Journalism Training 2014

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

YOUR GATEWAY TO ‘A LIFE LESS ORDINARY’ In association with NCTJ

Inside n

Advice from star journalists n Directory of courses n How recent graduates got their breaks

Sponsored by

NCTJ accredited courses – look for the kitemark of quality journalism training.

We don’t sell the dream of a journalism career.

We accredit the reality.

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

Contents 4-5

Introduction to journalism training from Kim Fletcher of the NCTJ and Press Gazette editor Dominic Ponsford

7-9

Sarah Sands, David Dinsmore, Steve Lamacq and Lorraine Candy on training with the NCTJ

10-11

Recent NCTJ graduates who have ‘made it’ share their stories

12-13

Ten pearls of wisdom for aspiring journalists

15-19

Complete directory of NCTJ journalism courses

21

Tips on how to fund your journalism training

22

Piers Morgan, Ian Hislop, Jon Snow and others on why journalism is the ‘best job in the world’

The National Council for the Training of Journalists delivers the premier training scheme for journalists in the UK. An NCTJ qualification equips students with the skills they need to become effective journalists and photographers in a fast-changing multimedia industry.

The majority of successful journalists working in print, broadcast, online and photojournalism are NCTJ trained and qualified.

Major newspaper and broadcast employers say they prefer NCTJ qualified applicants.

NCTJ accreditation is the hallmark of excellence for journalism courses.

NCTJ accredited courses are available at undergraduate and postgraduate degree level, as fast-track and academic year courses, and as part-time evening and weekend courses.

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SPONSORED FEATURE WHY CHOOSE

CORNWALL COLLEGE’S NCTJ DIPLOMA?

“Our trainees are covering the Premier League, the war in Syria and Eurovision, appearing in print, on our screens and airwaves – so whether you’re 18 or 55, want to be a blogger or a foreign correspondent, we’re flexible enough – are you?”

Reasons to study at Cornwall College: • • • •

More than 80% industry employment on completion NCTJ accredited for more than two decades Two Diploma options – fast-track and academic year Taught by experienced industry professionals

• • • •

Teaching in small groups with one-to-one feedback First-rate equipment with anytime technician backing Great contacts for work experience Free and reduced fees available

What our students say:

“The tutors provided first-rate teaching, bringing the course to life with great passion and humour. The five months I spent in Cornwall were also the most fun of my academic life. Where else in Britain can you study journalism in the morning and then surf in the afternoon?”

Stephen Adams Medical Correspondent Mail on Sunday

“I found Mark Benattar to be a savvy mentor with heaps of useful anecdotes and hard news experience, while the thoroughness of the shorthand, law and writing modules gave me an edge over my peers when I took my first reporter’s job. The facilities and equipment were also top notch. In all, I recall my brief stint there as one of the happiest and formative of my journalistic career.”

For more information, including a list of accredited courses, visit

www.nctj.com

Murray Wardrop General news editor The Telegraph

LOOK FOR THE KITEMARK OF QUALITY JOURNALISM TRAINING

www.pressgazette.co.uk

Press Gazette 2014 l 3

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

In association with NCTJ

Want to be a journalist?

You’re in the right place

Don’t blag it, get the right training

Whether you want to talk truth to power or just meet celebs, you are going to need proper training if you want to make it as a journalist

Dominic Ponsford

“With an NCTJ qualification,

you will feel confident that you can make a contribution to any media organisation”

4 l 2014 Press Gazette

there is so much material around, people tend to go to sites they feel they can trust when they are looking for news and information – sites produced by people who believe in some basic premises of good reporting. Second, if you want to get paid for what you do, you need to find someone to employ you or buy your work on a freelance basis. The people with the money – newspapers, radio and TV stations, websites, new entertainment and content companies – tend to be more impressed by people who can show they know what they are doing.

That’s why it’s worth looking into the National Council for the Training of Journalists and the qualifications we offer.

Trainee journalists who attend the courses we accredit and take our examinations are able to show they have the practical skills to work in all areas of the industry, on every platform created in this new world of digital media. Journalists with our qualifications are on local and national newspapers; they report regional and international news for the BBC, ITV and Sky and commercial radio stations; they

Journalism is a competitive industry in which to get ahead, so if you are reading this supplement, well done – you have already given yourself the inside edge.

It is possible to get a job in journalism without taking specialist training, but it is so much easier to get your foot in the door if you have the right qualifications.

Essential journalism skills like shorthand, media law and news writing can’t be busked or blagged.

The NCTJ has been accrediting training courses since 1951 and awards a qualification that all editors know about and probably have themselves. So passing an NCTJ course should open doors for you.

There are some good journalism courses

that aren’t accredited by the NCTJ, by all means do your own research. But there are also many bad ones.

If you want to be a journalist, a theoretical course in media or journalism studies won’t qualify you to do the job. Journalism requires practical skills – particularly news writing and shorthand – and all NCTJ courses provide these.

It used to be the case that a good general degree in say history or English, followed by a journalism postgraduate course was the preferred route into the industry. Nowadays journalists take many different routes in.

You could opt to do a degree in journalism that is accredited by the NCTJ, so includes the practical skills you will need.

Or you might also want to consider taking a first degree in a subject that will come in handy to you in your journalism career: So maybe a language, law or computing.

At post-graduate level the options range from a fast-track 20-week course in the core NCTJ skills (which is the cheapest option) to taking a fully-fledged MA. Only you can decide what route will work best for you.

This guide, which is sponsored by the NCTJ, aims to provide an introduction to the world of journalism that could save you a huge amount of time and effort.

I would say this – but to keep up with the latest developments in the industry you could do a lot worse than read www. pressgazette.co.uk every day.

Persistence, curiosity, a refusal to give up and a little writing ability are the key attributes a journalist needs.

If you have those, together with NCTJ training, you will make it. Good luck!

Study Journalism at the University of Sunderland

Kim Fletcher is chairman of the NCTJ and a former editorial director of the Telegraph You’re reading this because you think you’d like to be a journalist? Is it because you’re inquisitive and gossipy, you like finding out what’s going on and telling people all about it? Or you want to talk truth to power and protect our democracy by exposing the wickedness of those in power over us? No? You just want to meet celebrities and go to fashion parties and get paid to be at big sports events? That’s fine too. If you answer “yes” to any of the above, there’s a place for you somewhere in the media. Here’s a job that can be demanding, exciting, entertaining, unpredictable, dangerous, mischievous, fulfilling and – at its most serious – important.

The truth is you can call yourself a journalist tomorrow. You can have an opinion or go and find stuff out and create a blog or put some video up on YouTube.

You might even find some people who want to look at it. There are millions of words and miles of video on the internet, and only a fraction of it is coming from professional journalists. So why bother with a qualification?

For two reasons. First, precisely because

is the editor of journalism news website Press Gazette

staff big news agencies and new websites.

In short, they find jobs in all outlets. You don’t have to pass a qualification to work as a journalist, but when you are looking for work, you will find it is easier to get people to take you seriously when you have.

On the following pages you will find a wide range of NCTJ courses and qualifications, including one that could be right for you.

We accredit courses at colleges, universities at undergraduate and postgraduate level and independent providers. Other options include apprenticeships and distance learning. There are courses for school leavers, for undergraduates and graduates, for those looking to make a career change.

A course accredited by the NCTJ will teach you practical skills, together with the knowledge you need in such areas as media law, government and ethics.

