Master of Science in Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe
Ixelles, Belgium
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 5,720 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for EEA nationals | non EEA nationals : 31 March 2026
** for non EEA nationals| EEA nationals: EUR 1182 per year
Key Summary
About: The Master of Science in Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe at Vrije Universiteit Brussel examines journalism and media in European societies from economic, political-ideological, and policy perspectives. It emphasizes economic, political, and technological change, comparative media systems, and European integration. The programme uses Brussels' European institutions and media networks for traineeships and thesis work and supports an international cohort.
Career Outcomes: Graduates pursue careers in journalism, communications, media policy and advocacy, marketing and social media, academic research, and entrepreneurship. Traineeships and thesis work build your international network; the programme shares jobs and traineeships with students and alumni.
The Master of Science in Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe takes a critical and interdisciplinary look at the role of journalism and media in European societies. The Master looks at journalism and media from an economic, political-ideological, and policy perspective. It pays attention to the impact of recent economic, political, and technological developments in journalism and media. The Master zooms in on media and journalism in a European context, looking comparatively at journalism across Europe and journalism in the context of European integration. It makes optimal use of Brussels with its range of European and international institutions and the many media, journalism, and communication professionals working in and around those institutions.
Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO)
Accredited
The program consists of two semesters. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. Instead of choosing from the optional courses, students can decide to do an internship.
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.
And across the two semesters, you write a master thesis on a selected topic. One of our professors will be your supervisor and guide you through the process of researching and writing the thesis.
The Master of Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe is an academic master that prepares you to become a media and communications professional with a profound strategic and interdisciplinary understanding of journalism and media in a European context. You will study changing journalistic business models, journalistic practices in today’s digital age, and the relationship between journalism, politics, lobbying, and ideology.
Master of Science (MSc.) in Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe (60 ECTS).
Students also can continue their academic careers as a PhD researchers.
We are a public university and thus subsidized by the government. This results in relatively low tuition fees for the bachelor’s, master's, and PhD programs. We have some scholarships available for our master’s programs.
Our alumni are currently working as journalists and communication and media professionals in Brussels and across Europe and beyond in a variety of sectors and organizations. Positions include journalists; press officers, communication officials, and policy advisors in national, European, and international institutions and NGOs; marketing managers and social media strategists; lobbying and advocacy; academic researchers, and independent entrepreneurs in the media and communication sector.
Throughout the master's 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.
Through our Facebook page, we share relevant job posts, traineeship positions, and interesting events for our current students as well as alumni. You can already follow the Facebook page to see what is happening in the master.
Are you interested in one of our English-taught programmes and want to know more about studying in Brussels at VUB? VUB organises general and programme specific online info sessions. Book your timeslot today!