Diploma in Journalism: Admission, Colleges, Entrance, Syllabus, Distance, Jobs

Diploma in Journalism is a 1-3 years course that helps students delve into the world of Journalism without pursuing a degree program.

Students are trained in writing news for newspapers and magazines, broadcasting news, and disseminating information about current events, trends, issues, and people.

The course can be pursued by candidates who have completed 10+2 or higher. Entrance exams and personal interviews are conducted for admission.

The admission process varies according to the institute. Some colleges even take in candidates for a Diploma in Journalism through direct admission based on the scores in class 12 boards.

Table of Content

Diploma in Journalism: Course Details

1.1 What is Diploma in Journalism?

1.2 Why study Diploma in Journalism?

Diploma in Journalism: Admission Process

2.1 Eligibility

2.2 Entrance exams

2.3 Entrance Exam Dates

2.4 Entrance Exam Preparation

Diploma in Journalism Syllabus

3.1 Subjects

3.2 Pedagogy

Diploma in Journalism Distance Education
Diploma in Journalism Colleges

5.1 College Comparison

Diploma in Journalism Top Colleges
Diploma in Journalism Scope
Diploma in Journalism Salary

8.1 Top Recruiters

8.2 Job Profile

Diploma in Journalism: FAQs

Diploma in Journalism Course Highlights

Course	Diploma in Journalism
Duration	1 to 3 Years
Average Annual Fees	INR 10,000 to 5 Lakhs
Top Colleges	Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Yashwant Rao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Institute for Excellence in Higher Education.
Admission	Entrance exam and interview or direct admission after 10+2 based on merit.
Eligibility	10+2 from a recognized board/school
Scope/Job Areas	News and TV Channels, Advertising Agencies, Publishing Houses
Top Recruiters	NDTV Network, Hindustan Times Group of Publication, Zee TV Network, Viacom, Times of India Publication Group, BBC, Big Entertainment, TV 18 Groups, Star News, India TV, Indiatimes, Hindustan Times, NDTV, CNN, BBC, Sahara News, India TV, AIR, Accenture, HCL, Wipro, Infosys, Oracle, Adobe, News Corporation of Rupert Murdoch, Disney Entertainment, Warner Brothers, CNBC, Guardian Group, etc.
Job Positions	News Reporter, Writer, Associate Editor, Proofreader, Critic, Photojournalist, Media Researcher, Scriptwriter, Creative Visualizer, Proofreader, Content Developer, Media Planner, Production Workers, Floor Managers, Sound technicians, Camera workers, Presenters, Transmission Executive, Translator, Copywriter, among others.
Starting Salary	1 LPA – 6 LPA
Subjects	News Reporting, Print and Electronic Media, The Emergence of Social Media, Radio and TV Journalism

What is Diploma in Journalism?

Diploma in Journalism is a 1- 3 years course that is taken up by the students who do not want to pursue a full-time course.

The Diploma in Journalism teaches theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of specialization which prepares a candidate for the world of Journalism and Media. The art and passion for storytelling and creating an attractive news story are taught in the course which renders a significant salary.

Check: Diploma in Mass Communications

Why Study Diploma in Journalism?

A Diploma in Journalism is more industry-oriented. It focuses on the specialization subject that is Journalism and gives an exposure to the media status in the market.

The syllabus covered in Masters and Diploma are the same, the only difference is in Diploma, and the whole syllabus is covered in one year.
The course is more exclusive and depends on practicals rather than theory.
With the rise in electronic media, the career opportunity for the students who have Diplomas and post-graduate Diplomas in Journalism is increasing. Such candidates have the eligibility to become program researchers, news reporters, event planners, scriptwriters, anchors, content developers, and many more.
The course of Diploma in Journalism prepares a candidate with skill and knowledge for professional entry-level Journalism. It produces skilled reporters and sub-editors who can report to events and contribute to the developments in the larger interest of society.
Some of the reasons to choose a Diploma in Journalism are:
- Advantages of a press card
- Career in Journalism
- A satisfying sense of achievement
- Opportunity to meet new people every day
- Get trained with informed people
- New challenges and opportunities
- Career in Copywriting

Diploma in Journalism Admission Process

There is no common entrance exam as a part of the admission process. The admission process differs according to the colleges.

