Canada’s active role in the mass media is what keeps journalism at the prime center of the country’s functioning. No wonder there is a significant influx of students who want to pursue journalism courses in Canada, considering the relevance of the subject in today’s world.
The field is relatively uncomplicated. It involves collecting and collating essential information to create informative pieces. Besides that, journalists must have a solid opinion or drop comments about the events they are reporting without any diplomacy or bias.
Now, if an individual enrolls for a journalism degree, Canada would be a perfect place to do so.
Considering the proximity shared by USA and Canada, one can find several news organizations headquarters in Canada. This ensures that a student can receive hands-on exposure to explore the ever-evolving aspect of the field. Additionally, the number of job prospects after finishing a journalism course in Canada is endless.
Tons of top-notch universities in Canada offer journalism courses across all levels of education. Let’s take a deeper look!
Top Universities offering Journalism Courses in Canada
Wondering which university would be the best to further your higher education in journalism? Let’s look at the best journalism courses in Canada universities that students can apply to!
University
Ranking (as per Q.S. university ranking 2023)
Course name
Duration
University of Toronto
34
B.A. in Media, Journalism and Digital Cultures
4 years
The University of British Columbia
47
Master’s in Journalism
20 months
University of Alberta
110
BA in Media Studies
–
McMaster University
152
Honours Communication Studies (B.A.)
4 years
University of Waterloo
154
Honors Arts in Communication Studies
3 years
Eligibility for the course
Depending on the education level that a student is applying for, the journalism courses in Canada requirements will differ. These stipulations are also reliant on the university’s preferences and operational requirements.
Although usually, any student applying for an undergraduate degree in journalism should have completed their 10+2 education. They must have attained a minimum aggregate of 50% grades or above from well-recognized institutions.
Let’s look at the postgraduate journalism courses in Canada eligibility now.
A student must have finished their undergraduate degree in any related field and should’ve attained a minimum of 3.0 GPA out of 4.30. Some universities might also require prior work experience as a compulsory admission eligibility criterion.
To get enrolled in one of the best journalism courses in Canada, admission for a postgraduate diploma, one must show a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Besides that, a certain level of work experience is a bonus.
Besides all the apparent requirements for courses mentioned above, the university may ask for the following as well:
Resume
Transcripts of previous educational qualifications
Letter of recommendation
Statement of purpose
TOEFL/IELTS/DET/PTE/CAEL scores
Relevant certificates of prior work experience
Levels of education
Individuals interested in the journalism or media and communications field will find plenty of undergrad or U.G. courses as well as postgraduate/master’s (P.G.) courses. Some universities also offer specific diploma courses.
Specializations
Journalism courses come with a lot of specializations. These offer the students an opportunity to put their focus on particular themes that suit their interests and will make them a better fit for a role in their future professional stints.
Here are some journalism courses in Canada subjects areas one can indulge in:
Global Journalism
Public relations and advertising
Journalism design and graphics
Political journalism
News reporting and writing
Sports journalism
Digital and interactive-media journalism
Photojournalism
Science and environmental journalism
Broadcast journalism
Enterprise journalism
Cost of attendance required for the program at each level
The fees of journalism courses vary from one university to another, based on the program chosen, duration, and education level. On average, though, journalism courses in Canada fees are CAD 60,510 for Bachelor’s and CAD 29,414 per year for Master’s.
Besides that, you must also factor in the cost of living. This will depend on individuals’ preferences and quality of lifestyle.
International students might spend between CAD 900-CAD 1,500 every month for basic amenities like food, housing, stationery, travel, entertainment, etc.
The field of journalism is immensely expansive and ever-evolving. It opens many doors of different pathways that one can undertake and explore. For those curious, here’s a quick list of some of the best job prospects you may find after finishing the journalism course.
Public relations manager
Technical writers
Authors
Editors
Newspaper, book, periodical and directory publishers
Television and radio journalists
Sports journalists
Expected remuneration
Want to know what the best, top-paying jobs in Canada offer to the brilliant, young minds who have completed their journalism course?
Yes, journalism is growing at an uber-fast speed in Canada. So, making your career as a journalist will pay off well, whether you cover sports, news, technology, science, entertainment, or crime. There are some of the best-paying jobs in Canada, after all!
What are the different forms of journalism?
Primarily, there are 7 kinds of journalism, which includes: 1. Investigative journalism 2. Online journalism 3. Opinion journalism 4. Trade journalism 5. Sports journalism 6. Broadcast journalism 7. Watchdog journalism
"Rakhee Talukdar leverages her extensive experience in edtech to provide in-depth insights into Canada's education system. With 5 years of experience, including founding a startup and working with various stages of educational technology companies, she offers valuable perspectives on the structure, affordability, and opportunities within Canada's K-12 and higher education systems.