Bachelor of Media and Journalism Studies (BA MJS)

The Bachelor of Media and Journalism Studies prepares graduates to work in print journalism, digital journalism, media practice, public relations, advertising and content production. The curriculum balances theory and practice, so students leave with both the conceptual grounding and the hands-on ability the industry expects.

Media practitioners today need more than technical skill. They need a clear understanding of their society and the forces shaping it. This programme gives students a practical and theoretical grasp of a fast-changing media landscape, so they can get the right message to the right audience.

What you will learn

Students gain skills in news reporting and writing, programme production, script writing, producing and directing, and media management, across newspapers, television, radio and online platforms. Graduates can critically analyse information, apply established principles of media and journalism in new contexts, and communicate arguments effectively across different formats and audiences.

How you will learn

Teaching combines lectures, discussion, laboratory practicals, seminars and guided self-study, with supervised research projects in the second and fourth years. At the end of the third year, every student completes a compulsory 12-week industrial attachment in a media organisation.

Where it can take you

Graduates work across government ministries, NGOs and the private sector, and many go on to work independently as freelance journalists, consultants, media owners or content producers. The programme also provides a foundation for postgraduate study in media and journalism.

Industry recognition

Recognised by the Ministry of Information and Media, the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), MISA Zambia, ZANIS, the Association of Journalists, PANOS Southern Africa and the Bloggers Association of Zambia.

coming soon

Courses

First Year
MJS 1310 – Introduction to Media and Communication Studies
MJS 1330 – Media and Communication Theories
MJS 1340 – Writing and Presentation Skills
MJS 1311 – Media and Communication Ethics
MJS 1312 – Media Law: Principles and Practices

Second Year
MJS 2310 – Radio and Television Production I
MJS 2320 – Basic News Writing and Reporting
MJS 2340 – Feature and Editorial Writing
MJS 2311 – Research Methods in Media and Communication
MJS 2312 – Statistics and Qualitative Data Analysis

Third Year
MJS 3110 – Radio and Television Production II
MJS 3320 – Photojournalism
MJS 3330 – Communication for Change
MJS 3321 – Digital Journalism
MJS 3322 – Design and Editing
MJS 3003 – Media Attachment

Fourth Year
MCS 4310 – Media Management
MJS 4320 – Undergraduate Research and Report
MJS 4330 – Practicum: Radio, TV and Investigative Reporting
Elective (one course from the list below)

Electives
MJS 9010 – Science and Technology Communication
MJS 9020 – Environmental Journalism
MJS 9030 – Fundamentals of Digital Film Making
MJS 9040 – Strategic Communication
MJS 9100 – Media, Gender and Children
MJS 9155 – Principles and Practice of Advertising
MJS 9200 – Business and Economics Journalism
MJS 9400 – Politics, Media Power and Society
MJS 9420 – Integrated Marketing Communication
MJS 9450 – Public Relations Theory and Practice
MJS 9005 – Creative Scripting for the Media

Admission Requirements

Minimum of a credit in five O’Levels including English Language and any other any four (4) subjects of which one must be an Art

To be admitted to the Bachelor of Media and Journalism Studies, a candidate must satisfy the General University Entrance Requirements, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences requirements, and be selected for the programme.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences requirement

Applicants must obtain five (5) O-Level credit passes in the Zambian School Certificate, or an equivalent qualification, made up as follows:

Group 1 — Compulsory

English Language

Group 2 — Any THREE of the following

Geography
History
Mathematics
Business Studies or Commerce or Economics or Principles of Accounts
Bible Knowledge or Computer Studies or Literature in English or French or Religious Education or Zambian Languages
Food and Nutrition or Home Economics or Home Management
Art or Art and Design or Design and Communication or Music or Computer Studies
Civic Education or Development Studies
Additional Mathematics

Group 3 — Any ONE of the following

English Literature, Agriculture, Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Combined Science, Design Technology, Geology, Geometrical and Building Drawing, Geometrical and Mechanical Drawing, Human and Social Biology, Metal Work, Physical Science, Physics, Surveying, Wood Work, Zoology

Additional programme requirement

Beyond the general University and School requirements, candidates for the BMJS must hold credit-level passes in the Zambia School Certificate (or equivalent) in:

English Language
Mathematics or Geography or History
Three further subjects, including Geography or History if these were not already counted above

Please note: Admission to all programmes in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee an applicant a place.

