Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is mass communications? Is it the same as media?

2. What are the kinds of courses offered at XIC?

3. Are the XIC courses recognized?

4. Will I get a job after doing the course?

5. What are the criteria for eligibility?

6. Is there an Entrance Test?

7. Can I apply for more than one course at a time?

8. What about accommodation? Isn’t living in Mumbai quite difficult?

9. Is a graduate degree the sole test of eligibility for XIC courses?

10. Does XIC have other branches or campuses?

1. What is mass communications? Is it the same as media?
‘Mass communications’ is the term applied to certain structures in today’s society which refer to the ways in which information, entertainment, news and marketing are conducted. These structures are called ‘the public media’, or ‘the mass media’ (because they are directed to large numbers of people, and also because what they produce is in great quantities). Newspapers, for instance, have a large number of news items (reports, advertisements, features, etc.) and huge readerships. Similarly with TV: huge numbers across the world watch the well known TV channels, which in turn present a very large number of programs. The ‘media’, therefore refer to the ways in which such information is circulated in society, and they are commonly understood as: the press, radio, television and film. Today however, there are other global media or ‘new media’ which are equally effective: telephones, satellites, computers, the internet.

2. What are the kinds of courses offered at XIC?
XIC offers courses in Journalism (print, broadcast and net), both in English and Marathi; in Advertising and Marketing; in Public Relations; in TV and Video production; and in Digital Animation. Those courses are related to the ‘software’ of the media, or to their content, or programming. Each course spans ten teaching months, with a daily schedule of between 4 to 6 hours, five days a week. The academic year starts in July and finishes the following April. The emphasis at XIC is to prepare students to enter the media industry in the country, and in this it has had almost forty years success.

3. Are the XIC courses recognized?
XIC is an autonomous institution which confers its own post-graduate professional diplomas. It has a high market value in the country, and XIC students gain easy entrance into the industry everywhere (viz. ad agencies, newspapers, TV and film studios, public relations companies, ngos, etc.). Nevertheless, the XIC diploma is not formally recognized by state universities in India (though our students have been accepted by universities abroad), nor is it ‘governmentrecognised’ for public sector employment.

4. Will I get a job after doing the course?
As our courses are all career-oriented, almost all our students get excellent jobs in the mediarelated professions. Our Placement Service (‘Xpress’) ensures that both students and industry demands are well matched. The ‘brand equity’ of XIC professionals is high and there is almost no media house or agency which does not have a number of XIC alumni. So, if you do well at XIC, your chances of getting a good job are quite high.

5. What are the criteria for eligibility?
A graduate degree of at least 55% from a recognised university, in arts, science, commerce or mass media (in some places, social communication). Students awaiting the exam results of their final year should submit their graduate record sheet (Std 12, FY, SY marksheets), which should average 55% and above, for admission. (They should submit their final year mark sheet after admission.)

6. Is there an Entrance Test?
Yes, apart from the university marksheet, all candidates will sit for an XIC entrance test, which since June 2007 is administered online. This online test may be taken at select centres across the country. (For details access our website in the month of April.) On clearing the entrance test, the applicants are called to Mumbai for an interview (and a possible group discussion). Once selected, they must pay their full fees within a stipulated time to ensure admission. The entrance test is usually in late May, followed by the interviews; and the academic year always begins on the first Monday of July.

7. Can I apply for more than one course at a time?
You may apply for more than one graduate diploma course at a time, but you can only register for one course during the academic year. To apply for more than one course means that you will submit more than one application form, and will sit for more than one entrance test. Assuming that you are selected for both (or all) the courses you apply for, you must decide which course you will register for when you pay your fees.

8. What about accommodation? Isn’t living in Mumbai quite difficult?
Living in any big city is usually expensive, and in Mumbai accommodation is even more problematic. Although XIC has no hostel of its own, it has working arrangements with “paying guest” facilities in different parts of the city, as well as with private hostels, both for men and women. In this way, part of the problem is taken care of. (Students are assisted with a cost of student living indicator, as well as given references for stay.)

9. Is a graduate degree the sole test of eligibility for XIC courses?
It is for the post-graduate diploma courses (see q. 2). However, XIC also offers short-term workshops (certificate courses) to the general public, for which age and academic degrees are no bar. Such are: Photography; Public Speaking and Personality; Becoming a Radio Jockey; Announcing, Broadcasting, Compering and Dubbing; Short Story Writing; and will soon offer a course in Technical Writing. These courses are of short duration (usually upto 3 months, weekly), and are usually offered twice during a calendar year (see website). In addition, XIC offers a distance education program online called TeleXIC (www.telexic.com) via the internet for those who wish to study from home.

10. Does XIC have other branches or campuses?
No, not yet. The venue of all our courses is our location at St Xavier’s College campus in south Mumbai. XIC does however have links with other universities, notably with Deakin University, Melbourne (Australia).