Press Gazette's guide to journalism training by Dominic Ponsford

J O U R N A L I S M T O D AY

Journalism training 2012

GET YOUR JOURNALISM CAREER OFF THE LAUNCH PAD Reuters (Libya 2012)

Inside

Advice from top editors n How recent graduates got their big break n Full directory of journalism courses

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012

Introduction Want to be journalist? You’re in the right place… Journalism doesn’t offer the job security, money and benefits of other professions like the law, medicine or even teaching. But it is much more fun and for those who do well – the sky is the limit. If you really want to be a journalist you don’t have to do any training at all. It is not a regulated profession like law or accountancy (yet). Doing the right will however give you a massive head start. You need to make sure it includes practical training in the skills you will need in a newsroom: things like shorthand, media law and news writing. You then need to get as much work experience as you can afford to do for free and you need to start your own blog – preferably covering a subject that you would ultimately like to be paid to write about. Finally you need show enough tenacity, originality and flair in your job hunting that you stand head and shoulders above the competition. This brief guide aims to provide an introduction to the somewhat bewildering world of journalism training. The one golden rule when picking a course is make sure you find out hard and fast facts about the number of former students who have got jobs in journalism – and what jobs in particular they have got. Good luck.

Contents 4-7

Words of advice from top editors on what they look for in new recruits

9-10

An introduction to the main journalism training bodies

11-12

Sponsored feature showcasing journalism training at City University

13-15 Reports back from the frontline:

young journalists who have made it into jobs explain how they did it

17-22 Comprehensive listing of journalism training courses

What it costs and some advice on how you can pay for it

www.pressgazette.co.uk

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012

How do you get that dream job after finishing training? Press Gazette spoke to journalists in charge of recruitment and training at some of the UK’s leading journalism organisations to find out more about how aspiring journalists can get their foot in the door

a story and have basic grammatical and English skills. Obviously these days, any skills that they have in the digital world are important as well.

NEWSPAPERS: Richard Ellis Executive director, editorial, Telegraph Media Group

What tips would you give to aspiring journalists? Look at the people you admire in journalism – if it’s sport, Henry Winter or Paul Hayward and any other great sport writers of the time. Look at their stories, read their journalism, look at how they cover stories and learn from them. Some people have an innate gift for writing and others learn it. The Telegraph takes on around six young recruits each year (from up to 2,500 applicants) on its Editorial Graduate Trainee Scheme. Applications open in November.

What does the Telegraph look for in trainee recruits? People we take on need to be smart individuals. They need in particular to have a dedicated commitment to journalism through student journalism or work experience. A number who have gone onto the scheme in recent years have gone on gap years and worked on English language newspapers abroad, gaining firsthand experience of being a journalist. That commitment and passion for journalism is something we are always looking for. Probably around half the people we take on come straight from university, having done just one degree, and the other half have done some form of post-graduate degree related to journalism. They will mostly be from City University or Cardiff but also from others.

Managing editor,Guardian Media Group

What skills do they need to have? They need to be inquisitive and have all sorts of traits that we’d want in any sort of journalist – the ability to get on with people, the ability to find stories, to have an eye for

What does the Guardian look for in trainee recruits? There’s no single route into journalism and, as the digital landscape changes, the means we have to gather, tell and create

4 l October 2011 Press Gazette

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NEWSPAPERS: Elisabeth Ribbans

engagement around the stories has widened the range of skills that news organizations need and seek. It means people come to us from a variety of backgrounds – though it is unusual for national media to recruit directly as a first job in journalism. We would typically expect a fair amount of prior editorial experience. Competition for places in journalism has long been stiff and the present economic climate means job opportunities for aspiring journalists are sadly reduced. But at the same time the internet means there are more platforms than ever for budding journalists to showcase and hone their talents. What skills do they need to have? The key things we’d look for in a journalist are curiosity, tenacity, abundant interest in people and current affairs, a keenness to communicate and the ability to do so in a clear and compelling way. Someone who can bring a fresh perspective will stand out; that spark of different approach, whether through background, experience or a special skill. Digital skills are a must-have and that’s not just knowing how technology works, but being imaginative in how it can be used to enhance your work. Journalism travels far and fast and is open to discussion and scrutiny as never before, so it’s also important that journalists are not only committed to accuracy but are willing to continue the conversation. Filing a story is not the end of the process. What tips would you give to aspiring journalists? My advice to anyone looking to break into journalism would be to show plenty of evidence of commitment to the career, whether that’s through keeping a lively blog, serious involvement in student www.pressgazette.co.uk

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012 journalism, contributing to community or specialist titles and doing work experience to become familiar with the newsroom environment and what makes a good story. With regards to training, again there isn’t one piece of advice but a masters degree or an NCTJ-accredited course (post-school or post-university) should ensure you’re equipped with a broad range of skills needed, including a grounding in the law and the ability to spot, develop and deliver a story thoroughly. My advice to schoolleavers intent on going to university would be to study for a degree in whatever most interests you – editorial departments thrive on a range of knowledge – and then seek journalism training afterwards. The Guardian no longer runs a news trainee programme, having stopped it in 2008, but does run a Positive Action Work Placement Scheme.

NEWSPAPERS: Sue Ryan Media consultant, the Daily Mail What does the Mail look for in trainee recruits? We are looking for candidates who have a good personality, have a natural curiosity, are robust enough to deal with knockbacks and sensitive enough to get the best out of the people they are talking to. They need to show that they are passionate about journalism and have a good general knowledge of current affairs. We test them on everything from showbiz stories to politics, sport and the media as soon as they arrive in the building so we quickly get a sense of whether they actually read newspapers, both print and online, before the interview begins. Those with some sort of journalism training have an advantage because they have covered the basics, including shorthand, and have generally done more work experience, so there is more for us to evaluate. www.pressgazette.co.uk

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Working in the Mail you need to be able to communicate with all walks of life and look comfortable. I started my career in national newspaper as a reporter on the Daily Mail and then as an executive on the Mail on Sunday and I truly believe there is no better learning ground. What is the best route into the Mail? A good degree followed by a journalism course, whether it’s a post-grad or a fasttrack, plus a lot of work experience, is the easiest route in. Start off with some local paper work and then go for the nationals and arrive each day with three or four ideas to pitch to the news editor or feature editor. City does so well as, being in London, their students get lots of relevant work experience. The teaching at Cardiff and Sheffield is good, but it’s harder to get national paper experience. The Press Association course is great for teaching practical skills. What tips would you give to aspiring journalists? Be cheerful – most journalists enjoy their job and want to be surrounded by people who are also having fun. Ask for help – students are not expected to know how to do the job and we have all been there before. Senior journalists can be terrifically encouraging as long as the interns are not arrogant – don’t interrupt them when they are on deadline and show an ability to learn quickly. Be keen – arrive early and when given a really boring vox-pop, act as though it’s the best story in the world. Be prepared to put the rest of your life on hold. Read papers – every day. Only go into journalism if you are passionate about it. The Daily Mail takes on 12 trainees a year – six reporters and six sub-editors – from 1,000 applicants as part of its graduate programme. Applications open in February.

