Course description
Course Content
This dynamic course cultivates both a practical and theoretical understanding of fashion and lifestyle journalism in the UK. With a close eye on changing trends in contemporary lifestyle media, emphasis is placed on developing an analytical understanding of the commercial marketplace as well as the rigours of practical journalism. Drawing on the skills and expertise of journalists currently working in this diverse field, students will develop an enhanced commercial awareness, enabling them to produce editorial material for this specialist area.
Teaching Staff
The Course Director, Nilgin Yusuf, is a freelance journalist in fashion, style and interiors who has worked for numerous publications including the Daily Telegraph, Elle and Red. Nilgin was formerly the Fashion Editor of the Sunday Times. Jenny Tucker is also a key member of the course team. Jenny currently works for Elle Deco and Marie Claire. The programme is supported by a series of guest speakers from the fashion and lifestyle media industry, form publications including Time Out, Urban Junkies, Dazed and Confused, Harpers and the Saturday Times.
Structure
The pathway is structured into two taught units and a final project. The Fashion & Lifestyle Journalism Techniques and Terminologies unit introduces students to the practical requirements of Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism. Students are guided through the key principles of journalism from researching stories, developing ideas and writing in a range of styles and formats, right through to pitching and selling feature ideas. Fashion and Lifestyle, Media Contemporary Trends and Current Issues looks at contemporary fashion and lifestyle media. A range of guest lecturers and practitioners will give insight into their specialist markets from mainstream publications to niche, consumer and specialist, providing a contextual working knowledge of fashion and lifestyle media and its changing trends. A research assignment gives students the opportunity to explore and analyse a chosen area of the lifestyle market. Practical skills and theoretical knowledge acquired in units one and two are put into practice in the Major Project. This provides an opportunity to produce a portfolio of journalistic work responding to the students' own professional advancement.
Time Required - work/study balance
Postgraduate study is based on a balance between tutor contact in seminars, lectures and tutorials and time spent on independent research and study. The course is full time over a period of 15 weeks and can be started in February or October.
Career Proespects
Graduates will be in a position to gain employment as fashion and feature writers for a wide range of fashion, lifestyle and general interest publications including daily newspapers, weekend supplements, monthly fashion magazines and industry trade journals. They will also be in a strong position to launch themselves as freelance journalists.
Entry Requirements
Students should have a first degree in English, media, cultural studies, fashion studies, visual communications, PR, design theory or visual arts. Alternatively, students should have relevant and qualitative experience in any of the following industries: fashion, interior design, architecture, art, visual communications, music or the journalism industry. Good IT skills are also advantageous including a knowledge of Page Maker and Quark Xpress. Students should have IELTS level 7.0 if English is not the first language.
Selection process
Applications must be made direct to the college on a postgraduate application form, accompanied by two references. Selected applicants will be asked for interview and will be required to take a short writing test. Applications can be made throughout the year, subject to the availability of places.
