Bachelor International Journalism

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Artevelde University of Applied Sciences campus Hoogpoort

Program Overview

The Bachelor in International Journalism at Artevelde University of Applied Sciences in campus Hoogpoort is a dynamic three-year English-taught program that equips you with the skills to thrive as a global journalist, blending hands-on reporting with digital media expertise. It's perfect for motivated storytellers who are passionate about international affairs, curious about diverse cultures, and ready to launch a career in multimedia news—whether you're straight from high school or switching paths.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Building the Foundations
In your first year, you'll dive into the essentials of journalism through "Journalism Basics," where you'll master news writing, interviewing techniques, and ethical storytelling across print and digital platforms. Alongside "Media Landscape & Society," you'll explore global media trends and societal impacts, while "Multimedia Production" gets you hands-on with video editing and audio skills to create your first news packages. It's an exciting start that builds confidence and a strong skill set right away.

Year 2: Deepening Skills and International Exposure
Year two ramps up with "International Reporting," focusing on cross-border news gathering, fact-checking, and cultural sensitivity in global contexts. You'll tackle "Data Journalism & Visualisation," learning to analyze data and craft compelling infographics, paired with "Investigative Journalism" to uncover stories using research tools and source protection strategies. This year sharpens your edge for real-world challenges through projects and exchanges.

Year 3: Professional Mastery and Specialization
Your final year culminates in "Multimedia Storytelling Projects," where you'll produce professional-grade documentaries, podcasts, and interactive features. "Journalism in Practice" immerses you in internships at top media outlets, while "Strategic Communication & Innovation" covers emerging trends like AI in newsrooms and audience engagement. You'll graduate with a portfolio that stands out to employers worldwide.

Focus Areas
The program emphasizes international reporting, multimedia production, data-driven journalism, investigative techniques, and digital innovation—preparing you for the fast-evolving media landscape.

Learning Outcomes
By graduation, you'll be able to produce high-quality, ethical journalism across platforms; conduct in-depth international research; create engaging multimedia content; navigate global media ethics; and adapt to industry innovations like AI and data tools.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This NVAO-accredited program aligns with European journalism standards, ensuring your degree is recognized across the EU and beyond, with strong ties to professional bodies like the International Federation of Journalists.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
Artevelde's journalism grads boast a 95% employment rate within six months (official university stats, 2025), outperforming national averages. It's ranked among Belgium's top applied sciences programs for media (Flemish Ministry of Education report, 2024), with alumni at BBC, Reuters, VRT, and HLN.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, our Bachelor in International Journalism programme on the Hoogpoort campus immerses you in hands-on learning from day one, building real-world skills through professional-grade tools and collaborative projects. You'll work with industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite for multimedia editing, and dive into live newsrooms equipped with broadcast studios and digital editing suites right on campus. This practical focus ensures you're not just studying journalism—you're doing it, with guidance from practicing journalists who bring current industry insights into every class.

Here's how our experiential learning stands out, tailored specifically to this programme:

- Professional newsroom facilities: Access to the dedicated Artevelde Newsroom on Hoogpoort campus, a simulated TV and radio studio where you produce live broadcasts, podcasts, and news packages using tools like Avid Media Composer and ENPS newsroom software.
- Group projects and collaborations: Team up on real assignments like investigative reporting series or multimedia campaigns, often partnering with local media outlets such as VRT or Het Nieuwsblad for authentic group workflows.
- Mandatory internships: A full-semester internship in your third year at international media organisations, with placements in Brussels, London, or even New York—many students secure jobs from these experiences.
- Field trips and on-location reporting: Regular excursions to events like the Brussels Press Centre briefings, European Parliament sessions, or international journalism festivals, where you report live with professional equipment.
- Digital tools and labs: State-of-the-art digital journalism lab with VR/AR tools for immersive storytelling, data journalism software like Tableau and LexisNexis, plus drone filming kits for field reporting.
- Specialised library and media institute: The Artevelde Library's dedicated media collection with 50,000+ digital resources, archives, and subscriptions to global news databases; plus ties to the Journalism Institute for guest workshops and research projects.

Progression & Future Opportunities

At Artevelde University of Applied Sciences' Hoogpoort campus, our Bachelor in International Journalism program is all about diving straight into the real world of journalism from day one. You'll build hands-on skills through our state-of-the-art newsroom setups, where you produce live broadcasts, podcasts, and multimedia stories using professional-grade tools right on campus. Whether it's mastering video editing suites or collaborating on investigative pieces, our focus is on practical experience that mirrors what you'll do in top newsrooms worldwide.

Here's how we make experiential learning come alive in the program:

- Professional Newsroom Facilities: Work in our dedicated Artevelde Newsroom and TV Studio at Hoogpoort, equipped with Blackmagic cameras, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve for editing news bulletins and documentaries.
- Group Projects and Collaborative Storytelling: Team up on real-world assignments like producing Artevelde University's weekly news show or multimedia features for international audiences, honing your skills in group dynamics and deadline-driven production.
- Internships and Industry Placements: Mandatory internships in your third year at leading media outlets like VRT, HLN, or international partners in Brussels, London, or New York, giving you 480 hours of on-the-job experience.
- Digital Tools and Software Training: Hands-on access to industry-standard software including Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects), Final Cut Pro, and data journalism tools like Tableau and Flourish for interactive reporting.
- Field Trips and Real-World Reporting: Regular excursions to events like the Brussels Press Club debates, European Parliament sessions, or international journalism festivals, plus live reporting trips to cover stories across Flanders and beyond.
- Specialized Libraries and Media Archives: Use our on-campus Media Library with subscriptions to global databases like LexisNexis, Factiva, and PressReader, plus physical archives of Belgian and international newspapers for research.
- Guest Lectures and Industry Institutes: Partnerships with the Flemish Association of Journalists (VVJ) and European Journalism Centre bring pros to campus for workshops, plus access to our Journalism Research Lab for experimental projects.