Pranay Maniar (MA International Journalism, 2025) was offered a role at CNN-News18 before he’d completed his City St George’s degree. Pranay attributes his early success to the Journalism Department’s strong international reputation, and although Pranay would have liked to stay in the UK for longer, he couldn’t turn down the opportunity. Pranay is determined to apply what he learned in London to life and work in Mumbai.
“I read an article in The Guardian, which said Cardiff and City are the Oxbridge of journalism in the UK, and that kindled the spark in me that maybe I should try and apply there,” Pranay Maniar (MA International Journalism, 2025) says.
Pranay had already completed an undergraduate degree in mass communications and media studies with a specialisation in journalism in his home country, India, but wanted to further his skills.
“I have relatives who’ve worked for a couple of big media organisations [in the UK], like the BBC, and I asked them, “Where were your colleagues from?” And they said they were from Cardiff and City, so I was like, okay, perhaps The Guardian wasn’t wrong.”
Pranay applied to City St George’s MA in International Journalism and, according to him, it was a life-changing experience.
“For the first time in my life, I saw people who were passionate about doing something like journalism,” he says.
Pranay grew up in a family that discussed politics around the dinner table and read the newspaper every morning.
“As you know, India is a country with a lot of issues,” Pranay says. “Everyone, no matter which income group you come from, is affected by one thing or another.”
Still, journalism wasn’t on Pranay’s radar until he took some advice from a teacher.
“I had a very different plan in life. I wanted to become an accountant or something in finance, but then my accounts and bookkeeping teacher in high school told me, “Pranay, you speak really well, you are really articulate, and I’ve seen you write as well, your essays are quite good, so perhaps becoming a journalist would be a better option?”
But even during his BA in Mumbai, journalism didn’t seem like a desirable career.
“From my undergraduate days, only a couple of classmates are still in journalism; everyone’s moved into marketing, public relations, brand management,” he explains.
“At City, I saw my classmates being more passionate than me, and that changed everything. That completely changed my perspective on things.”
Despite having heard good things about City St George’s, Pranay was surprised by the level of academic engagement he received, including detailed feedback on everything he produced for print, radio, and TV.
“If I hadn’t attended this course, I probably would have been in a very different field today because I didn’t have a very good experience while working in smaller and local organisations around my city of Mumbai.”
Applying for work during his time at City St George’s, Pranay quickly caught the eye of media companies in India and secured a sub-editor role at CNN-News18 even before he completed his degree. He attributes his early success to the Journalism Department’s strong international reputation and the experience it gave him.
“One of the reasons I was able to crack an interview in an organisation like this was the kind of confidence I got from the hands-on training in writing, in radio, in TV, in understanding concepts and understanding tech, and the support of the professors and my classmates,” he says.
Pranay would have liked to stay in the UK for longer and utilise the visa he was on, but the job application process in London proved frustrating at times.
“I got a few callbacks, but I found the process incredibly slow compared to what you find in India. There are multiple rounds of interviews, sometimes four, sometimes five. This one company had seven rounds of interviews, and it lasted two and a half months.”
Pranay also sensed that the increased scrutiny of UK immigration rules complicated matters.
“They’re tightening things for immigrants and, also, raising the price of the visa, so a lot of the companies, from what I figured out, would not want to hire you if you’re not from the UK.
When the job opportunity in Mumbai came along, Pranay decided to return to India to advance his career.
“I’m not holding grudges against anyone or anything,” he says. “[The changes] just came at a very unlucky time.”
And despite that, Pranay would encourage anyone to experience international study, especially in the UK.
“This is going to be the best experience of your life,” he says. “Yes, you obviously have to figure a few things out about the fees because £25,000 is not cheap. Living costs and everything add up to approximately 35,000-40,000 pounds for the entire year. It’s not a small amount for a lot of people, especially if they’re coming from developing countries, but if you have the money, if you have the resources, don’t think too much. Go and get the best education possible.”
In addition to the education, Pranay fell in love with his new surroundings and the friendliness he experienced from fellow Londoners.
“London provided a significant upgrade to my quality of life in terms of weather, the day-to-day infrastructure, open spaces, and the air, so it was an amazing experience living in London,” he says.
“I really admired the way most people live. In India, you see people just walk past you. In London, at times, people would walk past you with a smile; wish you good morning; good afternoon. It’s a very small, thing but it changes your day completely when an unknown person looks at you and gives you a smile.”
What is Pranay’s advice to international students who are returning home?
“Be at the forefront of making your country as good as you had it when you lived in London. This should be your life goal. This should be your benchmark.”
Back in Mumbai, Pranay says he loves his role as a sub-editor on CNN-News18’s online team, and has great ambitions for his career as a journalist.
“My job is to write the stories on National politics, international news and defence,” he explains.
Eventually, Pranay would like to move to the company’s TV section, become an anchor, and produce the kind of stories that hold the government to account and showcase the country’s true nature.
“Yes, we have our own issues,” he says. “But we are an upcoming military and economic power, and the world does not see us this way, and I would really like to make a global impact and change the world’s perception of India. Not just as a country of yoga and chicken tikka masala, but an upcoming superpower.”
How would Pranay compare journalism in the UK and India?
“I think the biggest difference in journalism in the UK and India is that UK cares more about accuracy, and in India, it’s more about the speed of reporting it or breaking it first, and you know, getting the most views and the most likes.”
A final message to those planning to study in London?
“Make the best out of it. Make as many friends as you can. Don’t just stay indoors, roam around this wonderful city, this wonderful country.
“The people you’re going to meet are going to completely change your perspective on life and perspective on how one should live life.”
A big thank you to Pranay Maniar for sharing his experience as an International Journalism student at City St George’s and his first few months back in Mumbai, India.
Find out more about the MA in International Journalism at City St George’s