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November 2, 2010updated 03 Nov 2010 8:04pm

Choose the right journalism training course – comprehensive guide

By Dominic wireposts

Here is Press Gazette’s guide to undergraduate, post-graduate and other training options for aspiring journalists.

A good starting point is to look out for whether courses are accredited by the three main industry training councils – the National Council for the Training of Journalists, the Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the Periodicals Training Council.

But don’t necessarily rule out a course if it isn’t accredited by anyone – City University’s newspaper journalism MA is one of the better ones and is not accredited.

If you are embarking on a degree course think hard about whether you want to study journalism now, or whether you want to wait and do a post-graduate journalism course.

Bear in mind that some journalism degrees are a lot less practical than others, with many being more based in the academic subject of journalism studies.

Use these course listings as a starting off point, but make sure you do your own research to make sure the course you take is cost effective and will give you the practical skills you need to become a journalist.

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Please note that the NCTJ, PTC and BJTC accredit particular courses not whole institutions – so double check for the course.

The NCTJ publishes league tables of courses ranked by their pass-rates and are a must to investigate further if you are planning to take an NCTJ course: snipurl.com/nctj_table.

You can find out how students rate undergraduate journalism courses by looking at the National Students Survey, for more details go to: blogs.pressgazette.co.uk/wire/6910.

2010 guide to journalism training courses:

Advertisers have enhanced listings (to enquire about advertising call Sam Lawes on 0207 936 6875).

Scroll down through the list to search courses listed in the following categories: Undergraduate Journalism; Undergraduate Newspaper; Undergraduate Sports; Undergraduate Magazine; Undergraduate Multimedia; Undergraduate Broadcast; Undergraduate TV; Undergraduate Photojournalism; Postgraduate Journalism; Postgraduate Financial; Postgraduate Political; Postgraduate Science; Postgraduate Sports; Postgraduate Magazine; Postgraduate Newspaper; Postgraduate Multimedia; Postgraduate Broadcast;Postgraduate Radio; Postgraduate TV; Postgraduate International;Postgraduate Investigative Journalism; Sub-editing; Foundation Degree; Fast-track; Academic Year; HND; Block Release; Part-time; Publishing

Undergraduate Journalism

The American University in London

www.aul.edu

Birkbeck, University of London

T: 020 3073 8232

E: culture@bbk.ac.uk

W: www.bbk.ac.uk/culture

At Birkbeck, our journalism courses draw on the research interests of lecturers in media studies and the professional expertise of practising journalists and screenwriters. Our BA and MA/Postgraduate Certificate are unique courses aimed at those who are as interested in the academic study of journalism as they are in acquiring practical journalistic skills.

School of Arts at Brunel University

E: ug-art-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

W: www.brunel.ac.uk

Our BA Journalism programme, soon to be NCTJ accredited, offers an ideal launch-pad to embark upon a journalism career in the digital age. Training in Teeline shorthand, news writing, public affairs and law, plus essential NCTJ training. Full and part-time study available – please see web for details.

Cardiff University

www.cf.ac.uk

City University

www.city.ac.uk

Chester University

www.chester.ac.uk

Cumbria University

www.cumbria.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

The Montfort University

www.dmu.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Edinburgh Napier Journalism

www.napier.ac.uk

PTC accredited

Glasgow Caledonian University

www.gcal.ac.uk

NCTJ BJTC accredited

Grimsby Institute

www.grimsby.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

Glyndwr University

T: 01978 293439

E: sid@glyndwr.ac.uk

W: www.glyndwr.ac.uk

Glyndwr University’s NCTJ-accredited one year journalism programme runs in partnership with leading regional newspaper group NWN Media. Students work towards NCTJ exams while gaining real-life newsroom experience two days every week on NWN evening and weekly titles. Glyndwr University also offers a multi-disciplinary Broadcasting and Journalism and Media Communications degree.

