To produce accomplished journalists with strong professional skills in print, broadcast and electronic media production.
The Diploma in Journalism is a qualification which will equip learners with the necessary skills to become competent journalists. The programme has been specifically tailored to target both in-service specialists seeking professional upgrade, and those who have decided to choose journalism as a career without previous exposure to it. The programme contents and delivery scheme have been filtered and configured to cater to the above mentioned categories of participants. The programme will provide instruction in journalism theory, practice and business organisation (50 % of teaching and learning subject matter), expose participants to professionally relevant generic courses dealing with legal, financial, social, psychological and institutional aspects of journalism practice (25%), train for proficiency in English, French and Creole (25 %).
The programme focuses on the three main aspects of preparing a competent journalist:
Delivery scheme caters to both in-service and pre-service candidates: two contact days a week (six hours per day) combine with online instruction. Three years (six semesters) in total to complete the programme, allowing time for re-sits and re-submissions.
Eighteen weeks of work based experience are organized in three progressive placements in media outlets at the end of each academic year. The scheme is strengthened by a series of in-house professional development activities (seminars, workshops, guest lecturers` presentations, visits, briefing and debriefing sessions, etc.).
The programme offers three blocks of academic disciplines balanced in the following ratio: 50% – professional modules (Foundations of Journalism, Journalism for Broadcast, Print and New Media); 25% – language modules (English, French, Creole); 25% – generic modules (Law, Business and Finance, International and Public Affairs, Social Psychology, History, Sociology, Action Research).
Professional journalism courses will be facilitated by guest lecturers from other academic institutions and media houses. Generic and language courses will be provided by UniSey staff.
This programme is offered as a blended course combining facilitator-led sessions and online interaction through digital media and UniSey VLE, which will provide students with more freedom to manage their learning in terms of time and pace of study. Participants have two contact days per week (6 hours a day). Days and hours of programme delivery can be negotiable according to the participants’ commitments. Teaching instruction and materials, as well as learners` support, are provided online through the UniSey VLE. Participants have three years in total to complete the programme, allowing time for re-sits and re-submissions. The six semesters of the programme are not equal in size: semesters 1, 3 and 5 (September-December) have 13 teaching weeks, and semesters 2, 4 and 6 (January- April) have 15 teaching weeks. Maximum time allowed to complete the programme is 5 years in case time is needed to repeat modules.
English
Part-time: two days of 6 hours a week
Direct Entry:
Minimum grade ‘B’ for IGCSE in languages (English or French) and minimum grade ‘C’ for IGCSE in other areas (Sociology, History, Geography, etc.)
or
An SQA recognised certificate in relevant area from other academic institutions
or
Minimum grade ‘C’ for any A-level
Non-standard Entry:
Case-to-case consideration of qualifications not listed in the Direct Entry section (incomplete qualifications (e.g. diplomas / degrees), substantial relevant work experience, etc.).
The programme has 366 credits in the following 16 modules:
1. Academic Preparation for the Diploma in Journalism
2. English in the context of Journalism
3. French in the Context of Journalism
4. Creole in the Context of Journalis,
5. Foundations of Journalism
6. Journalism for New Media
7. Journalism for Print Media
8. Journalism for Broadcast Media(Radio & TV)
9. Media and Law
10. Business and Finance for Journalists
11. International and Public Affairs for Journalists
12. Social Psychology
13. Sociology
14. History
15. Introduction to Action Research
16. Work Based Experience
Career opportunities on completing the programme are versatile, the skills gained in the course of training being useful in a range of industries. A Diploma in Journalism graduates will acquire an understanding of the practice and business of journalism; skills in journalism across multiple platforms and using a range of media and training in law and ethics. Such transferable skills as communication skills, research, time management and self-motivation are sought after by employers in newspapers, magazines, television and radio, advertising, marketing and PR, IT, education and the arts. Candidates can aspire positions in Seychelles media houses: SBC, Pure FM, Seychelles News Agency, Seychelles Nation, Times of Seychelles, Today in Seychelles, Le Seychellois Hebdo, Independent Seychelles Weekly, Lavwa Lalyans.
Besides media sphere there are employment opportunities in Public Relations as communication officers (not necessarily for new appointees, following drafting of information act), are also to be found in various ministries and big organizations for update of websites, operation of facebook pages production of newsletters, etc.
Mrs Annie Laurette
Head of Department
Languages and Media
Anse Royale
P.O. Box 1348
Mahé, Seychelles
+248 4381222
