Summary
A Video Jockey works with words, stories and audiences — gathering material, shaping it for a medium and publishing it to deadline. In India this work sits inside the Performing Arts stream: students usually take Any stream; sustained practice and training in the art form in Class 11–12, qualify through B.P.A. / B.A. (Music, Dance, Theatre), and specialise later through work experience or a master's. The sections below set out the study route, the entrance exams, the leading institutes in India and abroad, and the day-to-day reality of the job.
Core skills
- Clear writing and editing
- Interviewing and fact-checking
- Speed under deadline
- Social and digital publishing tools
Where you can work
- Newspapers, TV channels and digital newsrooms
- Advertising, PR and content agencies
- Brand and corporate communication teams
- Independent creator and freelance work
Professional Opportunities
Newspapers, TV channels and digital newsrooms
Advertising, PR and content agencies
Brand and corporate communication teams
Independent creator and freelance work
Career Path
| Stage | What you study | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| After Class 10 | Any stream; sustained practice and training in the art form | 2 years (Class 11–12) |
| Graduation | B.P.A. / B.A. (Music, Dance, Theatre) | 3–4 years |
| After Graduation | M.P.A. / M.A. in the art form | 2 years |
| After Post-Graduation | Ph.D., professional certifications, or senior practice in the field | 3–5 years (optional) |
Important Facts
- Entry qualification: B.P.A. / B.A. (Music, Dance, Theatre).
- Most institutes ask for 50–60% in the qualifying examination; reserved categories usually get a 5% relaxation.
- Admission is through the entrance exams listed below — national tests plus the state CET where applicable.
- Government and private institutes both offer this route; fee levels differ sharply between them.
- Scholarships listed on the HBK scholarships page apply to most of these programmes.
Leading Institutes in India
| # | Institute | Entrance / Category | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andhra Uni., Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | 12th marks | www.andhrauniversity.edu.in/ |
| 2 | Rajiv Gandhi University, Papum Pare, Arunachal Pradesh | CUET-UG | rgu.ac.in/ |
| 3 | Assam University, Silchar, Assam | CUET-UG | www.aus.ac.in/ |
| 4 | Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam | 12th marks | dibru.ac.in/ |
| 5 | Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Chhatisgarh | IKSV-AT | www.iksv.ac.in/ |
| 6 | University of Delhi, Delhi | CUET-UG | www.du.ac.in/ |
| 7 | JG University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat | 12th marks | jgcolleges.org/ |
| 8 | MSU, Baroda, Gujarat | MSU-AT | www.msubaroda.ac.in/ |
| 9 | Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat | CUET-UG | paruluniversity.ac.in/ |
| 10 | Saurashtra University, Rajkot, Gujarat | SU-ET | www.saurashtrauniversity.edu/ |
| 11 | World University of Design, Sonepat, Haryana | CUET-UG | worlduniversityofdesign.ac.in/ |
| 12 | Eternal University, Rajgarh, Himachal Pradesh | 12th marks | eternaluniversity.edu.in/ |
| 13 | Cluster University of Jammu, Jammu, J & K | CUET-UG | clujammu.ac.in/ |
| 14 | Cluster University of Srinagar, Srinagar, J & K | CUET-UG | www.cusrinagar.edu.in/ |
| 15 | Govt. College For Women, Jammu, J & K | CUET-UG | www.gcwparade.in/ |
| 16 | Jammu University, Jammu, J & K | CUET-UG | www.jammuuniversity.ac.in/ |
| 17 | University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J & K | CUET-UG | www.kashmiruniversity.net/ |
| 18 | AISECT University, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand | CUET-UG | www.aisectuniversityjharkhand.ac.in/ |
| 19 | Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, Jharkhand | 12th marks | cuj.ac.in/ |
| 20 | Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Jharkhand | CUET-UG | www.dspmuranchi.ac.in/ |
| 21 | Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand | CUET-UG | www.ranchiuniversity.ac.in/ |
| 22 | Sarala Birla University, Ranchi, Jharkhand | CUET-UG | sbu.ac.in/ |
| 23 | Sido Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka, Jharkhand | CUET-UG | skmu.ac.in/ |
| 24 | Christ University, Bangalore, Karnataka | CUET | christuniversity.in/ |
| 25 | Jain University, Bangalore, Karnataka | JET | www.jainuniversity.ac.in |
| 26 | Mysore University, Mysore, Karnataka | MU-AT | www.uni-mysore.in/ |
| 27 | AIMS Institutes, Bangalore, Karnataka | 12th marks | theaims.ac.in/ |
| 28 | Calicut University, Kozhikode, Kerala | 12th marks | uoc.ac.in/ |
| 29 | Kerala Kalamandalam, Thrissur, Kerala | Practical Exam | www.kalamandalam.ac.in/ |
| 30 | Indira Gandhi National Tribal Uni., Madhya Pradesh | CUET-UG | www.igntu.ac.in/ |
Institutions Abroad
| Institute | Country | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Juilliard School | United States | www.juilliard.edu/ |
| Royal Academy of Music | United Kingdom | www.ram.ac.uk/ |
| Berklee College of Music | United States | www.berklee.edu/ |
Entrance Exams
| Exam | Full name | What it admits you to | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUET | Christ University Entrance Test | Performing Arts Programs at Christ University, Bangalore Central Campus | christuniversity.in/ |
| CUET (UG) | Common University Entrance Test | BPA (Performing Arts) courses at Central, Public and Private Universities who have opted to take UG admissions through CUET across India | cuet.samarth.ac.in/ |
| MSU-AT | MS University Aptitude Test | Performing Arts Programs at M.S. University, Baroda | admission.msubaroda.ac.in/ |
| WWI-ET | WWI Entrance Test | B.A. Acting Program at Whistling Woods International, Mumbai | whistlingwoods.net/ |
| AU-ET | Assam University Entrance Test | Performing Arts Programs at Assam University, Silchar | www.aus.ac.in/ |
| LKK‒OEE | LKK Online Entrance Exam | Performing Arts Programs at Lalit Kala Kendra - Gurukul, Pune University | www.unipune.ac.in/ |
| NMIMS-Audition | National Test For Programs After 12th | BA Music programs at Narsee Monjee, Mumbai | performingarts.nmims.edu/ |
| BHU-UET 171 to 177 | Undergraduate Entrance Test | Performing Arts Programs at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | www.bhu.ac.in/ |
Work Description
- 01Track the beat, sources and trends the audience cares about.
- 02Research, interview and verify facts before anything is published.
- 03Write, edit or present the piece in the tone the platform requires.
- 04Work with designers, editors and producers to finish the story.
- 05Meet publication deadlines and follow legal and ethical norms.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Varied work with real public influence
- Entry is skill-based; a portfolio matters more than marks
- Digital platforms have opened independent earning routes
Cons
- Irregular hours and unpredictable news cycles
- Starting salaries in media are modest
- Pressure and public criticism come with the role
Are you fit for this career?
Take the free HBK psychometric test and see how Video Jockey matches your interests and aptitude.
Sources
© HBK Careers. Compiled in-house from official regulators, exam bodies and institute websites. Exam and institute records on this page are the same records used across the HBK handbook and exams pages.