Harlow College

www.harlow-college.ac.uk

PTC accredited

Kent University

www.kent.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

Leeds Trinity University College

www.leedstrinity.ac.uk

(BJTC and NCTJ accredited)

London College of Communication

www.lcc.arts.ac.uk

Lincoln University

www.lincoln.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Liverpool JMU

T: 01512313346

E: s.wilkie@ljmu.ac.uk

W: www.ljmu.ac.uk

The programme develops your skills as a writer and researcher and then goes on to develop production skills in broadcast, print and online. Students specialise in their third year developing skills in their chosen area to professional level. The course has accreditation pending status with the Broadcast Journalism Training Council.

Northumbria University

www.northumbria.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

Nottingham Trent University

www.ntu.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Roehampton University London

www.roehampton.ac.uk

Robert Gordon University Aberdeen

www.rgu.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

Salford University

www.salford.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

Sheffield Hallam University

www.shu.ac.uk

Southampton Solent University

www.solent.ac.uk

PTC BJTC accredited

South Essex College

www.southend.ac.uk

Staffordshire University

www.staffs.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Sunderland University

www.sunderland.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited BJTC accredited

University of Bedfordshire

Like to learn more?

Tel: +44 (0)1582 743500

Visit: www.beds.ac.uk/media

Why Bedfordshire is best for you:

• Rated 2nd in the UK for Journalism (National

Student Survey 2009)

• Work in our industry-standard Media Arts

Centre

• Taught by industry experts

• Vocationally relevant curriculum

• 30 minutes from London

University of Central Lancashire

www.uclan.ac.uk

NCTJ PTC BJTC accredited

University College Falmouth

T: 01326 213730

E: admissions@falmouth.ac.uk

W: www.falmouth.ac.uk

The School of Media at Falmouth is recognised as a UK leader in the delivery of high quality, practice-orientated media education and training. Our courses – BA(Hons) Journalism, MA International Journalism and MA Multimedia Broadcast Journalism – housed in first class facilities, ensure Falmouth news graduates continually stand out from the crowd.

University of Cumbria

www.cumbria.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

University of the Creative Arts

www.ucreative.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University of Gloucestershire

www.glos.ac.uk

University of Huddersfield

www.hud.ac.uk

University of Northampton

www.northampton.ac.uk

University of Kent

www.kent.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited, BJTC accreditation pending

University of Portsmouth

www.port.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

University of Sheffield

www.sheffield.ac.uk

NCTJ PTC accredited

University of Stirling

www.external.stir.ac.uk

University of West Scotland

www.uws.ac.uk

BJTC accredition pending

Westminster University

www.wmin.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Undergraduate Newspaper

School of Arts at Brunel University

E: ug-art-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

W: www.brunel.ac.uk

Our BA Journalism programme, soon to be NCTJ accredited, offers an ideal launch-pad to embark upon a journalism career in the digital age. Training in Teeline shorthand, news writing, public affairs and law, plus essential NCTJ training. Full and part-time study available – please see web for details.

University of Sunderland

www.sunderland.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Undergraduate Sports

University of Bedfordshire

www.beds.ac.uk

University of Brighton

www.brighton.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

University of Central Lancashire

www.uclan.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University of Huddersfi eld

www.hud.ac.uk

Leeds Trinity University College

www.leedstrinity.ac.uk

(BJTC and NCTJ accredited)

University of Sunderland

www.sunderland.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

The following courses also offer the option of taking an

NCTJ sport exam:

Harlow College, Academic year

Newspaper Journalism

www.harlow-college.ac.uk

News Associates (London and

Manchester)

www.journalism-courses.com

Undergraduate Magazine

Southampton Solent University

www.solent.ac.uk

PTC accredited

University of Bedfordshire

www.beds.ac.uk

University of Sunderland

www.sunderland.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Undergraduate Multimedia

Bournemouth University

www.bournemouth.ac.uk

PTC NCTJ BJTC accredited

School of Arts at Brunel University

E: ug-art-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

W: www.brunel.ac.uk

Our BA Journalism programme, soon to be NCTJ accredited, offers an ideal launch-pad to embark upon a journalism career in the digital age. Training in Teeline shorthand, news writing, public affairs and law, plus essential NCTJ training. Full and part-time study available – please see web for details.

