The mass communication course trains the students who are interested in this field and equip them with the necessary qualities. Quite often, mass communication is confused with journalism. People mostly wonder about the difference between mass communication and journalism. In basic terms, journalism is like a subset of mass communication. Both the courses are different from each other in all respects.
Now ‘What is mass communication course? the term "mass communication" is not limited to journalism but it spreads its branches to various other media fields like news gathering and news reporting, event management, film direction, and production, public relations, corporate communication, advertising, etc.
Mass Communication courses prepare students for various job profiles that come under the field. In recent years, media and mass communication have evolved into a partially interactive concept that touches and affects almost every aspect of human life. Mass Communication has become an important part of our lives and we cannot do without it now. With the sheer proliferation of media in each of our lives through components like newspapers, televisions, and the internet, the profession and field of mass communication are gaining popularity like never before.
The Mass Communication course offers numerous career opportunities in Mass Communication to candidates that pay well and provide job satisfaction to them and enhance their expression of creativity.
Mass Communication Courses
Mass Communication courses are quite diverse and they rope in all the important components of media. There are several levels of masscom courses to suit the requirements and interests of the candidates who wish to pursue a career in the field. Students can choose from the plethora of Mass Communication courses and select the programme which suits them and their higher goals the best. Some of the most popular courses in Mass Communication are given in the table below. These programmes of Mass Communication are offered in all top mass communication colleges in India. There are UG, PG, Diploma, and Doctoral level courses in Mass Communication.
Name of the Mass Communication Course |
Type of Course |
Duration |
Diploma Course in Development Journalism |
Diploma |
4 months |
Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication |
Diploma |
2 years |
BA in Journalism |
Undergraduate Degree |
3 years |
BA Hons Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC) |
Undergraduate Degree |
3 years |
Diploma in Media Studies |
Diploma |
3 years |
BA Hons Multi-Media & Mass Communication (BMMMC) |
Undergraduate Degree |
3 years |
Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) |
Undergraduate Degree |
3 years |
BA Hons in Hindi Journalism & Mass Communication (BHJMC) |
Undergraduate Degree |
3 years |
B.A. Film Making and Mass Communication |
Undergraduate Degree |
3 years |
M.A in Journalism and Mass Communication |
Post-graduate Degree |
2 years |
Post Graduate Diploma in Business Journalism & Corporate Communication (DBJCC) |
Post-graduate Diploma |
1 year |
P.G. Certificate Course in Hindi Journalism |
Post-graduate Certification |
1 year |
P.G. Diploma in Hindi Journalism |
Post-graduate Diploma |
2 years |
PhD in Mass Communication |
Doctorate Degree |
2 years |
Mass Communication Eligibility Criteria
Students who aspire to go forward in the field of mass communication or journalism have to fulfill certain eligibility criteria for mass communication. Different colleges have different mass communication eligibility criteria for selecting students. Candidates must fulfill the eligibility of mass communication to secure a seat in the college or institute of their choice.
To pursue any journalism and mass communication course diploma programme, candidates will have to first complete their education up to class 12 from a recognized board of education, in any stream of education.
Candidates are required to score at least 45% to 50% marks in class 12 to be eligible for the undergraduate degree courses.
However, post-graduate degree and diploma courses require you to possess a graduation degree and diploma respectively with at least 50% marks.
Mass Communication Exams
Aspirants can check out the list of mass communication exams in India offered by different colleges and institutes.
Name of the Exam |
Conducting Body |
Level |
Exam Pattern/Duration |
XIC OET |
Xavier Institute of Communications |
PG |
Pattern: 100 MCQ questions, 3 Subjective questions for 50 marks. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. |
IIMC Entrance Exam |
Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) |
PG |
Pattern: 2 sittings on the same day with 100 MCQ questions each Duration: 2 hours Each sitting. |
MASCOM Entrance Exam |
Manorama School of Communication |
PG |
Pattern: 200 marks Duration: 4 hours 15 minute |
FTII JET |
Film and Television Institute of India |
PG |
Pattern: Objective Type Duration: 3 Hours |
Jamia Milia Islamia Entrance Exam (JMI) |
Jamia Milia Islamia University |
UG/ PG |
Pattern: 170 marks Duration: 3 hours |
IPU CET |
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University |
UG & PG |
Pattern: 150 questions Duration: 2.5 hours |
DUET |
IP College for Women, Delhi University |
UG |
Pattern: 150 MCQ questions. Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes. |
AUCET |
Andhra University |
PG |
Pattern: 100 questions Duration: 1.5 hours |
SET |
Symbiosis International University |
UG |
Pattern: 60 questions Duration: 1 hour |
ACJ Entrance Exam |
Asian College of Journalism, Chennai |
PG |
Pattern: 200 marks Duration: 2 hours |
MU-OET |
Manipal University |
UG & PG |
Pattern: 200 questions Duration: 2.5 hours |
Mass Communication Selection Criteria
The selection process for Mass Communication has been given here. Colleges proceed with their mass communication selection process after shortlisting candidates who qualify their Mass Communication eligibility criteria.
Admission to most of the top Mass Communication colleges is done based on merit in class 12 board exams.
Some of the popular universities including KIIT University, BHU, and GGSIPU conduct entrance exams for admission to Mass Communication Courses.
Colleges may also conduct Group Discussions as well as Personal Interviews to assess the communication skills of candidates before offering a seat.
Mass Communication Syllabus
The syllabus of Mass Communication includes a wide range of topics and subjects. The Mass Communication subjects cover all the components of media and teach students about the profession of Mass Communication in depth. Some of the common Mass Communication subjects are given below.