Senior journalists can be terrifically encouraging as long as the interns are not arrogant – don’t interrupt them when they are on deadline and show an ability to learn quickly

NEWSPAPERS: James Clench Associate news editor, The Sun What does The Sun look for in a trainee recruit? In general terms, what we look for in a candidate is: bags of enthusiasm and willingness to learn; a solid grasp of current affairs across news, politics, showbiz, TV and sport; an ability to write accurately and with flair; a sound knowledge of The Sun’s history, famous scoops and campaigns; good knowledge of social media; the ability to present in front of a group and to work as part of a team; professionalism; likeability; and common sense. What do trainees do at The Sun? Each trainee spends time on different sections of the paper – news, features, sport, Bizarre, subbing – and will also go to our Scottish and Irish offices. At the end of the two-year scheme, they may be taken on as permanent staff in any department. Have previous recruits been successful? Our graduate trainee scheme relaunched in 2010 and each of the four recruits has done extremely well since they started. We are taking on another four this year, who will be coming into the paper for the first time at the end of this month. I started as a trainee on a previous scheme in 1999 and am now an associate news editor. Caroline Iggulden is a great success story – she joined on the scheme in 2002 and is now head of features. What tips would you give to aspiring journalists? Get as much experience as you can on local papers or websites. If you are applying for a trainee scheme, read and re-read your application – it is surprising how many applications we have received containing basic spelling errors, which generally end a candidate’s chances of getting to the interview stage. Press Gazette Autumn 2012 l 5

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012 If you don’t make it onto the scheme, don’t be disheartened – the majority of our staff reporters started at local papers and agencies. The best way to get noticed by a newsdesk is to come up with a decent story. Do the basics properly – turn up early, work hard, be enthusiastic and be thorough. The Sun’s editorial graduate scheme takes on four graduates a year. Candidates must have an NCTJ qualification, with 100 words-per-minute shorthand.

NEWS AGENCY: Tony Johnston Head of Press Association Training, Press Association What does Press Association look for in trainee recruits? At Press Association we run our own graduate training scheme as well as having our own foundation courses, which are accredited by the NCTJ. Our recruitment requirements for both are very similar. What we are looking for are trainees who are highly effective communicators – both in terms of writing and verbal communication. Ultimately, the ability to tell stories in interesting ways across different platforms – in print, in pictures, in video and online. On the PA training scheme, we place a huge degree of emphasis on having a broad general knowledge, a high level of shorthand because of the very specific nature of the type of reporting that PA does. We also look for people who are passionate about news, effective story getters and then have the ability to tell that in creative ways. Before taking on a trainee reporter, we would be looking for a reasonably high level of experience – both at regional and national newspapers. What tips would you give to aspiring journalists? I think it’s really important that they get www.pressgazette.co.uk

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experience. The entry barriers to get experience are a lot lower than they were when I got into journalism so I would certainly expect them to be involved in student journalism, to have a blog and to get into a mode of telling stories before deciding on training courses. When we recruit for our foundation course, what we measure at interviews is everything from writing skills and grammar, to traditional general knowledge areas. We place a great deal of importance on employability skills - that might be with PA, but most likely with other organisations. People who train at Press Association do not have a direct advantage when applying for jobs at PA but they do have the chance to become known to the people here, which can help. I think being informed about the changing media landscape is very important and just recognising the importance of digital in telling stories. It’s also important to network and to gain as much work experience as possible. In addition, I would say it is important to achieve the highest possible level of education you can. I’m interested in where someone has studied, first, then grade of degree and then subject, in that order. Press Association recruits several trainees a year on its multimedia graduate scheme.

BROADCAST: Claire Prosser Head of the journalism trainee Scheme and talent pool, BBC What does the BBC look for in trainee recruits? The bottom line is a good writing ability. You’ve got to be able to write well – there’s no way around that. You’ve got to be curious about the world around you and find stories. You need a lot of energy. You need to be resilient and flexible because it can be a very difficult job with hard hours. You need to be quite analytical when

You’ve got to be writing. There aren’t many local papers about but if there are in your area, volunteer and get in wherever you can. It’s really important to be practising your craft writing stories, and you need to be a teamplayer in a huge organisation like the BBC. What tips would you give to aspiring journalists? The most important thing is to be getting work experience. That could be when you’re at college (joining radio, TV stations or working for the paper), you could join a charity and do some press releases or you could be in a club writing stuff for them. I There aren’t many local papers about but if there are in your area, volunteer and get in wherever you can. It’s really important to be practising your craft. Social media is a really good way to get into journalism. You could be blogging, tweeting, establish your own site. You really need to start developing a presence in the world of journalism. It’s more important than studying say media studies or something like that. You really need to be getting out there. If you have a specialism in any kind of area then you need to use it. Social media does allow people the opportunity for people to shine in journalism. In the past, you started off in local newspapers or magazines and progressed into broadcast if you wanted. I went to Harlow College and did an NCTJ and I trained on newspapers and I think the training I had there was invaluable. I think it’s a terrible shame that option isn’t there so much any more. Traditionally, a lot of our online journalists come from local newspapers. Also it’s absolutely vital to show an interest in a variety of media types – you’ve got to really consider yourself a multimedia journalist that can get stories across on a number of platforms. The BBC takes on 12 people a year from up to 3,000 applicants for its Journalism Trainee Scheme. Applications opened for the 2013 scheme on 24 September. www. bbc.co.uk/academy/schoolofjournalism Press Gazette Autumn 2012 l 7

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012

‘There is definitely still a big future for young journalists’ One indication of whether or not a course will give you professional skills is whether it is accredited by one of three main industry training bodies: the National Council for the Training of Journalists, the Periodicals Training Council and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council. Press Gazette asked the leaders of those three bodies to provide some advice for aspiring journalists NEWSPAPERS: Kim Fletcher Chairman of the National Council for the Training of Journalists When journalists of a certain age get together the conversation goes off in a familiar direction: the job’s changed…the fun’s gone…there’s no money any more. Then, usually after another drink: no one likes us…we don’t get time to knock on doors…the office expects us to work all hours – and wouldn’t know a real story if it walked in with its hands up. My goodness, the industry must be in a state – except I first heard these lines 35 years ago, at the end of my first shift as a cub reporter on The Star, in Sheffield. It’s reassuring to have heard them so regularly since, for there’s nothing like a good moan to keep a journalist cheerful. The only change is we’ve all got older, so these days we throw in the clincher: “I tell you what – if a child of mine wanted to go into journalism, I’d say think again.” Well, judging by the number of sons and daughters of journalists who come into the business, children are either avoiding the career conversation with their parents or being very disobedient. That is good, for without a sense of contrariness they – you - are better off looking for something more reliable than journalism. Now that’s not to say things haven’t changed. The internet has challenged the old economic model and transformed the newspaper world forever. Why buy a paper if you can read all the news free online? Why spend money advertising in a paper when the internet allows readers to click and come straight through? The regional press is no longer making big money – though it is still in profit – and some of the big national names are losing a lot. www.pressgazette.co.uk

