One of the consequences of South Africa’s increasing power in the global economy is a soaring demand for trained journalists who can understand that exciting, complicated development and explain it, in depth, to South Africa, Africa and the world. The Master of Arts degree in Journalism and Media studies (Financial journalism) is designed to meet that growing need. The programme offers students the opportunity to master the fine points of business, finance and economics and to bring business journalism in South Africa in line with top international reporting standards.

The goal is to create a cadre of smart, sophisticated reporters, editors and public relations professionals who can enhance the understanding of economic and corporate developments in South Africa, Africa and the world.

While emphasizing critical perspectives, the programme also stresses solid reporting, writing, and research skills, as well as technical expertise in print, electronic, and online journalism.

The Masters consists of three courses and a research report and those doing Financial Journalism will do the following:

Minimum requirements

Reading the Media: This is a core theoretical course done by all our Masters students, giving students a solid background in media theory and journalism studies literature relevant to their profession, and preparing them for the research component.

Financial Journalism: This is an introductory Financial Journalism course that gets our students to understand basic principles/techniques of how to cover the economy, with a focus on fiscal and monetary policy, companies, the equities and commodities markets. Topics to cover will include;

  • Introduction to business and economic journalism
  • Principles of good business writing
  • Covering Economic indicators
  • Covering monetary and fiscal policy issues
  • Reporting companies
  • Introduction to financial and capital markets
  • Understanding Personal finance
  • Reporting commodities
  • International organizations
  • Reporting Trade
  • Labour issues
  • Black Economic Empowerment issues

The Story of Money: This course has two aims: to improve the understanding of how economies work and to upgrade the writing skills of participants through examining great authors on the subject. Numerous authors, some dating back hundreds of years, who have written about complex economics in clear and understandable terms, are studied as case studies of exemplary writing. Course work will focus on a research and story component, students being required to show they are able to cover complex economic subjects in a clear, accessible manner. Co-ordinator is Kevin Davie ( kevin.davie@wits.ac.za)

Research Report: Candidates will have to produce a research report under supervision. This will focus on an aspect of financial journalism.

Admission requirements
Applicants must have our Honours Degree in Journalism or equivalent and at least two years journalism experience in a newsroom, or an Honours degree in any field and at least five years professional experience in a mainstream newsroom. Marks need to be more than 65% average for the Honours degree. Applicants may be required to write a test, to present a portfolio of work, or indication of research work.

FEES
Fees for the Masters degree (three courses and the research report) are about R22 000. Please check the university website for the latest information.

You can apply online here.

For further information about the application process, please contact the programme administrator, Judi at 011-717 4028, or at journinfo@wits.ac.za, or go to the university’s postgraduate website.

International students, please click here for information on the special circumstances of being a foreign student at Wits.