What else do you need? Passion, drive and a real belief in what you are doing. If you have read this far, you probably have those. There are easier jobs, more secure jobs, certainly jobs where you will earn more money. But is there a job you could enjoy as much? Only you can say. www.pressgazette.co.uk

We offer a range of high quality specialist postgraduate and undergraduate degrees delivered by industry professionals and leading academics in exceptional facilities Each course is accredited by the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) MA Journalism MA Magazine Journalism MA Sports Journalism BA (Hons) Journalism BA (Hons) Fashion Journalism BA (Hons) Magazine Journalism BA (Hons) Sport Journalism BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism also BJTC accredited For further information email: admenquiry@sunderland.ac.uk or Tel +44 (0)191 515 3592 / 3258 or visit www.sunderland.ac.uk www.pressgazette.co.uk

Press Gazette 2014 l 5

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

SPONSORED FEATURE

Future forward

From tiny acorns…

The News Academy is investing in the future of journalism, helping 16-18 year olds discover more about the media and how to build a successful career

We speak to some star names from the media who trained with the NCTJ Do you still use your NCTJ skills?

Very much so. Whenever I’m handed a ‘verbal’ to read on air, I always sub it down first. And it’s incredibly handy knowing a little about the laws of libel when you’re broadcasting to a nation.

GET PUBLISHED

and WIN £100 of Amazon vouchers Check out the fortnightly competition on the News Academy website:

www.news.co.uk/academy where you can tell us what you really think about the news stories of the moment by writing a convincing opinion piece or taking a newsworthy photograph. Each winner will get their hands on £100 of Amazon vouchers plus their entry will be published on the News Academy website. A great way to get your first byline.

Launched at the start of 2014, the News Academy is an exciting initiative from News UK, the publishers of top selling newspapers The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun. The News Academy offers a rare insight into what it’s really like to be a journalist along with incredible opportunities for young students considering it as a career.

Best of all, there are lots of different ways you can get involved.

We’ll visit your school…

Through the News Academy, schools and colleges can request visits by leading journalists from our newspapers: The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun. It’s the perfect way to find out first-hand everything that this fascinating industry has to offer.

For example, in April, the editor of The Sun, David Dinsmore, visited Strathallan School in Perth to tell pupils what it’s like to head up Britain’s biggest selling newspaper, from the highs to the lows and all the funny incidents in between.

David explained: “I caught the bug for journalism at Strathallan and it was great to go back and talk to the next generation of students about what an exciting job it can be.”

Who could be talking at your school or college? Contact us to arrange a journalist visit now.

6 l 2014 Press Gazette

We’ll train you…

Every year the News Academy offers a handful of the most promising students the opportunity to be trained by top journalists at a special free Summer School in News UK’s central London offices.

Students will get advice and guidance on how to find the hottest news stories, before writing, editing and then producing their own newspaper. It’s an incredible opportunity to make contacts and ensure your CV stands out from the crowd.

To apply, visit www.news.co.uk/academy We’ll invite you to exclusive events…

The News Academy holds day-long conferences across the country where students can meet and discuss subjects affecting the world of media with leading journalists, politicians and influential people from across the industry.

In 2014, we’ve held events in Glasgow, Cardiff, Dublin, Manchester and London, which have attracted big names from First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond to Editor of The Times, John Witherow and the chief executive of digital news agency, Storyful. Next year, we have further conferences planned with more great guests.

Find out more about the News Academy at www.news.co.uk/academy Facebook.com/TheNewsAcademy @the_newsacademy

HIT THE HEADLINES News UK is home to three of the best-known newspaper titles in the world and our talented journalists are constantly setting the news agenda.

The Times

Established more than 200 years ago, The Times is one of the world’s most respected newspaper titles thanks to the quality and depth of its journalism. It continues to break the biggest and most talked about stories such as the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons against its own people, and is home to opinionforming columnists, including Caitlin Moran and Matthew Parris.

The Sun Read by around 12 million people a week, The Sun is the UK’s most successful and biggest-selling newspaper. It’s all thanks to the winning mix of celebrity scoops, unbeatable sports coverage and legendary contributors such as Dear Deidre, Mystic Meg and Ian Wright together with a commitment to reporting the truth and championing the things that matter to its readers.

The Sunday Times

The UK’s number one Sunday paper has won countless awards for its outstanding investigative journalism, frontline reporting and powerful campaigns, from exposing gangster David Hunt, which led to a criminal trial, to creating a campaign demanding equal care for NHS patients every day of the week.

www.pressgazette.co.uk

BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Steve Lamacq Where and when did you do your NCTJ training?

In 1984 at Harlow Technical College.

Although we did spend a lot of time in the Harlow Playhouse next door.

If you knew then (when you were starting out) what you know now is there anything you would do differently?

No, I think I was very lucky really. I wasn’t the best news reporter at a local news level, but everything I learned about making contacts and feeling around for stories I put to use on the NME. I think the course and then training to become a senior reporter taught me a lot about journalistic instinct. You picked up so much just from being around other journalists.

What do you think was the benefit of going down the NCTJ route?

I think it gave us a strong understanding of what sort of person you needed to be to become a good journalist. It was also interesting spending time with other would-be writers and reporters. There are things I picked up at college, especially law, which have come in very handy.

Also, it meant going into local newspapers for a while where I learned how to sub. And from there I got a job as a sub editor with the New Musical Express. I was one of only two qualified journalists on the paper at the time, so when the news editor job finally came up, I was at the front of the queue, and that was a really big break for me.

Editor of Elle UK Lorraine Candy

Advice to an aspiring journalist?

Start thinking about what sort of reporter or writer you want to be. A lot of people on my course wanted to be reporters in Fleet Street in the 1980s. I always had a feeling I wanted to be more of a feature writer. But you have to learn the basics first. Don’t, think for a second though, that you’ll walk out of college and straight into your own column on a paper. Well, you might, if you’re lucky, but usually it takes time.

Where and when did you do your NCTJ training?

I did my NCTJ training on South London News Group papers starting on the Wimbledon News, and working across the Streatham News and Mitcham News too.

I was 17 at the time and had already worked as a paid trainee on The Cornish Times almost a year before in the mid-1980s.

I trained alongside Piers Morgan and Robin McGibbon and we are all still in touch.

www.pressgazette.co.uk

What do you think was the benefit of going down the NCTJ route?

I learnt about the importance of detail, of getting every fact no matter how small right and it taught me to think about the story in a smart way not just a formula. I did have an amazing news editor though, Compton Ifill, who sadly isn’t with us now but his tough rules made me a proper journalist. He was inspirational but very, very demanding.

Advice to an aspiring journalist?

You need to work hard, be prepared to put your hand up for everything, say yes to every job whatever time of the day or night it is, and really be curious about people.

Never accept anything anyone tells you unless you hear from at least two sources and be kind to those above and below you, because you never know who will end up as your boss one day, deciding whether you get the big story or not. Also, never take no for an answer, there is always a way.

Do you still use your NCTJ skills?

I have my shorthand which is now about eight words a minute rather than 100. And I am in the business of story-telling which is what good journalism is in many ways. I am organised and you can always get hold of me. I loved my days on local newspapers.

When people ask what I do I say I am a journalist, not an editor. It’s the thing I love most about my job.

If you knew then (when you were starting out) what you know now what would you done differently?

I would have kept a diary like Piers!

What do you look for in a journalist who want to work for Elle?

