Full Time Journalism: Magazine Fast Track NCTJ Level 4

Journalism: Magazine Fast Track NCTJ Level 4 (Sept '10)

This course information relates to courses starting in September 2010.

Course code: B0974

Course category: Full-time

End Qualification: NCTJ Pre-Entry Certificate

Starting and ending month: September to February

Starting year: 2010

Days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Course duration: 18 weeks

Time of day: All day

Formal assessment: Formal assessment required

Course location: City College East

Course aims:
The fast track magazine course at City College Brighton & Hove is the best performing in the UK 2008 and 2007. It is a practically-based course with the aim of getting you a job on a magazine or website. Our team includes award-winning journalists working in the field.
The course is taught through a combination of lectures and hands-on practical challenges in a working environment. A magazine office atmosphere prevails with students pitching stories and ideas out into the real world and real publications, while building their skills and a portfolio of work.
We have a student website where the best articles will be showcased to a wider industry audience. We also have a roster of highly respected guest speakers including Guardian media commentator Prof Roy Greenslade and author of Flat Earth News Nick Davies.
Online journalism teaching is undertaken by freelance journalist/author/playwright Damian Barr. Friday workshops include investigative techniques and undercover reporting by Channel 4 Dispatches contributors Ecostorm and How to Write a Successful Blog by noted political blogger, Justin McKeating, author of the 2007 Blog Digest.
In order to give you the latest training for industry we have recently introduced a series of lectures and practicals covering video journalism.
Students on our NCTJ Journalism courses will reap the benefits of a new relationship with the renowned publishing house, Johnston Press, who specialise in a wide range of
news publications. You will gain vital real-life experience providing copy for our very own newspaper that will be printed through Johnston Press and distributed throughout Brighton.

Course content:
1. Law - NCTJ Law exam General Reporting
2. Public affairs - NCTJ PA exam Central Government
3. Shorthand (Teeline) To 80 wpm - NCTJ shorthand exam
4. Writing - NCTJ news writing/online exam
5. Feature writing (including online stories, research and working as part of an editorial team) - Portfolio evidence
6. Production design and online (using InDesign CS3 and Photoshop) - Portfolio evidence
7. Sub-editing (for accuracy, fit and display on hard copy and online) - NCTJ sub-editing exam
8. Background to magazine industry-
9. Work experience (minimum two week period) - Portfolio evidence, employer report

Facilities for students:

• Student common room with 24 hour news channels.
• Journalism Library
• Digital cameras
• Video cameras
• Shorthand downloads

Tutors:
Jan Goodey (course leader)
A former features editor, Jan freelances on mainly environmental issues for both local and national magazines/supplements (Latest 7, The Ecologist, Guardian Society). He spent eight years as part of a team which built up Brightons award-winning Insight magazine. He now divides his time between college and freelance commissions.
To be appointed(news-writing)
Marilyn Somers (shorthand)
Marilyn is a highly experienced shorthand teacher of many years standing and runs all the NCTJ shorthand lessons and exams. She is also a specialist in Information Technology.
Tina Douglas (law)
Tina is an experienced law tutor with a degree in the subject and again many years behind her as a teacher on the NCTJ journalism courses. She currently teaches at several colleges across the South East, including Lambeth, Crawley and City College.
Adrian Dobbie (production)
Adrian is a freelance designer who has edited magazines in Sussex and led at least two major re-designs. He currently works for various consumer and B2B titles as well as having a hand in music CD designs.
Karen Dugdale (public affairs)
Karen is a freelance journalist who writes for consumer magazines and a variety of trade publications (Marie Claire, Cleo, Coast, G2, The Morning Advertiser and Overseas Property TV Magazine as well as national newspapers. Prior to becoming a journalist she spent 10 years working in local government for an inner city London borough and many of her commissions draw on her comprehensive working knowledge of local government and social housing.

Assessment:

• Portfolio of published articles
• Exams

Awarding Body: NCTJ

Entry Requirements:
You will require:

• Degree in a related subject

or

• 2 A-levels (equivalent)

Interview for entry: Interview required

Progression and links:
You will be able to confidently apply for positions on:
* Consumer Magazines/Websites
* B2B Magazine/Websites

Work experience opportunities:
Two separate weeks -
Oct 26-30
Dec 21-24/28-30

Academic Centre:
CMED - Media

Costs of your Course:
There are five parts to the cost of your course:

• Tuition Fees
• College registration
• Awarding Body registration
• Resource Fee
• Exam / Assessment Fees

Tuition fees

How much will the Tuition Fees cost?

Below are the fees for 09/10.

Home/EU students tuition fees (per year) : tbc

International tuition fees (per year) : tbc

Total for 19 and over : tbc
Total for under 19 : N/A
Total for international students : tbc