The candidate needs to pass the entrance exam of the specific college.
Get a good ranking on the merit list to get admission in Diploma and postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.
The candidate should submit all the required documents of their academic history at the time of admission.
The payment of the application fees is necessary without which the online admission process is incomplete.

Check: Top Colleges for Diploma in Journalism

Diploma in Journalism Eligibility

The basic eligibility to get admission in Diploma in Journalism is:

Pass 10+2 from a recognized board with any stream
At least 50% in the qualifying exam
Excellent communication, speaking, and writing skills
The candidate should pass in all the subjects without any backlog in any subject

Diploma in Journalism: Entrance Examination

Some of the top entrance exams conducted by the colleges to get admission in Diploma in Journalism are:

IIMC Entrance Exam: It is a university level test conducted by the institute offering a Diploma in four courses, Journalism is one of them. Candidates should be a graduate to sit for the entrance exam. The entrance exam covers topics such as sensitivity to social issues, ethics and values, analytical and comprehensive skills, general awareness about development and public issues, and aptitude and mental makeup.
Asian College of Journalism Entrance Exam: ACJ entrance examination is conducted in May/June every year to admit students in the pg courses Journalism. Admission is done based on entrance exams, group discussions, and personal interviews.
Xavier's Institute of Communication Entrance Exam: the entrance exam is of 90 minutes with the subjective and objective type of questions which is followed by a personal or skype interview.
Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication Entrance Exam: symbiosis national aptitude test (SNAP) and MA (MC) online entrance exam are conducted for admission in different courses.
Central Universities Common Entrance Test: a common entrance exam conducted for graduate and undergraduate courses in 14 central universities and four state universities.

Entrance Exam Dates

Exam Name	Application Period	Entrance Exam Dates
IIMC Entrance Exam	June 10, 2022 – July 4, 2022	July 31, 2022
ACJ Entrance Exams	March 7, 2022 - May 2, 2022	May 15, 2022
SNAP Exam	August, 2022	December, 2022

Entrance Examination Preparation Tips

The candidate should be well aware of the news around the world and prepare towards improving their writing skill by starting a blog and reading material.
Journalism deals with projecting oneself in the media. Being friendly with the camera is very crucial to becoming comfortable on screen.
Thus, one should prepare by getting educated about the basics of cameras and the media.
Although the entrance exams mainly deal with questions related to the growing media trends, news, communication objective of brands, radio, and social media.
The candidate should be a vivid reader. She/he should be well aware of the news around the world.
The names of different magazines and their types can be asked in the exams.
Questions related to social media, digital marketing, and social awareness can be asked. Writing skills should be polished to make a piece of write-up presentable.

Diploma in Journalism Syllabus

The Diploma in Journalism syllabus is different in different institutes but there are some topics that are common in all the colleges.

Semester	Syllabus
Semester 1	Reporting and editing for print media
	Introduction to integrated marketing communications
	Communication theories
	Indian constitutions, media law, and ethics
	Elements of photography
	Cultural education
Semester 2	Contemporary communication studies
	basic animation and web designing
	Broadcast Journalism: television and radio
	Introduction to graphic production for printing
	Film studies

Diploma in Journalism Subjects

The course is job-oriented and does not focus particularly on a single academic subject. It is rather more practical than theoretical. The subjects which are mainly taught in Diploma in Journalism are

Principles and Practice,
Writing for Print Media, Radio Writing,
Writing for Film And Television.
Editing Techniques
Introduction to Journalism
History of Journalism

Diploma in Journalism Pedagogy

Diploma courses are done on specialization subjects such as Journalism which deals with imparting practical and basic knowledge of the subject.
The course is designed in such a way that both students, as well as professionals, can study it. The one-year course is divided into two semesters. Some institutes can extend their course duration up to two years depending on the requirement. The basics of Journalism are taught in the course, emphasizing the fieldwork.
The medium of the course is not limited to English and Hindi. It can be taught in other vernacular languages also.
The course aims to highlight the connection between communication and development. It aims to polish the skills and knowledge of the journalists to face the challenges in their respective field.
Colleges are well equipped with classroom lectures, eminent faculties, media labs, and practical assignments. The course trains a journalist to interview newsmakers, report events, and cover issues of national interest.