The majority of my staff come down the journalism route.

You need to be curious, persistent and demanding. If some one is paying £4 for a magazine they want brilliant writing they can’t get elsewhere.

They want us to move the story on in a unique way. Journalists are best trained to deliver factually accurate content and sift through PR waffle.

Press Gazette Autumn 2012 l 7

UCLan leads the way in teaching journalism

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

Evening Standard editor Sarah Sands Where and when did you do your NCTJ training?

I did NCTJ training on the Kent and Sussex Courier in the early 80s.

If you knew then (when you were starting out) what you know now is there anything you would do differently?

My career has been lucky but fairly accidental (and full of accidents). I would plan a bit better, decide a field of journalism and master it completely.

Think what you can offer and work as hard as you can. Jobs and stories rarely fall into your lap. Sign up for under covered areas and anti social hours.

What do you look for in journalists?

I look for someone bright, resourceful and cheerful.

What do you think was the benefit of going down the NCTJ route?

Basic discipline. Correct spellings of names still keep me awake at night. Also understanding the law is pretty crucial.

Advice to an aspiring journalist?

Go out to find the stories – and make sure you use spell check.

Do you still use your NCTJ skills?

My shorthand is a bit ropey now although I think I can still do ‘Madam chairman, ladies and gentlemen’.

Sun editor David Dinsmore Dinsmore took a two-year journalism course at Edinburgh’s Napier University but was thrown off it after a year because he failed

shorthand. Undeterred, he managed to get a local newspaper job anyway and eventually passed his 100 words per minute shorthand at the “25th attempt”, going on to pass his NCTJ senior journalist qualification, the NCE certificate, on the job.

How useful was your journalism training?

I don’t think journalism is something you can teach in a classroom, but you can give people the basic infrastructure that they can then go out and build on. I still think working on a local newspaper is the best training you can get.

What advice would you give to an aspiring journalist?

There might be 100 people who say they want to be a journalist, but only one or two will go out and find stories, work hard and push themselves forward – and it is those who will go on to work for national newspapers. They are the ones who aren’t going to sit back and be guided by the newsdesk but will be coming up with their own ideas and stories.

Now there are more opportunities but it’s not as clear what they are. But the thing people still want are stories, and they want them more than ever before.

SPONSORED FEATURE

With industry-accredited courses and over 50 years of experience, UCLan is used to leading the way in teaching journalism. From the first journalism degree course to our new BA (Hons) Music Journalism, we’re still ahead of the field with our courses.

Why Study Journalism at Kingston University?  All our tutors are practising journalists with a wide range of experience in newspapers, magazines and online.

 The Journalism MA/PGDip is accredited by the National Council of Training for Journalism (NCTJ).

BA (Hons) Journalism A multimedia undergraduate degree course accredited by three national industry training bodies

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism Accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council and provides studies not only in sports journalism but also in the structure of sport

BA (Hons) Music Journalism Provides the skills required to be a professional journalist together with the knowledge and expertise to write about the music industry

BA (Hons) International Journalism For students who wish to engage with global events, gain practical skills and study journalism in international contexts

BA (Hons) Journalism (Foundation Entry) Leads the way in educating aspiring journalists from all walks of life and enables progression onto Year 1 of any of our journalism degrees upon completion

cenquiries@uclan.ac.uk 01772 892400 www.uclan.ac.uk/journalism

To meet our tutors and find out more about our courses and excellent facilities, come to our Open Day on Saturday 21 June.

Book your place today at www.uclan.ac.uk/opendays

Kingston is one of only two universities in London with NCTJ-accreditation.

 The Magazine Journalism MA is accredited by the Periodicals Training Council (PTC).  Our award-winning work placement programme helps you to find work experience.  A full-time work placement officer will help you with your CV and applications.  You will benefit from the input of guest speakers from national magazines, newspapers and websites.  We offer a part-time study option to help you fit the course around other commitments.

uclanjournalism @journalismuclan

School of Journalism and Media

Our Journalism MA is an exciting NCTJ-accredited course which equips you for a career in journalism, offering the industry's most sought-after qualification alongside your course. It combines professional training and academic study with the practical skills you will need to succeed in this intensely competitive industry.

Our Magazine Journalism MA prepares you to work in the magazine industry. It gets you ready for anything you might come across: from writing features for a women's weekly or putting together a news story for a trade publication to making a video or building a brand. Offering detailed, hands-on grounding in core journalistic skills, including feature writing, news gathering and writing, design, production and media law. You can also choose to study Teeline Shorthand as an option.

Find out more: www.kingston.ac.uk/journalismcourses www.pressgazette.co.uk

Press Gazette 2014 l 9

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

SPONSORED FEATURE

In association with NCTJ

New kids on the block We speak to four recent NCTJ journalism trainees who have already made a splash in the industry

Reporter for the BBC News website

Lauren Potts

Patrick Kingsley

Guardian Egypt correspondent was named new journalist of the year at the 2013 British Journalism Awards Where and when did you do your NCTJ training?

I did the NCTJ fast-track diploma at Lambeth College from September 2011 to January 2012.

What advice would you give to an aspiring a journalist?

First off: don’t call yourself a student journalist. You’re either doing journalism, or you’re not. There’s no in-between – and the quicker you back yourself, the better you’ll be.

Second: Consume as much information as possible. This includes obvious stuff like papers, TV, radio, Twitter and the wider internet, but also the noticeboard in your block of flats, your friends’ Facebook, the flyer in your bus stop – nothing is redundant.

This is because the more information of any kind you consume, the more story ideas you’ll have – and your ideas are the things that will set you apart from your rivals. Also, the more good journalism you consume, the better your own work is going to become.

Thirdly: practice. Don’t talk about wanting to be a journalist – go ahead and be one.

Write a blog. Make some short films or 10 l 2014 Press Gazette

audio on your phone. Pitch ideas to editors.

Maybe you’ll make some mistakes early on, but that’s how you’ll learn how to get better.

Fourth and lastly: pick a niche. Some of the more successful young freelance journalists I can think of chose a particular subject area to report on, and gradually built a reputation in that field.

What do you think was the benefit of going down your training route route?

It’s cheaper, quicker, and teaches you the same crucial basics as a full-blown masters.

I would definitely go down this route again.

Do you still use any of the skills you learned on the NCTJ course?

Of course – I use shorthand all the time in Egypt. Obviously, the British politics course is less useful here, but the grounding it gave me in news writing, ethics and reporting will always prove invaluable.

If you knew then (when you were starting out) what you know now is there anything you would do differently?

I would have started learning Arabic much earlier.

Where did you train?

News Associates in Manchester on the 20week fast-track course in 2009/2010 after taking a degree in drama and English at Manchester University.

I did a lot of journalism at university and graduated in 2008.

Make headlines with Highbury College What do News at Ten presenter Mark Austin, TV presenter Simon Reeve, CNN Anchor Manisha Tank, and Executive Editor of the Huffington Post Stephen Hull have in common?

They all started their careers in the media by studying at Highbury College, Portsmouth.

A major part of Highbury’s offering is the high quality work experience trainees will get – whether that’s working with one of our media partners or taking part in learning company projects for real clients alongside media professionals.

Our NCTJ journalism students benefit from an award-winning training partnership with local paper The News (Portsmouth), which sees them working alongside real reporters on a daily basis. This ‘classoom within a newsroom’ means our students are already writing stories and features for publication on a daily basis, alongside their studies. Ashley Highfield, Chief Executive of Johnston Press, commended the partnership as “a real example of

How did you find the course?

