International Journalism

The programme aims to train a new generation of highly qualified journalists proficient in both traditional and emerging media formats. It emphasizes the development of practical skills to cultivate versatile specialists who can operate at an international level. Graduates will be equipped to cover local, national, and global events comprehensively, objectively, and with high-quality reporting, incorporating a distinct Kazakh perspective.

Duration: 3 years (trimester system)

Languages of instruction: Kazakh, Russian and English

Programme features: In the first year, students undergo intensive English language training to ensure they can study the majority of subjects in English from the second year onward. Starting in their second year, students select a working language for producing journalistic materials—Kazakh, Russian, or English—while continuing to take most specialized courses in English.

This is necessary for several reasons:

• Students will be able to work with primary sources in English, enhancing both their journalistic activities and their ability to apply media trends, which are primarily shaped in the English-language media sphere. Proficiency in English is essential for graduates to ensure continuous professional development and competitiveness in the international job market.

• As the number of English-language editorial offices in Kazakhstan continues to grow, the demand for English-speaking journalists will increase. Expanding the local pool of English-speaking journalists will help reduce the global information gap about Kazakhstan and improve the country’s overall image. Additionally, at the early stages of the program, students will acquire fundamental journalistic skills and competencies across various formats.

By the beginning of the second year, students will choose a minor in one of two areas:

• Video Journalism

• Analytical Journalism

Each minor includes specialized courses for deeper immersion, allowing students to refine their expertise in their chosen field and prepare for careers as journalists and media specialists in both local and international media. Students who opt for courses from different minors will not receive a minor certificate upon graduation.

Advantages of the programme:

• With the emergence and advancement of new technologies, the gap between the demands of the global media market and the expertise of young professionals continues to grow. Kazakhstan increasingly needs modern, versatile journalists who can objectively cover and analyse events in Kazakh, Russian, and English while effectively attracting, retaining, and expanding their audience. The International Journalism programme aims to bridge this gap by training well-rounded media professionals.

• The programme is built on advanced international practices in media education and follows a practice-oriented approach, making it a unique offering in Kazakhstan’s media education landscape.

• In their second year, students can select a minor in Video Journalism or Analytical Journalism, having already explored both text-based and video journalism in their first year. This structure allows students to:

1. Focus on their chosen specialisation
2. Acquire essential skills
3. Develop expertise in creating high-quality media content

• The program seeks to address the underreporting of both local Kazakhstani issues and global challenges by analyzing them through the lens of Kazakhstani case studies.

• At the core of the International Journalism programme are professional ethical principles—an essential foundation for credible journalism. Without adherence to these principles, journalistic work risks losing its integrity, affecting not only individual journalists but also the reputation of the media community in Kazakhstan and beyond.