International Journalism Short Programme (English)
Short Programme of the Bachelor's Degree Journalism (one year programme)
- The abridged Bachelor in International Journalism programme is a one-year programme.
- It is intended for students who already have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the field of media and communication.
- The programme aims at students who want to spend an extra year studying journalism in an international context, with a clear focus on learning by doing.
- It introduces students to an international journalism network.
- All the courses within the programme are taught in English.
- Students are working in an English-speaking newsroom environment.
- In the first semester you have classes and workshops on campus on a daily basis.
- You'll discover how to find and make news.
- In the second semester you do a 10-weeks internship and you produce your Final Work.
- We have students from all over the world! Czech Republic, Germany, Peru , Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Uganda,... .
- The programme prepares you for a job as a journalist, editor or reporter in radio, TV, print or online media.
- Come and join us!
Follow us!
in short
Mon - Fri: 9.00-15.00 (BXL Time)
Eyecatchers
Our own media platform: 21bis.be
21bis.be is the website of Thomas More’s Journalism and International Journalism students. Their target group also comprises international students in Flanders, as we have an English language section on the website.
Factcheck it out: EUFactcheck
Leading up to the European elections on May 26 2019, our International Journalism students took part in EUFactcheck, together with students from 20 other journalism programmes all over Europe. Also this academic year we are participating in EUFactcheck.
Programme
- Structure
- Targeted students
- Courses
- In practice
- Personal coaching
- Specific requirements
Structure
- First semester | You work with students of different nationalities on articles and reports, which are published on the English language section of our 21bis.be platform. It allows you to work for a targeted and real audience. You learn how to find suitable topics and angles for your stories, how to do research and interviews, and how to structure information and visuals into a balanced journalistic piece. You also take part in projects for international journalism organisations.
- Second semester | You produce a Final Work which consists of a portfolio of journalistic articles and reports or one in-depth story you work on during 6 weeks within the framework of our in-school newsroom. You also have an internship of 10 weeks at the editorial office or newsroom of a media company.
- First semester | You work with students of different nationalities on articles and reports, which are published on the English language section of our 21bis.be platform. It allows you to work for a targeted and real audience. You learn how to find suitable topics and angles for your stories, how to do research and interviews, and how to structure information and visuals into a balanced journalistic piece. You also take part in projects for international journalism organisations.
Targeted students
Students with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field of media and communication and students with 120 ECTS within of a bachelor’s or master’s programme in Journalism.
Courses
Below you can find an overview of the courses (under reservation of changes), with the number of credits per course. Credits express how many hours you need on average to process the subject matter (incl. lessons). Count about 25 to 30 hours for 1 study credit.
- We have explained the most important courses in a blue tooltip.
- Would you like to know the detailed content of each subject? Check the programme guide.
Semester 1 2 COMPULSORY COURSES Journalism Basics 3 International Reporting 3 Transmedia Storytelling 3 English for Journalists 3 External Media Project 3 Expert Classes Final Work 3 Final Work (English) 15 Journalism Internship 15 OPTIONAL COURSES PACKAGE 1 - choose one news lab* Semester 1 2 – News Lab Text 6 – News Lab Video 6 – News Lab Audio 6 PACKAGE 2 -choose one lab – International Story Lab 6 – International Media Lab 6 PACKAGE 3 - choose one course – Interviewing 3 – Media & Diversity 3 – Video 3 – Graphic Design Print & Web 3 Semester 1 2 COMPULSORY COURSES Journalism Basics 3 International Reporting 3 Transmedia Storytelling 3 English for Journalists 3 External Media Project 3 Expert Classes Final Work 3 Final Work (English) 15 Journalism Internship 15 OPTIONAL COURSES PACKAGE 1 - choose one news lab* – News Lab Text 6 – News Lab Video 6 – News Lab Audio 6 PACKAGE 2 -choose one lab – International Story Lab 6 – International Media Lab 6 PACKAGE 3 - choose one course – Interviewing 3 – Media & Diversity 3 – Video 3 – Graphic Design Print & Web 3 *The programme consists of 63 ECTS, so you need to take one course within each package.
Timetable
Check out an example timetable for phase 1.
In practice
Internship
Your internship in the second semester will take place in an international environment. You can choose between interesting opportunities at international media companies in Brussels, or going further afield and do your internship in other countries, not only in Europe, but also in North or South America, Asia or Africa.
Personal coaching
We think personal coaching is very important, so there’s a close dialogue between teachers and students. You get direct feedback on your work and you’re developing a professional attitude.
Within the practical courses and projects you work in small groups. Teamwork is an essential part of the study method.Specific requirements
Besides the language requirements these are the specific admissions requirements for the short programme International Journalism:
Students need to have acquired 120 ECTS at least the bachelor's level/EQF level 6 in the field of media and communication proving experience/expertise/competence in:
- media and communication (extensive)
- politics, economics, sociology, culture, ethics (basics)
- journalistic skills (basics): writing and editorial skills and language skills
Most likely you have acquired these competences and expertise if you have obtained
- 120 ECTS in a bachelor's programme (EQF level 6) in Journalism
- a bachelor's degree (EQF level 6) in the specific field of media and communication
- a master's degree (EQF level 7) in the broader field of media and communication at a Faculty of Social Sciences or a Faculty of Arts
You need to send a transcript of records of the programme(s) you took to werner.goossens@thomasmore.be and iris.deroover@thomasmore.be. In this way we can check if you meet the requirements. You will need an admission letter (via e-mail) from us before you can enroll.
After Graduation
- The job of your life
- Working in Belgium
The job of your life
- Reporter for a news media outlet
- Editor for a magazine
- Journalist at a website
Working in Belgium
Search Year
International students can apply for a new residence permit status upon graduation and extend their stay in Belgium up to 12 months to find work! Eager to launch your career in Belgium after your studies? No worries! We’re here to help you navigate the Search Year application process.