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Journalists are the main cost, so they get cut in a squeeze. To top it all, we all think Lord Justice Leveson is getting ready to lay into newspaper standards, casting the trade into further gloom. So do we give in? Or can we turn those negatives of the last paragraph on their head? Sure, many of the old certainties have been swept away, but so have many of the old bores. You got bright ideas? Then you can flourish. Stories are no longer constrained by the space available on a page and a print deadline. If you are clever enough to get stories you’ve got more space, more ways of telling them. As for the economic model, there are signs that internet advertising may yet rise to the level that compensates for the decline of print – at least for some titles. The Mail Online is now making a profit. Will your job be secure? Probably not – so you better make yourself indispensable. And what if Leveson recommends restrictions that take away all the freedom? He won’t – he’s been very clear on the value of a free press. Anyway, the regional press has always been pretty well-behaved – and if the national press starts to behave in a more ethical fashion, that will surely be a good thing. Just remember, if the old guard go all gloomy on you, that there is no decline in the appetite for information. On the contrary, we are reading, watching, listening to more and more news, opinion and entertainment. Our new question is how much of it we can actually trust - which is where good journalism comes in. Rumours are fun, but in the end we will go to copy that is created by people who know what they are doing, who understand the difference between comment and fact, who take pains to tell us something that is true. These are the people we want to follow, these are the people editors want to pay. That’s why there is still a big future for journalists – and particularly for those who

take the trouble to get some proper training behind them.

www.nctj.com

MAGAZINES: LORAINE DAVIES Director of the Periodicals Training Council A survey in the US recently ranked journalism as the fifth worst job to have in 2012; worse, even, than waiting tables. And yet, despite this, journalism degrees continue to attract bumper applications and there’s no let-up in the number of students aiming to work as a magazine journalist. So what’s so great about a career as a journalist, and what will you need to do (and what kind of person do you need to be) to succeed? Women’s Weekly editor Diane Kenwood believes “in spite of the tough economic and industry environment, [journalism] is still the most exciting, interesting, diverse, challenging, satisfying and enjoyable career imaginable”. Joanna Abeyie, City MA Magazine Journalism graduate and staff writer at Redwood, agrees: “The industry forces you to push boundaries, be creative, innovative and constantly come up with new and exciting ideas. The digital age has meant we can think bigger, be braver and be bolder.” As a magazine journalist you will develop life skills including planning, scheduling and embracing change. But you’ll also need to be a flexible writer who develops a detailed knowledge of your brand’s target market, platforms and reach, and can not only build a relationship with your audience, but nurture it so you are seen as a friend and advisor. You must develop an eye for detail and Press Gazette Autumn 2012 l 9

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012 strong visual as well as verbal communication skills; knowing the perfect combination of words and pictures runs through the veins of great magazine journalists. You will also have to be brutally honest about your ideas – will they really work for your audience and on that platform? You will be responsible for drawing together fragmented views and data, giving them voice and meaning. Many titles are known for campaigning and you will not only report facts but provide context and help others make sense of information and events. You will become a trusted commentator so you’ll have to cope with the responsibility that comes with power and influence. Be prepared for hard graft and chase change. But, perhaps most of all, love your job. “Journalism isn’t just a career, it’s a lifestyle and a way of thinking,” says Abeyie. “I have never regretted choosing this, even with all its challenges.” Tim Danton, deputy MD of Dennis Technology, says: “If you’re talented you can make an impact quickly, but before you start chasing the glamour jobs think about what you really want from your work. Are you going to be fulfilled writing about football players’ tantrums? Or do you want to write about things that matter; that are changing the way we live?” Sold on the job? How, then, do you get that crucial first step on the ladder? Choose a PTC-accredited course with a strong emphasis on practical skills. Check the tutor CVs, speaker list and graduate destinations – if the course team doesn’t have good industry contacts, it will struggle to teach current skills. The course only covers print journalism? Don’t touch it with a bargepole! And develop a passion for magazines – accredited courses should capture that passion and help you turn it into a brilliant career. www.ppa.co.uk/training-and-careers

BROADCASTING: Steve Harris accreditation secretary of the Broadcast Journalism Training Council The dizzying pace of change in the media shows no signs of slackening. The timescale is staggering, the impact is sometimes intimidating but also potentially liberating. The BJTC is 10 years older than the web itself. Facebook launched in 2004 while Twitter only started in 2006 – yet they have 10 l Autumn 2012 Press Gazette

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both opened up exciting new challenges for journalists. This is not just technological change, but a fundamental structural change, which is undermining long-held certainties about the business models on which traditional media industries have been founded. While the print sector has been the most obvious casualty, broadcast has also been seriously affected – and across every sector the way in which journalists are expected to operate has changed and will continue to change. New digital technologies have also brought simplicity to what were often complex news production processes – from notebook to screen. At the same time, an apparently limitless spectrum has lifted the stranglehold of the traditional gatekeepers. That simplification has brought radical reductions in costs and created new opportunities for the fully trained multiplatform journalist. While traditional print and broadcast employers clearly value these skills, the BJTC has evidence of new demand from a range of online enterprises where journalism skills are ever more highly valued, particularly when they are allied to technical ability. Within this often confusing landscape, journalism training providers have to design future-proofed programmes and syllabuses reflecting those changes while at the same time preserving the teaching of core traditional skills – that is the ability to find and identify stories and then to tell them accurately and compellingly, employing the full armoury of technical tools now available across all potential platforms. In the postLeveson era, an understanding of ethics, law, regulation and broadcast production

codes is ever more important. Regular news production days allied with work placements remain a vital bridge into the world of work, but employability and the skills to sustain a career in the media and journalism are becoming far more significant. And that’s just for today. The BJTC currently accredits around 70 courses at all levels of higher education, from HND to post-graduate, in more than 40 different institutions across the UK. The recognition of the importance of that BJTC tick means that demand for our accreditation continues to grow. We first accredited online journalism in 1999 and the guidelines, on which we base our assessment of all accredited courses have evolved to encompass the latest multi-platform approaches to journalism, while preserving those core broadcast and journalism skills on which the organisation was founded. This flexible and, we hope imaginative, approach has allowed the BJTC to encourage diversity and innovation among course providers, which has been particularly evident among the newer courses which continue to seek our accreditation. We have to anticipate where this industry may be going, not least because undergraduate students recruited this September, will not emerge into the industry until 2015, or even 2016 in the case of Scotland, which is why we are currently embarking on a root and branch review of our current accreditation guidelines. We believe this will ensure that the BJTC is a beacon of best practice and will continue setting the standards for multiplatform journalism training. www.pressgazette.co.uk

