15+ Best Journalism Courses in South Africa | 2025 Requirements

Studying journalism in South Africa provides students with quality education and practical exposure to a diversified media environment. While journalism as a career in South Africa is a great avenue to a lucrative career, it is also quite competitive and subject to the challenges of flexibility in an ever-evolving media space.

This has given rise to the numerous Journalism Courses in South African Universities, as the country is home to several highly recognized institutions that offer journalism courses.

These South African Universities are the best places to study journalism, as their curricula are strong, combining theoretical knowledge with practical training, and there are experienced tutors and modern facilities.

Students should consider the cost of education against the potential earnings and be aware of trends in the industry as informed decisions are made in the choice of journalism for a career.

In this writing, you will be well informed about the Best Journalism Courses in South Africa, requirements, fees, and how long it takes to complete a degree in a Journalism Course in South Africa

How many years to study Journalism in South Africa?

Duration of journalism studies in South Africa, depending on the level of education includes:

1. Undergraduate Degree: Most Bachelor’s degrees in Journalism take a minimum of three to four years of full-time study. For example, the BA Honours in Journalism at the University of Johannesburg takes one year full-time or two years part-time, following the relevant undergraduate degree.
2. Honours Degree: This takes an additional year of full-time study beyond the bachelor’s degree. Stellenbosch University offers a course for creating content in different kinds of media.
3. Master’s Degree: These take usually one to two years from honors. Courses at Rhodes University offer students, for instance, the chance to pursue advanced research in journalism and media studies.

Some universities provide for a part-time study option, which will naturally extend the duration of the course.

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Requirements for Journalism courses in South Africa

The entrance requirement into programs leading to the award of a journalism degree differs among institutions; however, some common factors usually considered include:

Undergraduate Programmes:

1. Academic Qualifications: There are requirements in terms of academic qualifications as well. One needs a National Senior Certificate, NSC, or any equivalent qualification from another country equivalence to South African standards.

Students from outside countries including Nigeria hence have to acquire an evaluation certificate by the South African Qualification Authority, shortened form SAQA.

2. Language Proficiency: Proficiency in the English language; it’s the medium language for instructions. A good number of these universities would still require certified English language test results, such as TOEFL and IELTS.
3. Additional Requirements: Some may ask for a portfolio of the written work or an entrance examination. For instance, Durban University of Technology asks the candidate to attend a selection test followed by an interview.

Postgraduate Programs:

1. Academic Qualifications: An appropriate undergraduate degree with adequate academic achievement. In the case of honors programs, an undergraduate degree in any discipline will be considered, although most universities would prefer related media or communication disciplines.

Stellenbosch University, for example, provides a postgraduate honors program based on a three-year undergraduate degree in any discipline.

2. Professional Experience: Some masters programs indicate that relevant professional experience in journalism or media is either desired or required in relation to admission.
3. Research Proposal: There are those programs that call for an applicant to avail a research proposal in an area of interest at the time of application especially when it relates to research-based degrees.

Applicants are advised to check specific university and program requirements as the criteria of admission vary.

How Much Does It Cost to Study Journalism in South Africa?

Tuition fees for the course of journalism in South Africa vary by institution and at what level one may wish to study. To foreign students, all bachelor’s degrees cost from a low of about ZAR 5,000 to as high as ZAR 170,000 annually, with a median of approximately ZAR 80,000.

The master’s degrees will be from about ZAR 5,000 to ZAR 130,000 per year with a median of about ZAR 66,000.

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How Much Do Journalists Earn in South Africa?

Salaries for journalists in South Africa are influenced by factors such as years of experience, geographical location, and the company employing them.

Currently, a journalist can earn an average annual salary of about ZAR 185,211. Starting journalists’ salaries could be lower, while the more experienced journalists who have senior or specialized positions could receive considerably higher salaries.

It is also worth noting that the salaries also vary as different types of media outlets apply-that is, print, broadcast, and digital, among others the location might be a metropolitan or smaller community.

Best Journalism Courses in South Africa

South Africa boasts of having several prestigious programs in journalism on the African continent. Journalism courses are very diverse to serve different career paths that include print media, broadcast journalism, and digital storytelling, among others, including media management. 

Below is a comprehensive guide to the best journalism courses in South Africa.

1. University of Cape Town (UCT)

The University of Cape Town was founded in 1829 and, thus, is the oldest South African institution of higher education. The university occupies the slopes of Table Mountain. UCT enjoys an excellent reputation for a well-working academic platform and impressive campus life.

The Centre for Film and Media Studies offers a degree in the Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Production, with specializations in journalism that include both theoretical knowledge and practical means necessary for working in this field.

2. University of KwaZulu-Natal

UKZN ranks among the leading South African universities, which came into existence in 2004 as a result of the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville.

The institution has campuses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg and promises a diverse and multicultural experience. Media and Cultural Studies at UKZN focus on critical media analysis and practical training in journalism, thus getting the students ready for different positions within the media world.

