What Admissions Committees Actually Look For
Beyond the checklist
Portfolio (where required): published articles, films, photography, or PR campaigns — demonstrate that you are already making things, not just planning to
Personal statement: show genuine engagement with media and communication beyond consuming it — what you have made, observed critically, or analyzed
Language: multilingualism is highly valued for journalism and international communication degrees; many European programs are multilingual by design
Formal Requirements
Bachelor's Programs
- High school diploma
- Communication skills
- English proficiency
- Portfolio for some programs
Master's Programs
- Bachelor's degree in relevant field
- Work samples or portfolio
- English proficiency
- Media experience valued
- Letters of recommendation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying to journalism programs without any writing or reporting experience — even a student blog or school publication matters
Personal statements that describe media consumption passionately but show no production or analytical experience
Not researching the specific orientation of the program — some are journalism-focused, some are PR-focused, some are academic media studies
Application Timeline
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