Diploma in Journalism Distance Education

A Diploma in Journalism is available in regular as well as in distance mode. The admission process in the universities giving Diplomas in Journalism in distance education mode is completely online. The candidate should be aware of the important dates for admission. Many universities offer distance education Diploma courses in Journalism. Some of the top colleges are listed below:

College	Average Annual Fee (INR)
Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University	8000
Karnataka State Open University	6220
Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University	3500
Periyar University	2310
Punjab Technical University	45,090
Jammu Kashmir University	6,350
Acharya Nagarjuna University	5,420
Amity University	68,300
IGNOU	12,500
Kurukshetra University	9,600
Madurai Kamaraj University	10,000
Nalanda Open University	5,500

Diploma in Journalism Colleges in India

Several colleges in India offer a Diploma in Journalism. The choice of the colleges offering Diplomas should be based on ranking and the placement opportunity.

College	Average Annual Fee (INR)
IIMC	72,000
AJK Mass Communication Research Center, Jamia Millia Islamia	21,000
Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai	3.25 lakhs
Department of Media and Communication Studies, SavitriBai Phule Pune University	11,000
Manorama School of Communications	1.5 lakhs
Aligarh Muslim University	3.77 lakhs
Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media	4.15 lakhs
Fergusson College	NA
Calcutta University	2.55 lakhs
St Paul’s Institute of Communication Education	2.89 lakhs
Asian Academy of Film and Television	NA
International School of Media and Entertainment Studies	NA
Chitkara University	1,07,000
Indraprastha College For Women	23,500
Amity School of Communications	97,000
Kamala Nehru College	9,900
Delhi College of Arts And Commerce	10,470
Times School of Journalism	2,72,000
Film and Television Institute of India	48,315

Diploma in Journalism Colleges Comparison

Parameters	IIMC	Indian Institute of Journalism and New media	St Xavier's College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Duration	1-2 Years	1-2 Years	1-2 Years
Fees (INR)	72,000	4.25 lakhs	3.25 lakhs
Ranking	1.	9	5
Top Recruiters	Press Information Bureau, MUFG Bank, Campus Event Private Limited, Capgemini, Chatra Vimarsh, Cric Tracker, Dialabank, Journalist Cafe, Hindustan Times	The Times of India, The Hindu, A Slice of Italy, Gaana.Com, CNBC TV 18, Assures E- Consultant	Freelancer, Yoga Health,Therightdoctors.Com, The Cereals Company, St Xavier's College, Play Games 24x7, Kashmir Observer, Just Learning Pvt Ltd, Digestive Health Institute
Placement Rating	4.1	4.0	3.5
Total Number of Seats	62	100	300+

Top Colleges Diploma in Journalism Abroad

College	Average Semester Fees (INR)
Seneca College of Applied Art and Technology	8.8 lakhs
Concordia University	15.2 lakhs
St Clare's College	14.8 lakhs
Niagara College, Canada	17.1 lakhs

Diploma in Journalism Scope

Candidates with a Diploma in Journalism can start their professional career in media or publishing houses.
They can also pursue higher education like MA, MBA, or M.PHILin Journalism with specialization.
A student can choose their expertise from print Journalism and electronic Journalism.
With India having one of the biggest media industries in the world, one can easily become part of the media in Hindi English, and other vernacular languages.
The aspirants mainly choose to do a Diploma in Journalism because of passion and interest. Nevertheless, it leads to a bright career if the education is combined with work experience.
Print Media: The job profiles in print media are columnist, reporter, feature writer, correspondent, editor, proofreader, photojournalist, and cartoonist.
Electronic Media: The various job profiles in electronic media are freelancers, presenters/anchors, researchers, and electronic media reporters.
Journalists can work in news agencies, legal affairs departments, press information bureau, television industry, newspapers, circulation, and public relations, all India radio, blogs, journals, and websites.

Read More: How to Become a Journalist?

Diploma in Journalism Salary and Jobs

The pay scale of electronic media journalists is comparatively higher than print media journalists because of the higher advertising revenue on television.
Though work experience makes a difference but not much when it comes to print and electronic media.
The salary differs according to the company and the work position of the employee.
The salary of a reporter at the Hindu is INR 7.30 lakhs per year whereas the salary of a journalist in the Times of India is INR 2.33 - 9.58 lakhs per year.
The starting salary of a journalist is INR 15,000- INR 30,000 but with experience, it can increase up to INR 50,000 per month.
Whereas, small media houses which function in Hindi and other local languages have low salaries compared to the big media houses.

