Planning to pursue a postgraduate programme requires proper planning for every step of the process. Right from the selection of the college to the admission process, there is a whole lot to be done and the best way to take that up is research. The Master of Arts (Mass Communication) or MA(MC) programme from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC), Pune is a promising course that prepares its students for the media industry. 

Being a sought after university, Symbiosis has established itself as a leader in the field of education offering only the best to its students. SIMC Pune has been ranked as India’s 3rd best mass communication college for its MA(MC) Programme by The Week. MA(MC) is a 2-year programme that covers many subjects under Journalism and Audio-Visual specialisations. 

Apart from having an aptitude and interest for the subjects, there is a detailed admission and screening process followed by SIMC Pune for selection of students for MA(MC). This article aims to deep dive into this process and provide all necessary information for aspirants of the course. 

Application Process

Firstly, the institute requires all candidates to fill in an online application which asks for details about education, family, work experience, etc. On completion of this form, one must remit a fee of INR 1250 in order to be able to appear for the online examination. This is a mandatory requirement as the exam is the first step towards admission into the MA(MC) programme. 

The online test is highly competitive but strongly geared towards checking basic knowledge of subjects and topics that are a must for the course. The paper is of 150 marks and is divided into four sections with the following components:

  • General English

  • Media and Culture

  • Current Affairs and Contemporary Issues

  • Analytical and Logical Reasoning

Each of the first three sections carries 40 marks each while the last section is of 30 marks. Having a general understanding of public debates in the political, economical as well as international relations is a good start. Candidates should deeply understand the history and background of the entertainment industry, both Bollywood and Hollywood. It is also advisable to study the recent developments in the advertising, marketing, social media, public relations and related sectors as the ‘Media and Culture’ section tests students on these topics. 

Topics that are often missed by students are the history of traditional and social media. While it is important to know what is currently going on, it is equally important to understand the history behind where it all started. Media also has many socio-economic and socio-political facets and they play a critical role in its development over time. Studying these also prepares students for the second and third sections of the exam. Apart from these topics, being aware of general knowledge about the nation and the world, preparing for the analytical and logical reasoning section and the General English section through regular practice can make students ready. 

Exam Dates

This year, the registration for this examination started on October 27, 2020 and will continue till January 18, 2021. The test is scheduled to be conducted on February 7, 2021 and all students who aspire to write it must complete the process by the said date. Known to have a quick turnaround time, SIMC Pune will release the test scores as early as February 17, 2021. This will complete Phase I of the admission process. Phase II consists of a Group Exercise - Personal Interaction and Written Ability Test, also known as GE-PIWAT. Based on the scores of the online admission, SIMC Pune will shortlist candidates for GE-PIWAT and release names by February 26, 2021. March 20 and 21, 2021 will be the two days when these shortlisted candidates will be required to appear for GE-PIWAT.  Soon after this is wrapped up, SIMC Pune will release the first merit list by April 6, 2021. 

SIMC Pune is a premier college and takes only 60 students in its MA(MC) programme. The two-year full-time course is generally divided into 16 semesters and is open to all those who have completed their undergraduate degree from any recognized university with minimum 50% marks or equivalent grades. As a graduate of this course, one can expect to have an in-depth understanding of the media industry as well as a strong network of professionals. The MA(MC) course is a huge value addition, both personally and professionally, and is a must-do for any aspiring media professional.