Journalism

Postgraduate Attendance Course in Journalism

The London School of Journalism offers postgraduate courses in journalism, which provide excellent pre-entry knowledge and experience. By taking a postgraduate journalism course with us you will receive the best possible London-based training. The LSJ has been training journalists since 1920 - we have all the experience and knowledge you will need.

These courses are well known throughout the UK, and the rest of the world, for producing journalists of the highest calibre - on average around half our students come to us because of specific recommendations from newspapers, broadcasters and individuals active within the profession.

Schedule:

Three month full-time (daytime)
Six month part-time (daytime)
Nine month part-time (evenings)

April

Three month full-time (daytime)

September

Three month full-time (daytime)
Six month part-time (daytime)
Nine month part-time (evenings)

Three, six and nine month courses are held throughout the year. Courses consist of lectures and personal tuition, with constant written practical work and the creation of a personal portfolio. Your written assignments will include:

Feature articles (500/700 words) may involve research in a library, from your own books, or from field work. Constant analysis of newspapers and magazines is essential for improvement of feature writing, and therefore you will be required to devote time to regular background reading.

News reports (150/250 words) will include those based on both Magistrates Courts and local government proceedings, as well as other reports based on local or national news, and current sporting events.

Reviews (200/300 words) based on visits to art galleries, museums, exhibitions, plays, concerts and film screenings.

You will learn media law, understand how central and local government function and have the opportunity to mix with and talk to a wide number of working journalists from many different areas of the profession. Radio news and digital sound editing, TV spots to camera and all aspects of freelance journalism are covered in detail.

A two day course of page planning and design (InDesign) and a shorthand course are available as optional modules.

Successful students receive the school's diploma on completion.

Three Month Course: Three days' attendance plus personal tutorial plus 15/20 hours' research and writing
Six Month Course: Two days' attendance plus personal tutorial (every other week) plus 8/10 hours' research and writing
Nine Month Course: One or two evenings per week, tutorial (every third week) plus 5/7 hours' research and writing

Course Syllabus

Students will receive a thorough training in all aspects of journalism, from the first assignment as a junior reporter to the demands of a live broadcast. Media law is covered in detail, with lectures by an experienced solicitor.

The course structure is as below:

News and Features

Ethics of Journalism. Highlighting the PCC code of conduct and the standards expected of responsible journalists.

The real world of journalism. The myths and realities, the responsibilities and the ethics of the profession. The way in which the British Press has evolved and the legacy it has given to the world's Press.

An analysis of the five main categories of newspaper, from the national dailies to the provincial weeklies. The hierarchy of a national daily, from junior reporter to editor.

Making calls. Making and keeping in touch with contacts. Turning up the unexpected from routine conversations. Following up 'tip-offs' and digging around for background.

Live session. Testing the knowledge gained so far by venturing into the local community to find the day's stories.

News special. Investigative or news-in-depth reporting to bring results both for the community and for your career.

The running story.

Research. Sources, finding the right people, analysis of features for research content. Sources used and their relationships. Research as validation.

The journalist as manager.

Radio reporting. Verbal presentation of facts and ideas.

Radio practical.

TV reporting. The differences in approach between broadcast and print journalism.

TV practical (showreel if required).

The opening lines of a feature, narrative techniques for dramatic effect and impact. Analysing techniques across the markets.

The definition of features, where ideas come from, general, specialist and news.

Profiling publications, the language of 'selling', market research and knowing your readers.

Identifying an 'angle', developing facts into a personal view or argument. Analysis of publications, developing sources.

Reviews and columns. Form and content, the use of style and languages, facts and opinion, the importance of research. How columnists work, the relationship between columns and feature articles.

Reviewing. External visit.

Basics of interviewing, looking at different types of sources. Setting up interviews - structuring questions and the ethics involved. Getting and using quotations. Looking at human interest features and their markets. Typical story structure and how to keep the story moving.

Magazines and trade and technical journals.

Travel. Analysis of travel writing, various types of travel feature. The importance of research. Angles and intro writing.

Sports Reporting. How the sportsroom works - the staff hierarchy, sports correspondents and stringers. Understanding the requirements of a 'round-up'. Making up a sports page using appropriate pictures, text and advertisements. Presenting a sports report. Generating story ideas and leads from interviews with sports personalities.

Freelancing. The basics of self-employment, tax, finance, copyrights etc. How to approach editors, selling yourself, what work is available and how to find opportunities.

Niche markets.

PR and publicity handouts.

New Technology - bringing together new technology aspects of the media world.

Subediting

Subediting. The sub's role, skills required. Legal responsibilities. Page design and page planning. Headlines. Style and 'colour'. Space allocation, Grammar and Style guides.

Law and Local/Central government

Media Law

Court reporting

Visits to both Magistrates' and Crown Courts and reporting on proceedings.

Local Government - structure and organisation, the role played by local councils and reporters' responsibilities and rights within the community.

Central Government - organisation, structure and parliamentary reporting.

Schedule:

Three Month Course Three days' attendance plus personal tutorial plus 15/20 hours' research and writing

Six Month Course Two days' attendance plus personal tutorial (every other week) plus 8/10 hours' research and writing

Nine Month Course One or two evenings per week, tutorial (every third week) plus 5/7 hours' research and writing