Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts (Mass Media) at UPES, Dehradun, is a 2-year full-time postgraduate program offered under the School of Liberal Studies and Media (formerly School of Modern Media). The program is structured across three specializations: MA Mass Communication - Journalism and Digital Media, MA Mass Communication - Advertising and Public Relations, and MA Mass Communication - Film Studies and TV Production. With a total academic fee of approximately INR 6.38 lakhs for the full program, the course is designed to equip students with advanced skills in digital media, content production, broadcasting, and strategic communication. UPES is recognized as India's first digital-first media school, making this program particularly popular among students seeking careers in the rapidly evolving media and communication landscape.

Admissions for the AY 2026-27 batch are currently in progress. Round 3 applications closed on March 26, 2026. The next round (Round 4) dates are yet to be announced. Online Personal Interviews for the current round are scheduled from April 7-10, 2026, with slot booking open from March 30, 2026. Students are advised to keep checking the official UPES admissions portal at admission.upes.ac.in for Round 4 dates and deadlines.

Key Points

India's first digital-first media school with state-of-the-art TV studios, radio/podcast labs, editing suites, and multimedia production facilities on campus.
Three distinct specializations allow students to focus on their area of interest: digital journalism, advertising and PR, or film and TV production.
Curriculum integrates AI tools, multimedia production, social media strategy, and media entrepreneurship alongside traditional media theory.
Mandatory internship in Semester 3 (minimum 8 weeks) ensures real-world industry exposure before graduation.
Faculty includes renowned media professionals and industry stalwarts with experience at leading national and international media organizations.
UPES offers 5 years of post-graduation placement support to all alumni.
UPES has been awarded 5 Stars for Employability by the globally acclaimed QS Stars rating system.

Official Link:

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
FAQs

UPES Latest Updates and News

18 Feb, 2026 UPES Fee Structure 2026 is out for MA Mass Media programs. The total academic fee is ₹ 6.38 Lakhs. Check details.

UPES MA Mass Media Fees

The total academic fee for the MA Mass Media program at UPES for AY 2026-27 is approximately INR 6.38 lakhs for the full 2-year duration. The fee is split into Tuition Fee and Academic Service Fee across four semesters, with a modest annual increment. In addition to the academic fee, students are required to pay a one-time Training and Certification Fee of INR 31,300 (payable in Semester 2), a Personality Development Course (PDC) fee of INR 9,000, and a refundable security deposit of INR 20,000. Hostel accommodation is optional and available at INR 1,83,000 per year for triple-sharing rooms.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4	Total
Tuition Fee	INR 1,03,000	INR 1,03,000	INR 1,07,000	INR 1,07,000	INR 4,20,000
Academic Service Fee	INR 35,000	INR 35,000	INR 36,250	INR 36,250	INR 1,42,500
Semester Total	INR 1,38,000	INR 1,38,000	INR 1,43,250	INR 1,43,250	INR 5,62,500
Training & Certification Fee (one-time, Sem 2)	-	INR 31,300	-	-	INR 31,300
PDC Fee (one-time, at registration)	INR 9,000	-	-	-	INR 9,000
Technology Fee (per semester, Year 1)	INR 3,800	INR 3,800	-	-	INR 7,600
Convocation Fee (penultimate semester)	-	-	INR 3,300	-	INR 3,300
Alumni Fee (one-time)	INR 2,100	-	-	-	INR 2,100
Medical Insurance (Year 1)	INR 500	-	-	-	INR 500
I-Card Fee (one-time)	INR 500	-	-	-	INR 500
Total Academic Fee (approx.)					INR 6,16,800
Hostel Fee (optional, per year, triple sharing)	INR 1,83,000	-	INR 1,83,000	-	INR 3,66,000
Hostel Security Deposit (refundable)	INR 10,000	-	-	-	INR 10,000

Refundable security deposit of INR 20,000 is payable at the time of registration (interest-free).
Hostel fee is optional and not included in the Total Academic Fee.
Hostel is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Technology fee for Year 2 (Semesters 3 and 4) will be communicated separately along with semester fees.
Fees are subject to revision as per university norms.
Taxes/levies, if any, will be charged additionally.
Fee payment schedule: Semester 1 at the time of admission; Semester 2 by January 2, 2027; Semester 3 by July 10, 2027; Semester 4 by January 2, 2028.
EMI options may be available through partner banks; students are advised to check with the admissions office.

