Future Media and Journalism

Future media and Journalism programme is for students who feel that the traditional confines of journalism are too narrow for them and who want to future-proof their careers by delving deeply into the emerging trends and technologies in digital media. You will be able to work at the intersection of technological and societal change and acquire an in-depth interdisciplinary understanding of professional practices and values as well as technological and political contexts of journalism as it constantly transforms and reinvents itself.

This program applies multidisciplinary approach that combines competencies and skills of (a) journalism, (b) emerging media technologies and (c) content (text, audio-visual, VR, AI) creation with an informed analysis of emerging trends and a problem solving approach to evolving societal challenges. The program is aimed at training engaged media professionals who are open to societal challenges, possess journalistic knowledge and expertise to adequately respond to various societal needs, are capable of critically analysing the impact of media and communications in the public life, and ready to initiate innovative news services and produce multimedia products.

Why Future Media and Journalism programme?

• Focus on emerging technologies
• Deep integration of interdisciplinary knowledge
• Career and practice focus
• Global outlook and experience
• Work with active researchers and practitioners

Student Testimonials

Studying at Future Media and Journalism was the impetus, I really needed to turn my career towards journalism and communication. During my studies, I improved my writing skills, gained experience in developing audiovisual journalism, improved my English, and gained knowledge in the theoretical areas of media philosophy, political communication, and cyber security. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of my studies was the friendliness and concern of the department’s staff and faculty. You will not have to wait long for answers to the letters, and even the simplest questions will be answered in detail and clearly. I am happy to have successfully completed these studies!"
Rugilė Matusevičiūtė, Lithuania. Graduate. Environmental journalists at Delfi.lt news portal.

The study program in journalism helped me to discover the areas of the media world that I continue to be interested in – media literacy, the role of the media in democracy, the state of media freedom in the world, the relationship between human rights and the media, and so on. During my studies I was able to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge gained during my studies by doing journalism practice at LRT, creating foreign news reports. After my studies, I went to Washington, DC, USA, where I further deepened my knowledge of human rights protection, and when I returned to Lithuania, I contributed to the Kurk Lietuvai program, where I implemented a cyber security project at the Ministry of Interior, and another project on media literacy education model for the country's libraries (for the Ministry of Culture). During these stages, the analytical, media education, creative writing and audiovisual journalism skills acquired during my studies were useful to me. The strength of this study program is its diversity, which allows everyone to discover their connection with journalism and the media. We get acquainted with the methods of traditional journalism, in which we delve into audiovisual content, communication theories, documentaries and more.
Rūta Beinoriūtė, Lithuania. Graduated in 2019. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania.

When I entered my master's studies at Vytautas Magnus University, I had a very clear goal - to advance not only in my chosen professional field, but also to spend time with exceptional people, i.e. lecturers and journalism students. I can confidently say that the Master program in journalism was a great choice, both in terms of the quality of the studies and the opportunity to meet new people. The lectures were amazing because they were led by real professionals in their field. The time spent in the lectures was very valuable, I never wanted to miss the lectures because the atmosphere during the study year was very positive. Also great is the fact that it is an international program, the advantage not only of improved English language skills but also of meeting friends from different parts of the world.
Patricija Naujanytė, Lithuania. Graduated in 2020, PhD Candidate in Communication and Information at VMU.

Kaunas offers a home-like environment with Vytautas Magnus University being a space for bright ideas and intellectual explorations. The kind and approachable professors are experts within the field of media and convey the importance of press freedom; in some parts of the world already taken for granted, in yet other parts still being a far cry. Besides a proper amount of theoretical classes, most of the assignments given were highly practical and realistic, too. I learned a lot about writing catchy teasers and structuring popular science articles, but I also practiced conducting interviews, drawing up scripts and making documentaries. A splash of creativity is added because of the Liberal Arts way of sharing knowledge. My time at Vytautas Magnus University has shaped my personality and provided a solid foundation for my career in which I’m using and teaching interviewing techniques on a daily basis. I still love to return to Kaunas every once in a while. It became my second home.
Nienke Bos. The Netherlands. Graduated in 2016. 

