Our Political Journalism Course Online will give you the skills and experience you need to write articles on the critical subject of politics. The course includes NCTJ qualifications.
Is this a proper course?
Yes, we are recognised by the UK Government and are fully accredited.
Who is the course for?
Anyone who wants to break into political journalism. It is suitable for novices. This course is for anyone who wants to write articles on politics - either national, local or European.
What does it cover?
You will cover all the subjects in the NCTJ syllabus
JOURNALISM
• A journalist’s job and qualities
• Copy presentation
• Notebook discipline
• Contacts book
• What is news?
• Sources of news
• Industry organisations
• House style
• Contacts and how to make them
• Interviewing – face to face and by phone
• Newspaper terminology
• How to write in newspaper style
• The intro
• Story construction
• Use of quotes
• Ethics and the PCC Code of Conduct
• Reference sources
• Covering the police
• Human interest stories
• Feature writing
• Covering local government
• Covering central government, Parliaments and national assemblies
• Working from press releases and handouts
• Covering meetings and speeches
• Opinion writing
• Identifying suitable markets for articles
• Analysing markets
• Coming up with original ideas
• Adapting your writing style for different markets
• Making a sale
• Getting paid
• Keeping records
PUBLIC AFFAIRS: CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
• The UK constitution
• The Monarchy
• Parliament at Westminster
• The legislative process at Westminster
• Devolution
• The UK Government
• The political process
• Elections
• The European Union
• The NHS
• Social welfare services
• Employment, training and economic development
• Industry and commerce
• The Utilities
• The Treasury
• The Home Office
• Culture, Media and Sport
• International relations and defence
PUBLIC AFFAIRS: LOCAL GOVERNMENT
• How different authorities are structured and what they do
• Councillors and officers
• Decision making, information and quality
• Propriety and ethics
• Elections
• External relations and controls
• Finance
• Housing
• Education
• Town and country planning
• Personal social services
• Emergency services
• Environmental health and consumer protection
• Highways, transport and leisure
How long will the course take?
It's up to you. You can work at your own speed, and fit your studies around your other commitments. But as a rough guide, this course takes around three to six months to complete
How does the course work?
We will send teaching modules in journalism, central government and local government, as email attachments, one Module at a time. Most Modules are accompanied by exercises and assignments. You will study the Module, email us with any queries and then complete the exercises and assignments.
You email your assignment to us for marking. It will be marked and emailed back to you with a Grade, comments and advice.
When you have passed the Module, you will be sent the next one and so on, until you finish the course.
What are the exercises and assignments like?
The exercises are 'home-based' so you can do them on screen, or print them off.
Assignments are practical - you will have to go out and find a certain type of story or feature, and write it up.
How is work assessed?
Each assignment will be graded between A and E. To achieve a pass, you must get C or above. If you fail, we will help you revise your work until it is good enough to pass.
Is there any tutorial support?
Yes, you can email your tutor any time - as often as you need to. We guarantee to respond within two working days, although it is usually much quicker. We will phone you if there is an issue that cannot be dealt with by email.
What qualifications will I get?
The CTJTS Diploma, which is accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council. You will also take the National Council for the Training of Journalists exams in Local Government and Central Government.
What can I expect to do at the end of the course?
The course will equip you to write for magazines, websites, local and national papers, and radio and TV stations. Our students are usually able to get work published - and get paid for it - after completing the course. You could also go on to take the National Council for the Training of Journalists exams.
How many hours a week do I spend studying?
It's entirely up to you. With home study, you work at your own pace. You can do extra work when things are quiet, and work more slowly, or take time out from the course if you are busy
