Pondicherry University is offering an online Photojournalism course through the Government of India’s SWAYAM platform for the July 2026 semester.
The course introduces learners to photography, journalism and visual storytelling. It is suitable for journalism and mass communication students, aspiring photojournalists, photographers, media professionals, teachers and anyone interested in communicating through photographs.
Course Details
Platform: SWAYAM
Who Can Enrol?
The course may be useful for:
- Journalism and mass communication students
- Photography students and enthusiasts
- Aspiring photojournalists
- Working journalists and media professionals
- Teachers and researchers
- Content creators interested in visual storytelling
- Beginners who want to learn photography and journalistic practice
No previous professional experience in photography is required to begin the course.
What Will You Learn?
The course covers important areas of photography and photojournalism, including:
- Fundamentals of photography
- Camera controls and shooting techniques
- Exposure, lenses, composition and lighting
- Use of flash in photography
- News and documentary photography
- Sports, wildlife, cultural and travel photography
- Visual storytelling and human-interest stories
- Writing captions and selecting photographs
- Photo editing and image presentation
- Ethics and responsibilities of photojournalists
- Developing photo essays
- Portfolio preparation
- Freelancing, professional contracts and grants
- Career opportunities in photography and photojournalism
The course also includes contributions and learning material involving established Indian photographers, photojournalists, photo editors and educators.
Assessment and Certificate
Learners who only wish to study the course material may enrol and access the course free of cost.
Candidates seeking a SWAYAM credit certificate must satisfy the assessment requirements specified for the course.
Internal Assessment
- Weightage: 30%
- Minimum required: 40%
- The best 50% of graded weekly assignments will be considered for calculating the internal-assessment score.
End-Term Examination
- Weightage: 70%
- Minimum required: 40%
- The end-term examination will be conducted in proctored mode.
Candidates must pass the internal assessment and end-term examination separately to qualify for the credit certificate.
Registration details, examination date and any applicable examination or certification fee will be announced separately on the SWAYAM platform.
Course Recognition
The Photojournalism course received the Best MOOCs Award at the 24th CEC–UGC Educational Film Festival in April 2023.
Important Note
The course began on 13 July 2026, but enrolment remains open until 31 August 2026. Interested learners should enrol as early as possible and check the course dashboard for lessons and assignments already released.
How to Enrol
1. Open the official SWAYAM course page.
2. Sign in or create a SWAYAM account.
3. Select the enrolment option on the course page.
4. Complete the required registration details.
5. Check the course dashboard regularly for lessons, assignments and examination announcements.
The last date for enrolment is 31 August 2026.
Official Course Page
Disclaimer
Media Hole shares educational and career opportunities for informational purposes. Course dates, assessment conditions, examination schedules, fees and certification requirements may be revised by SWAYAM, CEC or the offering institution. Learners must verify the latest details on the official course page before enrolling. Media Hole is not associated with the course administration or certification process.
How to apply
Enrol through the official SWAYAM course page by 31 August 2026. The online course is free to study. Registration for the optional proctored examination and details of any applicable examination or certification fee will be announced separately.