12 ECTS credits
334 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4019921FNR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st and 2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Communication Sciences
Educational team
Luciano Morganti (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
2 contact hours Lecture
2 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
330 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The fundamental goal of the traineeship programme in the International Master 'Journalism and Media in Europe’ is to have practical training and acquire practical skills. Concretely, the internship programme aims for students

  • to operationalize and test, in a professional environment, the theoretical knowledge obtained in following the Master;
  • to develop professional skills and competences in light of future jobs / career (incl. networking);
  • to critically (self-)reflect on both the institutional environment and company/organization, as well as on personal development (knowledge-building, skills, strengths and weaknesses, ...) during the traineeship.
Additional info

Students in the Master of Communication Studies ‘Journalism and Media in Europe’ can choose either a traineeship (12 credits) or two optional courses (with a total of 12 credits).

The traineeship can be completed in the first or second semester. There are two types of traineeships: research traineeships or professional traineeships. Especially for a professional traineeship, students can search for and propose a traineeship to the traineeship coordinator who needs to approve the position proposed by the student.

It is possible to do the traineeship in the summer before the start of the academic year or during the academic year. You need to be registered as a VUB-student, enrolled for the Master in communication studies ‘Journalism and Media in Europe’, for the duration of the traineeship (for insurance reasons).

The duration of the traineeship during the academic year is at least 28 days and maximum 36 days, with 8 hours/day, 4 days/week as a guideline. During vacation periods the traineeship is at least 28 days but the maximum length can vary. During vacation periods, you can attend 5 days/week of traineeship. The traineeship can be split in two blocs, e.g. before and after the exams. The traineeship needs to be finalized by the end of week 33 of the academic calendar.

If you are interested in a traineeship, take up contact with the traineeship coordinator for further information. 

Teaching Methods

  • Lecture: collective contact-dependent moments during which the lecturer engages with learning materials
  • Seminar, Exercises or Practicals (Practical): collective or individual contact-dependent moments during which the students are guided to actively engage with learning materials
  • Independent or External Form of Study (Self): independent study

This description of the teaching methods is indicative, in order to assess the expected study load.

Lecture: 2 hours

  • introductory traineeship presentation

Practicals: 2 hours

  • intake meeting and additional individual meeting: 1 hour

Self: 330 hours

  • preparation traineeship plan: 10 hours
  • traineeship, on average 36 days (9 weeks / 4 days per week / 8 hours per day): 288 hours
  • preparation and writing traineeship report: 32 hours (4 days of 8 hours)
Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

The traineeship contributes to the following learning results in the master program ‘Journalism and Media in Europe’:

  • Students show an open and constructive attitude whilst having respect for other views and beliefs.
  • Students act upon an open attitude in a culturally diverse international context. They critically reflect on their own (geographical, social, cultural, local, personal, …) position.
  • Students demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, responsibility, communicative attitude, creativity and the ability to plan, coordinate, supervise and advise. The acquired skills enable the graduates to become independent, responsible, inquiring and reflective professionals.
  • Students can apply the acquired knowledge and skills in a professional context.
  • Students can apply the acquired knowledge and skills related to media, internet and globalisation in a professional context.
  • Students are competent to translate acquired understandings and findings into concrete conclusions, scenarios, advice, policy recommendations and strategies, and are able to communicate and implement these in a professional manner.

Concretely, the traineeship aims for students to:

  • operationalise and apply knowledge and skills in a research or professional environment;
  • get acquainted with practical, cognitive and social skills in management, policy, production, distribution or promotion of media and journalism in companies and institutions operating in a European environment; and
  • combine theory, a scientific approach and practice  into a critical, constructive and effective attitude during the traineeship in light of competence development for a future professional career.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Practical Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Internship with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

You will be evaluated for 50% on the course of the traineeship and 50% on your personal growth trajectory. The course of the traineeship is evaluated by the traineeship coordinator based on the evaluation of your performance by the stage mentor in the host institution. Your personal growth trajectory is evaluated by the traineeship coordinator based on a series of documents you are required to submit before and after the traineeship (i.e. a traineeship plan; confirmation of internship start; and a traineeship report). This will further be detailed in the traineeship instruction brochure.  

The traineeship plan has to be submitted at least three weeks before the start of the traineeship. The traineeship contract needs to be signed at least 10 days before the start of the traineeship. The traineeship report has to be submitted no later than 15 working days after finishing the traineeship. The report contains the following parts: linking up the literature to the JME program, the traineeship plan, the COM questionnaire, short report of the mid-term evaluation, an overview of the necessary skills for your traineeship, a concluding SWOT analysis, annex 1: the evaluation of the stage supervisor, annex 2: your logbook. 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe