Journalism is the activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, or news websites or preparing news to be broadcast.
Journalism offers various fields you can venture into and specialize in, such as investigative journalism, pop culture and entertainment journalism, sports journalism, radio and podcast broadcasting, TV journalism, political journalism, art journalism, business journalism, crime journalism and education journalism,
You can also venture into becoming an author by writing a novel, research paper or books relating to certain topics.
Here is a list of institutions and companies offering bursaries for Journalism:
Trudon
Prospective students at tertiary learning institutions can apply for Trudon bursaries.
Every year between the beginning of October and the end of November, Trudon interviews candidates from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in studying full time at a South African tertiary institution (university) towards an undergraduate degree in:
- Informatics / Economics and Econometrics / Information Management/ IT Management
- Computer Science and Informatics/ Information Technology
- Multimedia Design
- Digital Media Studies
Multimedia Design and Digital Media Studies are awarded to students studying towards a Bachelor of Information Science (Publishing and Multimedia) and/or Graphic Design qualification.
Once bursary students complete their studies they can enter a one-year graduate training programme at Trudon to experience some of the practicalities associated with their chosen field.
National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)
The NFVF’s bursary programme aims for the development of global competitiveness of film and TV professionals through financial support of deserving candidates for international and local studies which are not available at South African tertiary institutions, except for Live Performance or Acting programmes.
The NFVF offers two bursaries, namely:
- The National Bursary for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Diploma or Degree studies, towards Film or Television-related qualifications (excluding any performance arts and acting courses), in South Africa.
- The International Bursary for Postgraduate studies, towards Film or Television-related qualification that is NOT available in South Africa, for studies outside of South Africa.
National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA)
Students interested in a career in electronic media stand a chance to win a share of R1 500 000 worth of bursaries for studies in animation, graphic design, television and radio production through a partnership between SABC Education and NEMISA.
NEMISA has grown over the years and now produces more than 870 graduates a year, and students are trained in Television Production, Radio Production, Animation and Graphic Design.
The University of Witswatersrand: Journalism
The University of the Witswatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg offers a career-entry Honours degree in Journalism.
You need to be a graduate in any field, wanting to become a journalist or to use journalism in your chosen profession, with an average of at least 65% in your final year. If you already have more than three years’ working experience in journalism, then you can refer to the Mid-Career Honours.
Through partnerships with Media24, Reuters, Independent Newspapers, Bloomberg, Newstrack and CNBC Africa, Wits offers up to ten scholarships and internship opportunities to facilitate students’ entry into the workplace. Students are invited to apply during the acceptance process.
For details of fees, consult the Wits Fees Office. For general financial assistance, including university merit awards and loans, please contact the university's Financial Aid Office.
Media 24:
Media24 is offering postgraduate bursaries to 25 future journalists who are studying towards a postgraduate qualification in Journalism. The company also guarantees those graduates who completes their studies a place on the Media24 Internship programme.
You would need to have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline, with an academic average of at least 65% in your final year.
The chosen 25 then head off to one of the Honours Programmes, returning to the Media24 headquarters during vacations to work at some of the company's leading publications.
After you graduate from your 1 year studies, you’ll be guaranteed entry to the Media24 Internship Programme, where you’ll work full-time at the Media24 publication of your choice.
Keep in mind that the requirements for each institution or company differ from each other, so make sure you read up on what criteria you'd need to meet in order to have a successful application.
