Who can apply?

 

This degree is for working journalists who have a first degree behind them or who have been working in the field for at least three years. If you are a graduate with little or no media experience, please see the Career-Entry Honours section. If you are a journalist who already has an equivalent of our Mid-Career Honours, see our Masters programme

To apply for a Mid-Career Honours programme, you need to:

1) Be a journalist with at least three years’ work experience in journalism AND have a previous degree in any field, OR;
2) Have a journalism degree and at least a year’s experience as a journalist, OR;
3) Pass an entrance test if you do not have a previous degree.

Mid-Career Honours can be taken on a full-time (one-year) or part-time (two-year) basis. Students do a total of five courses which must include two core (compulsory) courses, Journalism Studies A and Journalism Research. The balance of the three courses can be chosen from the other courses we offer. Click here to view the full list.

Lectures are generally scheduled for weekday evenings to accommodate working students, though some of the optional courses are done in full-time blocks of 10-15 days. The classes are made up of students from a wide range of educational backgrounds as well as working journalists, which results in a dynamic and exciting environment for discussion and debate.

Click here to view the 2023 timetable.

 

2023 registration links:

 

  1. Registration is solely online: https://www.wits.ac.za/registration/postgraduate-students/
  2. Term dates: https://www.wits.ac.za/students/academic-matters/term-dates/2023/
  3. For academic enquiries: andrea.gumede@wits.ac.za

 

Please note: applications for 2024 close on 31 October.

Programme Requirements

Students require a 65 percent average in the final year of their undergraduate degree or 60 percent in previous Honours courses and must have a minimum of three years’ working experience. Alternatively, those without a prior degree need to demonstrate significant journalistic experience through a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)  process, which includes a test, and evidence of journalism experience through a portfolio, cv, or references

Fees, Financial Assistance and Internship programme

Fees vary according to the choice of courses. For an exact figure, please see the official university site or contact the fees office.

Please see the funding opportunities page here.

For general financial assistance, including university merit awards and loans, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

International students: Please pick up an International Students handbook from the Graduate School Reception or the International Office.

Applications for 2024

Apply before 31 October 2023. All international students must apply by 30 September 2023.

Complete a Wits Online Application.

If you’re doing your course over two years, you need to register at the beginning of the second year of study as well.

Course Requirements

What you need to graduate
  • Two compulsory courses (Journ Studies A and Journ Research)
  • Three other courses from the options on offer (see below for those options).
CORE (COMPULSORY) COURSES

Journalism Studies A (First Semester):  An intensive look into the role of the media, involving readings of key theories and principles of journalism and media as well as the history, present, and future issues in South African, African and global journalism and the media.

Journalism Research (Second Semester): This is a directed course which begins with sessions on research methodology. We will then form research groups around specific topics and each student will do a research project.

OPTIONAL COURSES

Please note that not all these courses are taught every year, depending on student demand and teacher availability. Please check what is available from year to year. In order to plan your year of study check our timetable.

Click here for the full list of courses, many of which are available for this programme.