It was really intense. I think if I’d done a yearlong course I’d have been better prepared.

How did you get your start in journalism?

I worked on the Pontefract and Castleford Express where I did my NCE training (the NCTJ senior reporter exam). I was one of the court reporters on the paper so the law and shorthand training were essential. After three years there I joined the BBC. Advice to an aspiring journalist?

Be prepared for a fight. It’s not an easy job to get into, so you’ve got to be prepared for a lot of knockbacks.

Looking back I didn’t really want to go into local newspapers, but I’m so glad I did.

More than ever the old cliché of being a master of all trades really does apply. It’s not simply finding and writing a good story in local newspapers anymore. You have to be able to take a good picture, shoot a video, upload it to the website and tweet about it too. Local newspapers are hard work, but an amazing training ground.

www.pressgazette.co.uk

Oliver Joy

is press relations manager for the European Wind Energy is press relations Association manager for the European Wind Energy Association Where did you train?

I graduated four years ago with a BA in Where did journalism you train? from Bournemouth multimedia A graduated from a by BAthe in University whichfour wasyears accredited multimedia journalism at Bournemouth NCTJ. University which was accredited by the NCTJ.did you find the course?

How There were fantastic facilities with radio and How did you the course?

TV studios.

We find also covered the whole NCTJ Thereincluding were fantastic withmedia radio course news facilities writing and and TVThere studios. coveredtime, the it whole ethics. wasWe a lotalso of contact was NCTJ course including news writing and like going to work every day. media ethics. There was a lot of contact time, did it was like going work every day.

How you get yourtostart?

In my third year I started working part-time How didAssociation you get your for Press as astart? video jouranalist In my third year I started working part

Oliver Joy

www.pressgazette.co.uk www.pressgazette.co.uk

innovation with great, tangible results”, adding, “These trainee journalists are getting proper, hands on experience in a busy newsroom.”

New for 2014/15: New regional TV station ‘Solent TV’ is coming to Highbury.

The station will broadcast across Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, and involve students in all aspects of production. Trainees will be able to choose whether to work in the studios, on location

for Press up Association aswhen a video journalist, travelling to London I didn’t have travellingAs upsoon to London when I didn’t lectures. as I graduated I wenthave on lectures.

As soonprogramme as I graduated I went on to the graduate at Bloomberg to the graduate programme at Bloomberg (the financial news agency). After two years financial news After two years I(the moved to CNN as agency). a business reporter and moved to CNN a business aI few months agoas I moved to myreporter current and job a few months ago I moved to my current job in Brussels. in Brussels.

Advice to aspiring journalists?

Advice journalists?

For me to it’saspiring a different kind of journalism Fordays, me it’s a different of media journalism these geared towardskind social and these days, news. gearedWhen towards social media, aggregating I was studying and aggregating Whenand I was studying Lehman Brothersnews. collapsed there was Brothers and journalists there was aLehman gap in the marketcollapsed for financial a gap in the market for for financial journalists and that’s what I went because I knew for because itand wasthat’s goingwhat to beI went hard enough to getI knew a job it was going to of be people hard enough getsports a job as it was.

A lot want totobe as itfashion was. A writers. lot of people what would to be sports and My advice be to and fashion writers.

My advice would to carve out a niche for yourself where youbecan carve outin. a niche for yourself where you can as a way as a way in. , is a reporter on The Argus Reporter on and The Argus in Regional Brighton Press in Brighton current , currentofRegional Awards young journalist the year Press Awards young journalist of the year Where did you train? did you train?fast-track course at IWhere took the 14-week I took Journalist the 14-week fast-track course at Brighton Works last year.

It was Journalist last year.I didn’t It was aBrighton really good course,Works quite intense. a really good course, quite intense.

I didn’t go to university so I was quite apprehensive go to university so I was quite apprehensive

Ben Leo

Ben Leo

or become involved in making programmes for the channel.

Contact us to find out more at journalism@highbury.ac.uk

about how I would get on with the exams.

I would getdiploma on with in themedia exams.

Iabout did a how BTech national I didTV a BTech national in media and production anddiploma then spent five and TV production and then spent five years working in various companies.

I was years working various I was working at EDFinand I justcompanies. thought ‘I don’t working at doing EDF and justthe thought ‘I don’t want to be this Ifor next 50 years’. beadoing this for thefor next 50 yeras’.

Iwant was to also Butlins Redcoat a while.

I was also a Redcoat for a while.

How are you finding the job? youinfinding job?

IHow used are to work sales sothe I am used to talking used to to to Ipeople.

It’swork a lotinofsales work so andI am longused hours, talkingwas to people.

It’s a lot ofbut work and long which to be expected, in terms of hours,something which wasthat’s to be expected, butyour in terms doing valuable for soul of doing something that’s new valuable forevery your it’s worked.

I’m learning things soulThe it’s best worked. learning things day. thing I’m is you are in anew job where every day.

Thehelp bestpeople, thing is you are a job you can really you’ve gotin a lot of where to youdocan really help people, you’ve got a power some good things. lot of power to do some good things.

Press Gazette Gazette 2014 2014 ll 11 11 Press

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

In association with NCTJ

If I knew then what I know now …10 pearls of wisdom

5

Get on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and any other social media platform you can think of. Social media is very important in journalism nowadays.

6 The same goes for data. Data journalism is another buzz phrase in the industry. It basically

If I was starting out in journalism today this is the advice I would give myself, writes Press Gazette editor Dominic Ponsford

involves taking large, dull-looking groups of numbers and finding stories in them. Again, if you can learn some data skills you are going to put yourself in front of a lot of the competition. At its most basic it could just be getting a list of election results, putting them into a spreadsheet and then using a programme such as Datawrapper to create a pretty graph that you cut and paste into your website. Believe it or not, becoming a whizz with Excel is one of the most useful skills you can have as a journalist.

1 Practice, practice, practice. I was lucky enough to be able get high marks in most academic exams through last-minute cramming. That

7

won’t work in journalism, it is a craft and requires practice to perfect. Writing a good news story intro is like hitting a good tennis serve, the only way you are going to get it right is by trying and failing a number of times. Get all the experience you can, particularly on student publications. And be patient. News writing is a precise discipline that is very different from the academic style.

2

Shorthand. It’s the skill that sets the serious journalist apart from the enthusiastic amateur. Like news writing it will only come with a lot of practice so as soon as you have decided to do journalism training buy a shorthand textbook (Teeline) and start learning it. A shorthand speed of 100 words per minute is essential for any general news reporter job because without it you can’t cover court (where tape recorders are banned).

3 Unless you have a bloody good memory you are going to need a voice recorder and a telephone mic. While you are getting your shorthand speed up use an in-ear telephone mic (about £10 on Amazon) to tape phone interviews. You will also need your smartphone or dictaphone to record face to face interviews. Even when you have 100 words per minute shorthand you will need to record longer interviews as people speak a lot faster than that.

4 Become a geek. There is a debate about whether traditional skills such as shorthand are as important as new skills such as computer coding.

It’s not either or, get them all. If you can learn the basics of HTML (the code behind web pages) and other computer languages such as Python you will dramatically improve your employability. Create your own blog and experiment with embedding widgets and other digital bells and whistles.

UNCOVER THE FACTS.

