Full Time Journalism - Newspaper Fast Track NCTJ Diploma

Journalism - Newspaper Fast Track NCTJ Diploma (Feb '10)

This course information relates to courses starting in February 2010.

Course code: B0610

Course category: Full-time

End Qualification: NCTJ Diploma

Starting and ending month: February to June

Starting year: 2010

Course duration: 18 weeks

Formal assessment: Formal assessment required

Course location: Wilson Avenue

Course aims:
We are running some of the best performing fast track journalism courses in the country: the last News Fast Track course (2008) had an unprecedented 100% pass rate in the news-writing exam. Last year, a City College student won the inaugural NCTJ National Newspaper Journalist of the Year.
The courses are practically-based with the bottom line of getting students jobs in journalism - print or online. Our lecturers are still involved in print/online journalism: Jan Goodey our feature writer lecturer writes articles for the Guardian, Big Issue, Ecologist etc; Karen Dugdale our Public Affairs lecturer writes for Marie Claire and The Morning Advertiser; and 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.
He became course leader here at City in September 2009, and is able to share his vast experience of the changing media world to the students.
The newspaper industry recognised course for all aspiring journalists. Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) it will provide you with a thorough grounding in journalism skills and enable you to apply with confidence for a broad range of jobs in the journalism sector.
You will probably already have a degree in a related subject and you have the ambition to write stories that will have an appeal for a mass audience.
In order to give you the latest training for industry we have recently introduced a series of lectures and practicals covering online and 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 Journalism / online exam and a Portfolio of student news stories.
2. Writing for publication (practical real-life news writing and story gathering)
3. Law (two papers)
4. Local and Central Government
5. Shorthand to 100 WPM (Teeline)
6. Work experience.
The course is taught in a variety of ways:
Shorthand is taught in around 8 hours of lectures and practical sessions a week.
Newspaper Journalism is taught in practical sessions involving periodic trips to council meetings, courts and inquests. Writing for Publication involves a mix of simulated exercises and work experience on the newsdesks of local newspapers and magazines, including The Argus, The Worthing Herald and other Sussex titles as well as the nationals in London.
The law, local and central government, and journalism aspects of the course are taught by experienced professionals who have worked on local and national newspapers and magazines.

Assessment: This course is assessed by externally set and marked examinations in all subjects, plus a portfolio of student news stories.

Awarding Body: NCTJ

Entry Requirements:
You should have a degree, but applicants with 2 A levels (or equivalent, eg BTEC National Diploma) and 5 GCSEs, including English, or showing exceptional potential may be considered if they have relevant experience.
Selection is by two hour written test set by the NCTJ, which covers spelling and grammar, news story-writing and a current affairs quiz. This is normally followed by an interview with the relevant course leader.
We are looking for people who are keen and committed to making journalism their career. Most successful applicants will have experience of writing and journalism.

Interview for entry: Interview required

Pre-entry preparation:
Work experience (on local newspapers) is preferable.

Work experience opportunities:
As part of your course you will complete 2 one week work placements within the industry.

Academic Centre:
Centre for Visual and Performing Arts

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) : 1333.00

International tuition fees (per year) : 5500.00

If you are under 19 on 31st August 2009 you do not have to pay Tuition Fees, the College Registration, Awarding Body Registration or Exam/Assessment Fees. However, you will have to pay any Resource Fees. Under 19s entering Higher Education will have to pay full costs.
Once you know your tuition fee, please look at the 'Additional Costs'. This will tell you all the extra costs you will have to pay in order to begin or complete your course.
Additional costsPayment dueTotal
College Registration at enrolment 44
Exam Fees at enrolment 350
Supplementary Resource Fee 100

Total for 19 and over : 1827.00
Total for international students : 5500.00