BJMC Syllabus: The subjects of BJMC (Bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication) are given below. |
||
|
|
|
MJMC Syllabus: The subjects of MJMC (Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication) are given below. |
||
|
|
Mass Communication Subjects
Candidates can find the list of mass communication course subjects in the table mentioned below.
Aesthetics and Visual Communication |
Camera and Lighting |
Photography |
Feature Writing |
Journalism |
Audiography and Music |
Audio-Visual Communication |
News Reporting and Editing |
Marketing and Mass Communication |
- |
Skills Required to be Mass Communication Specialist
Candidates need to have certain skills if they want to achieve great heights in Mass Communication. Some important skills that are required for the profession of Mass Communication are given below.
The most basic skill required in the field of mass communication is good communication and writing ability.
Candidates must have a flair for the language in which they wish to pursue mass communication programmes.
Graduates in this field must have the ability to network and create media contacts to get the latest insights.
The ability to work in rough conditions and under pressure is another requirement.
Here is the table depicting the required skillset to pursue the mass communication course.
Creativity |
Confidence |
Networking skills |
Communication skills |
Ability to work under strict deadlines |
Interviewing skills |
Ability to work under rough conditions |
Research skills |
Problem-solving skills |
Ability to express ideas and thoughts clearly |
Observation skills |
Critical thinking |
Good interviewing skills |
Interpretation skills |
Aptitude for presenting information in a precisely and effectively |
Mass Communication Course Fee
The Mass Communication course fees from government colleges will be lesser than that of the private colleges. The Mass Communication fees will also vary from course to course. If your course comprises multimedia education as well then it will probably cost you more than the core mass communication and journalism courses.
The fees of government colleges will vary from Rs. 11,659 to Rs. 1,10,000 for the entire course. However, fees for mass communication courses offered by private universities will vary from Rs. 2.5 to Rs. 8.5 lakh for the entire course approximately.
Mass Communication Jobs and Job Profiles
With electronic and paper media being the main pillars of Indian communication, there is a lot of scope in the journalism and mass communication industry. There are numerous media houses, news channels, magazines, and newspapers that hire mass communication graduates.
Apart from that, you can also apply for roles like copywriter, content writer, blogger, etc. after completing your graduation in this field. Following are some of the highest paying profiles in this field:
TV Anchor
News Editor
Senior Journalist
Junior Journalist
Screen Writer
Mass Communication Salary Scope
Mass Communication is one of the fields where experience greatly alters the salary. More your experience, the better salary you’ll get. If you are graduating from colleges like IIMC, Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, etc., then your chances of getting a good salary increase immensely.
Starting salary in this field will vary from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 25,000 per month. After gaining experience of 5 years, you can expect a salary of Rs. 50,000 to 1,00,000 per month. It is essential to pursue mass communication courses from reputed colleges to get a good package.
Mass Communication: Top Recruiters
Various career options are available to aspirants having a degree in mass communication. Here’s the table displaying the major recruiting companies for mass communication in India.
Hindustan Times |
Times Group |
The Hindu |
The Pioneer |
India Today Group |
Indian Express |
Doordarshan |
Outlook |
India TV |
NDTV |
All India Radio |
Network 18 |
Cineyug Entertainments |
Zee Network |
BBC |
Wizcraft Entertainment |
Star India |
Balaji Telefilms Limited |
Mass Communication Colleges in India
India has some of the leading colleges of Mass Communication. Every year, thousands of students flock to these colleges for seeking admission in their Mass Communication courses. Some of the best Mass Communication colleges in India are given below.
Name of the College |
Fees Structure |
Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Delhi |
INR 47,000-1,60,000/- |
Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC), Mumbai |
INR 2,29,000-3,77,000/- |
Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC), Pune |
INR 8,35,000/- |
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Delhi |
INR 1,42,000/- |
Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM), Bangalore |
INR 4,25,000-4,45,000/- |
FAQs
What skills are required to pursue mass communication courses?
The key skills required to pursue mass communication courses are Creativity, Confidence, Communication skills, Networking skills, Problem-solving skills, etc.
What are the top recruiting companies for mass communication graduates?
The top recruiting companies for mass communication are Hindustan Times, Balaji Telefilms Limited, Times Group, Star India, Zee Network, etc.
What are the top colleges for mass communication in India?
IIMC Delhi, XIC Mumbai, SIMC Pune, and JMI Delhi are some of the top colleges for mass communication in India.
What are the highest paying profiles in the field of mass communication?
The highest paying profiles in the field of mass communication are TV Anchor, News Editor, Senior Journalist, Junior journalists, and Screen Writer.
Which course is best for mass communication in India?
The best mass communication courses to pursue in India are BJMC, BMC, BJ, BA in Journalism & Mass Communication, and BSc in Journalism & Mass Communication.
What are the most common mass communication channels in India?
The most common mass communication channels in India are Television, Radio, Social media, and Print Media.
What are the top mass communication exams in India?
The top mass communication exams in India are XIC OET, IIMC Entrance Exam, MASCOM Entrance Exam, FTII JET, JMI entrance exam, IPU CET, etc.
Are the career opportunities in mass communication likely to increase in the future?
Yes, the career opportunities in mass communication are likely to increase in the future, As nearly 70 new channels are expected to come in the next five years.
What is the scope of mass communication in India?
Mass communication has plenty of job opportunities in India and has huge prospects.
Who can become successful in the field of mass communication?
Those can become successful in the field of mass communication who believes in changing the dynamism of life and tends to stand away from the crowd.