Master of Science in Communication Studies

Journalism and

60 ECTS
Media in Europe 2024 - 2025
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CREDENTIALS
8
ADVANCED MASTER’S 16 CONTINUING TEACHER TRAINING
PROGRAMMES POSTGRADUATE EDUCATION MASTER’S
PROGRAMMES COURSES PROGRAMMES

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Think critically, choose VUB 03

THE
WORLD
Communication Studies:
Journalism and Media In 07
Europe

Programme 08

Academic staff 09

NEEDS
YOU
THINK CRITICALLY,
CHOOSE VUB

Nothing is unthinkable, everything is

achievable. Especially if you choose the Vrije
Universiteit Brussel: the place for free thinking
and sky-high ambition.

STRONG TEACHING, PERSONAL APPROACH

At VUB, you have a choice of 30+ academic We mix that social focus and ambition with
bachelor’s and 85+ master’s programmes. So great study support and a personal approach,
you are sure to find something to your liking. You the hallmark of the VUB. And you will soon
also get value for your money. If you believe the feel at home on campus among your new
rankings, we are the best university in Belgium family of more than 20.000 fellow students.
when it comes to teaching. Your professors are leading scientists with an
international network, and their doors are always
Our courses build on pioneering research from
open (when it is not freezing outside, of course).
our 150 research groups. That means you
will be on top of the latest developments and
technology. What matters to us, as an urban
engaged university, is how you, as an engaged
global citizen, use your knowledge to make the
world a better place.

3
 CRITICAL MIND, WARM HEART BOUNDLESS AMBITION, CLOSE TIES
VUB is a young university with a rich tradition Brussels and VUB, founding member of the
of independent thinking. We do not accept EUTOPIA alliance, exude a cosmopolitan
absolute truths. We study the ever-changing atmosphere, as every year, students from
reality according to the principles of free around 150 countries come to study with us.
enquiry: free from religion, ideology and Your foreign dreams can come true here too.
worldview, built entirely on scientific methods. We collaborate daily with higher education
institutions at home and abroad, so internship
At VUB, you will learn how to investigate
and career opportunities are there for the
scientific theses and to ask obvious and less
taking, both in Belgium and further afield.
obvious questions. We focus on open-minded
research and respectful disagreement. With us,
you will not simply reproduce, you will learn to
argue your point. You will walk out with your SHORT DISTANCES, EASY
own vision. Critical thinking skills are a vital ACCESS
asset for a brilliant career and an exciting life.
You will find almost all our faculties on the
And all these thinkers form a close-knit green VUB Main Campus in Elsene. Only
community. At VUB, you will find yourself in an Medicine and Pharmacy are on the VUB
open and caring environment. Whoever you are, Health Campus in Jette, in the shadow of our
however you think, together we are VUB. That university hospital. Both are easy to reach by
is a special feeling. We embrace every talent bus and tram connections, and the VUB Main
in every situation and want to see everyone Campus is right next door to Etterbeek train
succeed, both on campus and in life. station.

4
 ENTER BRUSSELS,
EXIT BOREDOM
It is all happening in Brussels. Politics,
activism, company headquarters,
celebrations of sporting heroes, rebellious
creativity, the pulse of the world. If you
study at VUB, you are studying in the
heart of Europe. A Brussels ‘ket’ is at
home in a cultural melting pot, jumps
between languages and respects others’
customs. That attitude is the key to the
door of an international career.
Brussels is also a real student city. Stroll
through the streets around the Bourse
and you immediately realise that this
is a hotspot for culture vultures and
food-lovers alike. It is bustling all year
round, and yet you will find peace here
too. Get to know Brussels and find your
own way. You will soon get used to its
idiosyncrasies.

Living and studying on our campuses is

great. Stroll from your class to the dorms
and sports facilities to the restaurant THE ‘V’ OF VUB
and back again. There is no traffic to
dodge, just our inviting lawns. The real
“Vrijheid” – freedom – is fundamental
advantages of campus life? How quickly
to the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. And in
and easily you can connect with others,
particular, freedom of thought: the right
including students from different fields.
as humans and scientists to question
How you save time very day. And how you
everything critically, without prejudice.
immediately feel at home.
The world still needs that freedom.
Think about it.
And let your adventure begin. Based on this principle, VUB is open to
everyone, regardless of their religion or
worldview. We support all our students to
become truly autonomous, responsible
and critically thinking world citizens.
Equality, openness and tolerance are at
the heart of our humanistic vision.

