Radio Jockey: Course Details, Admission, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs & Salary

Radio Jockey Overview

The presenter of radio programmes, a Radio Jockey hosts a radio talk show, podcast or a music show. A Radio Jockey is a professional who is responsible for providing entertainment and information through various radio programmes. They are also known as RJs or Radio DJs. Radio Jockeys work for radio stations and host shows following their station's directions. The functions of Radio Jockeys include playing a variety of music, sometimes concentrating on a specific genre. Radio Jockeys not only play music but discuss cultural, political, local, weather-related and sports-related matters during programme intervals. 

An individual may pursue his/her career as a Radio Jockey after pursuing a Diploma in Radio Programming and Broadcast Management (DRPM). The subjects in the Radio Jockey curriculum are Reading Cinema, Public Speaking, Technical Writing, Digital Video Production, Ecology & Media Discourses, etc.

Radio Jockeys starting their careers are offered an average annual package of INR 2 Lakhs to INR 4 Lakhs per annum. After gaining experience, they become eligible for average compensation of INR 10 Lakhs to INR 15 Lakhs per annum. 

In this profession, employment opportunities are not limited to radio jockeying only. Apart from hosting one’s own radio shows, one can also have alternative careers in the radio industry, such as a producer, music manager, copy or scriptwriter, creative engineer, marketing manager, and so on.

What do Radio Jockeys do?

A radio jockey can undertake different duties depending on the show they host and the radio station where they are employed. Some of their work duties may include:

Radio Jockey Course Highlights

The table below demonstrates the most significant highlights of the Radio Jockey programme:

When to pursue a Radio Jockey Course?

Students can pursue a Radio Jockey Course in the below-mentioned cases:

• An individual completing class 12th must opt for a Radio Jockey Course if he/she aspires to become an FM /AM Radio Jockey in the future.
• A Radio Jockey Course should be pursued if a student wants to acquire basic knowledge about working on voice technique, working of broadcast and system console, use of microphones, etc.
   

Who should Pursue a Radio Jockey course?

It is feasible for the following students to pursue a Radio Jockey course:

• Individuals possessing fundamental skills like proactiveness, good communication skills, a sense of radio production, storytelling, writing, etc. must pursue a Radio Jockey Course. 
• Candidates seeking a career as a Radio Jockey can pursue a diploma, certificate, or UG-level programmes that provide in-depth knowledge of radio academically as well as practically. 
• Enthusiastic people seeking promising opportunities in the radio and television industry must opt for a Radio Jockey course.
• A Radio Jockey course is ideal for individuals who desire to inform, refresh and entertain.
   

Why choose Radio Jockey?

Choosing a Radio Jockey course after 12th paves the path for a promising career for the following reasons:

• A Radio Jockey gets the opportunity to connect with well-known personalities and gain a lot of knowledge about the music culture.
• Various news channels/agencies or companies offer competitive salary packages to a Radio Jockey. Initially, they make between INR 10,000 to INR 30,000. But, after one gains experience and recognition, the salary of a Radio Jockey can rise up to INR 1.5 Lakhs to INR 2 Lakhs per month. 
• Moreover, a popular and experienced Radio Jockey can avail himself of additional earning opportunities by hosting private shows, voice over for television and radio ads. 
• The Radio Jockey course introduces the candidates to subjects like Reading Cinema, Public Speaking, Technical Writing, Digital Video Production, Ecology & Media Discourses, etc.
   

How many courses are there in Radio Jockey?

The Radio Jockey courses are a sub-part of journalism. The subjects in the Radio Jockey curriculum are Reading Cinema, Public Speaking, Technical Writing, Digital Video Production, Ecology & Media Discourses, etc.
Specialisation is an important factor for determining which field one must opt for to proceed with his/her career in the field of Radio Jockey. The following courses come under the Radio Jockey programme: 

• Diploma in Radio Management
• Diploma in Radio Jockeying (DRJ)
• Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying (CRJ)
• Certificate Course in Radio Production Programme
• Diploma in Radio Station Operations and Management
• Diploma in Radio Programming and Management (DRPM)
• Post Graduate Diploma in Radio Programming and Management (PGDRM)
• Certificate Course in Announcing, Broadcasting, Comparing and Dubbing (ABCD)
   