Glyndwr University

T: 01978 293439

E: sid@glyndwr.ac.uk

W: www.glyndwr.ac.uk

The University of Buckingham

www.buckingham.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

University of Huddersfi eld

www.hud.ac.uk

University Of Teesside

www.tees.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Edinburgh Napier University

www.napier.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University of Westminster

www.wmin.ac.uk

Undergraduate Broadcast

Liverpool John Moores University

www.ljmu.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

Nottingham Trent University

www.ntu.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Sheffield University

www.sheffield.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Southampton Solent University

www.solent.ac.uk

Staffordshire University

www.staffs.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

The University of Buckingham

www.buckingham.ac.uk

University of Central Lancashire

(Foundation Course)

www.uclan.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University of Glamorgan

www.glam.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University of Huddersfield

www.hud.ac.uk

University of Leeds

www.leeds.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University of Lincoln

www.lincoln.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University of Westminster

www.wmin.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Winchester University

www.winchester.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

Undergraduate TV

Middlesex University

www.midx.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

Undergraduate Photojournalism

London College of Communication

www.lcc.arts.ac.uk

The Sheffield College, Norton Centre

(academic year)

www.sheffcol.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Postgraduate Journalism

The American University in London

www.aul.edu

Birkbeck, University of London

T: 020 3073 8232

E: culture@bbk.ac.uk

W: www.bbk.ac.uk/culture

At Birkbeck, our journalism courses draw on the research interests of lecturers in media studies and the professional expertise of practising journalists and screenwriters. Our BA and MA/Postgraduate Certificate are unique courses aimed at those who are as interested in the academic study of journalism as they are in acquiring practical journalistic skills.

School of Arts at Brunel University

E: pg-art-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

W: www.brunel.ac.uk

Our MA International Journalism programme (full-time study only) offers essential skills and contextual knowledge vital for entry into newsrooms and features departments. It aims to produce imaginative, creative reporters, producers and sub editors capable of producing professional-quality content across one or more journalism formats for international and global media.

Cardiff University

www.cardiff.ac.uk

PTC BJTC NCTJ accredited

City University

E: journalism@city.ac.uk or call 020 7040 8221

W: www.city.ac.uk/journalism/pressgazette

The Graduate School of Journalism at City University London. Providing education for journalists since 1976. With an unrivalled graduate employment record and impressive global alumni network, students graduate with hands-on experience, numerous industry contacts and fantastic networking opportunities from around the world. To find out more or to attend our next open evening visit our website.

Edinburgh Napier University

www.napier.ac.uk

BJTC PTC accredited

Goldsmiths University of London

www.gold.ac.uk

PTC accredited

Kingston University

www.kingston.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Leeds Trinity University College

www.leedstrinity.ac.uk

(BJTC and NCTJ accredited)

NCTJ accredited

Roehampton University London

www.roehampton.ac.uk

Sheffield Hallam University

www.shu.ac.uk

Staffordshire University

www.staffs.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

The Robert Gordon University

www.rgu.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited, BJTC accreditation pending

University of Salford

www.salford.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

University of Sheffield

www.sheffield.ac.uk

NCTJ PTC accredited

University of Strathclyde

www.strath.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

University of Sunderland

www.sunderland.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

University of Ulster at Coleraine

www.ulster.ac.uk

BJTC accredited, NCTJ accredited

Postgraduate Financial

City University

www.city.ac.uk

University of Stirling

www.fmj.stir.ac.uk

Postgraduate Political

City University

www.city.ac.uk

Postgraduate Science

City University

www.city.ac.uk

Postgraduate Sports

Sheffield Hallam University

www.shu.ac.uk

Staffordshire University

www.staffs.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Postgraduate Magazine

Cardiff University

www.cf.ac.uk

City University

www.city.ac.uk

PTC Accredited

Harlow College

www.harlow-college.ac.uk

Leeds Trinity University College

www.leedstrinity.ac.uk

(BJTC and NCTJ accredited)

PTC accredited (19 weeks)

PMA Media Training

T: 020 7278 0606

E: postgraduate@pma-group.com or

training@pma-group.com

W: www.pma-group.com

PTC accredited (9 weeks)

PMA’s Postgraduate Diploma focuses on getting you a job. For 21 years this PTC-accredited course has placed 95% of graduates in journalism jobs within eight weeks of the course ending. Your tutors are industry experts and in nine weeks there’s over 500 contact hours. It’s tough and it works.