We consider worldview, including religion,

to be a personal choice within the private
sphere. We respect it but we do not
facilitate it. Our focus is on high-quality
education based on free research and
first-rate science.

5
 Become an expert
in journalism and
media in the capital
of Europe
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. With its range of European
and international institutions and the many media,
journalism and communication professionals
working here, Brussels is the perfect place to
study media and journalism in Europe.

6
COMMUNICATION
STUDIES: JOURNALISM
AND MEDIA IN EUROPE

COMMUNICATION STUDIES Culture and Politics Research Group, and DESIRE

AT THE HEART OF EUROPE: (Centre for the study of Democracy, Signification
and Resistance).
A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
You can find more information about your
In Brussels, you will study in an environment professors on the programme website:
with all the European institutions right at hand. www.vub.be/journalism-and-media-in-europe.
This master will acquaint you with European
institutions, important journalism and media
players, lobbyists and NGOs, and communication
and media agencies. The programme includes
AN INTERACTIVE, TAILOR-MADE
a yearly lecture series with prestigious speakers
PROGRAMME
from the European media industry, journalism and While giving you a broad and interdisciplinary
European institutions. You will also get to see the understanding of journalism and media in
reality of working in the field in Brussels through Europe, the master’s programme allows you to
site visits and the possibility of a traineeship. pursue your own interests and develop a specific
media and communication expertise through
elective courses, a thesis on a topic of your
EVIDENCE-BASED EDUCATION interest and a traineeship.
The Master of Science in Communication In previous years students have, for example,
Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe interviewed female political journalists on gender
helps you to develop the critical attitude and dynamics in the newsroom; analysed the impact
analytical skills necessary to play a constructive of social media technologies on journalistic
role in a highly complex society characterised practices; assessed the impact of Silvio
by immense amounts of often contradictory Berlusconi on journalism in Italy; analysed the
information and opinions. You acquire the social media strategies of Marine Le Pen of the
attitude, skills and methodological and far-right Rassemblement National; analysed the
conceptual toolbox necessary to critically assess geopolitical narratives in Hollywood films.
information found in journalism, political rhetoric
Students did traineeships at established
and policy documents, and to see clearly in the
EU-centered media companies like viEUws;
information overload. And you will also develop
at different kinds of international media
the skills to base strategic actions on clear
organisations such as ELLE or Deutsche
insights and scientific evidence.
Welle; at NGOs such as Votewatch Europe;
All courses require you to engage with current at PR companies like Dober Partners; at
academic research. For your thesis, you will also European institutions and state and regional
set up your own small-scale empirical research: representations to Europe, such as Saxony
from building and formulating a research Liaison Office Brussels.
question and a conceptual framework, over data
Courses are taught using interactive teaching
gathering and analysis, to writing an attractive
methods that stimulate individual participation,
academic text. In this process, you will be guided
and critical and independent thinking. Through
by one of the professors of the department.
intensive class discussions and writing
All our professors are academic experts in their assignments, including academic essays and
field, and they draw on their research in their a thesis, policy texts such as white papers, and
courses. Our professors are linked to one of journalistic texts, you will develop your ability
the following three media and communication to formulate clear and critical ideas and to
research groups: SMIT (Studies in Media, convincingly communicate your arguments both
Innovation and Technology), ECHO Media, orally and in written form.

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 PROGRAMME
PROGRAMMA
ECTS - ECTS is the standardised method for transferring study credits in Europe. At the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, each ECTS credit equals
one study point (SP). One ECTS credit represents approximately 25 to 30 hours of educational, learning, and evaluation activities.

