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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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