Asian College of Journalism (ACJ)

The Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), commonly known as ACJ, is a premier journalism institute located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is a specialized private journalism school established in 1994 with the purpose of providing professional, ethical, and socially responsible media education. Founded by eminent journalist Sashi Kumar under the aegis of the Media Development Foundation, ACJ’s core goal is to cultivate highly skilled journalists who are prepared to meet the challenges of modern media landscapes.

Asian College of Journalism is situated at Taramani, Chennai – 600113. The campus is thoughtfully designed to support immersive learning and living, featuring both academic and residential facilities within an 80,000 sq ft campus that balances a peaceful learning environment with close proximity to the city’s media and technology hubs. The campus infrastructure encourages collaboration, creativity, and hands‑on practice, while its location in Chennai allows students to draw inspiration from a culturally vibrant metropolitan context.

ACJ operates as a standalone journalism institute run by the non‑profit Media Development Foundation. While it is not a traditional degree‑granting university, its postgraduate diploma programs are highly regarded and recognized by leading media organisations across India and internationally. The institution is widely considered one of Asia’s top journalism schools and enjoys strong industry credibility, even though it does not follow the standard UGC‑degree affiliation model.

The college campus includes state‑of‑the‑art facilities such as multimedia labs, digital studios, TV studios, integrated newsrooms, print edit desks, and a well‑stocked library. Its faculty comprises experienced professionals, core educators, and guest lecturers from the media industry who provide both academic guidance and practical insights. The campus also hosts the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asian Journalism for research and development work in the field.

ACJ offers leading Postgraduate Diploma programs in Integrated Multimedia Journalism and Business & Financial Multimedia Journalism. These programs cover print, broadcast, digital, and specialised journalism skills. Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline; final‑year students awaiting results are also eligible to apply. The selection process typically includes an online test and interview assessing language skills, general awareness, and journalistic aptitude. The institute also provides scholarships, including merit‑based awards and international scholarships for eligible candidates.

ACJ’s infrastructure is built to emulate real‑world media environments, including 10+ computer labs, digital TV studios, audio recording suites, multimedia newsrooms, auditorium and conference spaces. Students have access to high‑speed internet, Wi‑Fi campus connectivity, and professional software tools used in industry workflows. Residential facilities, common areas, cafeteria, and student‑centric spaces add to the campus life experience.

The college maintains an outstanding placement record, with nearly 100% placement for its graduates year after year. ACJ alumni have been recruited by top media houses such as The Indian Express, The Hindu Group, NDTV, CNN‑News18, Reuters, Times Now, and many more across print, broadcast, digital and international news platforms. Graduates often secure roles as reporters, sub‑editors, anchors, multimedia journalists, and content specialists.

In conclusion, Asian College of Journalism, Chennai stands as one of India’s most respected institutions for media education, combining rigorous academic grounding with practical media training. Its strong industry connections, cutting‑edge infrastructure, and excellent placement outcomes make it a preferred choice for aspiring journalists who wish to build impactful careers in media, communication, and storytelling.

Some Highlights of  Asian College of Journalism, Chennai

Why Choose  Asian College of Journalism, Chennai 

1. Reputation & Credibility

   • ACJ is one of India’s premier journalism institutes, recognized for its high-quality training and ethical standards in media education.

   • Alumni are widely respected and work in top national and international media houses.

2. Industry-Focused Curriculum

   • Programs cover print, broadcast, digital, and multimedia journalism, blending theory with hands-on practical training.

   • Students work in real newsroom environments, preparing them for actual media careers.

3. Experienced Faculty & Mentors

   • Taught by seasoned journalists, editors, and media professionals, giving students insider knowledge of the industry.

   • Regular guest lectures and workshops by media leaders.

4. Excellent Infrastructure & Facilities

   • Modern digital studios, TV and radio labs, multimedia newsrooms, and advanced computer labs.

   • Residential and campus facilities support immersive learning.

5. Strong Placement Record

   • Nearly 100% placement with top recruiters like NDTV, The Hindu, CNN-News18, Reuters, The Indian Express, and Times Now.

   • Offers roles in reporting, editing, anchoring, content creation, and multimedia journalism.

6. Scholarships & Financial Support

   • Offers merit-based and international scholarships to help deserving students pursue quality journalism education.

7. Strategic Location & Networking

   • Located in Chennai, a media and cultural hub, providing easy access to industry exposure, internships, and networking opportunities.