University of Central Lancashire

www.uclan.ac.uk

NCTJ PTC accredited

University of Sunderland

www.sunderland.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Postgraduate Newspaper

Cardiff University

www.cardiff.ac.uk

NCTJ Accredited

Chester University

www.chester.ac.uk

City University

www.city.ac.uk

De Montfort University

T: 0116 250 6470

E: pghums@dmu.ac.uk

W: dmu.ac.uk/journalismmasters

DMU’s PGDip / MA in Journalism is accredited by the National Council for Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and boasts an impressive employability record. Taught by qualifi ed and experienced professionals, the course is highly vocational with emphasis on developing practical skills and real world journalism practice, as well as engaging with the academic debates and issues surrounding the world of contemporary journalism.

For more information, please contact: Promotion and Recruitment Centre

Nottingham Trent University

www.ntu.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

University of Central Lancashire

www.uclan.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

University of Sheffield

www.sheffield.ac.uk

NCTJ PTC accredited

Sunderland University

www.sunderland.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Postgraduate Multimedia

Bournemouth University

www.bournemouth.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

School of Arts at Brunel University

E: pg-art-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

W: www.brunel.ac.uk

Our NCTJ accredited MA Journalism programme (full and part-time) offers essential skills and contextual knowledge vital for entry into newsrooms and features departments. It aims to produce imaginative, creative reporters, producers and sub-editors capable of producing professional-quality content across one or more journalism formats. MA International Journalism (full-time) also available.

Glasgow Caledonian University

www.gcal.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited, BJTC accreditation

Newcastle University

www.ncl.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation

University of Central Lancashire

www.uclan.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University College Falmouth

T: 01326 213730

E: admissions@falmouth.ac.uk

W: www.falmouth.ac.uk

The School of Media at Falmouth is recognised as a UK leader in the delivery of high quality, practiceorientated media education and training. Our courses – BA(Hons) Journalism, MA International Journalism and MA Multimedia Broadcast Journalism – housed in first class facilities, ensure Falmouth news graduates continually stand out from the crowd.

University of Gloucestershire

www.glos.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

University of Glamorgan

www.glam.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

University of Kent

www.kent.ac.uk

University of Sheffield

www.sheffield.ac.uk

NCTJ PTC accredited

Sunderland University

www.sunderland.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation

Winchester University

www.winchester.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation

Postgraduate Broadcast

Birmingham City University

www.bcu.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Cardiff University

www.cf.ac.uk

City University

T: 0116 250 6470

E: pghums@dmu.ac.uk

W: dmu.ac.uk/journalismmasters

Leeds Trinity University College

www.leedstrinity.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

London College of Communication

www.lcc.arts.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Sheffield Hallam University

www.shu.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation

Staffordshire University

www.staffs.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University College Falmouth

T: 01326 213730

E: admissions@falmouth.ac.uk

W: www.falmouth.ac.uk

University of Central Lancashire

www.uclan.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University of Sheffi eld

www.sheffield.ac.uk

NCTJ PTC accredited

University of Westminster

www.wmin.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University of the West of Scotland, Hamilton

www.paisley.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Postgraduate Radio

Goldsmiths College

www.gold.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Leeds Trinity University College

www.leedstrinity.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Nottingham Trent University

www.ntu.ac.uk

Northumbria University

www.northumbria.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Postgraduate TV

City University

www.city.ac.uk

BJTC Accredited

Goldsmiths

University of London

www.gold.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Leeds Trinity University College

www.leedstrinity.ac.uk

(BJTC accredited)

Northumbria University

www.northumbria.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Nottingham Trent University

www.ntu.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Postgraduate International Journalism School of Arts at Brunel University

E: pg-art-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

W: www.brunel.ac.uk

Our MA International Journalism programme (full-time study only) offers essential skills and contextual knowledge vital for entry into newsrooms and features departments. It aims to produce imaginative, creative reporters, producers and sub editors capable of producing professional-quality content across one or more journalism formats for international and global media.