List of Popular Radio Jockey Courses/ Specialisations

The most popular courses offered under the Radio Jockey programme include the following:

Radio Jockey Eligibility Criteria

Candidates belonging to any stream- Science, Commerce, or Arts can pursue a career as a Radio Jockey. The basic eligibility for Certificate, Diploma, and PG Diploma courses in Radio Jockey have been listed below:

• For Diploma: Passed class 12th exam from a recognised board/ university with minimum aggregate marks of 50%
• For PG Diploma: A minimum of bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, Radio Jockeying or related fields from a recognized institute/university with minimum aggregate marks of 60%
• For Certificate: Passed 12th exam or equivalent in any stream from a recognised board/university with minimum aggregate marks of 50%
   

Radio Jockey Types

There are various short-term as well as long-term courses in Radio Jockeying. The subjects in the Radio Jockey curriculum are Reading Cinema, Public Speaking, Technical Writing, Digital Video Production, etc.

The list of important courses in Radio Jockey have been described below:

Diploma in Radio Programming and Broadcast Management (DRPM): 

This is a one-year program in Radio Jockey. Students get the chance to enhance their skills through mock radio shows. Completing 10+2 is mandatory to become eligible for pursuing the diploma programme. A diploma provides a brief exposure to the field of Radio Jockey which prepares students for entry-level jobs.  The curriculum covers Production, Communication, Music Programming, Transmission systems, Voice Technique/Modulation, etc.

Diploma in Radio Production and Radio Jockeying (DRJ):

This is also a one-year course in Radio Jockey. In this programme, students learn about Radio Jockeying from the foundational level. An aspiring Radio Jockey learns about how exceptional music is produced and gets practical exposure as well. Students who have completed Class 12th are eligible to pursue this course. Students can avail themselves of great opportunities to start working immediately. 

Post Graduate Diploma in Radio and Broadcast Management (PGDRBM):

This is a one-year full-time course in which students are trained in all aspects of Radio Jockeying like media tools, how to put a point across, communication, and more. They get the opportunity to work on live projects as well. To become eligible to pursue a PG Diploma in Radio Jockeying, one must hold at least a four-year bachelor’s degree in any stream. The starting salary after completing a Radio Jockey course ranges from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month. The curriculum covers TV Journalism, Television Production and Management, Radio Journalism: Concept, Processing, and Production, Introduction to Journalism, Media laws, Ethics, and Regulation. 

Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying (CRJ):

One can apply for the certification course in Radio Jockey after completing Class 12th. This course provides an aspiring Radio Jockey with the foundational knowledge and fundamental skills and expertise.

Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying and Anchoring (CRA) TV Journalism: 

This is 6 month to a year-long course. In this course, students receive detailed training on various aspects of radio jockeying.

Difference between Radio Jockey, Disc Jockey, and Video Jockey

The differences between Radio Jockey, Disc Jockey, and Video Jockey have been tabulated below:

How to Get Admission for Radio Jockey course?

Admission to the top colleges offering courses in Radio Jockey is conducted on the basis of a candidate’s performance in the 10+2 and graduate-level exams as well as in the entrance exams that have been mentioned below:

1. Higher Secondary

Candidates must complete 10+2 or any equivalent course by obtaining a minimum aggregate score of 50% from any recognised board of India. They do not need to take any specific subjects; it can be in the arts, commerce or science field. However, studying regional languages and humanities may prove beneficial.

2. Certification courses

After passing 10+2, candidates can pursue certificate courses of one to six months in radio jockeying, radio jockeying essentials, community radio or announcing, broadcasting, and dubbing. One-year diploma courses in radio jockey, radio programming and broadcast management, radio production, and radio jockeying or radio management are also beneficial for seeking employment.

