provide a glimpse of the professional world.

If you want to fuel your journalistic pursuits and work on your drive to research and tell stories of real people, AAFT’s well-structured, practical-oriented course would help you achieve your goals. At our Noida campus, we value individual perspectives and aim to provide an environment where each student can flourish. Learn all about journalism and more and get a chance to work alongside acclaimed professionals from the industry.