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San and Khoisan language groupsThese are not one single standardised language and major machine translators do not support them properly yet. We are keeping the gap visible because it matters.
This path usually asks for 3 years of study or training.
One of the real pressures is that it can be deadlines and public scrutiny can be intense.
1. What this job is
Finds, verifies, and tells public-interest stories across print, digital, audio, and multimedia platforms.
2. What daily life feels like
Researching stories, interviewing people, writing or editing copy, and working to deadlines with editorial teams.
3. Why someone might enjoy it
You enjoy work that feels writing, curious, public-interest and you can handle the trade-offs that come with it.
Strong public-interest storytelling pathway
Good fit for curious people who like language and current affairs
Useful across reporting, editorial, and media work
4. What may be difficult
Deadlines and public scrutiny can be intense
The sector is financially unstable in many areas
Verification pressure is constant
5. Market reality
A simple picture of what this path tends to feel like in the market: how earnings usually grow, how reachable the path is, and how steady it may feel over time.
Salary path
Entry: low Mid: low-medium Long-term: medium
Job access
Moderate
Long-term stability
Uncertain
6. Paths into the role
Path data is still being checked
We are still building and updating this section. Some paths may be incomplete or need correction, especially while the platform is still early. Use this as a starting point, then check current entry requirements, registration rules, providers, and funding options yourself before making a decision.
Journalism or media studies degree
Required for full qualification
Entry req:Matric
In South Africa:Well recognised
Builds reporting, interviewing, writing, and editorial judgement across media formats.
Typical provider: University
Best for: Building the main recognised path into journalism.
Useful to know: Entry requirements differ by provider; check the current prospectus or admissions page before applying.
Minimum duration:3 yr
Cost:High
Qualification:Undergraduate degree
Strong language ability, curiosity, and confidence with public information matter.
What this can lead to
A more recognised path into the field
Stronger access to formal roles
Better long-term progression options
Things to think about
Usually takes more time and money than an entry path
You still need practical experience, references, and provider checks
7. Where to study in South Africa
These are general places of study to check, split into online or distance options and campus or in-person routes. They may not offer this exact qualification yet; use these directories as a starting point while we build programme-by-programme data.
A public distance-learning university. It is often a lower-cost option than many private routes, but it is not free.
Run by: UNISA
Best used for: Open learning
Good to compare if you need public university study at a distance. Check fees, admission requirements, timing, and whether the qualification fits the role you want.
Some registered private higher education institutions offer online, blended, or distance qualifications.
Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training
Best used for: Private higher education
Use this to compare private options without assuming they are all equal. Check DHET registration, qualification accreditation, total cost, and whether the route is accepted for any professional registration you may need.
These are official places to start checking for funding. Some are broad, some may be more relevant to this field, and most depend on current application cycles and eligibility rules.
These are extra options to investigate beyond formal funding. Ask employers, training providers, and industry bodies whether they offer bursaries, internships, learnerships, sponsored training, or entry programmes.
Funding route
NSFAS
Funding support for qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges.
Coverage: Tuition and selected living costs for eligible learners.
Best for: Public study pathways with household income limits.
Availability depends on the institution and eligibility rules.
Funding route
Merit bursary
Academic or portfolio-based funding from institutions and private organisations.
Coverage: Partial or full fee support depending on performance.
Best for: Degree, diploma, and design-oriented pathways with strong results.
More realistic for students with strong marks or standout portfolios.
These are more specific versions or branches of this path. They help you understand the shape of the work without splitting closely related options into duplicate career pages.
Radio Journalism
Works as a radio journalist, carrying out recognised radio journalist duties in a workplace, client-service, fieldwork, or specialist setting.
Developing creative work for an audience or brief
Editing, presenting, or improving work
Managing feedback, deadlines, and quality
12. Information sources
We do not yet have a clear South African demand source for this path, so for now we are using official occupation records to show that it is still a recognised kind of work.
How clear the evidence is
similar role signal
Latest source year
2012
South African demand list
Not directly listed there
Confidence
medium
South African data not yet available
That means we can still show you this path, but we are leaning more on official occupation records than on a direct South African demand source for now.
Official occupation
Print Journalist
OFO 264203
exact role
Minimum qualification: Not specified in OFO occupation classification
Official occupation
Radio Journalist
OFO 264204
similar role
Minimum qualification: Not specified in OFO occupation classification
Official occupation
Television Journalist
OFO 264205
similar role
Not specified in OFO occupation classification
Arts progression
Entry req:Experience or employer requirements
In South Africa:Well recognised
Further study, mentorship, production experience, or specialist portfolio work used to build stronger creative careers.
Typical provider: University, university of technology, college, private provider, or professional network
Best for: Moving beyond entry-level journalism into more specialised or senior work.
Useful to know: Check current provider, workplace, and professional requirements before applying.
Minimum duration:1 yr
Cost:Medium
Best after a foundation path or relevant workplace exposure.
What this can lead to
Specialist progression
Better senior options
Stronger proof in a chosen direction
Things to think about
Best after you understand the field better
May only make sense once you know the direction you want
Campus and in person
Study directory
South African public universities
Campus or in person
Official DHET directory of public universities and universities of technology across South Africa.
Run by: Department of Higher Education and Training
Best used for: Public universities
Good starting point for degree routes, professional qualifications, and public university admissions pages.
A registered private higher education institution offering accredited higher education programmes through brands and campuses including Emeris and IIE Rosebank International.
Run by: The Independent Institute of Education
Best used for: Private higher education
IIE is useful to compare for private higher education routes across commerce, education, ICT, law, humanities, finance, and related fields. Treat registration as a baseline check, then confirm the specific qualification, fees, delivery mode, and professional-body requirements before applying.
A registered private higher education institution offering contact, distance, and blended qualifications across several academic schools.
Run by: STADIO
Best used for: Private higher education
STADIO is a separate private provider, not part of IIE. It can be useful to compare for fields such as education, commerce, administration, IT, media and design, engineering and architecture, law, and policing. Check the exact qualification and registration details before enrolling.