Student review [#102829] for Media Studies
at University of Cape Town - UCT

1. Mentorship that changes your thinking: My mentor was Prof Marion Walton. Her guidance on digital media + literacy completely shaped how I approach storytelling today. Honours was small class size, so you actually get 1-on-1 time with lecturers who are leaders in their field. That mentorship is what UCT does best.

2. Theory + hands-on production: The course didn’t just make us write essays. We produced radio docs, short films, and digital campaigns. I graduated with a portfolio I could show employers. The theory modules gave me a critical lens I still use for my _Ember Podcast_ now.

3. Cape Town = industry access: Being at UCT meant guest lectures from SABC, eNCA, and indie production houses. The UCT brand carries weight. “UCT Honours MTP” still opens doors for me 6 years later when I pitch to schools + donors for my community project.

Cons:
1. Honours year is brutal: It’s 1 year, full-time intensity. If you’re working part-time, you’ll be doing all-nighters. The workload is heavy but it forces you to level up fast.

2. You must hustle for jobs: They teach you to think and create, but career placement is DIY. No guaranteed internships. You have to network in Cape Town yourself and decide what kind of media work you want.

My experience in 3 sentences:
UCT MTP Honours under Prof Marion Walton taught me to think critically and create confidently. The mix of hard theory + practical projects gave me skills I use daily, from running my thrift business to launching a podcast on change. It’s a demanding year, but it gave me tools and credibility I still rely on in 2026.

Advice for new students:
1. Use your mentor. Prof Walton and the other lecturers want you to succeed — book consults, show them your work early.
2. Treat every assignment like portfolio work. That radio doc or video essay can become content for TikTok/YouTube later.
3. Network outside class. Cape Town has film fests, media talks, Design Indaba. Your classmates + lecturers’ contacts will be your first jobs.

Would I recommend it? Yes, 100%
If you want to understand media deeply and actually make media, not just consume it, do MTP Honours at UCT. Be ready to work hard.