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SPONSORED FEATURE

‘We innovate to keep pace with an industry in transition’ Senior BA journalism lecturer at City University in London, Barbara Schofield explains how her job is changing to keep up with developments in the industry her students will enter City University London’s recent j o u r n a l i s m graduates are moving relatively smoothly into jobs or internships. That’s the good news. But the range and variety of these destinations indicate how much flux there is in journalism. It is also a sharp reminder of how, as undergraduate journalism tutors, we need to equip students with the right skills, knowledge of the industry and contacts to navigate rapidly-evolving changes. That can be tricky in a business where no-one can accurately predict how many national and local newspapers will survive the decade let alone where the ‘hyperlocal’ market is heading. At City, we are aware the jobs spectrum for journalism graduates is a growing and shifting one which throws up opportunities to those who are quick- witted and entrepreneurial . Our students and graduates increasingly make their own luck. 2012 graduate Jon Devo launched a lifestyle magazine for men with a team of fellow students during his studies. It currently has a print circulation of 40,000 and is distributed nationally. This is not unique. With their broad range of skills and the time to explore internships and work placements during vacations, we encourage students to take advantage of the need for content editors, online writers, social media developers, webzine designers and all the other roles springing up in a mercurial online world. And if what they want to do does not present itself within the market, they are quite likely to set it up themselves and develop business and funding opportunities as a result. This makes being a journalism lecturer pretty exciting, if the range of internship and job opportunities for journalism graduates is really a clue to the overall direction and development of the sector. It also means we have to innovate to keep pace with an industry in transition. 12 l Autumn 2012 Press Gazette

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For those reasons, we are teaching data journalism, entrepreneurial skills, placing renewed emphasis on ethical and editorial dilemmas and scenarios, setting all practical studies in a multimedia context as never before, requiring students to explore the journalistic potential of social media and to innovate within it. And because we know, in the era of high tuition fees and perhaps higher expectations, students and their parents set greatest store on employability, we plan to roll our careers and alumni support into an integrated whole, with the emphasis on understanding what jobs are out there and the route to getting them. We plan to explore ways of supporting the career development of our alumni – who of course are also a reliable weather vane as to the way the wind is blowing in the journalism industry. New students sometimes look incredulous when we tell them ‘It’s all about finding the story, being in the right place at the right time, checking it out, writing it well, making it make sense, making it interesting…’. Those basics still deliver. But how you make a living out of those skills and instincts – we look to our students’ fortunes and their sure footedness in uncertain terrain to discover that.

Manleen Gill, journalism BA I graduated from City University with first class honours in journalism this June, with an award of excellence for being the highest scoring undergraduate. Having left City with the greatest possible sense of achievement, I recognise that I owe this academic success entirely to the institution that trained me. When I first embarked on my BA Journalism degree in 2009, I was certain that I wanted to be a newspaper columnist. My narrowminded understanding of what ‘a journalist’ really was, was confined only to traditional print. The landscape for journalists in the UK has never changed as drastically as it did during my degree. I had to quickly grasp the art of adaptability, but my course at City was structured in such a way that I received the necessary variation between ‘old’ and ‘new’ journalism. City has helped me understand that a desirable journalist in the digital age needs to be able to do it all.

www.pressgazette.co.uk

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012

Young journalists reveal how they got their breaks Press Gazette asked four young journalists making a name for themselves how they got their start - and whether training helped them on their way Emily Koch Emily Koch was recently named Young Journalist of the Year at the Regional Press Awards. She trained to be a journalist at News Associates, in Wimbledon, five years ago and has recently been made digital publisher of Thisisbristol.co.uk, having worked on the Bristol Post since 2008. What did you get out of your training? I couldn’t have done the job without the grounding at News Associates – the law side of things comes into play all the time and it gives me so much more confidence standing up in a court and challenging an order. I don’t know where I’d be without my shorthand and everything I learnt about tightening up my writing style. How can you make the most of your training? Throw yourself into it – I don’t know how sustainable this advice would be if you were doing a year-long course but I found the best way to get as much as possible out of my five months was to live and breathe it. I’d do shorthand on the Tube to and from the course, and there’d be more work to do at home. Talk to everyone – the other people on your course, the people training you, guest speakers – find out as much as you can about the job and different options you might have. Ask for advice on getting a job after the course. How did you find the job – was it a struggle to find anything? I was really lucky – I had my foot in the door at the Evening Post before I even did my training. They knew what I was about, what I could do. I didn’t get a job straight out of my course – to cut a long story short, I was run over in a car accident during the last week of my course and spent three months laid up with two broken legs and other injuries. www.pressgazette.co.uk

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The day of the accident I had gone for a job on another paper, which I was offered but had to turn down because I wasn’t fit to work. By the time I was better enough to work again, a position had opened up at the Evening Post and the news editor at the time managed to get me the job, so I started there in May 2008.

Nick Johnstone Nick Johnstone, a news correspondent at Property Week, won two awards at this year’s New Talent Awards. He has worked at Property Week since 2010, shortly after completing a magazine journalism course at City University. Was City University a good place to train as a journalist? City is an amazing place to learn how to be a journalist. They immerse their students in the practices of journalism, encouraging as much hand-on experience as possible, rather than treating it as an academic subject. They get the basics of writing, news-gathering, media law and networking, but City’s courses also move with the times in a way that is essential to today’s journalists: there are modules on online journalism, social media, podcasting, videos and just about anything else the technology world dreams up. That’s one of the reasons it has built up such a good reputation for itself. Alongside that, it has a first-rate network of alumni who make themselves available for City students just starting out. Would you recommend it? Yes, although it does cost money. If you can fund it somehow, then it’s definitely worth it – or it was when I did it. It is dauntingly hard and tough being a journalist in training right now, however, and trying to find a job. So I would recommend it, yes, but I’d be tentative and realistic about future job

prospects, rather than expecting it to fasttrack you into the job you want. How can you make the most of this course? The most successful journalists on my course were the ones who were most fearless. Proactively immersing yourself in journalism, being unafraid of pitching articles to the most respected publications, making calls to the highest-profile people – that is not only the best way to learn. It also helps you develop contacts and a track record. Being known as a good journalist to other good journalists is at least half of the battle. How and when did you get a job after graduating? After completing the course in 2009, I spent about eight months as a freelance journalist, which was tricky. I did some work for the Guardian, Music Week, New Media Age, a radio production company, and for New Civil Engineering magazine. I decided, though, that freelance journalism is best suited to people who already have a nicely dog-eared contact book and have already established themselves. So I went to look for a job and found one at Property Week in January 2010.

Rohit Kachroo Rohit Kachroo was sponsored by Carlton Television to do a postgraduate course in broadcast journalism at Cardiff University. He was named Young Journalist of the Year at the 2011 Royal Television Society Journalism Awards, and is now Africa Correspondent for ITV News. What did you get out of your training? The course gives its students some of the basics, including legal training and shorthand. You also learn the basics of television – telling stories with moving Press Gazette Autumn 2012 l 13

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012 images, writing to pictures, editing and filming. They also offered an incredible and inspiring line-up of guest speakers, including Alastair Campbell. The course had an emphasis on making students feel like journalism is an exciting profession.

found that you don’t leave a training course as a fully-fledged journalist. It is one of those professions where a week doing it for real is worth months in the classroom.

