Program Overview

Master in Journalism

The Master in Journalism, also known as the Brussels University School of Journalism, offers academic analysis and professional training on the profession of journalism. The program strikes a careful balance between studying the theoretical foundations of journalism, critically assessing media trends, and offering hands-on courses on the latest professional practices.

Presentation

The courses that make up the common core of the Master programme (90 credits) cover theories and trends in communication, provide an introduction to major social issues, and include a thorough practice of English in connection with the programme's topics. On top of this common core, students choose one of three specialisations, or focuses (30 credits), that allow them to acquire specific skills and knowledge.

Focuses

• The focus on Narrative Journalism and Investigative Journalism is dedicated to long form storytelling that immerses the journalist in social situations, and to investigative journalism techniques with strong emphasis on data analysis and visualisation. It allows students to express rich narratives in multiple formats (text, video, audio), perfect their data analysis skills, and develop strategies to present information.
• The focus on Journalism, Politics, and Society in Belgium aims to train bilingual journalists (French/Dutch). It offers two options: the first deals with the Belgian public space, and emphasizes improving Dutch language skills and knowledge of Belgium's political and administrative system. The second option is offered in partnership with VUB, allowing students already fluent in Dutch to develop their language skills for news production.
• The focus on Journalism Research is intended for students who wish to pursue an academic career researching and teaching media trends. With courses in sociology, discourse analysis, and statistics, as well as research seminars, students gain analytical skills in the field of journalism studies and prepare for a PhD.

Programme Details

• Degree Type: Master 120 credits
• Theoretical Programme Duration: 2 years
• Learning Language(s): French
• Schedule Type: Daytime
• Campus: Solbosch
• Category/Topic: Human and social sciences - Information and communication

Access Conditions

Access conditions to the Master's degree meet the requirements of Article 111 of the Decree of 07/11/2013. The conditions are as follows:

• Full Admission Rights: Granted to holders of a degree obtained in the French-speaking Community of Belgium.
• Admission with Supplement: Granted to holders of a degree obtained outside the French-speaking Community of Belgium, recognised as equivalent.
• Admission Following Submission of a Dossier and Decision by the Jury: Granted to holders of a degree similar to the degrees awarded in the French-speaking Community, and awarded by a Higher Education Institution outside the latter.
• Accreditation of Prior Experience: Recognises knowledge and skills acquired through professional and/or personal experience.

Programme Structure

The programme is divided into two annual units, each consisting of compulsory courses, specific courses, and optional courses. The compulsory courses cover the history of mass communication, research methods in information and communication, and English language and culture. The specific courses depend on the chosen focus and include topics such as narrative journalism, investigative journalism, and journalism research.

Career Prospects

Professional opportunities in the field of journalism range from daily news production in national and regional media companies to independent reporting projects. The critical perspective and specialised skills provided by the Master help students give their professional careers a distinct individual profile. It also prepares students to create and manage innovative news products. An exciting academic career in information science is also open to students who have an interest in research.