City University

W: www.city.ac.uk

University College Falmouth

W: www.falmouth.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

University of Leeds

www.leeds.ac.uk

Postgraduate Investigative Journalism

City University

W: www.city.ac.uk

University of Glamorgan

www.glam.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation

Sub-editing

Brighton Journalist Works

www.journalistworks.co.uk

NCTJ accredited

The following centres offer sub-editing as an optional NCTJ exam:

Cardonald College

HND in Journalism Studies

www.cardonald.ac.uk

News Associates (London and Manchester)

www.journalism-courses.com

Staffordshire University, BA (hons) Journalism

www.staffs.ac.uk

University of Sunderland, BA (hons) News Journalism

www.sunderland.ac.uk

Foundation Degree

City University

www.city.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

Exeter College

www.exe-coll.ac.uk

Grimsby Institute

www.grimsby.ac.uk

BJTC accreditation pending

Lambeth College

www.lambethcollege.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

London College of Communication

www.lcc.arts.ac.uk

University of Central Lancashire

www.uclan.ac.uk

BJTC accredited

Fast-Track

City College Brighton & Hove (newspaper

and magazine courses)

www.ccb.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Cornwall College Camborne

www.cornwall.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Darlington College of Technology

www.darlington.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Harlow College

www.harlow-college.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Highbury College

www.highbury.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Lambeth College

www.lambethcollege.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Liverpool Community College

www.liv-coll.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

National Broadcasting School, Brighton

www.nationalbroadcastingschool.com

BJTC accredited

News Associates (London/Manchester)

www.journalism-courses.com

NCTJ accredited

noSWeat Journalism Training

www.nosweatjt.co.uk

NCTJ accredited

Press Association Multimedia Foundation Course in Journalism

www.pressassociation.com/training

NCTJ accredited

The Sheffield College, Norton Centre

www.sheffcol.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Up To Speed Journalism Training Ltd

www.uptospeedjournalism.com

NCTJ accredited

Academic Year

School of Arts at Brunel University

E: pg-art-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

E: ug-art-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

W: www.brunel.ac.uk

Our NCTJ accredited MA Journalism (full and part time), our MA International Journalism (full-time) and our BA Journalism (full and part-time) offer essential skills and contextual knowledge vital for entry into newsrooms and features departments. They aim to produce journalists capable of producing professional quality content across one or more journalism formats.

City of Wolverhampton College

www.wolverhamptoncollege.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Glyndwr University, Wrexham

NCTJ accredited

www.glyndwr.ac.uk

Harlow College

www.harlow-college.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Liverpool Community College

www.liv-coll.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

The Sheffield College, Norton Centre

www.sheffcol.ac.uk

HND

Cardonald College

www.cardonald.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Northbrook College Sussex

www.nbcol.ac.uk

Block Release

Darlington College of Technology

www.darlington.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Highbury College

www.highbury.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Day Release

Cardonald College

www.cardonald.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

City of Wolverhampton College

www.wolverhamptoncollege.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Liverpool Community College

www.liv-coll.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

Part/Time

Highbury College

www.highbury.ac.uk

NCTJ accredited

News Associates (London)

www.journalism-courses.com

NCTJ accredited

noSWeat Journalism Training

www.nosweatjt.co.uk

NCTJ accredited

The Sheffield College, Norton Centre

www.sheffcol.ac.uk

Publishing

Publishing Training Centre

T: 020 8874 2718

E: enquiries@bookhouse.co.uk

W:www.train4publishing.co.uk

The Publishing Training Centre offers more than 70 short courses and a number of distance learning programmes that are focussed on the publishing industry. Subject areas covered include editorial, digital publishing, software, legal issues, and much more. Visit our website for more details.

Distance/Online courses

CTJT offers distance learning courses in all the NCTJ disciplines.

www.ctjt.biz

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