3. Entrance Exams

Qualify for entrance exams held by the eminent institutions such as:

• Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) Entrance Exam
• Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET)
• St. Xavier’s College Entrance Exam
• Indian Institute of Mass Communication Entrance Exam (IIMC) Entrance Exam

4. Graduation

Enroll in four-year Bachelor's degree courses such as media studies, mass communication, languages, linguistics, telecommunications or acting, or related fields after completing their 10+2. Popular bachelor’s degrees include:

• BA in Journalism and Mass Communication
• Bachelors in Radio, Television, and Digital Media
• MA in TV, Radio and Film 
• Diploma and Certificate course in Radio Jockey
• Diploma and Certificate course in Radio Jockey

5. Post Graduation

After a bachelor's degree is completed, it is imperative for the students to pursue a two-year postgraduate programme in television and radio journalism, production, radio and broadcast management, electronic media or professional RJ, and radio management. A master’s degree paves the path for a myriad of employment opportunities. A master’s degree is preferred in production-level positions. Many recognized institutes conduct entrance exams to provide admission to students into the Radio Jockey PG programme. Students must hold a bachelor's degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks to be qualified to appear for the entrance exams listed below:

• Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) exam
• Common Admission Test (CAT) exam
• Management Aptitude Test (MAT) exam
• CMAT exam

6. Early Career

Students who do not wish to enroll in a master’s degree programme after graduating from the bachelor's degree course may start working in an entry-level position. They may pursue a master’s degree only after procuring a significant amount of professional experience. 

7. Intern at Radio Stations

Working with an eminent radio station like All India Radio will give the candidates corporate exposure, practical knowledge, and an insight into the behind-the-scenes aspects of working at a radio station. Internship programmes lead to the development of research, planning, organization, and time management skills. As a fresher, a Radio Jockey can earn up to INR 15,000 every month. Pursuing an internship at an organization increases one’s chances of getting hired in the same company, provided he/she exhibits exemplary performance. Additionally, individuals may be able to cultivate important industry contacts. 

8. Start a podcast

Candidates should select a topic for their podcast, prepare the program scripts and produce regular episodes on schedule. Podcasts will help them learn a lot about hosting shows and gain a good following.

Radio Jockey Entrance Exams

Admission to the top colleges offering Radio Jockey courses is conducted on the basis of a candidate’s performance in the entrance exams that have been mentioned below:

• Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) Entrance Exam: It is a national-level exam conducted once a year at the postgraduate level. ACJ entrance exam is conducted for candidates who want to take admission in PG Diploma in Journalism and PG Diploma in Business and Financial Journalism (BFJ) at the Asian College of Journalism. 

• Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET) exam: SET is conducted annually by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) to offer admission to the undergraduate programmes offered by the university. The duration of the exam is 60 minutes. The syllabus includes sections like general awareness, quantitative aptitude, general English and analytical and logical reasoning. A written ability test also comes under the SET exam.

• Indian Institute of Mass Communication Entrance Exam (IIMC) Entrance Exam: It is a university-level examination that is conducted once a year. The duration of the exam is 2 hours. The exam takes place in several languages like English, Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, and. Urdu. The syllabus includes topics like rights of citizens, social-cultural history, social-political dynamics, global developments and their impact on India, aptitude and mental make-up, ethics and values, social consciousness, lateral thinking capabilities, etc. 

• CAT exam: CAT (Common Admission Test) is a qualifying exam for admission to MBA, PGDM and other PG level management courses in India. The eligibility for taking the CAT exam is 50% marks in graduation, for reserved categories the qualifying marks are relaxed up to 5%. The test consists of three sections: Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR) and Quantitative Ability (QA). The exam is taken online over a period of 3 hours.

• XAT exam: The Xavier Aptitude Test is a national level aptitude test conducted by XLRI Jamshedpur for admission in MBA/PGDM programmes in XLRI and other top MBA colleges like XIMB, IMT Ghaziabad, TAPMI Manipal, etc. The exam duration is 3 hours. The syllabus encompasses Verbal and Logical Ability, General Knowledge, Decision Making, and Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation.

• MAT exam: The All India Management Association (AIMA) is responsible for conducting the MAT exam to facilitate Business Schools (B-Schools) to screen candidates for admission to MBA and allied programmes. To become eligible for taking the MAT exam, students must hold a Bachelor's Degree with minimum of 3 years duration or equivalent in any discipline.

