What IGCSEs Do I Need to Be a Journalist?

If you are curious about the world, love telling stories, and have a desire to uncover the truth, you may be perfect for a career in journalism. There are many opportunities in the field; you may prefer being a magazine editor, a foreign correspondent, or a news anchor.  Having a degree in journalism can open a wide variety of doors to dynamic career choices. 

Journalism is a wide-open field that is constantly growing. It’s also a very competitive field, so you’ll want to prepare well to ensure a successful academic journey. Building a successful career as a journalist starts with choosing the best IGCSEs.

Essential IGCSEs for Journalism

Many programmes do not have specific IGCSE subject requirements for journalists. However, some core subjects can be very beneficial for aspiring journalists. Taking these core subjects helps build a strong foundation that will ensure your academic success and strengthen your university application.

IGCSE English Language and Literature

Aspiring journalists need a strong foundation in the English language and written communication. IGCSE English Language and IGCSE English Literature help hone skills in writing, textual analysis, and critical thinking. Studying different literary works helps you learn to communicate persuasively and effectively, and develop your own writing style. These essay subjects help to enhance your understanding of various narrative styles, which is crucial for being able to craft compelling articles and news stories.

IGCSE Economics

IGCSE Economics can be a great course for aspiring journalists. It may seem unrelated, but a journalist should have a good understanding of economics, as it is often relevant information for many news stories. Economics is involved in expense scandals, such as funding the Olympics or major sports. Some of the biggest stories will require a solid understanding of economics.

IGCSE Sociology

IGCSE Sociology offers the aspiring journalist essential insights into social behaviours, social structures, and cultural norms. A journalist needs this knowledge to correctly understand the various audiences they may report on. Sociology helps foster critical and analytical skills about societal inequalities and trends. This enables them to cover stories with depth and sensitivity in different social settings.

Optional IGCSEs for Journalists

IGCSE History

Journalists need a solid background in research and analysis. These skills are essential for journalists, but especially for investigative journalism. Having a good understanding of historical contexts and events will help a journalist make sense of current events and can add depth to their reporting. IGCSE History also covers critical evaluation of sources and evidence, which are valuable for ensuring accurate and credible reporting.

IGCSE Psychology

IGCSE Psychology provides insights into human behaviour and mental processes, which is helpful for journalists who need to understand their audience’s reactions and motivations. This information is useful for creating engaging stories and building insightful interviews.

Foreign Languages

Taking foreign languages like IGCSE Spanish or IGCSE Chinese can be helpful for journalists. Learning new languages can help open doors to international opportunities for journalists.

Requirements for Top Universities

Columbia University IGCSE Requirements 

The Journalism School and Columbia University don’t have any specific IGCSE requirements. However, they do consider a wide range of qualifications. They look for a strong academic portfolio, including your official transcripts, letters of recommendation, writing samples, and essays.  

University of Amsterdam IGCSE Requirements

The University of Amsterdam does not explicitly state a requirement for IGCSE coursework. However, they will request your certificates for any IGCSE subjects you have taken. International applicants with A-levels will also need to have at least 3 IGCSEs with grades of at least C/4 or higher.

Oxford Brookes University IGCSE Requirements 

Applicants to Oxford Brookes University do not have to meet any specific IGCSE course requirements. However, the university expects English proficiency and requires 120 tariff points for its Publishing, Journalism, and Media programmes. Your IGCSEs are used to assess your academic performance. Ideally, you will need five IGCSEs at grade C/4 or higher.

How to Choose Your IGCSE Subjects for Journalism

Your Interests and Strengths

Choose IGCSE subjects you enjoy and those you feel confident that you can do well in. Taking subjects you enjoy will help you stay motivated. It will also help you achieve better grades, which will strengthen your academic portfolio.

University Requirements

You’ll want to look at numerous university programmes and select your top choices. Make sure to check each of the school’s specific IGCSE course requirements for entry. Researching the different programs you are interested in helps you tailor your IGCSE choices. 

Career Goals

You may have a specific journalistic area you are interested in pursuing. Consider the direction of your career when choosing IGCSE courses. Let your future career goals help you pick related courses. If you want to pursue science reporting or business journalism, for example, take subjects that help you develop expertise in that field.

Talk to Teachers and Counsellors

Talk to your current teachers and counsellors about pursuing a career as a journalist. They can offer you guidance and help you make informed choices about which subjects would be best for you to take. 

What Happens If I Don’t Choose These Subjects?

You are free to select any IGCSE subjects you want to take. These subjects will help prepare you for a successful career in journalism. They allow you to develop essential skills that you’ll need at the university level and in your future career. You want to build a strong academic portfolio and a strong foundation to set yourself up for success. Failing to build a strong foundation of critical thinking, analytical skills, and oral and written communication abilities may cause you to fall short of your goals.

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