Study radio abroad

Radio is a sub-discipline of media studies and broadcasting. It’s a subject that prepares students with the theoretical knowledge and practical expertise that they’ll need to achieve success in the radio industry.

As a radio student, you’ll study several genres of radio content and develop skills in producing, editing, reporting, interviewing, and copywriting. You’ll also examine how radio has been used as a vehicle for communication and expression throughout various historical and cultural contexts.

Radio has been transformed in recent decades thanks to the digital revolution and globalization. You can now listen to local radio from almost anywhere in the world, download international podcasts, and stream audio using only wifi. By studying abroad, you’ll see how radio is produced and consumed through a global lens, giving you a more detailed understanding of the subject.

You can study radio at various undergraduate and graduate levels. An associate degree typically requires two years of study and will introduce you to the fundamentals of radio.

A bachelor’s degree takes at least three years to complete, but many universities will offer you the opportunity to spend an additional placement year with a media company during your studies. A BA will equip you for most entry-level positions in the radio industry.

If you’re interested in gaining postgraduate qualifications, you could pursue a master’s degree over one or two years, followed by a PhD which takes about five years to complete.

Although radio is a stand-alone subject, it can be read alongside other related programs as part of a joint-honors course. Popular subject pairings include broadcasting, television, film, and media studies.

Teaching on radio degrees is both theoretical and practical. You’ll have lectures, seminars, and tutorials where you’ll discuss key concepts, research, and theories, but you’ll also have hands-on workshops in industry-standard studios. Some universities regularly welcome radio professionals to deliver guest talks about careers in the field.

You’ll be assessed through a combination of exams, essays, submissions of audio work, as well as your production of live radio programs.

The exact content and structure of your radio program will depend on your university, the country you choose to study in, and the elective modules you select. However, core topics that you’ll find on most courses around the world include:

• Radio production and editing skills
• The history of radio
• Announcing and interviewing practices
• Writing for radio
• Podcasting
• Voice coaching
• Media law
• Radio advertising

Thanks to your degree, you’ll be prepared to excel in many roles in the radio and media industry. Your knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm will help you to pursue any of the following careers:

• Radio presenter
• Radio producer
• Radio technician
• Media researcher
• Radio writer
• Radio advertising manager
• Media buyer
• Broadcast journalist

Radio and media is a popular career choice amongst graduates, so competition for employment can be high. Joining your university’s media society, contributing to the student-led radio station, and taking on work experience at local stations will help you to gather hands-on industry experience and boost your employability.