Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe

Overview

In this Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe programme at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) you will study changing journalistic business models, journalistic practices in today’s digital age, and the relationship between journalism, politics, lobbying and ideology. 

With its range of European and international institutions and the many media, journalism and communication professionals working here, Brussels is the perfect place to study media and journalism in Europe. 

As a student in this master you will be part of a dynamic and diverse group of students from across Europe and beyond. Teaching methods are interactive and designed to make good use of these diverse educational and national backgrounds. 

The Communication Studies Department also organises a second Master in Communication Studies: New Media and Society in Europe, which is focused on business, policy and user aspects of new media. We offer a Dutch-language Bachelor in Communication Studies. And we are also involved in the VUB's English-language Bachelor of Social Sciences, which combines communication studies, political science and sociology. Both of these bachelor programmes give you direct access to the Journalism and Media in Europe master.

An interdisciplinary understanding of journalism and media in Europe

In the first semester you have seminar-based courses on ‘Journalism: Trends and Technologies’, ‘Journalism, Politics and Ideology’, and ‘Political Economy of Journalism in the EU’. In each of these courses you look at journalism and media in Europe from a specific perspective. You acquire a multi-faceted and interdisciplinary understanding.

In the second semester, you develop a blueprint for an innovative media project in 'Journalism Practice in Europe' and you write a critical essay related to our high-profile lecture series ‘Brussels Talking: Europe, Media, and Society’, for which you also develop an online communication campaign.

A wide variety of job opportunities

The alumni are currently working as journalists and communication and media professionals in Brussels and across Europe and beyond in a variety of sectors and organisations. Positions include: journalists; press officers, communication officials and policy advisors in national, European and international institutions and NGO's; marketing managers and social media strategists; lobbying and advocacy; academic researchers, independent entrepreneurs in the media and communication sector.

Throughout the master year, and especially through your traineeship and/or thesis research, you will develop your own international network. Because of the inherently international student group in the master you will make international friends for life.