How to make the most of it? Inevitably, the best experience is gained in the real world, not inside a lecture hall. The most valuable lessons that I learned while at Cardiff were in real-life newsrooms. We were all regularly dispatched to local television and radio stations.

Rachel Butler studied for a journalism degree at Staffordshire University. In 2011, after getting a job at the Derby Telegraph, she won Newcomer of the Year at the Midlands Media Awards and was named Trainee News Reporter of the Year at the NCTJ Awards. She now works in for features agency Mediavia in Bristol.

Would you have done anything differently? Had I been paying for the course myself, I’m not convinced that I would have done things in exactly the same way. Most postgraduate journalism courses cost several thousand pounds. It’s a huge outlay to make, particularly when many news organisations are shrinking rather than growing their workforces, and so there are far fewer opportunities for newcomers to journalism. It is, however, a useful test of your passion for journalism: are you willing to spend thousands of pounds to pursue a career in this field, or would you rather do a job that may be better paid but, perhaps, less fulfilling? Graduation from a highly-regarded journalism course seemed to provide a valuable seal of approval in the eyes of some of the editors that I dealt with in those first few months. But it was only part of what they were looking for. How did you find a job afterwards? I had the luxury of an assured six-month contract with Central TV as part of my sponsorship. But all that did was delay the worry and anxiety by 26 weeks, rather than eradicate it. I was lucky enough to get a staff job there, eventually. But despite the frequent warnings, I was surprised to see how many people seemed to be competing for every vacant position. How well did your training prepare you for your career? I still hear the tutors’ voices when in the field compiling reports for ITV News: I often recall their buzz phrases about letting pictures breathe, or I suddenly find myself thinking about one of the instructions that they would bark at us about brevity and clarity. I’ve heard many editors and producers complain that most people graduating from these courses think they know far more than they do. It felt like an excellent grounding, but I 15 l Autumn 2012 Press Gazette

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Rachel Butler

What you got out of training? Enrolling at Staffordshire University was the best thing I ever did. We had weekly career development seminars with guest speakers. One day a local newspaper editor came in to give a lecture and the first thing he did was hold up a huge pile of A4 papers. He said: “These are the applications we got for a trainee reporter job.”. It made me realise that I had to stand out from the crowd if I wanted to be successful in journalism. So I got my head down, worked hard and did lots of work experience. It was tough but it paid off. My training continued at the Derby Telegraph. How to make the most of it? There are so many young people wanting to get into the journalism industry so you need to do something which will make you stand out. I got my head down and worked extremely hard, especially in my last year. I also wanted to get my foot in the door at a newspaper so I started doing regular work experience at my local paper, the Derby Telegraph. For months I went in two days a week for free, while also holding down two part-time jobs. I got so much out of it – I got to know the reporters and I was getting regular bylines. I also got a front page when I was on work experience – a tornado hit Derby and I was the first one in my car out there. How did you find a job afterwards? was it a struggle? Towards the end of my last year at university, I sent out a package to lots of local newspaper editors with my stories and a letter saying why they should hire me. I was offered a job at the Derby Telegraph, helped by my regular work experience.

Ruth Sherlock Ruth Sherlock moved straight to the Middle East after graduating from a Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree at Durham University . She did not train as a journalist but worked as a freelancer until finding a foreign correspondent staff position at the Telegraph. Earlier this year, she was awarded Young Journalist of the Year at the British Press Awards. How did you get into foreign correspondence? I did some work experience with the BBC – with a correspondent in Jerusalem – during my second year at university and then ended up moving to Jordan after I graduated. I decided I wanted to get into journalism so I started freelancing for the Jordan Times. I moved to Jerusalem within three months and was freelancing there as well. Then the Arab Spring happened so I went to Egypt . I was working for lots of different outlets but decided I needed to concentrate on one so I prioritised the Telegraph and just focused on them and made clear to the editor that I wanted to build a relationship. I had made contact with journalists from the Telegraph and ended up travelling with them to Libya. When the story went a bit quieter and the staff correspondents left, they started passing my contacts on to editors. It was less them approaching me as me hammering on their door, but after a while they started calling me. . Was it ever your intention to do a journalism training course? Before moving to the Middle East, I applied to loads of jobs and wasn’t getting anywhere. I wanted to find a job at a local newspaper it was really hard. I just wanted to get out there and become a journalist and I don’t think I would have done a course unless I had no other option – it is very expensive and, from what I remember from my work experience, I learn that to do journalism you really just have to do it to learn it. Is there anything you feel you’ve missed out on not doing a training course? I have struggled in some ways from not doing a course, yes. There are some really useful skills – like shorthand – which I have missed out on. www.pressgazette.co.uk

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012 Undergraduate courses

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012

British College of Journalism

Cornwall College

www.JournalismCollege.co.uk

www.cornwall.ac.uk w: kennedy@cornwall.ac.uk t: 01209 617 650

Brunel University London

School of Arts at Brunel University E: ug-art-admissions@brunel.ac.uk W: www.brunel.ac.uk This NCTJ accredited BA programme offers an ideal launch-pad for anyone hoping to embark on a career in journalism. We offer thorough and demanding training in news writing, Teeline shorthand, public affairs and law, plus a work placement. You will learn how to edit and package for a range of journalism formats with an emphasisoncross-mediaplatformsandhand-held technology. Wehaveastate-of-the-artnewssuite andstudentslearnthefundamentalsofbroadcast inourpurpose-builtradiostudio,andeditingsuites. Industry-standard hardware and software for print, broadcast, and online are taught and made available to our students throughout their time at Brunel.

Lambeth College

WhenyouenrolwiththeCollegeyouareallocated a personal tutor. Your tutor is a working UK media professional who is familiar with your publishing market. Throughout your Course you work with your tutor to develop ideas and material relating specificallytotheareasoffreelancejournalismthat most interest you. Your success in this Course will provide you with a way to earn income from anywhere in the world or sittingatyourownkitchentablefortherestofyour life! Best of all, we guarantee your success.

University of Bedfordshire www.beds.ac.uk

Blackburn College www.blackburn.ac.uk

British College of Journalism www.JournalismCollege.co.uk

Brunel University www.lambeth.ac.uk e: rmckenzie@lambeth.ac.uk t: 020 7501 5496 These courses provide trainee journalists with the knowledge and skills for professional entry level journalism. They are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Students take NCTJ exams and are required to undertake work placements. Course content: All candidates must achieve the five mandatory subjects and the two specialist options to gain the Diploma: Mandatory subjects: • Reporting • Essential Media Law • Essential Public Affairs • Portfolio • Teeline shorthand Specialist options: (NJ = Newspaper Journalism Diploma, MJ = Magazine Journalism Diploma) • Production Journalism (NJ) • Media Law Court Reporting (NJ, MJ) • Business of Magazines (MJ) Entry Requirements: Learners need to have a degree or equivalent and will be required to take the NCTJ pre-entry test.