JOURNALISM@KINGSTON

9

When it comes to getting your first job, treat your covering letter and CV with as much care as a front page story. If you write an application that grabs the reader’s attention, which shows (but doesn’t tell) how you are the most enthusiastic and best suited person for that job, you will get an interview. Most people write dull, formulaic covering letters full of stock phrases such as “I have a passion for...”, “I am honest and hard working”, “I’m a good team player”. These go straight in the bin. Show you can write with flare and originality.

10

Remember with stories, finding a job, getting on a course and many other aspects of journalism, every no gets you closer to a yes. You have to fail in this game in order to succeed. Don’t get disheartened, because everyone has been there. If you really want to become a journalist, you will become one. I have seen enough aspiring journalists come through Press Gazette to know that those who really want it all get there in the end.

Mark Waldron Editor of The News, Portsmouth

You’ll want to write this down...

We offer a range of Journalism postgraduate courses including Journalism MA/MFA and Magazine Journalism all taught by practicing journalists.

So what’s the story? We’re competitively priced and our MA Journalism is one of only two postgraduate courses in London that is NCTJ accredited plus 100% of last year’s students are now working in the industry. We have excellent facilities including a dedicated newsroom, fully equipped with industry standard PCs, web design uploading and layout software, phone lines, digital TV and PA newsfeed. You’ll get hands-on experience in both print and online media and you’ll be able to take full advantage of our location for gaining valuable work experience with the huge number of media owners based in the capital.

More than 90% of our graduates get jobs in journalism within 3 months of finishing their course. Why? Journalism with Highbury is hands-on, and highly practical – our students are routinely getting their stories published in local and national news outlets. Some are literally learning on the job in our classroom in the newsroom at The News and will soon be doing the same at That’s Solent, the new local TV station at Highbury College.

Kingston University has designed the perfect combination to get you reporting on all the top stories.

Full and part-time options start in September 2014.

www.kingston.ac.uk/press

1437KIN_PGAZETTE_143x210_Journo.indd 1

8

Oh, and about the money. Journalism can be low paid considering the high level of skills and training that it requires. Starting salaries are typically around £14-18,000. Even a senior reporter on a local paper might be on £20-25,000. But the sky’s the limit earnings-wise for star jourrnalists and the profession can also be a grounding for a more lucrative career in PR, corporate communications, or even politics. Money may not matter to you so much now, but it may in 10 years time. So it is worth considering that more conventional professions like teaching or the police generally pay more than journalism (and they have better pensions). That said, they don’t have nearly as much fun.

“I want a journalist who knows their stuff and that is what I get from Highbury.”

Kingston University School London

12 l 2014 Press Gazette

Enjoy yourself. Journalism is not the best paid job in the world. People do it because it is fun and maybe because they also want to make a difference. There is a great tradition in this country of controlled anarchy in newsrooms. Keep it up.

For more information about our award-winning journalism courses, including a 20-week Fast Track and 1 year NCTJ call 023 9238 3131 or email journalism@highbury.ac.uk

20/05/2014 12:10

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Press Gazette 2014 l 13

SPONSORED FEATURE

JOURNAL-In association with NCTJ

Journalism

Full list of NCTJ-accredited journalism courses for 2014/2015

the Lincoln Experience

With the range of excellent journalism courses around the country now delivering quality education in respected universities, prospective students can be forgiven for finding their decision overwhelming. How do you evaluate which programme of study is right for you? How can you decide which of these institutions will be the one to give you the best possible education, opportunities and experience? How do you know which institution will give you the best three years of your life so far?

This year at the University of Lincoln we are celebrating our first decade as a School of Journalism. Over those 10 years we have earned full accreditation with all the relevant industry bodies: The National Council for the Training of Journalists, the Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the Professional Publishers Association. We are also ‘Recognised for Excellence’ by the European Journalism Training Association.

Our students have won regional and national awards, and so have our staff – for their journalism and their teaching.

I always tell applicants that the courses they will be looking at, as they make their selection, cover many of the same core elements. Seeking out accredited programmes does narrow the field somewhat, but after that their choice has to be based on what aspects give a course its distinctive character.

So what makes journalism at Lincoln different?

1. We offer a fully multiplatform first year to ensure all students have the skills they need to work effectively in the increasingly converged journalism profession.

With a suite of well-equipped newsrooms you are able to practise the techniques you are taught and immerse yourself in the environment. This will allow you to gain the confidence you need to compete effectively for placements and, on graduation, that important first job.

2. The structure of the BA Journalism enables an individual approach to every student’s study plan and career aspirations.

After the first year you are able both to increase your focus on specific areas of journalism production, where you may have career aspirations, and to undertake modules in a range of theoretical perspectives that interest you.

3. We pay attention to the study of journalism, with internationally renowned tutors who are the authors of many of the core textbooks on essential reading lists.

14 l 2014 Press Gazette

Academic rigour is the hallmark of any degree programme and journalism is no different. Developing critical thinking skills and the ability to analyse the media means you develop intellectually whilst learning the craft of journalism.

4. As well as taking on board the advice of our accrediting bodies, we consult employers in a wide range of news organisations and constantly adapt the practical production teaching to the current needs of the industry.

Regular input from local and national journalists ensures that the course is current; that students have frequent contact with professionals from television, magazines, radio, newspapers and webbased publications, and that production work is taught to award-winning standards.

5. We are developing an increasingly international outlook with modules that address issues of crucial global interest, offer opportunities to undertake an Erasmus exchange or participate in an international study tour.

At the School of Journalism we talk about the ‘Lincoln experience’, which is characterised by a dynamic programme of study, offered in a modern, vibrant, city centre campus supported by a caring, student-centred ethos. You are treated as journalists from the moment you arrive and, if you take advantage of all we can offer, including exclusive placement arrangements with local media, you will leave with a range of experience, an ethical grounding, a great portfolio of work to impress your first employer and the desire to be the best journalist you can be.

Deborah Wilson David, Acting Head, Lincoln School of Journalism

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

ISM

In order to achieve NCTJ accreditation for its course, each centre has to agree to adhere to a strict set of guidelines, to teach the whole of the NCTJ’s syllabus and to undergo regular inspection visits to maintain high standards.

All centres listed here meet these guidelines, and have gained NCTJ accreditation for the courses listed.

NCTJ courses at a glance:

In 2013, students from Lincoln’s Journalism School won the BJTC Radio Documentary, BJTC Website of the Year and the National RTS Student Television Award for Undergraduate Factual.

Academic year City College Brighton & Hove City of Wolverhampton College Cornwall College Cambourne Harlow College Lambeth College North West Regional College Day release (so combined with work) Fife College Glasgow Clyde College City of Liverpool College

Journalism student Declan Baker, reporting on the Red Arrows’ unveiling of their new tail fin.

