Rhodes University Journalism Courses

The School of Journalism and Media Studies strives to contribute to the commitment expressed in the South African Constitution to “heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights, [and to] lay the foundations for a democratic and open society”.

Our vision is informed by the following understanding of the media:

The media constitutes one of the powerful institutions that mediate our relation to, and experience of, the world.

The nature of such mediation is conditioned by the media’s particular political, economic, technological and historical contexts.

Consequently, these mediations contribute to the production and reproduction of the dominant relations of inequality that structure social life, and are implicated in questions of gender, class, culture, race, geography, sexuality, etc.

The School aims to produce self-reflexive, critical, analytical graduates and media workers, whose practice is probing, imaginative, civic minded and outspoken. Such graduates are equipped to act as thoughtful, creative and skilled journalists and media practitioners, who are able to make meaningful and technically proficient media productions.

The School seeks to make valuable intellectual contributions to the broader African media environment, to research, and to facilitate the integrated and ongoing education of media practitioners.

Convergence statement

As an addendum to the School of Journalism and Media Studies vision and mission, the convergence statement outlines critical and responsive approaches in our teaching, research and community service, which acknowledge the influence and the challenges of digital convergence on the transformation of journalism practice, media production, distribution and use.

Download the full JMS Convergence Statement here.

Rhodes University Journalism Courses-History and methodology

In its more than 40 years of existence, the Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) has become internationally renowned as Africa’s preeminent media education institution and one of the finest in the world. A large part of this success is due to the holistic education JMS provides, combining media theory with hands-on application, imparting insight, knowledge and world-class skill sets. More than anything, this seamless integration of intellectual study with media production allows the school to generate graduates that not only have the technical abilities to contribute to the media industry from the get-go, but also have the wherewithal to apply their minds to the bigger picture of the constantly developing role that media plays in society and its socio-economic context. In short, JMS graduates exude both an evolved level of thinking and superb technical prowess. It is no wonder then that some of Africa’s most respected media scholars and industry practitioners are JMS alumni, working in newsrooms and institutions around the world, from major publications to some of the most respected broadcasters on earth.

Indeed, everything about JMS students’ education is geared at not only promoting their academic development, but also accurately replicating the kind of professional environments they will one day work in, which is why the school’s Africa Media Matrix building (AMM) is the most sophisticated journalism education environment in Africa, including television, photography and radio studios and editing suites, newsroom environments and a variety of computer labs. These spaces, coupled with compulsory internships throughout their studies, as well as working the JMS owned publishing and online media house, Grocott’s Mail, give JMS students a strong taste of what to expect after graduating, powerfully preparing them to enter the media industry with tried and tested ability and aplomb.

Finally, combined with this environment of academic excellence and technical prowess, are a number of JMS projects and initiatives such as Highway Africa that is dedicated to the development of African journalism and which hosts the largest annual media conference on the continent at JMS; CueMedia, which provides the annual Grahamstown National Arts Festival with its own daily newspaper, online television station and web site, and radio programming; the Sol Plaatje Media Leadership Institute that is the JMS media management training arm, providing both postgraduate diplomas and short courses in various facets of media management; and PSAM, the Public Service Accountability Monitor whose activities in terms of public service performance monitoring also feed into the curriculum offered to students on issues such as national, provincial and local government reporting. Ultimately, all of these available resources to students and media practitioners create a dynamic space where media is studied, dissected, analysed and produced in a way that develops outstanding journalists, media workers and researchers that can truly contribute to their industry and the world as a whole.

Rhodes University Journalism Courses-Degrees and Diplomas

The degrees and courses offered aim to produce thoughtful and imaginative media practitioners and the approach of the school is to integrate intellectual study with the production of media. Students also have the opportunity to work on a range of media projects.

At undergraduate level

Students have the option of applying for either:

Bachelor of arts (BA) degree majoring in JMS (a three-year qualification); or

Bachelor of journalism and media studies degree (BJourn) (four years).

At postgraduate level

There are post graduate degrees and diplomas offered to students who have completed a first degree. These include:

Honours in journalism and media studies
Post graduate diploma in Journalism and Media Studies
Post graduate diploma in media management
Post graduate diploma in economics journalism
Masters in journalism and media studies
Masters in digital journalism
PHD in journalism and media studies

Vist the Rhodes Postgraduate Gateway for applications forms and more information.

For more information email the Post-Graduate Administrator, [email protected].

FAQ’s

What do I need to apply?

You need a:

Certified copy of both your degree certificate and full transcript from your previous or current university in your submission
Letter of motivation (600-800 words)
Up to date resume (or CV) with at least two referees and their current addresses;
Sample of writing (academic/essay type); and
Completed application form (paper copy applications and online application details are available from the POST GRADUATE GATEWAY)

How much is it?

For information on application fee, and tuition fees: [email protected]

Do you provide scholarships?

For information about scholarships go to the Rhodes website.
or e-mail [email protected]

What kind of accommodation is available?

For information on accommodation email [email protected]

What is the deadline for application?

The deadline for applications for the post-graduate diploma is 30 October 2016, PDMM is 30 October 2016, and the PG Dip EJ course is 30 September 2016.
The deadline for honours is 30 October 2016
There are no deadlines for masters and PhD but we would prefer if we could get masters applications by 30 October and PhD 19 September 2016.

What qualifications do I need?

For the post-graduate diploma programmes and the honours programmes you need to have successfully completed an undergraduate degree. For the masters programme, an honours degree or equivalent, and for the PhD programme, an MA degree is required. For more information consult the Student Handbook 2016

Rhodes University Journalism Courses Contact us

Telephone:

Phone: 046 603 7100
Fax: 046 603 7101

E-mail

Email: [email protected]

For postgraduate information: [email protected]

Physical Address:

Rhodes University, School of Journalism and Media Studies
Africa Media Matrix Building
Upper Prince Alfred Street
Grahamstown
6140

Postal Address:

Rhodes University,School of Journalism and Media Studies
PO Box 94
Grahamstown
6140