Journalism Anglia Ruskin

www.anglia.ac.uk

Bangor University

www.brunel.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

University of Buckingham www.buckingham.ac.uk

University of Central Lancashire www.cumbria.ac.uk BJTC, NCTJ, PTC accredited

City University London www.city.ac.uk

University of Chester

Cornwall College was one of the earliest NCTJ accredited courses and we offer the fast-track Diploma in Journalism. We have a history of excellent exam results and post-course employment. Trainees study multi-platform journalism, including newspaper and magazine writing, online, video reporting and editing, newspaper law, central and local government and shorthand up to 100 words per minute, with opportunities to develop skills in other areas. Our excellent partnership with the local press means work experience opportunities for students. For further details call Lindsey Kennedy on 01209 617650

University of Derby www.derby.ac.uk

University of East London www.uel.ac.uk

Edinburgh Napier University www.napier.ac.uk BJTC and PTC accredited

Exeter College

www.exe-coll.ac.uk BJTC accredited

London College of Communication www.lcc.arts.ac.uk

Lincoln University www.lincoln.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Liverpool JMU

www.chester.ac.uk

01512313346 www.ljmu.ac.uk

University College Falmouth

Northumbria University

www.falmouth.ac.uk PTC accredited

University College of St Mark and St John www.marjon.ac.uk

www.northumbria.ac.uk BJTC accreditation pending

Frontline Club

Coventry University www.coventry.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of the Creative Arts www.ucreative.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Cumbria www.cumbria.ac.uk

DeMontfort University www.dmu.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

www.frontlineclub.com/training e: training@frontlineclub.com t: 020 7479 8940 The Frontline Club is the London hub for a diverse groupofpeopleunitedbytheirpassionforthebest qualityjournalism.Ourmulti-disciplinaryworkshops offer traditional media skills training alongside innovative and forward thinking journalism.

www.bangor.ac.uk

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012 Nottingham Trent University

NCTJ PTC BJTC accredited

www.ntu.ac.uk NCTJ BJTC accredited

University College Falmouth www.falmouth.ac.uk PTC accredited

Roehampton University London www.roehampton.ac.uk

Robert Gordon University Aberdeen www.rgu.ac.uk BJTC accreditation pending

University of Cumbria www.cumbria.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University College for Creative Arts

Salford University

www.ucreative.ac.uk

www.salford.ac.uk

University of Glamorgan

Sheffield Hallam University www.shu.ac.uk

BJTC accredited www.glam.ac.uk/

Southampton Solent University

University of Gloucestershire

www.solent.ac.uk PTC BJTC accredited

www.glos.ac.uk

South Essex College

www.hud.ac.uk

University of Huddersfield

www.southend.ac.uk

Staffordshire University

www.sunderland.ac.uk NCTJ accredited BJTC accredited www.beds.ac.uk

University of Central Lancashire Southampton Solent University

www.journalism-courses.com

Undergraduate Magazine Southampton Solent University www.solent.ac.uk PTC accredited

University of Sheffield

Glyndwr University

University of Stirling

Grimsby Institute and University Centre Grimsby

www.uws.ac.uk BJTC accreditation pending

Westminster University www.wmin.ac.uk

www.beds.ac.uk

www.glam.ac.uk BJTC accredited www.glos.ac.uk BJTC accredited

www.glyndwr.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

www.grimsby.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Harlow College

www.harlow-college.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Hertfordshire www.herts.ac.uk

Southampton Solent University is a dynamic and distinctive new university dedicated to academic excellence, social justice and the integration of theory and practice. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Real worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience is builtintoourexciting range of innovative courses, which span art and design, business and law, the creativeindustries,engineeringandconstruction, maritime,mediaproduction,socialsciences,sport and tourism, and technology. We are an open, friendly and inclusive university, with strong local links and a strong international dimension. Our courses represent an imaginative response to the nature and needs of the modern economy, and many enjoy professional body recognition and accreditation. Our students also have opportunities to work on real projects for external clients, both as part of their formal assessment and, in many cases, as a form of paid consultancy arranged by the university with employersandotherorganisations.Employment andenterpriseareprominentthemesshapingour thinking and educational practice.

Undergraduate Newspaper School of Arts at Brunel University www.brunel.ac.uk

University of Sunderland www.sunderland.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Undergraduate Sports

www.hud.ac.uk

University of Kent

www.kent.ac.uk NCTJ and BJTC accredited

Kingston University Leeds Metropolitan University

www.beds.ac.uk

www.leedsmet.ac.uk BJTC and NCTJ accredited

University of Brighton

University of Leeds

University of Bedfordshire

www.brighton.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

www.leeds.ac.uk

University of Central Lancashire

www.lincoln.ac.uk BJTC and PTC accredited

www.uclan.ac.uk BJTC accredited www.hud.ac.uk

University of Huddersfield

www.kingston.ac.uk

University of Huddersfield

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News Associates (London and Manchester)

University of Gloucestershire

University of West Scotland

18 l Autumn 2012 Press Gazette

Newspaper Journalism

University of Portsmouth

www.external.stir.ac.uk

www.solent.ac.uk/contact/contact.aspx e: ask@solent.ac.uk t: +44 (0)23 8031 9000

www.harlow-college.ac.uk

University Of Glamorgan

www.sheffield.ac.uk NCTJ PTC accredited

www.uclan.ac.uk

Harlow College, Academic year

University of Kent

www.port.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

University of Bedfordshire

The following courses also offer the option of taking an NCTJ sport exam:

University of Bedfordshire

www.kent.ac.uk NCTJ accredited, BJTC accreditation pending

Sunderland University

www.sunderland.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

University of Northampton www.northampton.ac.uk

www.staffs.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

University of Sunderland

Lincoln University

Liverpool John Moores University www.ljmu.ac.uk BJTC accredited

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012 London Metropolitan University www.londonmet.ac.uk

Middlesex University www.mdx.ac.uk

Northbrook College Sussex www.northbrook.ac.uk

University of Northampton www.northampton.ac.uk

Northumbria University www.northumbria.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Nottingham Trent University www.ntu.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

University of Portsmouth www.port.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Robert Gordon University www.rgu.ac.uk

Roehampton University www.roehampton.ac.uk

University of Salford

University of Westminster www.westminster.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Winchester www.winchester.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Wolverhampton www.wlv.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Broadcast Journalism University of Bedfordshire www.beds.ac.uk BJTC accredited (pending)

University of Brighton www.brighton.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of East London www.uel.ac.uk

University of Huddersfield www.hud.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Leeds

New College Nottingham www.ncn.ac.uk

Nottingham Trent University www.ntu.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Southampton Solent University

University of Salford

www.southessex.ac.uk

Staffordshire University www.staffs.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