Fast-track (14 to 22 weeks) Brighton Journalist Works Cornwall College Camborne Darlington College Harlow College Highbury College Lambeth College News Associates - London News Associates - Manchester Press Association Training - London Press Association Training - Newcastle The Sheffield College, Norton College

Staffordshire University Teesside University University of Brighton University of Central Lancashire University of Kent University of Lincoln University of Portsmouth University of Sheffield University of Sunderland HND Fife College Glasgow Clyde College Part-time Brighton Journalist Works News Associates – London News Associates – Manchester Postgraduate Cardiff University De Montfort University Glasgow Caledonian University Kingston University Leeds Trinity University Nottingham Trent University St Mary’s University, Twickenham Staffordshire University Teesside University The Robert Gordon University University of Central Lancashire University of Kent University of Salford University of Sheffield University of Sunderland University of Sussex University of Ulster

Photography The Sheffield College, Norton College

Lincoln’s Journalism students on a study tour at the European Parliament in Brussels www.pressgazette.co.uk

Undergraduate Bournemouth University Brunel University De Montfort University Glasgow Caledonian University Glyndwr University Nottingham Trent University

www.pressgazette.co.uk

List correct as of June 2014. For the most up-to-date information contact the centre direct or the NCTJ: Tel: 01799 544014 Fax: 01799 544015 E-mail: info@nctj.com Web: www.nctj.com

BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY (see p18) Media School, Weymouth House, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB Contact: Karen Fowler-Watt, 01202 965129 Email: kfowler-watt@bournemouth.ac.uk Website: www.bournemouth.ac.uk • BA (hons) multimedia journalism BRIGHTON JOURNALIST WORKS (see p16) The Argus, Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton BN1 8AR Contact: Paula O’Shea, 01273 540350 Email: paula@journalistworks.co.uk Website: www.journalistworks.co.uk • Fast-track Diploma in Journalism (full-time and part-time) BRUNEL UNIVERSITY (see p16) Brunel University West London, School of Arts, Uxbridge UB8 3PH Contact: Sarah Niblock, 01895 267273 Email: sarah.niblock@brunel.ac.uk Website: www.brunel.ac.uk/arts • BA (hons) journalism • MA in journalism CARDIFF UNIVERSITY (see p23) Centre for Journalism Studies, The Bute Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NB Contact: David English, 029 2087 4084 Email: englishdm@Cardiff.ac.uk Website: www.cardiff.ac.uk • PgDip in newspaper journalism CITY COLLEGE BRIGHTON & HOVE Journalism, Wilson Ave, Brighton, E. Sussex BN2 5PB Contact: Jan Goodey, 01273 667788, ext.578 Email: jgo@ccb.ac.uk Contact: Peter Lindsey, 01273 667788, ext.431 Email: pl1@ccb.ac.uk Website: www.ccb.ac.uk • Academic year multimedia journalism CITY OF LIVERPOOL COLLEGE Journalism Unit, The Arts Centre, 9 Myrtle Street, Liverpool L7 7JA Contact: Peter Dutton, 0151 252 4366 Email: peter.dutton@liv-coll.ac.uk Website: www.liv-coll.ac.uk • Fast-track diploma in journalism CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COLLEGE Paget Road, Wolverhampton WV6 0DU Contact: Danielle Wozencroft, 01902 317564 Email: wozencroftd@wolvcoll.ac.uk Website: www.wolvcoll.ac.uk • Academic year newspaper journalism

Press Gazette 2014 l 15

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

DARLINGTON COLLEGE Central Park, Haughton Road, Darlington, County Durham DL1 1DR Contact: Sue Calvert, 01325 503050 Email: scalvert@darlington.ac.uk Website: www.darlington.ac.uk • Diploma in Journalism (34 weeks) DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH Contact: Ali Haynes, 0116 250 6163 Email: ahaynes@dmu.ac.uk Contact: (BA) Tor Clark, 0116 2078810 Email: tclark@dmu.ac.uk Website: www.dmu.ac.uk • MA/PgDip journalism • BA (hons) journalism FIFE COLLEGE St Brycedale Avenue, Kirkcaldy, Fife KY1 1EX Contact: Patrick Joyce, 01592 223136 Email: patjoyce@adamsmith.ac.uk Website: www.adamsmith.ac.uk • HND practical journalism • Day release journalism GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY Caledonian Business School, City Campus, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA Contact: Julian Calvert, 0141 331 3844 Email: julian.calvert@gcu.ac.uk Website: www.gcu.ac.uk • BA (hons) multimedia journalism • MA multimedia journalism GLASGOW CLYDE COLLEGE (see p17) 690 Mosspark Drive, Glasgow G52 3AY Contact: Kathleen Morgan, 0141 272 3445 Email: kmorgan@glasgowclyde.ac.uk Contact: Rena McAdam, 0141 272 3442 Email: rmcadam@glasgowclyde.ac.uk Website: www.glasgowclyde.ac.uk • HND practical journalism.

• Day release - newspaper journalism GLYNDWR UNIVERSITY (see p17) Plas Coch Campus, Mold Road, Wrexham, Wales LL11 2AW Contact: Janet Jones, 01978 293572 Email: janet.jones@glyndwr.ac.uk Website: www.glyndwr.ac.uk • Certificate of higher education in journalism

16 l 2014 Press Gazette

a on be ght to ri n in B ai Tr list na ur jo

CORNWALL COLLEGE CAMBORNE (see p3) Opie Building, Trevenson Rd, Redruth, Cornwall TR15 3RD Contact: Mark Benattar, 01209 611611 Email: m.benattar@cornwall.ac.uk Website: www.cornwall.ac.uk • Fast-track journalism diploma • Academic year journalism

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

In association with NCTJ

Fast track to a career in journalism

Fast-track and part-time courses at the UK’s leading journalism company located at a daily newspaper For more information visit our website at www.journalistworks.co.uk or call us on 01273 540350 @journalistworks

/journalistworks

info@journalistworks.co.uk

Postgraduate Journalism Brunel University E: pg-arts-admissions@brunel.ac.uk W: www.brunel.ac.uk/arts

MA Journalism is one of a small number of NCTJ accredited MAs and ranked by them as one of the best-performing postgraduate journalism programmes in the UK. Devised in consultation with senior journalists, we provide a rigorous foundation for a journalistic career. You will gain an understanding of the factors that impact upon journalists’ daily working lives while working in a variety of platforms in our state-of-the art digital newsroom and studios. Work placement opportunities and the quality of our guest speakers reflect our excellent links – Brunel graduates are highly employable throughout the industry.

Undergraduate Journalism School of Arts at Brunel University E: artsug.enquiries@brunel.ac.uk W: www.brunel.ac.uk/arts

This NCTJ accredited programme offers an ideal launch-pad for anyone hoping to embark on a career in journalism. You will have a thorough training in news writing, Teeline shorthand, public affairs and law, a work placement module plus you learn how to package for a range of formats with an emphasis on cross-media platforms and hand-held technology. We have a state-of-the-art news suite, purpose-built radio studio, and editing suites. Industry-standard hardware and software for print, broadcast, and online are taught and made available to our students throughout their time at Brunel.