Radio Jockey Top Colleges in India

The most popular colleges and universities to become a Radio Jockey in India and the courses offered by them have been tabulated below:

Study Radio Jockey Course Abroad

An international Radio Jockey degree is a sought after credential by many individuals for the following reasons:

• The average annual compensation for individuals graduating from distinguished foreign institutions is significantly higher than those graduating from Indian universities. 
• An individual pursuing a Radio Jockey course abroad can avail of a plethora of networking opportunities. 

Radio Jockey Abroad Top Colleges

The top Radio Jockey courses offered by the universities abroad have been tabulated below:

State-wise Radio Jockey Course Admissions

Different institutes set different eligibility standards for admission to the Radio Jockey course. The duration and eligibility criteria required for admission to Radio Jockey in the top colleges in different states have been mentioned below:

Radio Jockey Course Admissions in Karnataka

Candidates must obtain at least a bachelor's degree to pursue a Radio Jockey course in Karnataka. It will also be helpful if one opts for a mass communication or journalism degree. Candidates should complete 10+2 or equivalent from a recognized board of education. The Alma Media School and Christ University are two eminent institutions offering Radio Jockey courses in Bangalore. The Department of Media Studies at CHRIST (Deemed to be University) lays a strong and rigorous theoretical and practical foundation for PG students to take leadership roles in the media industry and media education and raise the standards. The MA in Media and Communication Studies program offers two specializations Multimedia Journalism and Advertising and Corporate Communication. The subjects in the Radio Jockey curriculum are Reading Cinema, Public Speaking, Technical Writing, Digital Video Production, Ecology & Media Discourses, Designing Principles, and Visual Culture, Contemporary India, Photography & Photo Documentaries, Sound Design & Production, etc.

Radio Jockey Course Admissions in West Bengal 

The School of Media Communication and Culture, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, The Kolkata Institute Of Media And Broadcasting, A R D Training & Management, are the popular colleges in Kolkata offering Radio Jockey courses. The School of Media Communication and Culture, Jadavpur University, Kolkata offers a UGC-approved certificate course in Radio Productions. The duration of the certification course is 6 months. Candidates completing 10+2 level or equivalent become eligible to enroll in this certification course. The course fee is INR 15,000 (one-time consolidated including GST). The selection of candidates is based on a written test and interview. 

Radio Jockey Course Admissions in New Delhi 

New Delhi is home to one of the most eminent institutes offering Radio Jockey courses in India including Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Film, TV and Animation Studies, Academy of Radio and Mobile, Center for Research in Art of Film and Television, National Institute of Mass Communication, among others. The School of Journalism and New Media Studies (SOJNMS) offers a Certificate in Community Radio (CCR). The minimum duration of the certification course is 6 months. The maximum duration is 2 years. The course fee is Rs. 5,900. Candidates completing 10+2 level or equivalent become eligible to enroll in this certification course.

Radio Jockey Course Admissions in Maharashtra

Two popular institutes in Maharashtra offer a Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying which is the EMDI Encompass Institute of Radio Management and the University of Mumbai. EMDI also offers a Diploma in Radio Production and Radio Jockeying.

What is Radio Jockey Course Fee?

Radio Jockey course fees range from INR 15,000 to INR 3,00,000 in India. The most renowned colleges in India offering Radio Jockey courses along with their course fees have been tabulated below:

Required Skill Set for Radio Jockey

Candidates aspiring to pursue Radio Jockey courses must be equipped with several important skills to excel in the degree programme and gain the credibility to become a successful RJ: 

Radio Jockey Syllabus

Given below is a list that provides the syllabus for each semester of the Radio Jockey course:

Radio Jockey Scope in India

Although a lot of people consider radio as an outdated medium, a career as a Radio Jockey has proved to be a valuable and reliable career option, especially in India for the following reasons: 

• It has been estimated that the rate of employment of Radio Jockeys will rise by 6.2% in the next five years. Entertainment will serve as an essential factor. 