Master year ECTS

Extra curriculum
Compulsory courses: 48 ECTS
Next to the master’s programme, the
Journalism: Trends and Technologies 6 Communication Studies education team
organises visits in Brussels. You get to know
Journalism, Politics and Ideology 6 different sides of the (European and Belgian)
Political Economy of Journalism in the EU 6 capital. Organised visits have included the
POLITICO and EurActiv newsrooms; Wieni, a
Journalism Practice in Europe 6 digital content agency specialising in online
European Public Sphere 6 content distribution; the EU Parliament, the
Parlementarium and the Commission; a tour of
Master thesis in Communication Studies 18 historical cinemas in the centre of Brussels. Apart
from the organised visits, you can attend the
Elective courses: choose 12 ECTS6
many international workshops and debates that
Populist and Radical Political Discourses take place on campus and in Brussels.
6
in Europe
Influence and Lobbying (at ULB) 6
Media, Culture and Globalisation Theories 6 Preparatory programme
European Media Markets 6 Based on the review of your study curriculum, the
admissions board will decide whether you should
Data, Privacy and Society 6 combine the master programme with some
Traineeship in Communication Studies: preparatory courses (maximum 2 courses, for a
12 total of 12 ECTS). These can be combined with
Journalism and Media in Europe
the master’s study in one academic year.
Total 60

The programme is subject to change. Check

www.vub.be/en/journalism-and-media-in-europe
for the latest information about the programme.

8
ACADEMIC STAFF

BENJAMIN DE CLEEN is the academic coordinator of the Journalism and Media in Europe master,
and the coordinator of the Research Centre for Democracy, Signification and Resistance that brings
together researchers from VUB, University of Ljubljana, University of Essex, Charles University in Prague,
and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Drawing on his research expertise on radical right rhetoric,
populism, nationalism and conservatism, Prof. De Cleen teaches the mandatory course ‘Journalism,
Politics and Ideology’ and the elective course ‘Populist and Radical Political Discourses in Europe’. He
supervises master’s theses about populist, nationalist and radical right discourses and on the relation
between journalism and populist, nationalist and right-wing politics.

IKE PICONE teaches and researches disruptions on the crossroad of journalism, technological innovations
and democracy with a focus on news use practices. His research topics include user participation in online
news, the changing relationship between news audiences and journalists, and the role of new media in the
emergence of deliberative public spheres. As a member of the Council for Journalism, he deliberates with
journalists and media professionals about cases of journalism ethics. Prof. Picone teaches two mandatory
courses in the master: ‘Journalism: Trends and Technologies’ and ’Journalism: Practice in Europe’. He
supervises master’s theses on digital disruption in journalism, news use studies, and journalistic innovation.

CRISTINA GONZALEZ is a guest professor in the Department of Communication Studies, co-teaching

the course ‘Journalism: Practice in Europe’ with Prof. Ike Picone and supervises master’s thesis
students on journalism practice, audio innovation in news and emerging news trends in Europe.
Cristina is currently the executive producer of audio for POLITICO Europe in Brussels, and has worked
as a radio and podcast producer, journalist and communications expert in her native United States,
as well as Germany and Belgium. She holds an master’s degree in Communication Studies from VUB
and a bachelor’s in Journalism and Political Science from New York University.

LUCIANO MORGANTI is a professor of Communication Studies and a senior researcher at SMIT.

His work focuses on the interaction between (new) communication technologies and democratic
processes with particular attention to the concept and practices of European Public Sphere. He
also works on innovation in the European media sector, media and internet governance and (online)
political participation in the EU. In the Digital Media in Europe Master, he teaches the ‘European Public
Sphere’, the ‘Lecture Series’ and supervises master’s theses. In this master’s, he teaches the course
‘European Public Sphere’, coordinates the traineeship programme and supervises master’s theses.
Luciano holds a PhD in Communication Studies from VUB, a Master of Arts in European Studies
from the College of Europe - Bruges, and a master’s degree in Cyber Communication and Interactive
Multimedia Projects from ISC - Saint-Louis - Brussels.

YAZAN BADRAN is a visiting professor at the Department of Communication Studies (SCOM) and
a postdoctoral researcher at the ECHO and imec-SMIT research centre at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
His research focuses on the nascent media spheres in the Arab World that developed following the
2011 uprisings including new and emerging forms of journalism in the region and within its exilic
and diasporic communities. Dr. Badran teaches the elective course ‘Media, Culture and Globalisation
Theories’. He supervises master’s theses on new media and politics in the MENA region, journalism
and political satire and emerging media.