UPES MA Mass Media Admission 2026

Admissions to the MA Mass Media program at UPES for AY 2026-27 are conducted in multiple rounds throughout the year. Round 3 applications closed on March 26, 2026, and Personal Interviews for this round are scheduled from April 7-10, 2026. Round 4 dates are yet to be announced. Admission is based on a Personal Interview, and students with a valid CUET-PG score of 120 or above are given preference. The program accepts CUET-PG (Test Paper Code: COQP17) as the primary entrance exam.

UPES MA Mass Media Admission Dates

Event	Date
Round 3 Application Start	January 15, 2026
Round 3 Application Deadline	March 26, 2026
Round 3 Personal Interview (Online)	April 7-10, 2026
Online PI Slot Booking Opens	March 30, 2026
Round 4 Application Dates	To Be Announced
Batch Commencement (tentative)	July 2026

CUET-PG Exam Dates

Event	Date
CUET-PG 2026 Application Start	December 14, 2025
CUET-PG 2026 Application End	January 25, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Admit Card Release	March 3, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Exam Dates	March 6 - March 27, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Result Declaration	May 6, 2026

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum 50% marks in Class X and Class XII.
Minimum 50% marks in Graduation (any stream from a recognized university).
CUET-PG score of 120 or above is required for admission through the CUET-PG pathway.

Admission Process

Step 1: Submit the online application form at admission.upes.ac.in.
Step 2: Receive an interview call based on application review.
Step 3: Appear for the Personal Interview (online or offline as scheduled).
Step 4: Receive admission offer letter upon successful interview.
Step 5: Pay the offer acceptance fee within the stipulated timeline to confirm admission.
Step 6: Complete registration formalities and pay Semester 1 fees at the time of joining.
Alternatively, candidates with a valid CUET-PG score of 120 or above (Test Paper Code: COQP17) can apply through the CUET-PG pathway.

UPES MA Mass Media Scholarships 2026

UPES offers a comprehensive range of scholarships for MA Mass Media students, making the program accessible to meritorious and financially deserving students. In AY 2023-24, UPES awarded INR 46 crore in scholarships benefiting over 6,844 students. Key scholarships applicable to MA students include merit-based, need-based, sports, domicile, and alumni scholarships.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship Name	Eligibility	Benefit	Applicable To
Domicile Scholarship	Permanent residents of Uttarakhand	25% on tuition fee per semester (full duration)	MA students
Jyoti Scholarship (Freeship)	Min 80% in 10th and 12th; family income below INR 8 LPA; age below 25 years	100% waiver on semester fees (all components except security deposit)	MA students (51 seats, merit basis)
Vijay Scholarship (Sports)	National/International level sports achievement in last 2 years	35% to 100% on tuition fee (Year 1)	MA students
Academic Performance Scholarship	Top 10% of program; min 8.5 CGPA; no backlogs	10% to 20% on tuition fee (from Year 2 onwards)	MA students
Alumni Scholarship	UPES graduates (2021 onwards) meeting admission eligibility	50% on tuition fee for full program duration	MA students
Employee Ward Scholarship	Wards of UPES employees	75% on tuition and academic service fee (Year 1)	MA students
Employee Sibling Ward Scholarship	Wards of siblings of UPES employees	50% on tuition and academic service fee (Year 1)	MA students
Employee Spouse Scholarship	Spouse of UPES employees	50% on tuition and academic service fee (Year 1)	MA students
Student Financial Support	Students who lost an earning parent after joining UPES	INR 50,000 relaxation on tuition fee per semester	MA students