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HARLOW COLLEGE Velizy Avenue, Harlow, Essex CM20 3LH Contact: Sue Barr, 01279 868100 Email: sbarr@harlow-college.ac.uk Website: www.harlow-college.ac.uk • Fast-track newspaper journalism • Fast-track magazine journalism • Academic year magazine journalism HIGHBURY COLLEGE Page 11 and 13 Department of Media Creative and Visual Arts, Dovercourt Road, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 2SA Contact: Lorraine Proudlock, 02392 383131 Email: lorraine.proudlock@highbury.ac.uk Website: www.highbury.ac.uk • Fast-track newspaper journalism • Diploma in journalism (in partnership with The News) KINGSTON UNIVERSITY Page 9 and 12 Faculty of Arts & Social Science, Penrhyn Rd, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE Contact: Sara McConnell, 0208 5477660 Email: s.mcconnell@kingston.ac.uk Website: www.kingston.ac.uk • MA/PgDip journalism LAMBETH COLLEGE Clapham Centre, 45 Clapham Common South Side, London, SW4 9BL Contact: Roz McKenzie, 020 7501 5496 Email: rmckenzie@lambethcollege.ac.uk Website: www.lambethcollege.ac.uk • Fast-track newspaper journalism • Fast-track magazine journalism • Diploma in multimedia journalism (one year) LEEDS TRINITY UNIVERSITY Page 21 Centre for Journalism, Brownberrie Lane, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5HD Contact: Catherine O’Connor, 0113 283 7180 Email: c.o’connor@leedstrinity.ac.uk Website: www.leedstrinity.ac.uk • MA/PgDip print journalism • MA/PgDip magazine journalism NEWS ASSOCIATES - LONDON 247 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SD Contact: James Parsons, 0870 445 0155 Email: jparsons@newsassociates.co.uk Website: www.newsassociates.co.uk • Diploma in multimedia journalism • Fast-track multimedia journalism • Multimedia sports journalism NEWS ASSOCIATES - MANCHESTER 111 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2HY Contact: James Parsons, 0870 445 0155 Email: jparsons@newsassociates.co.uk Website: www.newsassociates.co.uk www.pressgazette.co.uk

• Fast-track multimedia journalism • Multimedia sports journalism NORTH WEST REGIONAL COLLEGE D3.305 Northland Building NWRC, Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7AL Contact: Suzanne Rodgers, 028 7127 6161 Email: suzanne.rodgers@nwrc.ac.uk Website: www.nwrc.ac.uk • Academic year diploma in journalism NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism, Room 2103 Chaucer Building, Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5LT Contact: (BA) Claire Field, 0115 848 5806 Email: claire.field@ntu.ac.uk Contact: (MA) Paul Dawson, 0115 848 5803 Email: paul.dawson02@ntu.ac.uk Website: www.ntu.ac.uk/cbj

• BA (hons) print journalism • MA/PgDip newspaper journalism • MA/PgDip magazine journalism PRESS ASSOCIATION TRAINING CENTRE NEWCASTLE Thomson House, Groat Market, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1ED Contact: Shirley Kelly, 0844 836 4000 Email: shirley.kelly@pressassociation.com Website: www.becomeareporter.co.uk • Multimedia journalism foundation course PRESS ASSOCIATION TRAINING CENTRE - LONDON 292 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1AE Contact: Shirley Kelly, 0844 836 4000 Email: shirley.kelly@pressassociation.com

Press Gazette Press Gazette Autumn 2014 2012 l 17

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

Ad_MA/PG Journalism_MAY14_PROOF 27/05/2014 17:36 Page 1

ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Page 19 School of Communications, Culture and Creative Arts, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, London, TW1 4SX Contact: Dr Daragh Minogue, 020 8240 4111 Email: daragh.minogue@smuc.ac.uk Website: www.smuc.ac.uk/postgraduate/ sports-journalism • MA/PgDip sports journalism STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY Department of Journalism, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DE Contact: Pete Leydon, 01782 294785 Email: p.w.leydon@staffs.ac.uk Website: www.staffs.ac.uk/journalism • BA (hons) journalism (three-year) • BA (hons) journalism (two-year) • MA journalism

Launch your journalism career at BU Study BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism

TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY School of Arts and Media, Middlesbrough, Tees Valley TS1 3BA Contact: Paul Bailey, 01642 342377 Email: p.bailey@tees.ac.uk Website: www.tees.ac.uk • BA (hons) multimedia journalism • MA journalism THE ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1FR Contact: Andrew Jones, 01224 263915 Email: a.i.jones1@rgu.ac.uk Website: www.rgu.ac.uk • MSc journalism THE SHEFFIELD COLLEGE, NORTON COLLEGE Dyche Lane, Sheffield S8 8BR Contact: Keith Starr, 0114 260 2357 Email: keith.starr@sheffcol.ac.uk Website: www.sheffcol.ac.uk • Fast-track newspaper journalism • NCTJ photojournalism • NCTJ press photography UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON Chelsea School, Gaudick Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN20 7SP Contact: Jackie Errigo, 01273 643725 Email: j.j.errigo@brighton.ac.uk Website: www.brighton.ac.uk • BA (hons) sports journalism

To find out more, please visit

www.bournemouth.ac.uk/nctj

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE (p 8) Dept of Journalism, Preston, Lancs PR1 2HE Contact: Deborah Robinson (BA), 01772 894749 Email: drobinson3@uclan.ac.uk Contact: Julie Freer (MA), 01772 894750 Email: jefreer@uclan.ac.uk Website: www.ukjournalism.org

Accredited by:

18 l Autumn 2012 Press Gazette

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MA Sports Journalism Train with the professionals on London's only Masters degree in Sports Journalism.

Find our more: Tel 020 8240 4111 Email journalism@smuc.ac.uk "We had top journalists from the BBC, Sky Sports News, and Goal.com teaching us. They gave us an insight into journalism you just can’t get from the textbooks alone.”

Siobhan McCall, Sky Sports News, Graduate Intern 2014 • BA (hons) journalism • MA journalism • MA magazine journalism UNIVERSITY OF KENT Centre for Journalism, Gillingham Building, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent ME4 4AG Contact: Tim Luckhurst, 01634 202913 Email: tluckhurst@kent.ac.uk Website: www.kent.ac.uk • BA (hons) journalism and the news industry • MA multimedia journalism UNIVERSITY OF LINCOLN (see p14, 24) Lincoln School of Journalism, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS Contact: Sue North, 01522 886 273 Email: snorth@lincoln.ac.uk Website: lincoln.ac.uk/home/course/ joujouub • BA (hons) journalism UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH The School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth Contact: Bernie Saunders, 02392 842177 Email: bernie.saunders@port.ac.uk Website: www.port.ac.uk • BA (hons) journalism UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD School of Media, Music & Performance, Adelphi House, The Crescent, Salford M3 6EN Contact: Steve Panter, 0161 295 2664 Email: s.r.panter@salford.ac.uk Website: www.salford.ac.uk • BA (hons) journalism

UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD Department of Journalism Studies, Minalloy House, Regent Street, Sheffield S1 3NJ Contact: (BA) Jonathan Foster, 0114 222 2501 Email: j.foster@sheffield.ac.uk Contact: (MA) David Holmes, 0114 222 2501 Email: d.b.holmes@sheffield.ac.uk Website: www.shef.ac.uk • BA journalism (single & combined honours) • MA /PgDip print journalism UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND (see p 5) 5 David Puttnam Media Centre, St Peter’s Campus, Sunderland SR6 0DD Contact: Chris Rushton, 0191 515 2105 Email: chris.rushton@sunderland.ac.uk Website: www.sunderland.co.uk • BA broadcast journalism • BA (hons) journalism • BA (Hons) magazine journalism • BA (Hons) sports journalism • BA (Hons ) fashion journalism • MA/Pg Dip journalism • MA/PgDip magazine journalism • MA sports journalism UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX School of Media, Film & Music, Silverstone Room 220, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9RG Contact: Julie Fletcher, 01273 877538 Email: j.fletcher@sussex.ac.uk Website: www.sussex.ac.uk • MA multimedia journalism UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER School of Media, Film and Journalism, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA Contact: Maggie Swarbrick, 028 7032 3130 Email: mm.swarbrick@ulster.ac.uk Website: www.ulster.ac.uk

Press Gazette 2014 l 19

JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

Want to be a journalist but can’t afford to train?