3. University of South Africa (UNISA)

UNISA is the largest open distance learning institution in Africa and has been one of the pioneers of accessible education since 1873. It has a student population of over 400,000 students and thus presents a flexible learning environment for students around the globe.

The UNISA Communication Science course encompasses most areas of journalism and media studies to ensure that students can learn at their own pace while balancing other commitments.

4. University of Johannesburg (UJ)

Established in 2005 through the merger of Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand, and parts of Vista University, UJ is one of South Africa’s largest comprehensive universities. At the heart of Johannesburg lies an exciting urban campus life at UJ.

The BA in Journalism from the Department of Journalism, Film, and Television gives theoretical foundations together with hands-on experience in a variety of media platforms.

5. University of Pretoria (UP)

The University of Pretoria is a research university that offers a Bachelor of Arts in Languages majoring in journalism. The course encompasses language proficiency with acquiring the journalistic skills that shall make the student enter into this multilingual world of media.

6. Stellenbosch University

University of Stellenbosch BA Honours in Journalism is a post-graduate one-year course done to equip a well-rounded journalist with the basics needed in the field of study, especially in multimedia storytelling and investigative reporting, with considerations to media ethics.

7. North-West University (NWU)

Formed in 2004 through the merger between Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education and the University of North-West, NWU is a multi-campus university committed to academic excellence. 

It offers practical experience in its journalism and media studies programs, allowing learners to work on producing news that is broadcast live to prepare students for the industry upon graduation.

8. Rhodes University

Rhodes University was one of the finest universities in the area of journalism and media studies and is located in Makhanda (previously Grahamstown). Its School of Journalism and Media Studies provides a comprehensive course that covers both theoretical perspectives coupled with practical training so that its graduates can find new mindsets and skill sets through which they can pursue the study of journalism with a view to innovative praxis.

9. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)

Founded in 1922, Wits is located in Johannesburg and enjoys a reputation for excellence in academics and research. Courses for the Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies are provided by the School of Literature, Language, and Media to cover an increasingly fast-changing media landscape concerning digital media, investigative journalism, and public communication.

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10. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)

CPUT came into being in 2005 as the merger between Cape Technikon and Peninsula Technikon and today it is the biggest University in the Western Cape. 

The Department of Journalism has a National Diploma in Journalism that is rather practical; thus, its students can work their way through investigations, often practised through various published means like a biweekly student tabloid that tends to report events and issues across the campus.

11. Durban University of Technology (DUT)

The Durban University of Technology Bachelor of Journalism course at DUT places a lot of emphasis on practical training in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. There is great encouragement to participate in internships and media projects that provide real exposure to students.

With DUT having strong relations with the industry, students who aspire to become journalists will have ample networking opportunities.

12. University of the Free State (UFS)

The University of the Free State Bloemfontein, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science, specializing in journalism. Students can combine communication theory with practical journalism in this course. The strong research and ethical orientation of the university means that students leave with a sound grounding in the practices of media.

13. University of the Western Cape

Situated in Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies is one of the best journalism courses in South Africa. Media ethics and digital communication are some of the courses within it. The course will serve to prepare students for further study in media, public relations, and corporate communication.

As a multicultural institution, UWC’s learning environment echoes the diversity that characterizes the South African media. Over many years, it has enjoyed a reputation for its focus on matters about social justice and community-based projects.

14. Nelson Mandela University

Nelson Mandela University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Media, Communication, and Culture with a specialization in journalism. The course focuses on learning the art of storytelling in multimedia platforms, critical media analysis, and communication strategies.

Innovation and technology remain key areas of emphasis for NMU in preparing students for careers in modern media.

15. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)

Tshwane University of Technology offers one of the best journalism courses in South Africa. This journalism course from TUT deals with the adoption of the practical approach to media skills in news writing, investigation, and multimedia production by offering a National Diploma in Journalism.

It covers topics such as exposure to industries through internships, and partnerships with various media houses to ensure that graduates at the point of graduation are work-ready.

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Is Journalism a career in demand in South Africa?

The question of demand for journalism professionals in South Africa is not that clear-cut. For as much as traditional positions in journalism took some casualty with the digitization of media, it is undeniable that the country still needs people qualified to practice journalism who can work on such digital platforms.

It also appears that journalism is not listed on the “2024 National List of Occupations in High Demand,” so although there are job opportunities, this area could be highly competitive.

FAQs

Conclusion

Journalism courses in South Africa provide students with a quality education within the country’s vibrant and diverse media space. With several programs fitting different interests and career objectives, the universities in South Africa prepare students for the dynamic profession of a journalist by equipping them with relevant skills and knowledge.

Students should, therefore, consider the program structures, durations, and various admission requirements of every institution to make informed decisions about their education and future careers.

References

• ceoworld.biz/journalism courses in South Africa
• free-apply.com/journalism courses in South Africa

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