Gauri Chhabra
In this fast and fluid world, Indian students are experimenting with newer and fresher destinations across the globe while looking for options for study abroad programs.Almost a decade ago when Engineering and management were the hot favorites, today, students choose courses in design and fashion technology, mass media etc.Not only there has been an abundance of courses to choose from, also the destinations have undergone a paradigm shift from the usual the UK, the USA and Australia to Germany, Norway, Malaysia, France and the like.
The tectonic shift
The quality of education at these hubs, cost effectiveness with respect to fee and living expenses, an amalgam of cultures, immersion programs and enhanced placement opportunities are the factors that lead to students’ gravitating towards global pastures.
Let us take a look at post graduate courses and destinations for mass media.
The most favored destinations for mass media are countries like France, Germany, Finland and the like. While getting education from these countries, you would be exposed to new learning and experiences, which can have life-changing effects on your career trajectory. Furthermore, in this era of cultural inclusion, you can students learn more by becoming involved and engaging yourselves in the culture around.Most postgraduate media colleges focus more on practical training and exposure to help you bridge the gnawing gap between theory and practice and cement the cognitive aspects learnt during classroom study.Most of the institutions have community radios which are managed by student’s bodies and as students from media streams you would get a ‘hands on ‘ experience of all broadcast related things and programmes.
France
If you wish to be equipped with the cutting edge in media studies, France is the place. It boasts of an education system that is modern and dynamic. It trains students to play a central role in the worlds of science, business, and culture. The cost of living is high, but the same can be offset by tuition fee that is low, so if you budget well, you can live and study comfortably.
*Specialized Master in Management for the Publishing Industry, ESCP Europe Business School, Paris.
*Master in Management and Public Affairs – Double Degree HEC Paris / MGIMO University, HEC Paris School of Management,Paris.
Germany
If you are looking for grants, Germany is another option.In Germany, most Masters Programs in Media are classified as Master of Arts degrees, and take two years to complete on a full-time course schedule. Some Master of Media programs are conducted in German, English or both and many have a valuable international and interdisciplinary awareness that would benefit you in case you are looking at working in an interdisciplinary media program.
You would learn the history and theory of various forms of media, such as film, digital, video and audio besides honing your skills the in effective media management and production, with an emphasis on research methods and critical thinking. Course topics may include Media theory and research design,History and theories of mass communication,Cultural, political, legal, and ethical topics in mass media ,Global media systems ,Digital video design and production and Media systems management.
After graduating from the Masters of Media programs in Germany you may go on to pursue rewarding careers in broadcasting, journalism, new media, publishing, entertainment, advertising, management, entrepreneurship, web systems, the arts, education and research.
Major programs are:
*Master in Communication and Media Engineering, University of Applied Sciences, Offenburg
*Master in Media and Design, Macro Media University which has campuses in Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart, Hamburg.
*MBA – Communication & Public Relations European University Business School, Munich.
*Master in Media Studies, Braunschweig University of Art, HBK.
*Master’s program in International Media,International Media Innovation Management , Berlin University for Professional Studies( Continuing Education)
Russia
Another cost effective option that offers flexibility and ease of study is Russia. It’s also an inexpensive way for travelers to engage in the cultural life of Russia’s cities. It has a long-standing tradition in high-quality education for all citizens. State and private accredited institutions, universities, academies etc provide higher education study programmes. Education in state universities is sometimes free of charge, in case you show higher results at entrance exams. In private higher education institutions, all students have to pay for tuition.
Russian State Universities has a special unit, The Institute of International Education (IIE), which provides training for international students and promotes a wide spectrum of educational programs.Very friendly to Indian students, Russia has always been known for its quality education system. The Russian degrees have got global recognition and have topped WHO and UNESCOrankings.
*Master of Arts (M.A.) Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg.
Singapore
The hottest destination to which more and more students flock today is Singapore. A number of foreign universities have opened their satellite campuses in Singapore to attract the best academic talent in Asia. Another advantage of studying in Singapore is that the government pays 75% of the tuition fee for the student; in exchange the student has to work for 3 years in the country. You may also opt for the 5-star program, open to Indian students with outstanding academic merit.
Master of Mass Communication,Nan yang Technological University(NTU), Singapore.
Finland
Safety and exotic location is the hallmark of Finland as a destination for international student Finnish society boasts of a highly networked and transparent open civic society, where education is always a top first priority.The higher education institutions are all internationally oriented with special regional features, and you can choose between very different study environments ranging from larger urban campuses to close-to-nature campuses.Higher education institutions are highly autonomous, but largely funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture.
The media programmes facilitate maturity in the cognitive skills needed to understand and evaluate media and their contents, as well as cultural practice – enabling media users to be more than consumers by actively engage in doing mediation for themselves so as to say, as ‘prosumers’.The essential focus is on developing expertise in the new discipline of media education formed by media literacy linked to information and communication technology in learning, media production and critical thinking in media saturated societies.
*M.A. Intercultural Communication, University of Jyvaskyla,Jyväskylä,Finland.
*Master Media and Global Communication , University of Helsinki, Helsinki
*M.Sc. Corporate CommunicationAalto University, Espoo, Finland.
*M.Sc. Media Management -University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
Australia
Australia is officially one of the most expensive countries in the world for international students, with average fees and living costs combined reaching $42,093 according to research by HSBC.Despite the expense Australia is still the third most popular international student destination in the world, after the UK and USA. Melbourne and Sydney are frequently named among the best student cities in the world.
*Master of Communication, Master of Digital Media, Victoria University, Footscray, Australia.
*Master of Film and Television, Victorian College of the Arts, Southbank, Australia.
Getting in
There are tests such as IELTS and TOEFL that analyze your language abilities. A student with good flair of language needn’t got for coaching classes for such tests. At the same time, we have tests such as GRE, GMAT etc. that analyze total different types of skill sets. It is a test to evaluate skills of the aspirants. The GRE has been developed to evaluate the verbal, analytical and mathematical skills of the candidates.
Students seeking admission into any Master’s Program in many European countries are required to take GRE.
The Final word
Professor Shabnam Singhwho teaches Intercultural Communications at University of Jyvaskyla,Finland, discusses why many students are drawn to this field. “Postgraduate training in the field of media and intercultural communications gives one a better understanding and assimilation of diverse cultures around us. Students are be able to relate things going on in other cultures with a taste of acceptance of diversity and inclusion and are able to relate to broader issues of our times – democratization, citizenship, and globalization. The skill set and breadth of knowledge allow the students to step back from simple claims and assess issues at a greater level.”
So, what are you waiting for? Pick up from the global platter a destination that appeals to you and give your career a head start.
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