Applicants who do not hold a Zambian School Certificate may apply with an equivalent qualification, and exemptions may be granted in accordance with University regulations.

Undergraduate Fees

A. Zambians, Refugees, Students from the SADC region, and Resident Permit Holders

Study Programme Type	Tuition Fees Per Academic Year
Art-Based	K25,808.00

B. International Students

Study Programme Type	Tuition Fees Per Academic Year
Art-Based	K51,363.00

C. Other/User Fees

Type of Fees	Amount	Period
Registration	K40.00	Per Year
Examination	K50.00	Per Course
Recreation	K300.00	Per Year
Medical	K200.00	Per Year
Caution Fee	K210.00	Paid by 1st Years only once at entry (non-refundable)
Technology	K194.00	Per Year
Record Card Fee	K50.00	Paid by 1st Years only once at entry
Student Union Fee	K90.00	Per Year
Academic Fee	K20.00	Per Year
Library Fee	K250.00	Per Year
Student ID	K200.00	Per Year paid by all students
Graduation	K100.00	Per Year paid by graduating students
Accommodation	K5,850.00	Per Year (only students with University Accommodation)

D. Part-Time Students (Zambian, SADC, Refugee Status)

(i) Zambian, SADC, and Refugees Status Students

Study Programme Type	Tuition Fees Per Academic Year	Half Course Per Academic Year
Science-Based	K6,452.00	K3,226.00

(ii) International Students

Study Programme Type	Tuition Fees Per Academic Year	Half Course Per Academic Year
Science-Based	K12,841.00	K6,420.50

Please note that tuition fees are paid in four installments as indicated below:

The initial installment is 25% of the tuition fees, plus all other/user fees paid at registration
The second installment is 25% of the tuition fees paid at the end of the first term
The third installment is 25% of the tuition fees paid in the second term
The last installment is 25% of the tuition fees is paid before writing the final examination.

Payments can be made at any Zambian National Commercial Bank using a bill muster form. For any further inquiries, kindly contact the Customer Relations Officer on cell phone numbers: 097-744-6064, 096-118-3008, 095-520-3203, or email customerrelations@unza.zm.

Applications for the Bachelor of Media and Journalism Studies are submitted through the University of Zambia Online Application Portal (OAP). Apply using the Online Application link below:

Online Applications

Before you begin:

- Have a valid email address and your NRC or passport number ready.
- You can retrieve a saved application at any time using your Application ID together with your NRC or passport number.
- Once submitted, Step 1 cannot be edited, so review those details carefully before moving on.
- An applicant account is created for you, and your applicant number is sent to you by email.

For this programme, you will be selecting the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and then Bachelor of Media and Journalism Studies.

Step 1 — Begin your application

Select the School you are applying under, then the intake period, then the specific programme. Your applicant account is created at this point and your applicant number is emailed to you.

Step 2 — Complete your personal details

Upload a recent passport-size photograph and fill in the required fields. Fields marked with an asterisk must be completed before you can move on.

Step 3 — Enter your academic qualifications

Capture your subjects and grades exactly as they appear on your certificate or statement of results.

Step 4 — Upload supporting documents

Provide clear, legible copies of:

Your Grade 12 / School Certificate results, certified by the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) for local qualifications
National Registration Card or passport
Disability certificate, where applicable
Personnel data form, for UNZA staff and their dependants only
Step 5 — Pay the application fee

The non-refundable application fee is payable by bank card through the portal's secure checkout, or by bank deposit using the Bill Master slip generated by the portal. Ensure you obtain and retain your UNZA receipt.

Step 6 — Review and submit

Check every section for accuracy, then submit. You can return to any earlier step to make corrections before submitting, except Step 1.

Need help?
University of Zambia, Registrar's Department
Great East Road Campus, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
+260 211 250871 / +260 211 251593 / +260 211 291777-8
✉️ registrar@unza.zm

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Bachelor of Media and Journalism Studies (BA MJS)

What you will learn

How you will learn

Where it can take you

Industry recognition

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