Journalism courses

joannerudd · Contributor Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 8

Just come out of university a year ago, did a degree in Film and Broadcast Production but I really would like to launch my career in journalism. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on what course I should do

TessLangley · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2007 11:34 am Post subject:

Hey Joanne

The Media and Communications degree at UCE Birmingham is a brilliant course for journalism, you can specialise or take the broad course and choose modules throughout the whole three years to shape your degree.

I'm about to hand in my dissertation and final project (got an extension due to yukky illness) and it's a lot of hard work throughout the whole course but it's well worth it.

Hope this helps

Tess x

Gemma · Contributor Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Posts: 27 Location: London

If you haven't got the time/money/inclination to do another degree, you could do a post grad course, and gain your NCTJ qualifications. Most courses are 6 months or a year in length. NCTJ qualifications are recognised nationwide. You can do a catch all course, or specilaise in magazines, amongst other things. The courses are really skills based - using Quark/photoshop/learning shorthand/media law - useful real-life job stuff. They don't teach you how to write.

Have a look at the NCTJ website.

Hope that might help a bit.

laura_mv · MyVillage Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Posts: 745

Hi Joanne,

In my opinion it really doesn't matter what your degree is in when you want to become a writer - the key is to have the passion and talent to do it...and also to persevere. My recommendation would be to get as much work experience under your belt as possible, send in examples of what you can do to any company you'd be interested in working for and just keep battling at it. Do work experience at your local paper, submit articles to your favourite publications, make contacts wherever you can.

Personally I don't have any qualifications beyond A-level - in fact I dropped out of uni twice and never finished my NCTJ. However, I made myself a position at MyVillage by providing them with loads of work, regardless of subject and quickly and by basically getting myself notcied. I've now worked my way through the company to become Editor in less than four years.

I know I would say that because that's what I want you all to do but it really does pay to show enthusiasm, talent and confidence more than to have a CV full of degrees. When it comes down to it journalism couldn't be any less like studying...aside from the deadlines. It's about thinking creatively, not following rules and using your imagination, no amount of books or lectures can be as useful as a good portfolio and a lot of passion for writing.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do x

joannerudd · Contributor Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 8

Thanks for all the advice guys