Training to be a journalist can be an expensive business.

Not everyone is happy to spend £9,000 a year on university tuition and then the same again to take an MA (even though the cash is paid back over 30 years and only once you earn more than £21k).

If you are certain you want to be a journalist at 18, you might want to try embarking on a journalism apprenticeship where you can earn a small salary while you undertake your NCTJ training.

Journalism apprenticeships were launched as a pilot scheme last year by the NCTJ with journalists working at the Evening Standard, Independent, I, BBC Radio, KM Group and Archant London local newspapers while studying one day a week at Lambeth College.

Journalism apprenticeships are only likely to grow so it is worth checking out the latest opportunities on the NCTJ website: www.nctj.com/journalism-qualifications/ apprenticeships.

You can make the news

Open Day Wed 25 June Sat 13 Sept Sat 11 Oct Sat 25 Oct

2014

Are you a British citizen residing in the UK? Do you have the drive and determination to succeed in a demanding and dynamic career uncovering the news and delivering it to your community? Are you passionate about current affairs? Can you think on your feet? Can you work to deadlines?

Study Journalism at Leeds Trinity University We offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Journalism at our award-winning Centre for Journalism

“All aspects of the course are aimed at getting you ready for a job in journalism. The practical tuition gives you an idea of what you will be expected to do when working in a real newsroom” Faith Wilkinson, graduate and BBC Journalist

We are looking for people from socially and ethnically diverse backgrounds who need help funding their journalism training. If you think you might meet the criteria and want to find out more about our application and selection process, check out our website:

For more information or to book on an Open Day contact: T: 0113 2837150 E: enquiries@leedstrinity.ac.uk www.leedstrinity.ac.uk

www.journalismdiversityfund.com

Become a journalist with our help

minute shorthand).

But it is worth remembering that a nonjournalism degree will leave your options more open for other career paths if your aspirations should change.

If you want to be a journalist but can’t afford the training, you may well qualify for a bursary from the Journalism Diversity Fund.

The fund has been set up by those in the industry who want to support the training of journalists from ethnically and socially diverse backgrounds.

If you don’t have the financial means to support yourself on an NCTJ-accredited course, the Journalism Diversity Fund could pay your course fees and give you a subsistence allowance.

Grants are awarded to students intending to study an NCTJ course.

For more details on how to apply for help funding your training go to www. journalismdiversityfund.com.

Come and visit us at an

Are you interested in beginning a career in journalism but need help funding your training?

20 l Autumn 2012 Press Gazette

London Evening Standard managing editor Doug Wills said: “The Evening Standard has for many years taken young journalists and graduates who have gone on to be top journalists in the profession.

“Recently we have found that the competition to enter journalism is greater than ever.

“At the same time it is even more difficult for young people to get employment with all companies facing tough economic times.

“We believe that these journalistic apprenticeships will help to meet the challenge of giving keen and talented youngsters from a wide social spectrum an opportunity to break into the media.”

It is also possible to get on an NCTJ course straight out of school or college.

Taking an NCTJ-accredited degree should mean there is no necessity to also take a postgraduate qualification (provided you manage to pass all the NCTJ modules including the all-important 100 words per

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Journalism advertV2.indd 1

Press Gazette Press Gazette Autumn 2014 2012 l 21

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2014

New degrees for September 2014

In association with NCTJ

A life less ordinary

APPLY NOW At Cardiff University we offer contemporary postgraduate courses that range from UK accredited practice based and industry oriented Journalism degrees to more academic and research based Media and Communication degrees.

Our reputation is based upon over 40 years of training and teaching experience and an environment that embraces innovation and the application of digital platforms for the Journalism, Media and Communications industries.

MA Digital Media & Society Today programme presenter John Humphrys struck a somewhat gloomy note. Reflecting that print circulations are in decline across the board, he said: “Don’t do it! I am deeply pessimistic for the future of serious print journalism and I tell my own children and grandchildren to train for a profession where they’re more likely to get a decent job with some hope of security.”

But don’t give up just yet, other leading figures from the profession struck a far more upbeat tone.

Channel 4 News presenter

Sun on Sunday editor

Jon Snow

Victoria Newton

“Unreservedly I WOULD recommend journalism to my children...”

“My only caveat would be to warn them that they will have to be bloody brilliant to make any serious money!”

“To me being a journalist is still the best job in the world and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who had a passion for it. You get to travel the world, meet fascinating people, and there is simply nothing that beats the buzz of getting a great scoop (other than your football team winning the league perhaps!).

“Clearly we are in a more uncertain era, facing the twin challenges of fighting for press freedom and for our journalism to remain profitable in a digital world, but I believe there will always be a market for brilliant stories – whatever the platform.”

The editor of the Guido Fawkes blog

Private Eye editor

Ian Hislop

“We need journalists as much as ever and the next generation have got to work out how to keep real journalism alive in an age of ‘lists’ and ‘side-bars’.

“Yes, it’s a different world, and yes it may not all be print, and there’ll be different ways of doing it online. But I can’t face the idea that there is no place for journalism... so I’d say, yeah, please do it.”

Former Daily Mirror editor

Piers Morgan

“Journalism is an unpredictable, dangerous, occasionally deeply unpleasant occupation, which involves a lot of travel, discomfort and public opprobrium.

“It’s also a fabulously exciting, important profession and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it as a career to my children, not least because it would appear future top jobs won’t be taken up by any junior members of the Humphrys family.”

22 l Autumn 2012 Press Gazette

Sky News presenter

Kay Burley

“For the past 36 years I have had the best job in the world. Being a journalist is not always easy, but it is always ultimately rewarding. “If a member of my family wanted to follow in a similar role I would counsel them on the demands of the job. You don’t become a journalist to be loved or even liked, but it does offer opportunities that few other professions could ever provide.”

Paul Staines

“My oldest daughter (aged 9) sometimes tells me she wants to be a writer, sometimes a reporter. I definitely would not stand in her way.

“It would be a life less ordinary, a chance to write the first draft of history. If she was a showbiz journalist she would get to hang out with the stars, if she was a business reporter the chance to meet and know the people who make our world. A good journalist knows the world.

“Or maybe she will become a ballerina.

Either way I would cheer her choice.”

Channel 4 News editor

Ben de Pear

“I definitely would recommend it; at its best it’s an honourable, world-changing for the better profession, and it’s huge fun.

“It matters too much to think it will disappear and I would be very pleased if my kids or grandkids did it, though being a doctor is a lot more use to the world.” www.pressgazette.co.uk

Digital Media and Society will explore the role of new digital media in shaping and transforming society and how technology is related to power and social change. social media : internet governance : citizen journalism : online activism : creative industries : surveillance : digital rights

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Press Gazette asked some of the star names of British journalism to offer advice to aspiring journalists

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JOURNALISM TRAINING 2012

Simply a life-changing education A degree from the University of Lincoln equips you with the knowledge and skills to join the next generation of journalism and public relations professionals.

BA (Hons) Journalism (NCTJ, BJTC and PPA accredited) BA (Hons) Journalism (Investigative) BA (Hons) Journalism & Public Relations BA (Hons) Public Relations The University of Lincoln offers a broad range of Master’s programmes covering Science, Arts, Sports and Digital Journalism, as well as Public Relations and Community Radio.

For more information about our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes or to arrange a visit, call 01522 837171 or email enquiries@lincoln.ac.uk

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