• A Radio Jockey finds employment opportunities for creating entertainment-based content or even advertisements, who can manage the digital environment like YouTube podcasts along with the AIR podcasts to increase the traffic. 

• A Radio Jockey can be a good career for an individual who possesses the right aptitude and attitude. The national average salary for RJs is INR 2,38,823 per year, but the compensation is significantly higher for experienced and well-known radio jockeys with a good following. Apart from doing Radio Jockey jobs, they may also make use of their voices in advertisements, show voice-overs, audiobooks, announcements, public messages, and instruction videos.

• Radio Jockeys are recruited by FM Channels/Private Radio Stations like Radio Mirchi, Radio City, All India Radio / Vividh Bharti Seva, Audio Magazines / TV Shows / Events / Live Shows / Ad Films, Radio Broadcasting Software Companies like Radiostar, Radio Mid-day, etc. 

Radio Jockey Salary in India

Radio Jockey salary in India ranges from INR 0.3 Lakhs to INR 10.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of INR 3.3 Lakhs. As a fresher in the field of Radio Jockeying, an individual can expect to earn somewhere between INR 7,000 and 15,000 per month. The average monthly salary ranges from INR 15000-45000. The average monthly compensation in tier 1 cities- Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune is INR 45,000 and above. However, in tier 2 cities the monthly salary for a Radio Jockey varies between INR 20,000 and INR 45,000. 

With a professional experience of more than 5-7 years, a Radio Jockey becomes eligible for monthly compensation of INR 75,000-90,000. 

The salary structure for different roles in the field of Radio Jockey has been tabulated below:

Skills that make you the best Radio Jockey

The following skills make an individual the best Radio Jockey:

• Creativity: It is mandatory for an aspiring Radio Jockey to be creative and innovative in his approach. Creativity attracts the listener’s psychological, and entertainment demands. 

• Communication skills: Individuals must possess excellent communication skills to be able to interact efficiently during the radio show. Unique speaking style, excellent language and communication skills, usage of grammatically correct sentences, and right words are responsible for effective audio presentation. A Radio Jockey must have excellent language and communication skills are responsible for excellent audio presentation. 

• Interpersonal management: Since a Radio Jockey works with a majority of individuals in various positions, both within the radio station as well as with the guests on the show, there should remain a lot of willingness in an individual to function well with other people.

• Increase your music knowledge: An aspiring Radio Jockey must gain an in-depth knowledge of music either by studying the theory and practice of music or by listening to a wide range of music from different genres and talking to people about their musical preferences.

Career Options and Job Prospects after Radio Jockey

Radio Jockey Top Recruiters

A Radio Jockey finds a plethora of employment opportunities both in the government and private sectors. Voice modulation, clear diction, accurate pronunciation, and command over the language and vocabulary govern one’s credibility to be employed by eminent agencies. In the government sector, employees can avail themselves of health benefits, retirement pension, job security, etc. apart from their annual salary. On the other hand, the private sector offers high salary packages, incentives, and a competitive work environment specifically established to fulfill business objectives. The most popular government and private agencies that hire a Radio Jockey have been tabulated below:

Jobs After Radio Jockey Courses

There is a myriad of employment opportunities after pursuing Radio Jockey courses. Some of the job roles are listed below.

• FM /AM Radio Jockey- The role of the FM / AM radio jockey is to interact with the audience, play music or speak, or both. They usually work in public radio stations.

• Sports Talk Radio Jockey- Sports Talk Radio Jockey is required to interact with viewers to discuss various kinds of sports news and happenings. It is mandatory for the Sports Talk Radio Jockey to be a former athlete, television anchor, or sportswriter.

• Satellite Radio Jockey- The role of a satellite radio jockey is analogous to an FM / AM jockey. They usually talk or play explicit content without considering the sensitivity of the issue. They are not regularised by any board of broadcast.

• Talk Radio Jockey- A Talk Radio Jockey is required to speak continuously for the entire time period of the show and to discuss different social and political issues related to the show’s theme. They also interact with the audiences and viewers of the programme.

• Public radio station jockey

• Play music or live talk shows