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UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Journalism and Digital Media (JS2310)

Programme Description

This major offers two concentrations: The Journalism concentration aims to prepare students for a career in Chinese-language media or international media that operate in English. The Data and Media Communication concentration, which is jointly offered with the Department of Computer Science, aims to train digital journalists with advanced computer skills, notably in data visualization and analytics. Both concentrations share Major Core and Major Elective Courses in three areas: (1) professional journalism skills of gathering, presenting and producing news and current affairs reports; (2) conceptual understanding of the journalism profession and its role in society; and (3) the relationship between journalism and society as well as the way politics, government, business and law operate in both local and international communities.

Students of the Journalism concentration are required to adopt one of the following four streams: Chinese Journalism, International Journalism, Broadcast Journalism or Financial Journalism, subject to resource and quota constraints. Students of the Data and Media Communication concentration have the option of taking the Financial Journalism Stream or General Stream. Each stream stresses the particular language and professional skills appropriate for the specialization. At the end of the programme, every student has to produce a final-year project that integrates their conceptual and practical journalism knowledge.

Unique Features

An essential component of journalism education is developing students' ability to write and edit well, and to produce quality print, broadcast and multimedia news stories. Practice for all journalism students is provided by different workshops in different formats, including San Po Yan (in Chinese), Broadcast News Network (in Chinese), The Young Reporter (in English), The Young Financial Post (in Chinese and English) and DataStory (in English). While necessary supervision is provided, students are allowed a high degree of autonomy in deciding which stories to pursue.

Every year, many students broaden their horizons by going on exchange to universities in Europe, North America and Asia as well as the Mainland and Taiwan. A considerable number of foreign students also come to study alongside local students at the Department, giving it a multicultural atmosphere. The Department regularly organises overseas reporting trips to let students explore journalism across borders and cultures. In recent years, our students have visited Spain, Germany, Taiwan and Rwanda.

Double Degree Programme with the University of Queensland in Australia

The Double Degree Programme between the School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Queensland (UQ), is a four-year full-time undergraduate programme whereby students study at the two universities and graduate from both. On completing the programme requirements, students will obtain two bachelor’s degrees, namely Bachelor of Communication (Honours) conferred by HKBU and Bachelor of Journalism or Bachelor of Communication conferred by UQ.

The Programme fully adopts the same structure of the existing programmes offered by HKBU and UQ. For details, please visit the website of the School of Communication.

Double Degree Programme with the University of Missouri in the United States

The Double Degree Programme between the School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), and the School of Journalism, The University of Missouri (MU), is a four-year full-time undergraduate programme whereby students study at the two universities and graduate from both. HKBU students will spend their first two years at HKBU and the following two years at MU. On completing the programme requirements, students will obtain two bachelor's degrees, namely Bachelor of Communication (Honours) conferred by HKBU and Bachelor of Journalism conferred by MU. For details, please visit the website of the School of Communication.

Student Learning Experiences

Students in the Journalism concentration and Data and Media Communication concentration (Financial Journalism Stream) are required to undertake a professional internship at local or international media. Internship is not required for students in the Data and Media Communication concentration (General Stream), but will be arranged for them if they wish, subject to availability of intern positions.

Students are encouraged to go on exchange study at one of the many universities we partner with around the world. Overseas study tours and other cross-cultural learning experiences are regularly organized to broaden students’ horizons.

Career Opportunities

Many graduates of the Journalism and Digital Media Major become reporters, editors, correspondents and producers in print, electronic and online media. Others move into related fields such as public relations, marketing, business and commerce, government service and education.

A good number of our graduates are winners of prestigious local and regional media awards. Many have obtained scholarships to pursue postgraduate studies in Hong Kong and abroad.

Entrance Requirements