Master’s Degree Scholarships for Journalists
[Many-minute read]
To round up the series I’ve been doing over the past few months on applying for Masters scholarships, I would like to dedicate this to people in my profession, Journalism, who may be thinking of getting additional papers.
Here’s a list of some scholarships I could find - some well known, others not that much - where you can pursue your further studies.
As always - Disclaimer: Remember, I have only attended the Erasmus Journalism program, so I have no in-depth knowledge of any of the others. I am just helping collate this info for you. If you need more info, please consult their websites and FAQ pages.
This is a fully-funded scholarship for Stanford University Masters and PhD courses. You can find more about their Journalism program here. You will have to apply for the Journalism program and the Knight-Hennessy scholarship separately. There is a payment fee of about $100 or thereabouts that is required to submit your program application but remember to ask for a waiver! For those looking for a data journalism focus, this is a great option!
Find out more here.
I’ve talked about this one here before. It’s a fully funded two-year program. It’s the Mastersprogram I’m currently on so I have actual ‘insider’ information about it. If there’s anything you want to ask that you cannot find online, please feel free to reach out to me. Remember, the journalism applications are currently open if you’re reading this when I have just posted it, so hurry and put in your application. There’s still plenty of time!
Apply here.
Columbia Journalism School offers a few fully-funded scholarships each year. A few though, but if you are part of the lucky ones (or if you persevere and apply until you get it) you would be part of one of the most prestigious universities for journalists in the world. This is an especially great course for those pursuing data journalism too. I’ve been trained in Python coding for journalists by one of the lecturers for this program and it’s an elite experience.
They’re unique in that other than offering a Master’s of Arts Degree, they also offer and Master of Science degree where you get computer programming qualifications as well. There’s even an option to do a dual degree and get the best of both worlds. But it’s not just for data journalists. They’re also great for people pursuing investigative journalism and documentary journalism.
Find out more here.
Columbia University is also home to the Knight-Bagehot in Economics and Business Journalism. For the Kenyans reading this, this is the program Larry Madowo got into (he’s one of the most successful Kenyan journalists at the moment, ex-BBC, currently at CNN).
This fellowship is for mid-career journalists though and it lasts one year.
And it’s currently open if you’re reading this when I’ve just posted! So go apply! Applications close January 31, 2022. And if you’re reading this in the future, this is a program that runs annually so check on their website for their next application round.
I also talked about this one here before. Again, you will have to apply for the scholarship and the degree program separately so the stakes are higher - you need to be accepted twice basically. It’s possible for example to be accepted into the program but to be denied the scholarship. Chin up though! There’s always next time.
This is a two-year Masters degree in Beijing, China at The School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University in partnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and Bloomberg News. It’s a Master of Arts degree in Global Business Journalism which “seeks to train future journalists who can help the public understand the complexities of global business and the economy.” It is fully taught in English.
A limited number of scholarships are available to top applicants. Those interested in applying for a scholarship are encouraged to apply early.
The deadline for the first round is Dec. 31 2021 so if you’re reading this as I post it, it’s open! There are second and third rounds of application so there’s still time for you to put in your application.
That’s it! Of course, there exist dozens of opportunities and I highly suggest you follow IJNET on social media as they share all sorts of opportunities for journalists, including those related to further studies.
As a parting shot, here’s a list of Master and PhD programs a friend shared with me. It covers all subjects, not just journalism.
For now, I will say, kwaheri (goodbye), happy holidays and see you next year!
If you got this far down, comment ‘Santa is real’ XD.
You can always get in touch with me through my email and socials linked below. If it is within your means, consider supporting me on Ko-fi for just $1 to keep the blog going too :)