Same subject, Same degree, Two different countries
Times of Bennett | Updated: Nov 17, 2025 15:09
Correspondent: Shubhangi Sarkar
Photojournalists: International Affairs Society (IAS) Media Team
Have you ever wondered of the possibility, as to how two countries might teach the same subject. But with a few differences?
And that possibility is exactly what the editorial board got a chance to delve into. As theTimes of School of Media at Bennett University had the exciting opportunity to host students from the Western Sydney University (WSU), Australia . For the ‘Namaste India ’ program.
TSOM students at Bennett University were able to interact with these students, most of whom were fellow Journalism andMass Communication students from their final year.
Every single one of these students, had an astonishing level of passion and curiosity brewing in their eyes, from the very moment they touched down on Indian soil.
Their excitement to explore, discover and learn more about India’s culture, life, and to learn about how the media industry looks like was truly inspirational.
Following their meeting with the editorial board- the opportunity to interact with the students one-on-one, ended up being an extremely insightful exchange. Especially in terms of discussing how different the picture and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mass communication or journalism looks like in Australia. As compared to the teaching methods and course structures in India.
WSU studentRosie Hadaway, who is a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Communication while majoring in journalism, shared her views on what Communication and Journalism studies look like in Australia.
In the interview with her, Rosie shared that just like India, in Australia too, it is a three-year course for them. With about 4 main subjects and the rest all being electives.
The main factor that WSU students were most astonished to find out, was how students like us in India are exposed to a plethora of both practical and theory-based subjects from our very first year. Especially considering that their first year was mostly about just learning how to write well. And that they were exposed to the more practical and skill-based subjects in their third year.
Quite surprisingly, Australia’s intense focus on practicality is one of the reasons why they do not have to take any written theory exams, like students do in India. And instead, all their examinations and assignment subjects are practical.
Unlike how India has a balance of both theory and practical based subjects, they have purely skill-based subjects. One such subject that Rosie spoke about was ‘Newsteams’.
A teamwork focused subject where students are assigned into teams. Which requires them to cover news stories as a group, and submit all their assignments and projects for the same practically.
Additionally, it could be inferred from the interview that there are a few subjects that Indian and Australian mass communication and journalism studies share. Such as Digital Photography, Newswriting, Creative Writing and Podcasting.
There are also subjects that we do not share. Such as the study of Political Economy in India, and ‘Newsteams’ from Australia.
“Pursuing communications and journalism in Australia has gotten very lacklustre these days. Especially with the Australian government’s increased focus on STEM as an industry and subject. Which is why courses like ours have no funds anymore”. Hadaway shared, expressing her frustration at the shrinking focus on the media and journalistic
industry in Australia.
Talking about her experience, she said, “We as journalism students are always encouraged to go look for stories of our own. And westernSydney does not really have much diversity, or unique stories to cover in that sense. But with the north of Sydney being quite the diverse location, we do end up finding a few rare, unique stories. This, unfortunately
does end up causing a lot of geographical differences though."
“The sudden shift in focus from artistic fields to STEM and the overall lack of active internship opportunities for us in this field, is really impacting the entire journalism and media industry in Australia. Whereas India seems to be a
really diverse country, whose artistic culture also seeps into the curriculum”. She added.
And just like the Times of School of Media, Mass Communication and Journalism students in WSU, Australia also have their own editorial board at university. Which they run with almost no reliance on their professors and entirely based on their own capabilities.
Ultimately, the notion of ‘practicality’ seems to be of very high importance in the Australian education system, as compared to that of India. Where a solid chunk of the Indian education system holds up the importance of learning theories alongside practical subjects.
However, the recent increase in focus on the STEM industry and degrees alike- has also grown prevalent in all Australian Universities centrally. Which may be beginning to deprive mass communication and journalism students in Australia of more industrial exposure.
The author is a second year BA Mass Communication student. She is extremely passionate about international relations, linguistics, cultures and anime. And she likes to indulge in digital art in her free time.
Photojournalists: International Affairs Society (IAS) Media Team
Have you ever wondered of the possibility, as to how two countries might teach the same subject. But with a few differences?
And that possibility is exactly what the editorial board got a chance to delve into. As the
TSOM students at Bennett University were able to interact with these students, most of whom were fellow Journalism and
Every single one of these students, had an astonishing level of passion and curiosity brewing in their eyes, from the very moment they touched down on Indian soil.
Their excitement to explore, discover and learn more about India’s culture, life, and to learn about how the media industry looks like was truly inspirational.
Following their meeting with the editorial board- the opportunity to interact with the students one-on-one, ended up being an extremely insightful exchange. Especially in terms of discussing how different the picture and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mass communication or journalism looks like in Australia. As compared to the teaching methods and course structures in India.
WSU student
In the interview with her, Rosie shared that just like India, in Australia too, it is a three-year course for them. With about 4 main subjects and the rest all being electives.
The main factor that WSU students were most astonished to find out, was how students like us in India are exposed to a plethora of both practical and theory-based subjects from our very first year. Especially considering that their first year was mostly about just learning how to write well. And that they were exposed to the more practical and skill-based subjects in their third year.
Quite surprisingly, Australia’s intense focus on practicality is one of the reasons why they do not have to take any written theory exams, like students do in India. And instead, all their examinations and assignment subjects are practical.
Unlike how India has a balance of both theory and practical based subjects, they have purely skill-based subjects. One such subject that Rosie spoke about was ‘Newsteams’.
A teamwork focused subject where students are assigned into teams. Which requires them to cover news stories as a group, and submit all their assignments and projects for the same practically.
Additionally, it could be inferred from the interview that there are a few subjects that Indian and Australian mass communication and journalism studies share. Such as Digital Photography, Newswriting, Creative Writing and Podcasting.
There are also subjects that we do not share. Such as the study of Political Economy in India, and ‘Newsteams’ from Australia.
“Pursuing communications and journalism in Australia has gotten very lacklustre these days. Especially with the Australian government’s increased focus on STEM as an industry and subject. Which is why courses like ours have no funds anymore”. Hadaway shared, expressing her frustration at the shrinking focus on the media and journalistic
industry in Australia.
Talking about her experience, she said, “We as journalism students are always encouraged to go look for stories of our own. And western
does end up causing a lot of geographical differences though."
“The sudden shift in focus from artistic fields to STEM and the overall lack of active internship opportunities for us in this field, is really impacting the entire journalism and media industry in Australia. Whereas India seems to be a
really diverse country, whose artistic culture also seeps into the curriculum”. She added.
And just like the Times of School of Media, Mass Communication and Journalism students in WSU, Australia also have their own editorial board at university. Which they run with almost no reliance on their professors and entirely based on their own capabilities.
Ultimately, the notion of ‘practicality’ seems to be of very high importance in the Australian education system, as compared to that of India. Where a solid chunk of the Indian education system holds up the importance of learning theories alongside practical subjects.
However, the recent increase in focus on the STEM industry and degrees alike- has also grown prevalent in all Australian Universities centrally. Which may be beginning to deprive mass communication and journalism students in Australia of more industrial exposure.
The author is a second year BA Mass Communication student. She is extremely passionate about international relations, linguistics, cultures and anime. And she likes to indulge in digital art in her free time.
