Bachelor in International Journalism
Thomas More University of Applied Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Mechelen, Belgium
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 1,092 / per year
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
Introduction
- The abridged Bachelor in International Journalism programme is a one year programme for students who already have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the field of media and communication.
- The programme aims at students who want to spend an extra year studying journalism in an international context, with a clear focus on learning by doing.
- It introduces students to an international journalism network.
- All the courses within the programme are taught in English and students are working in an English-speaking newsroom environment.
First Semester
The first semester of this one year programme starts mid-September. The central course in the curriculum is the Crossmedia project. Within this project, you ‘ll work with students of different nationalities on articles and reports, which will be published in the English language section of our 21bis.be platform.
It allows you to work for a targeted and real audience. You learn how to find suitable topics and angles for your stories, how to do research and interviews and how to structure information and visuals into a balanced journalistic piece. You’ll also take part in projects for international journalism organisations. This will give you plenty of opportunities to develop your international network.
The other courses will offer you insights and skills you can use as you produce stories for the Crossmedia project. The International Reporting course makes you acquainted with how foreign correspondents and foreign news desks work, but it also helps you to discover international stories on your own doorstep. Transmedia Storytelling shows you how different new technologies can be used to create innovative journalistic products. Mobile and Social Media Reporting trains you in using your smartphone as a journalistic tool in a professional way. The focus is on producing video content.
All courses and projects of the first-semester end late December. Exams are organised at the beginning of January.
Second Semester
During the second semester, which runs from January until June, you produce a Final Work. This consists of a portfolio of journalistic articles and reports you work on during 6 weeks within the framework of our in-school newsroom. You also have an internship of 10 weeks at the editorial office or newsroom of a media company.
Semester 1
- Compulsory courses
- Crossmedia project
- International Reporting
- Transmedia Storytelling
- Research
- Writing and Editorial Skills
- Mobile & Social Media Reporting
- English, French or Survival Dutch
- Optional Courses (choose 2)
- International project
- Media & Diversity
- Graphic Design - Basic
- Graphic Design - Advanced
Semester 2
- Final Work
- Internship at Media Company
Internship
Your internship in the second semester will take place in an international environment. You can choose between interesting opportunities at international media companies in Brussels, or to go further afield and do your internship in other countries, not only in Europe but also in North- or South-America, Asia or Africa.
Personal development
We think personal coaching is very important, so there’s a close dialogue between teachers and students. You get direct feedback on your work and you’re developing a professional attitude.
Within the practical courses and projects, you work in small groups. Teamwork is an essential part of the study method.
What's next?
With this Bachelor’s degree in International Journalism, you are ready for the field! Media companies know you are flexibly employable as an editor and reporter. You know what it is like to work in an international environment and you already started to build an international network. You ‘re familiar with new journalistic concepts, developments and technologies, so you will be at ease in the fast-evolving world of media.
But also companies and governments offer good perspectives because also they are looking for creative and critical people who have a broad view of the world and can easily work with the newest communication tools.
Gallery
Admissions
Curriculum
Structure
First year
You learn the ‘journalism basics’: researching, writing, interviewing, taking photos, and making audiovisual footage, with a focus on news. You produce your first journalistic output: video news stories, a radio newscast, your own newspaper, and a news blog. You will gain insight into the world we are living in: you’ll take classes in media, sociology, ethics, politics, economics, and culture.
Second year
You specialize in one medium: Text, Video, or Audio. You are part of a newsroom with students from different backgrounds and nationalities and produce magazines, radio programs, or TV shows together. There are elective courses to develop your own profile. If you want, you can take editorial classes in Dutch.
Third year
You learn how to work in a newsroom environment with sharp deadlines and intensive projects. You produce a Final Work that consists of a portfolio of journalistic articles and reports or one in-depth story you work on during 6 weeks within the framework of our in-school newsroom. You also have an internship of 10 weeks at the editorial office or newsroom of a media company.
Courses
Visit the program webpage
In practice
Your internship in the third year will take place in an international environment. You can choose between interesting opportunities at international media companies in Brussels, or going further afield and doing your internship in other countries, not only in Europe but also in North or South America, Asia, or Africa.
Personal Coaching
We think personal coaching is very important, so there’s a close dialogue between teachers and students. You get direct feedback on your work and you’re developing a professional attitude.
Within the practical courses and projects, you work in small groups. Teamwork is an essential part of the study method.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
The job of your life
- A reporter for a news media outlet
- Editor for a print or online magazine
- TV journalist
- Radio newsreader
- News correspondent
Additional Studies
- International Communication and Media (in 1 year)
- International Media and Entertainment Business (in 1 year)
Working in Belgium
Search Year
International students can apply for a new residence permit status upon graduation and extend their stay in Belgium for up to 12 months to find work! Eager to launch your career in Belgium after your studies? No worries! We’re here to help you navigate the Search Year application process. Check also our program webpage for more insights!