Full Time Journalism: News Fast Track NCTJ Level 4

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

This course information relates to courses starting in September 2010.

Course code: B0813

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 news course at City College in Brighton offers a thorough grounding in news reporting, with 100% pass rate for the news-writing exam last year. It is a practically-based course with the aim of getting you a job on a local newspaper 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 newspaper 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:
Content is laid down nationally by the industry and includes:
1. One newspaper/online journalism exam and a portfolio of student news stories
2. Writing for publication (practical real-life news writing and story gathering plus online stories)
3. Law (general and court reporting)
4. Local and central government
5. Shorthand to 100 WPM (Teeline)
6. Work experience (two one week sessions)
Writing for publication involves a mix of online stories, simulated exercises as well as two work placements on the newsdesks of local newspapers and magazines, including The Argus, The Worthing Herald and other Sussex titles as well as possibly the nationals in London.
Shorthand is taught in around eight hours of lectures and practical sessions a week.
Law, local and central government, and journalism is taught by experienced professionals who have worked on local and national newspapers and magazines.

Facilities for students:

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

Tutors:
Peter Lindsey (Course Leader/news writing)
Peter Lindsey has been Group Editor of local newspapers for the past 20 years, including the Eastbourne Herald and Gazette series, Hastings Observer series and Sussex Express.
Jan Goodey (news writing)
A former features editor, Jan freelances on mainly environmental issues for both local and national newspapers/magazines/ (Latest 7, The Ecologist, Guardian Society). He has worked for locals in London as a news editor and as casual staff on national publications including the Sunday Mirror.
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.
Karen Dugdale (public affairs)
Karen is a freelance journalist who writes for national newspapers (The Guardian, Observer and The Times) as well as consumer magazines and a variety of trade publications. She started out on the Evening Argus in Brighton. 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

Interview for entry: Interview required

Progression and links:
After successfully completing this course you will have the confidence and skills to apply for:

• Local Papers/Websites
• National Papers/Websites

Work experience opportunities:
You will complete wo separate 1 week work placements within the industry -
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.