University of Stirling www.stir.ac.uk

University of Strathclyde www.strath.ac.uk

University of Sunderland www.sunderland.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

University of Ulster www.ulster.ac.uk

University of the Arts London www.arts.ac.uk

University of West London www.uwe.ac.uk

University of the West of Scotland www.uws.ac.uk BJTC accredited

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www.salford.ac.uk

Nottingham Trent University www.ntu.ac.uk

Magazine Journalism University of Bedfordshire Southampton Solent University www.solent.ac.uk PTC accredited

University of Sunderland NCTJ accredited www.sunderland.ac.uk

Multimedia Journalism University of Bedfordshire Bournemouth University

Canterbury Christ Church University BJTC accredited www.canterbury.ac.uk

www.shu.ac.uk

South Essex College of Further and Higher Education

www.ljmu.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

NCTJ, PTC and BJTC accredited www.bournemouth.ac.uk

University of Sheffield

www.solent.ac.uk BJTC and PTC accredited

Liverpool John Moores University

www.beds.ac.uk

www.salford.ac.uk

Sheffield Hallam University

www.richmond.ac.uk

www.beds.ac.uk

www.leeds.ac.uk BJTC accredited

www.sheffield.ac.uk BJTC, NCTJ and PTC accredited

institute in London

BJTC accredited

University of Salford www.salford.ac.uk

University of Stafforshire ww.staffs.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Sunderland www.salford.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of West London ww.uwl.ac.uk

Fashion Journalism British College of Journalism www.JournalismCollege.co.uk

University of the Creative Arts www.ucreative.ac.uk

University of The Arts London www.arts.ac.uk

International Journalism

Glasgow Caledonian University www.gcu.ac.uk BJTC and NCTJ accredited

Hull College

www.hull-college.ac.uk BJTC accredited

London South Bank University www.lsbu.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

University of Salford www.salford.ac.uk

Southampton Solent University www.solent.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Teeside University www.tees.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Music Journalism University of the Creative Arts www.ucreative.ac.uk

University of Huddersfield www.hud.ac.uk

News Journalism University of Salford www.salford.ac.uk

University of Sunderland NCTJ accredited www.sunderland.ac.uk

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012 Brunel University London

PhotoJournalism

www.gold.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Gloucestershire www.glos.ac.uk

London College of Communication

University of Leeds www.leeds.ac.uk

School of Arts at Brunel University E: pg-arts-admissions@brunel.ac.uk W: www.brunel.ac.uk/arts

Staffordshire University www.staffs.ac.uk

MA Journalism is an NCTJ accredited course that provides high quality journalism skills and is now ranked by them as one of the best-performing postgraduate journalism programmes in the UK. Theprogrammeprovidesarigorousgroundingin the fundamentals â&#x20AC;&#x201C; writing, reporting, sourcing and solid editorial judgement which is justified by its graduatesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; career success beyond Brunel. Our staff have excellent links with the journalism, broadcasting and publishing industries, which benefitsourworkplacementopportunitiesandthe quality of our guest speakers. You can choose to study full-time 4 days per week over 1 year or parttime 3.5 days per week in Year 1 followed by 1 or 2daysinYear2(dependentuponmodulechoice).

University of the Arts London www.arts.ac.uk

Sports Journalism Anglia Ruskin

www.anglia.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Bedfordshire www.beds.ac.uk

University of Brighton www.brighton.ac.uk BJTC accredited www.uclan.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Robert Gordon University www.rgu.ac.uk BJTC and NCTJ accredited

University of Chester www.chester.ac.uk

University of Salford

University College of St Mark & St John www.marjon.ac.uk BJTC accredited

www.salford.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Staffordshire University www.staffs.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Postgraduate courses Journalism

University of Sunderland www.sunderland.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Birkbeck, University of London www.bbk.ac.uk

National Broadcasting School

www.nationalbroadcastingschool.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Nottingham Trent University www.ntu.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Sheffield www.shef.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Sheffield Hallam University www.shu.ac.uk

Staffordshire University www.staffs.ac.uk BJTC accredited www.uws.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Westminster www.westminster.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Nottingham Trent University www.ntu.ac.uk

Newspaper Journalism Edinburgh Napier University

Teeside University www.tees.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Brunel University www.brunel.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

University of Ulster www.ulster.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

De Montfort University www.dmu.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Broadcast and TV Journalism

Edinburgh Napier University

Birmingham City University

www.napier.ac.uk BJTC and PTC accredited

www.bcu.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of Glamorgan

Cardiff University

www.glam.ac.uk BJTC accredited

www.cardiff.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Goldsmiths College

University of Central Lancashire

www.gold.ac.uk PTC accredited

www.uclan.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Kingston University

City University

www.kingston.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

www.city.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Richmond, The American University in London www.richmond.ac.uk

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www.lcc.arts.ac.uk BJTC accredited

University of West Scotland

University of Central Lancashire

20 l Autumn 2012 Press Gazette

Goldsmiths College

University College Falmouth

www.napier.ac.uk/Pages/home.aspx t: 08452 60 60 40 Journalism at Edinburgh Napier University is one of the longest established and most prestigious journalismdegreesinBritain.Thecourseprovides you with a critical understanding of the legal, political and professional contexts in which journalismispracticed.Thiscourseiscommittedto producinggraduateswhoareexcellentjournalists andcanoperateinternationallyaswellasintheUK. You will learn to produce high quality content for newspapers,magazines,radioandTVinourstudios andnewsrooms.Ourcurriculumisdevelopedwith employers,industrycontacts,mediaorganisations and accrediting bodies including the Broadcast JournalismTrainingCouncil(BJTC),thePeriodicals Training Council (PTC) and Skillset. It is updated regularly to ensure that it remains relevant. This course is accredited by the BJTC and the PTC and is one of only three Skillset Film and Media AcademiesintheUK,andtheonlyoneinScotland.

www.falmouth.ac.uk BJTC accredited

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012 Cardiff University www.cardiff.ac.uk NCTJ Accredited

University of Central Lancashire www.uclan.ac.uk BJTC accredited

City University www.uclan.ac.uk

Nottingham Trent University www.ntu.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Multimedia Journalism Bournemouth University www.bournemouth.ac.uk BJTC accredited

City University

Journalism Studies

Magazine Journalism

City University

NW College Derry

www.city.ac.uk Financial Journalism Interactive Journalism International Journalism Investigative Journalism Magazine Journalism – PTC accredited Political Journalism Science Journalism

University of Glamorgan

www.glam.ac.uk Radio Journalism Interactive Journalism – BJTC accredited

Goldsmiths College

www.gold.ac.uk Radio Journalism – PTC accredited

Kingston University

www.nwrc.ac.uk Creative Media Production – BJTC accredited

University of Sheffield

www.shef.ac.uk Print Journalism – NCTJ, PTC accredited Magazine Journalism – PTC accredited