Top Recruiters

The top recruiters for Diploma in Journalism students are

Reliance Big Entertainment,
India Today Group,
Hindustan Times,
Zee Entertainment Enterprises,
Bennett Coleman Company
HT Media,
Dainik Bhaskar Group,
Times of India group.

Job Profile

Job Profile	Job Description	Salary (INR)
Photojournalist	A visual reporter. Presenting a news story through pictures.	2.5 lakhs - 5 lakhs per annum
Proofreader	Comparing and examining proofs with the edited copy that needs high fluency in the respective language.	2 lakhs - 3 lakhs per year
Cartoonist	Presenting personalities and incidents in a satirical manner through their art.	1.8 lakhs - 5 lakhs per year.
Communication Coordinator	Maintaining relationships with social media outlets and doing other promotional activities.	3 lakhs to 9 lakhs per year
Reporter	Research and report on news activities. Networking, fact-checking, interviewing and writing articles	1.6 lakhs - 10 lakhs per year.
Copy Editor	Editing the final copy before publishing and checking whether the article sticks to the particular style of publishing	1.5 lakhs- 6 lakhs per year
Broadcast Reporters	A TV anchor at a news show. They hold interviews and debates with good communication skills	2 lakhs per annum- 3 lakhs per month

Diploma in Journalism FAQs

Ques. What are the employment areas of a candidate with a Diploma in Journalism?

Ans. A candidate with a Diploma in Journalism gets employment in sports journalism, social media, news and magazine, business and corporate houses, and academic institutions.

Ques. What are the cons of Journalism?

Ans. Every job has its pros and cons. Journalism is a profession that is no less without its hurdles. Some of the disadvantages of Journalism are:

The strict deadline which makes the work stressful
Being hated by many people
No definite work hours
A risky profession that may be life-threatening at times

Ques. Is Journalism declining in the new market condition?

Ans. No. Print Journalism is losing its place to digital Journalism. Where social media is booming and becoming a part of a person's lifestyle, online Journalism will rule the market.

Ques. Can I pursue a Diploma in Journalism besides any other full-time course?

Ans. Yes. One can continue both the courses simultaneously. Although it becomes very hectic sometimes. It is possible and valid to pursue both degrees side by side.

Ques. Is the Diploma or PG Diploma in Journalism worth it?

Ans. The Diploma courses in Journalism are completely valid and worth it depending on the college from where one is pursuing it. Various colleges and universities are offering a Diploma in Journalism, each one having its syllabus and course structure. Make sure to do proper research about placement, ranking, and other factors before taking admission to any college.

Ques. What is the difference between a Diploma and a degree in Journalism?

Ans. The Diploma in Journalism is more job-oriented and focuses on the subject of specialization, i.e Journalism. Degree in Journalism, on the other hand, gives a wide prospect of mass communication such as advertising, public relation and many more. The work experience and the knowledge of the candidate serve an important role while getting a job in the media industry.

Ques. Can a Diploma in Journalism course be pursued after any course?

Ans. Anyone from a different stream can pursue a Diploma in Journalism. The candidate must show his/her interest in the field by doing a certain internship or getting involved in certain activities which show passion in the field. He/she must clear the entrance exam and the interview to get admission to the course.

Ques. Is a Diploma in Journalism the best path to make a career in the media industry?

Ans. A diploma in Journalism can lead to a start in the media industry but it is recommended to go for further education in mass communication. A career in the media industry depends on the candidate's passion in the field. It is a good degree to develop certain professional skills in Journalism.

Ques. What are the advantages of doing a Diploma in Journalism?

Ans. Journalism is an exciting profession where candidates can meet several people and learn about the news of the world. The course teaches one to become a trained news reporter.

Ques. What are the scholarships for the course Journalism?

Ans. Reuters Oxford Journalism fellowship program, post-graduation Indira Gandhi Scholarship for single children, Santoor Scholarship program are some of the scholarships for the candidates doing courses in Journalism.