How is an industry integrated programme different from other programmes?
While some journalism and media studies programmes emphasize theory and others only focus on production, our Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Journalism and Media Communication is one of the few in the country that allows you to actually integrate coursework in media and journalism with real experience in writing, production and media management. We feel that we can impart a better education so that entrants into the media sector can actually get on with the job, rather than just studying about it post their graduation. What’s more, our course is taught by practitioners and international trainers. It places a large emphasis on experiential learning and our unique integrated learning approach allows us to help students throughout the first year of work as they learn the ropes.

I have a degree or professional experience in a very different field from the media, can I still gain acceptance into the programme, and will I be able to get a position in the media after I complete it?
The PG Diploma in Applied Journalism and Media Communication is open to anybody from any field who has the interest and passion to become a journalist or media professional. If you have the required skills in English to pass the entrance examination and the kind of personality it takes to be a media professional, then you can gain acceptance into the programme. The advantage of our programme is that it provides you with the learning experience that most programmes do not offer. After 9 months of intensive training combined with experiential learning in a media internship, you will have more than enough professional background to make a transition to a media career.

What does the week look like?
The first three months of the programme are spent on developing the basic skills and concepts needed for a career in journalism and the media industries. For these eight weeks, classes are held Monday through Friday, from 9:00-4:00, with time reserved for excursions and in-the-field exercises. For the remaining eight months, students will learn on the job from Monday through Friday. Formal classes will be conducted for four hours on Saturdays, with a professional seminar/workshop conducted on a bi-weekly basis.

Does this programme fulfill the “fourth year” requirement to study for a Master’s Degree in the US?
Our programme is designed to provide the academic rigor and the number of credits (i.e., contact hours), that would be required for equivalence of a fourth year in a US college or university. Different universities in the US have different policies regarding the fourth year equivalency, so you should check with them. Since we have an international faculty, those deserving recognition could receive a recommendation from an American faculty member as well.

How are internship placement done?
Students are placed as interns in various media and entertainment outlets throughout Delhi. In these internships, students get a chance to work with and learn from experienced media professionals, while they can reflect on and better understand their experiences through an ongoing internship seminar. Internships are provided to students according to their interests and the availability of internships in a given industry. A lottery system in which the student lists his/her three top choices assures that all students will be placed in a desirable position. Interactions between students and companies will take place toward the end of the preliminary term in order to ensure that the internship experience is a positive one!

How do students fund their courses?
Students are expected to fund this course from their own resources. However, if you get admission we will do our best to ensure that our fee does not become a barrier to entry. We will provide several scholarships to meritorious students, the criteria for which will be the entrance exam and interview. We’ve also tied up with banks to help you avail of loan facilities.

Do you provide accommodation?
We do not provide any accommodation facilities - students are required to make their own arrangements. In case of outstation students, we can help them find suitable accommodation, but take no responsibility for the same.

Can you get me a job when I have finished?
We will advise you on your career path, work with you to figure out what kind of media job is most suited to your temperament and skills, and suggest which organizations to apply to. Your mentor will work with you to build a suitable portfolio of work that best showcases your skills. And we will provide you the benefit of years of knowledge and professional contacts of our Advisory Board and Leadership Team.

Our Dean, Dr Pramath Raj Sinha, has experience in placing the first batch of the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. Our Career Services Head, Gunjan Aggarwal, has done business development for ISB and can open up channels of communication with new employers. In short, we will do everything to help you find a job!

Are the courses recognised?
Yes - by the media and entertainment industry. Our students have been readily accepted for employment by the industry in the past. That alone is recognition of the value of the course in the eyes of media professionals and organizations.

What can candidates expect in the written entrance exam? What is the wage given to the written examination and the interview?
The written exam is a combination of multiple-choice questions and essays. It tests a candidate’s command over English, his/her ability to write lucidly; general knowledge and awareness of current affairs; quantitative and logical abilities. Only those who clear the written exam are called for an interview. Equal weightage is given to the written exam and the interview.

What jobs are offered to students who complete the courses?
Over the last few years, SoC has had a 100% placement record. Students have been placed with top media companies, such as NDTV, STAR, CNN-IBN, Star TV, CNBC-TV 18, Discovery Channel, Bennett Coleman & Company (the Times of India group), Business Today, O&M, JWT, McCann-Erickson, Bates, Zenith Optimedia, Balaji Telefilms and Sagar Arts.

What jobs can students hope to obtain in future?
Students will find entry-level jobs in media companies in print, TV and online spaces. Depending on their preferences, they can either choose editing or reporting in a print publication, anchoring or copy editing in a TV channel, or writing articles for a website. Our programme even equips students with the know-all for a career as a freelancer. The biggest advantage of this programme is that it exposes students to the intricacies of every format, so that they are not unpleasantly surprised once they join a particular job. They are prepared well for the challenges of each format during the year.