Journalism

This course is an innovative partnership with regional newspaper group NWN Media which combines two days each week of real-life experience in the news rooms of NWN Media titles with academic theory provided by industry specialists at Glyndŵr University.

You will have the opportunity to sit the full suite of National Council for the Training of Journalists preliminary exams including media law, news writing and public affairs.

Key facts

• Glyndŵr University and NWN Media have successfully attained industry accreditation for the course from the National Council for the Training of Journalists.
• A structured programme of court, council and public body visits within the newsroom placements will build on the theory delivered at Glyndŵr University across the public affairs, media law and news writing modules.
• You will have access to print, broadcast and online facilities to equip you with multi-media skills.
• A range of industry and relevant speakers provide a different perspective and give you an insight into the issues affecting the media industry.
• You will not only gain sufficient knowledge to enable you to work as a journalist, but will also be encouraged to develop innovation, creativity and flexibility in a fast-paced multi media environment.
• The course includes a module in video journalism for online media
• In July 2011 the NCTJ extended the course's accreditation and gave it a glowing report. The NCTJ’s head of accreditation Michelle Patient said: “This course provides a fantastic balance of work experience and taught instruction that gives students the chance to apply their knowledge as they learn." 

Course content

Certificate of Higher Education in Journalism

This course will help you to gain advanced professional and technical skills that will enable you to become a competent journalist. Through the course you will study media law and the legal framework for journalists and public affairs and how democracy works. You will have the opportunity to build up a news portfolio as you start to practise your journalistic skills through the practical elements of the course.

Certificate of Higher Education in Journalism modules

Certificate of Higher Education in Journalism - frequently asked questions

Meet the student - Daily Post reporter Kate Forrester

Meet the student - North Wales Chronicle reporter Chris Hogg

Meet the student - Newbury Weekly News reporter Mark Taylor

Meet the student - The Leader reporter Thomas Morton

Career opportunities

This course is designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge and industry qualifications you need to pursue a career in all aspects of journalism concentrating particularly on print, online and multimedia news reporting.

Assessment

All modules make extensive use of coursework and work-based learning which will be brought together in a portfolio of work as a summative assessment. This work will include essays, reports, in-class tests and practical work from newsroom placements.

Students will also have the opportunity to sit the National Council for the Training of Journalists Diploma in Journalism exams and assessments including media law, public affairs, multimedia news writing and video journalism for online.

Course duration

Part-time

September - July. The course includes two days on work placement and two days at university a week.

Entry requirements and applications

You must be able to demonstrate that you have the ability and potential for success in a career in journalism by gaining at least 50% in the National Council for the Training of Journalists' aptitude test.

Fees

The cost of the NCTJ qualifications is included in the course fee (£1,400 for 2012/13 entry). This will include media law, public affairs, reporting, multi media portfolio and online video journalism plus four exam entries for shorthand. Exam resits or extra shorthand exams will have to be self-funded.

Journalism Diversity Fund

Bursaries are available through the Journalism Diversity Fund to students from ethnic and socially diverse backgrounds wishing to train as a journalist. For more information or to apply visit www.journalismdiversityfund.com.

Current students can pay resit exam fees in advance here.

Pay for April 23 news writing exam here.

Pay for April 25 court reporting exam here.

Get in touch

For more information about this course please contact the programme leader Janet Jones at j.m.jones@glyndwr.ac.uk. She will be able to provide you with further information about the HE Certificate in Print Journalism, including answers to some of the more frequently asked questions that potential students may have about the course.

Janet Jones is an experienced journalist who joined Glyndŵr University from the Express & Star, the UK’s largest regional newspaper, where she was a lecturer at the company’s journalism school. She is chief examiner and chair of the NCTJ public affairs examining board.