Vision 

  Building the nation and the society through providing total, integrated, and trans-cultural quality education and being the global front runner in value education and nurturing talent in which Modernity Blends with Tradition

Mission 

  To provide education at all levels in all disciplines of modern times and in the futuristic and emerging frontier areas of knowledge, learning, and research and to develop the overall personality of students by making them not only excellent professionals but also good individuals, with understanding and regard for human values, pride in their heritage and culture, a sense of right and wrong and yearning for perfection and imbibe attributes of the courage of conviction and action.

Admission Process

The Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) admission process involves an online application, payment of a fee (approx. ₹2360), and then an online entrance exam testing English, General Knowledge & Current Affairs, followed by a shortlisted candidate interview (often via Zoom), with final selection based on exam and interview performance. Key steps include registering online, filling details, paying fees (online/DD), uploading documents, taking the online test, and attending the interview

Admission Criteria:

Postgraduate Diploma in Integrated Multimedia Journalism

    Eligibility

• You must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university to apply.
• Final‑year students awaiting results can also apply, but must submit their degree certificate to the college registrar by the end of March after classes begin if selected.

   Application Process

1. Apply Online:Submit the application form online via the ACJ admissions portal.
2. Application Fee:

• Pay an application fee of ₹2,360 (inclusive of GST).
• SC/ST applicants may be exempted from the application fee upon submitting a valid community certificate.

Postgraduate Diploma in Business & Financial Multimedia Journalism

Eligibility

• You must have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in any discipline to apply for this programme.
• Final‑year students awaiting results can also apply, but if selected they must submit their degree certificate to the Registrar within the first week after classes begin (or by end of the specified deadline).

Application Process

1. Apply Online:Complete and submit the online application form on the official ACJ admissions portal.
2. Application Fee:

• Pay a non‑refundable application fee of ₹2,360 (inclusive of GST).
• If applying for both ACJ postgraduate programmes (Integrated Multimedia Journalism and Business & Financial Multimedia Journalism), you pay the application fee only once.
• SC/ST applicants can be exempted from the fee upon submitting a valid community certificate.

Scholarship

Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) provides merit-based scholarships to support talented and deserving students. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden for candidates who demonstrate academic excellence, strong journalistic potential, or exceptional performance in the selection process. ACJ also offers select international scholarships for students from abroad, promoting diversity and global exposure within its programs. The availability of scholarships ensures that motivated students have the opportunity to pursue high-quality journalism education, regardless of financial constraints.

Placement 

Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai has a strong placement record, with the institution regularly assisting students through dedicated placement support and industry connections. The college arranges campus interviews (online and offline) toward the end of the academic year and is a preferred destination for media organisations looking to recruit trained journalists. Over the years, ACJ has consistently achieved nearly 100 % placements, with the number of job offers sometimes exceeding the number of students, and graduates working in leading media houses in India and abroad. Top recruiters include major news outlets such as The Indian Express, Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu group, NDTV, CNN‑News18, CNBC TV18, Reuters, India Today Group, The Quint, The Wire and more. Many alumni have also moved into international media roles or media leadership positions, reflecting the college’s strong industry engagement and hands‑on training focus.

Facilities

Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, offers state-of-the-art facilities designed to provide an immersive and professional learning experience. The campus includes digital TV studios, radio and audio labs, multimedia newsrooms, and advanced computer labs equipped with the latest software for editing, graphics, and content creation. Students have access to a well-stocked library with print and digital resources, high-speed Wi-Fi, and research databases. On-campus hostels, a cafeteria, recreational areas, and sports facilities ensure a comfortable and balanced student life. Additionally, auditoriums and seminar halls are available for lectures, workshops, and guest sessions by industry experts, providing students with practical exposure and hands-on training in real-world media environments.

Hostal 

ACJ provides residential accommodation for students on a room‑sharing basis on campus or at a nearby Residential Annexe in Kasturba Nagar, close to the MRTS station. This includes amenities like Wi‑Fi, security, basic furniture, and meals via the college canteen. Fees vary depending on type and location (campus vs annexe), and food charges are usually separate.

Transport

Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, provides convenient transport options for students and staff commuting to and from the campus. The institute is well-connected by public buses, local trains, and auto-rickshaw services, making travel from different parts of Chennai easy. While ACJ does not provide its own fleet of buses, the campus is located in a well-accessible area of Taramani, close to main roads and transport hubs. Students living off-campus often rely on shared transport arrangements, carpooling, and local transport services to reach the institute safely and efficiently.