Sheffield Hallam University www.shu.ac.uk Sports Journalism

Staffordshire University

www.staffs.ac.uk Sports Broadcast Journalism – BCTJ accredited

St Mary’s University College Twickenham

www.smuc.ac.uk Sports Journalism – NCTJ accredited

www.city.ac.uk

www.kingston.ac.uk Magazine Journalism – PTC accredited

University College Falmouth

University of Leeds

www.leeds.ac.uk International Journalism

www.smuc.ac.uk Investigative Journalism Literary Journalism

Glasgow Caledonian University

Leeds Trinity University

University of Sunderland

www.falmouth.ac.uk BJTC accredited

www.gcu.ac.uk BJTC, NCTJ accredited

University of Glamorgan www.glam.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Goldsmiths College www.gold.ac.uk PTC accredited

University of Kent www.kent.ac.uk BJTC, NCTJ accredited

www.leedstrinity.ac.uk Print Journalism Magazine Journalism Bi-Media Journalism

London College of Communication www.lcc.arts.ac.uk Print Journalism

Nottingham Trent University University of Huddersfield

University of Strathclyde www.strath.ac.uk

University of Sussex www.sussex.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

University of Westminster www.westminster.ac.uk

Specialist Cardiff University

www.cardiff.ac.uk Magazine Journalism –

University of Central Lancashire www.uclan.ac.uk Journalism Practice Magazine Journalism

University of Chester

University of Westminster www.westminster.ac.uk Print and Online Journalism

Other courses Academic Year in Journalism Belfast Metropolitan College www.belfastmet.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

www.ncl.ac.uk BJTC accredited www.shef.ac.uk BJTC accredited

www.sunderland.ac.uk Magazine Journalism – NCTJ accredited Sports Journalism – NCTJ accredited

www.ntu.ac.uk

Newcastle University

University of Sheffield

University of Strathclyde

City of Wolverhampton College www.hud.ac.uk/courses e: mediadmissions@hud.ac.uk t: 01484 478428/01484 478464 We’ll make sure you’re well-equipped to track the fast-moving changes taking place in the media world by giving you all-round training in every aspect of journalism. Our courses are taught using industry-standard technology and cover all aspects of how journalism works – the law, its history and its cultural contexts. Our Broadcast Journalismcoursehasrecentlybeenaccreditedby the Broadcast Journalist Training Council (BJTC). Students benefit from our strong industry links, with work placement opportunities with BBC TV and Radio, ITV Granada and Yorkshire and Sky, andonleadingregionaldailynewspapers(Sheffield Star,ManchesterEveningNews,OldhamChronicle), meaningthatourgraduateemployabilityrateis6th highest in the UK at 93.5%. We offer courses in broadcast, media and popular culture, music and sportsjournalismplusanewsuiteofcoursesinfilm studies.

www.wolvcoll.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

North-West Regional College www.nwrc.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Academic Year Magazine Journalism Harlow College

www.harlow-college.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Certificate Higher Education in Journalism Glyndwr University www.glyndwr.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Harlow College

www.harlow-college.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Day Release Journalism

www.chester.ac.uk

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012 Adam Smith College

Liverpool Community College

Day Release Newspaper Journalism

News Associates, London

www.adamsmith.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

www.liv-coll.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Cardonald College Glasgow www.cardonald.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

www.newsassociates.co.uk NCTJ accredited

News Associates, Manchester www.newsassociates.co.uk NCTJ accredited

Diploma in Journalism

Press Association Training, London

Coventry City University

www.pressassociation.com NCTJ accredited

www.covcollege.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Fast-Track Diploma in Journalism

Press Association Training, Newcastle www.pressassociation.com NCTJ accredited

Brighton Journalist Works www.journalistworks.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

The Sheffield College, Norton College www.sheffcol.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Cornwall College Camborne www.cornwall.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Fast-Track Magazine Journalism

Darlington College of Technology

Lambeth College

www.darlington.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

www.lambethcollege.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Harlow College

Fast-Track Newspaper, Magazine, Sports Broadcast Journalism

www.harlow-college.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Highbury College www.highbury.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Up To Speed Media

www.uptospeedmedia.co.uk NCTJ accredited

Lambeth College

www.lambethcollege.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

General training Frontline Club

Brighton Journalist works

www.frontlineclub.com

www.journalistworks.co.uk/contact.php

City University London

Department of Journalism E: journalism@city.ac.uk W: www.city.ac.uk/journalism CityUniversityLondonhasbeenrunningJournalism courses since 1976. We are justifiably one of the best-known Journalism schools in the UK, if not the world. Our students learn tested skills and principles and the latest multi-channel and digital techniques neededforacareerinbothtraditionalandemerging journalist roles. Last year 96 per cent of our MA graduates found employment within six months, joining a 5,000-strong alumni network worldwide. Our graduates are newspaper editors, broadcast anchors,andanincreasingnumberworkindigital roles as data journalists and online community managers. Practise your craft in outstanding studios and newsrooms, and take advantage of studying Journalism in a city which is one of the world’s media capitals.

General training The Frontline Club

www.frontlineclub.com/training

Distance/e-learning Cleland Thom Journalism Training www.ctjt.biz NCTJ accredited

How to finance it HND Practical Journalism Adam Smith College

e: info@journalistworks.co.uk t: 01273 540350

www.adamsmith.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Brighton Journalist Works provide a fast track NCTJ journalism qualification that gives you the knowledge and skills that Editors are looking for, a portfolioofyourpublishedworkandessentialwork experience for your CV – designed to kick-start your career in journalism and help you get that all important first job. The NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists)istheleadingjournalismqualificationin theUKandrecognisedbyallthemediaemployers. You will learn in a fun, informal and professional environmentbyworkingjournalists,andbebased in the Offices of Brighton’s daily newspaper, The Argus. Our students get stories published in The Argus newspaperandontheArguswebsitewhileonthe course,have3weeksworkexperienceguaranteed, and achieve some of the best NCTJ exam results in the country. We look forward to meeting you.

City of Glasgow

www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk BJTC accredited

Multimedia Journalism Fast-Track City College Brighton and Hove www.ccb.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Photojournalism The Sheffield College, Norton College www.sheffcol.ac.uk NCTJ accredited

Postgraduate Course Magazine Journalism PMA Media Training www.pma-group.co.uk PTC accredited

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n The NCTJ diversity fund is designed to give students in ethnically or socially diverse backgrounds the opportunity to study for a qualification. www.journalismdiversityfund.com. n The Arts and Humanities Research Council offers a scholarship for Professional Preparation Masters (PPM) courses each year, which is open to a number of subjects, including journalism.

www.ahrc.ac.uk

n The National Union for Journalists’ George Viner Memorial Fund provides bursaries for several black and Asian students each year. www.georgeviner.org.uk n The Scott Trust – which owns The Guardian and Observer – provides a number of bursaries for specific print, web and broadcast masters courses across several universities. www.gmgplc.co.uk/the-scott-trust/ bursaries/journalists.

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