A student is eligible for only one scholarship at the time of admission.
If eligible for multiple, the highest applicable scholarship is awarded.
Domicile scholarship requires submission of a valid Domicile Certificate at the time of admission.
Academic Performance Scholarship is awarded from the 2nd year onwards based on CGPA and can be clubbed with Domicile/Sports/Employee scholarships.
Jyoti Scholarship has only 51 seats and is awarded on merit basis.
Renewal requires minimum 6.0 SGPA, 75% attendance, and no disciplinary cases.
All scholarships are applicable on tuition fees only (unless specified otherwise) and cannot be exchanged for cash.
Application deadlines for scholarships coincide with the admission process; students must apply before completing registration.

UPES MA Mass Media Placement 2026

Placement Highlights

Highlight	Details
Placement Support	5 years of post-graduation placement support to all alumni
Employability Rating	5 Stars for Employability by QS Stars rating system
Highest Package	INR 50 LPA (2022, School of Modern Media)
Starting Salaries	INR 3 to 8 LPA depending on specialization, portfolio, and internship experience

UPES MA Mass Media FAQs

Ques. What is the difference between MA Mass Communication - Journalism and Digital Media and MA Mass Communication - Advertising and Public Relations at UPES?

Ans. Both programs share a common first semester covering foundational media skills. From Semester 2, they diverge: Journalism and Digital Media focuses on digital reporting, open-source intelligence, convergent journalism, and mobile journalism (MoJo), while Advertising and PR focuses on digital marketing, consumer behaviour, media planning, crisis communication, and campaign design. Students should choose based on whether they want to work in newsrooms and content platforms or in advertising agencies and corporate communications.

Ques. Is CUET-PG mandatory for admission to MA Mass Media at UPES?

Ans. No, CUET-PG is not mandatory. UPES conducts its own admission process through a Personal Interview. However, candidates with a valid CUET-PG score of 120 or above (Test Paper Code: COQP17) are given preference and can apply through the CUET-PG pathway. Students without a CUET-PG score can still apply directly and appear for the Personal Interview.

Ques. What kind of internship opportunities are available during the MA program?

Ans. Internship is a mandatory credited component in Semester 3 (minimum 8 weeks). UPES has strong industry connections with media houses like Times of India, Hindustan Times, News18, NDTV, digital agencies, OTT platforms, and corporate communications teams. The Career Services Department actively facilitates internship placements. Students are encouraged to build their portfolio from Day 1 to maximize internship and placement outcomes.

Ques. What are the hostel facilities like at UPES for MA students?

Ans. UPES offers on-campus hostel accommodation on a first-come, first-served basis at both Bidholi and Kandoli campuses. Triple-sharing rooms with a common washroom are available at INR 1,83,000 per year. Girls-only double-sharing rooms with attached washrooms are available at INR 2,32,000 per year at Bidholi. An additional refundable hostel security deposit of INR 10,000 is required at registration. Hostel is optional and not included in the academic fee.

Ques. What are the career prospects after completing MA Mass Media from UPES?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as digital content creators, social media managers, digital journalists, video editors, broadcast journalists, advertising copywriters, PR executives, media planners, and content strategists. Recruiters on campus include major media houses, digital agencies, OTT platforms, and corporate communication teams. Starting salaries typically range from INR 3 to 8 LPA depending on specialization, portfolio, and internship experience. The highest package reported for the School of Modern Media has been INR 50 LPA (2022).

Ques. Can I switch specializations after joining the MA program at UPES?

Ans. Specialization is typically chosen at the time of admission. Since all three specializations share a common Semester 1 curriculum, there may be limited flexibility to switch in the early stages, but this is subject to seat availability and university policy. Students are advised to confirm this directly with the admissions office before applying, as policies may change for the AY 2026-27 batch.