ANTONIS KALOGEROPOULOS teaches and researches digital news audiences. More specifically,
he is focused on how people get their news online and how that affects the information
environment and the diffusion of misinformation. His research topics include trust in news,
inequalities in digital news provision and consumption, social media and messaging app use.
He teaches Political Economy of Journalism in the EU and supervises master’s theses on topics
related to digital news use, misinformation and digital innovation in journalism.

9
 “The Master of Science in
Communication Studies:
Journalism and Media in Europe
has profoundly changed my view
of journalism as a profession and
the (European) news industry
as a whole. The courses offered
in this programme helped me
to better understand the many
aspects of journalism, such as
how journalism and politics affect
each other, how the political
economy of journalism works and
which practices and technologies
currently dominate and transform
the industry. What is special about
this programme’s approach is
that it takes into account the
regional and cultural differences
of journalism throughout Europe,
and on several occasions beyond
that as well. The fact that many
of my fellow students, including
myself, came from abroad, gave
great value to the discussions
during classes and the insight I
gained about journalism and the
media in other parts of Europe
and the world. The knowledge
I gained from these interactions
and experiences has been very
valuable to me in my professional
career so far, where I interact
with journalists from different
countries every day. Whether
you are an aspiring journalist or
academic researcher with a
passion for journalism, this master’s
programme is a great opportunity
that prepares you very well for
your career in those fields.”

Tim Kohnen, Editorial Office Executive at the

European Newsroom (enr) and volunteering
Leading Editor for European Affairs at The
European Correspondent, class of 2021

10
“The Journalism and Media in Europe master’s programme is a well-curated
one-year programme that equips students with a critical lens to approach
journalism and media in this rapidly developing era. With a range of courses led by
passionate and engaging professors, the content of the programme not only offers
fascinating theory but also engages with current issues that are nicely connected
to the university’s international atmosphere in Brussels. I especially appreciated the
diverse cohort that I was a part of and the discussions in class offered rich insight
into journalistic contexts in Europe and beyond. This programme is a rewarding
endeavour and has provided me with invaluable knowledge and experience.”

Anna Luo, PhD student at VUB, Department of Communication Studies, class of 2022

“What really sets this master’s programme apart, are the small class sizes. This
way it was possible to actively participate and interact with the other students.
We were a very diverse group with people coming from all over the world, but
I thought it was especially enriching that not everybody had an academic
background in Communication Studies. This way, the issues we talked about
in class were highlighted from many different perspectives and we had lots
of lively discussions. I was able to get a good insight into the different ways of
thinking and dealing with current trends in the industry and I was handed the
tools I will need in my professional career.”

Marisa Oschmann, Junior Research Associate at Ebbinge, class of 2020

“This master’s programme was an incredible opportunity to discover current

developments in communication research: you stay updated on the latest
advancements in media and journalism while keeping a critical focus on socio-
political phenomena. The programme includes passionate lecturers and teachers
that are willing to stimulate analytical reflection considering forefront trends in
media reporting and news writing. With a bird’s eye view of contemporary media
scholars, exploring original theories along with long-standing pioneers of the
discipline, the course equips you with appropriate intellectual tools and concepts
to make sense of the ever-evolving journalism environment.”

Giacomo Toffano, PhD student at VUB, Department of Communication Studies, class of 2020
 ADMISSION CRITERIA AND
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants for our master’s programmes must
meet certain academic requirements and
demonstrate personal motivation. Specific
requirements can be found on each programme’s
page. For more information on general
requirements, please visit our website:
Publisher: Rector Jan Danckaert, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels. Please note that the information in this brochure is subject to change. No rights may be derived from this publication.

www.vub.be/en/admission-language-requirements.

A P P L I C AT I O N D E A D L I N E
We strongly encourage candidates to register early,
even if they do not yet meet certain admission
requirements, such as obtaining a particular diploma.
Please see our website for the exact deadlines:
www.vub.be/en/application-deadline.

TUITION FEES
VUB offers subsidised tuition fees for most master’s
programmes. Fees for non-EEA students may be
higher. For the exact amounts and to calculate your
tuition fees, see our website:
www.vub.be/en/study-costs.

M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
Scan the QR code below for more details
about this specific programme.
For further inquiries, please contact us via
faces@vub.be or www.vub.be/contact.

www.vub.be/en/journalism-and-media-in-europe

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