PGDip Journalism

Institution De Montfort University
Method At the institution
Location Leicester
Type Postgraduate
Course fee By request

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PGDip Journalism

Objectives Our vocational journalism course is fully accredited by the industry's training body, the National Council for the Training of Journalists. It offers a high-quality professional programme with emphasis on attention to the individual's strengths and weaknesses - an approach which gives our graduates a tremendous advantage in the hugely competitive journalism jobs market. As you’ve probably heard said the hardest part of the job is getting into the industry in the first place. Industry training places are few and far between. The most reliable way is to do an NCTJ course - which leads to a qualification recognised throughout this country as well as abroad. Successful students will gain two complementary 'qualifications'. Those who pass all the NCTJ exams gain the NCTJ certificate and satisfactory completion of all aspects of the programme leads to the Postgraduate Diploma, which may be awarded with distinction for exceptional candidates.
Academic title PGDip Journalism
Course description Programme

The course is aimed primarily at those seeking careers in newspaper journalism. The course is situated in the School of Media and Cultural Production at DMU where journalism students have the chance to work alongside other media specialists in radio, video and film.

The course offers an exciting combination of theoretical and practical study and training and offers National Council for the Training of Journalists’ syllabus and exams, in a programme designed especially for postgraduates. It is an intensive course. As well as undertaking NCTJ exams, students will be expected to engage with the academic issues surrounding the world of the journalist, as well as the commercial concerns relevant to all industries and those seeking to enter public relations.

Students will follow the NCTJ syllabus, leading to NCTJ exams in law, public affairs, handout, shorthand and newspaper journalism.

In addition, much time, including evening and weekend work, will be spent in practical research, investigation and writing exercises. Students will be expected to spend the Christmas and Easter vacations with a local newspaper. There is a taught module on Issues in Contemporary Journalism, with subject matter ranging from marketing techniques to ethics, running through both semesters. Students are also offered training in, and encouraged to become conversant with, new technologies and media.

The PGDip qualification is recognised internationally and as well as opening doors to subject-specific careers, gives those who have achieved this academic level all the advantages of obtaining a postgraduate degree. Many newspapers now require prospective junior reporters to have passed the NCTJ's preliminary examinations before starting work. As well as helping candidates get jobs, those who pass these exams gain appropriate employment and those who register with the NCTJ are able to take the National Certificate after a further 18 months - the route to becoming a fully qualified senior journalist.

Further information

Any journalism course is only as good as the people who will be teaching you. The journalism staff on this course have substantial experience both in the industry and in passing that expertise on to aspiring journalists. Most staff also still practice in the areas they teach; they include:

Ali Haynes LLB MBA DipM: Principal Lecturer in journalism and the Programme Leader. Ali is an NCTJ qualified journalist and has 15 years experience on local newspapers, in addition to freelance work for the nationals. She has won many reporting, design and editing awards, and also has extensive experience of PR, specialising in campaigning organisations.

John Dilley, who has wide ranging experience in the media industry, with expertise in consumer magazines, radio and the b2b sector. He has worked predominantly in the regional press where he was a weekly editor for Emap, one of the UK's leading media groups. He also helped establish the group's award-winning journalism training centre.

Ian Scott former Deputy Editor of the Nottingham Evening Post has substantial experience on both local and national newspapers. He is also a member of the Guild of Editors.