Mass communication is the academic study to study the various ways in which information can be communicated to a large section of population at the same instant. It relates mainly to magazines, newspapers, radio, television, and film. These mediums usually circulate mainly news, awareness and advertisements. Mass Communication is a field of great attraction for the young generation. It provides a wide range of career option.

Courses in Mass Communcation

Mass communication comprises of many fields. This gives a wide scope for courses at undergraduate and post graduate levels. The fields mostly included are Electronic Journalism, Advertising, Print Journalism, And Public relations.

Various institutes in India offer diploma, degree or certificate courses in different streams of mass communication. The most widely opted courses are listed below.

B.A with Mass Communication & Journalism

• B.A with Mass Communication
• B.A with Journalism
• B.A with Mass Communication & Journalism in Hindi
• B.A. Integrated Courses in Advertising, Sales Promotion & Sales Management
• Bachelor of Mass Communication
• Bachelor of Journalism
• Bachelor of Mass Communication & Journalism
• Course in BS Communication
• Course in Mass Communication
• Course in Photo Journalism
• Certificate Course in Journalism
• Course in Press Law
• Course in Mass Communication & Journalism
• Course in Sports Journalism
• Course in Television Journalism
• M.A in Journalism
• M.A in Communication
• Master of Communication Studies
• M.A in Journalism & Mass Communication
• Master’s Degree in Journalism and Public Relations
• Master Diploma in Journalism & Communication
• Master of Mass Communication
• Master of Journalism with Cinema Studies
• Master’s Degree in Mass Communication & Journalism
• Course in Advertising & Public Relations
• Course in Marketing & Advertising
• Course in Advertising & Communication

The duration of degree courses is for three years. Some of the diploma courses are for a period of one year. The duration for post graduate courses is usually two years. Some of the institutes have entrance test for admission in various courses.

Eligibility Criteria for Entrance exam in Mass communication after 12th

The basic requirement for any candidate to join under graduate courses of mass communication is a pass in class 12 in 10 + 2 pattern or an equivalent. For post graduate courses the requirement is graduation from any recognized university.

List of Entrance Exams in Mass Communication

• Indian Institute of Mass Communication Entrance Exam
• Asian College of Journalism Entrance Exam
• Jamia Milia Islamia Entrance Exam
• Symbiosis institute of Mass Communication Entrance Exam
• Xavier Institute of Communications Entrance Exam
• Manipal Institute of Communication Entrance Exam
• Mudra Institute of Communication Entrance Exam
• Andhra University Common Entrance Test
• Symbiosis National Aptitude Test
• International School of Business and Media Entrance Exam

Structure of Entrance Test

The exam pattern may vary from institute to institute. In general, the exam consists of two parts. The first part is to test the applicant’s language skills in English. The second part is usually General Knowledge and current affairs. In some institutes there is another test to check the writing ability of the candidate and analytical thinking.

Reference Books for Mass communication Entrance Test

Some of the reference books the candidate can refer for preparation of entrance tests are listed below.

• Word Power made easy, by Norman Lewis
• High School English Grammar & Comprehension, Wren and Martin
• High School English Grammar & Comprehension, Wren and Martin
• Business English & Communication by Clarke
• English Proficiency IMS India
• A Communicative Grammar of English, by Geoffrey Leech
• All about words, by Rosenblum and Nurenberg
• English Language Skills for Higher English (SEM) by Mary Firth and Andrew Ralston
• The Pearson General Knowledge Manual by Edgar Thorp
• 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary, by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis
• General Knowledge Current Affairs And Whos Who ? By Khanna
• General Knowledge Digest by TMH
• General Knowledge By Dr. Tanwar
• Encyclopedia Of General Knowledge & General Awareness by R. P. Verma
• Ency Of Gk & General Awareness By R. P. Verma
• How to prepare for the verbal ability & Reading Comprehension for the CAT, by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi
• General Knowledge Manual By UPSCportal Editorial Board
• General Knowledge Manual By Barry O’brien
• Computer General Awareness By Alok Kumar

For general awareness paper, the candidate should refer to news papers, journals and magazines

Coaching Centers for Mass Communication Entrance Test

Many coaching centers provide coaching for entrance test in mass communication. Some of them are listed below.

• Acme Zone
• Aim Institute of Banking
• AAA-Bright academy
• Amar college
• A.V Classes
• Attitude Centre of Advanced Studies
• Austech International Campus
• B. Shakthi Academy
• Bhardwaj Institute of Competitions
• Biswas Bio institute Pvt. Ltd.
• Brilliant Tutorials Pvt. Ltd.
• Camford Academy
• Career Point
• Career Makers
• Chandigarh Institute of Foreign Languages
• Chemmanur Academy
• Career Forum
• Chembola group
• Coaching And Training
• CTDI
• Engineering Study Group
• Drovers The Learning Collection
• Engineering Made Easy
• Future Plus Edutech Pvt. Ltd.
• Flame institute
• Goyal Tutorial
• Focus Care
• Great Canadian Immigration and Career Development Services
• Guru Institute
• Harmony Kiddos
• Hero mind mine
• Jamboree Tutorials Pvt. Ltd.
• Kiwi and Maple
• Lexicon Institute of Competitions
• Miglani Tutorials
• M.S. Coaching
• National Institute Of Competitive Studies
• Omega
• Manjoorans
• Overseas Solutions
• Pathfinder Academy
• S. N. Institute
• Panchsheel Institute
• P.C.S coaching
• Swami Ram Tirath educational Society
• The Aryan Institute
• Trump and Gates
• Tara Institute
• Texas Academy

Institution providing courses in Mass Communications

Many institutions are providing courses in mass communication. Some of the popular institutes are listed below.

• Asian college of Journalism,Chennai
• AJ Kidwai Mass Comm Research centre, Jamia , New Delhi
• IIMC – New Delhi
• Film and Television Institute of India,  Pune
• Mudra Institute of communications, Ahemedabad
• Xavier Institute of Communication, Mumbai
• Indian Institute of Journalism , New Delhi
• Indian Institute of Journalism , Bangalore
• Times School of Journalism, New Delhi
• Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune
• School of communication, Kottayam

Career Prospects

The aspirants after completing their course in mass communication can find jobs in television channels, AIR, central information, and internet web sites. They can even find jobs in press information bureau, magazines, monthly publications, and newspapers. The candidates can find employment in various Television Channels like, NDTV, CNBC, ZEE TV, STAR TV, etc. There is an option for the candidates to work as free lancers. The starting salary of candidates who work as reporters is around Rs. 5500 - Rs. 9000 per month. The Chief Editors and sub editors can get salary around Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,500 per month. The approximate income of Editors is Rs. 7500 to Rs.12000. The salaries will vary with work experience and with firm in which the candidate works.