I will never get tired to say how great was my study experience at VMU. Besides giving me a lot in terms of knowledge, it also allowed me to live in an extremely cosy environment, meeting new international friends and having the chance to get valuable feedback and personal suggestions from a greatly skilled teachers and professors. Undoubtedly my study period at VMU enriched me a lot and gave me additional international experience that will always be useful for any kind of future choice.
Alessandro Poroli. Italy. Graduated in 2014, PhD Candidate at Honkong Baptist University

Program accreditation 

International assessment completed by the expert panel at the Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education in 2021 provided with highly positive evaluation and accreditation of the Program for the maximum of 7 years. The experts underlined that the Program is among the best equipped to deal with continual changes in the digital media landscape.

Professors

The top-notch international faculty makes this programme stand out from its competitors and includes prominent experts, professionals and researchers:

• Auksė Balčytienė
• Gintautas Mažeikis
• Epp Lauk
• Robert van Voren
• Ignas Kalpokas
• Jaq Greenspon

Competences acquired

Conceptual and theoretical knowledge and competences

• To explore and analyze developmental trends identified within contemporary journalism and emerging media ecosystems; to review those in a broader transnational and political, economic, socio-cultural and historical perspective.
• To evaluate transformations of contemporary media ecosystems in the context of accelerated globalization and mediatization, analyzing content, audiences, technologies and organizations.
• To understand the functions of journalism, as a structuralelement of the future media ecosystems, and it’s changing role and functions in a democratic– inclusive knowledge –society.
• Analytical and research-based competences:
  • To identify significant research questions in the field of journalism, media and communications, to initiate and manage scientific and applied research.
  • To apply qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methodology and empirical data collection techniques in media, journalism and communications research.
  • To critically reflect on the research process and outcomes; to draw research-based conclusions and decisions.

Professional competencies and skills

• To demonstrate solid knowledge of systems of media regulation and self-regulation, cross-cultural differences and to pursue the principles of morality, social responsibility and human rights perspectives in journalism practice.
• To apply techniques and methods of gathering, selecting, evaluating, writing and editing news, while usingdifferenttypes and sources of information, given themedia users anddifferentchannels.
• To experiment and critically explore how art and content creation in contemporary journalism are related to affordancies offered by emerging media technologies (text, audio-visual, VR, AI).

Social skills

• To apply effective communication skills in both, professional and personal areas.
• To demonstrate social empathy, responsibility and professionalism in decision-making.
• Personal skills:
  • To demonstrate critical and analytical thinking skills, news and media literacy competences.
  • To apply creative writing, storytelling, innovative thinking, project management, team-building and life-long learning skills.

Career opportunities

The program nurtures entrepreneurial attitude: program graduates will acquire qualifications and a great diversity of skills and detailed professional competences ranging from the most general related to the comprehension of societal process to the most specific and subject (journalism and media) focused. Program alumni will be qualified to work in media and communications organizations, research and training institutions, media monitoring bureaus and market research companies. The Master’s Program in Future Media and Journalism qualifies for further studies, including PhD programs.

• Bachelor degree diploma
• Motivation letter, CV and portfolio (articles, reports, essays, video production)
• Proof of English Language: applicant has to present document proving B2 level (TOEFL 87-109 iBT/534-633 PBT, IELTS 5,5-6,5, Cambridge English First (FCE) 161-180, BEC Vantage 161-180, Michigan ECCE (min. 650), PTE General Level 3, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785, TOEIC Speaking & Writing 310, Duolingo 100-125, EnglishScore 400-499) if the applicant is not native speaker and/or had not received education in English.
• Admission score is counted based on: Motivation letter and portfolio * 0,3 + arithmetic average of Bachelor degree diploma supplement of all subjects* 0,5 + bachelor thesis or bachelor exam* 0,2

Scholarships: https://www.vdu.lt/en/studies/scholarships/