Magazine Journalism with NCTJ Diploma in Journalism (full- and part-time)

On our magazine course you will be regarded as a journalist from day one and expected to work like a professional. You will interview real people about real stories, work to real deadlines and track down real leads. You will work as part of a real team on news, reviews, features and production.

At the successful conclusion of these fast-track courses you will be a real magazine journalist with real work experience under your belt, capable of writing scintillating news and feature stories, as well as the proud possessor of a real NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, the industry´s gold standard in magazine Journalism.

To gain this prestigious experience and qualification you will have spent time (16 weeks full-time; 26 weeks part-time) working with practising journalists from a variety of backgrounds, gaining the skills you need to get that all-important first job as a journalist.

During the programme you will be expected to find and write your own news and feature stories. You will be encouraged to sell these stories or, at the very least, have them placed in a relevant publication. You will also take an active part in the writing and production of the in-class magazine and website, London Update.

You will build a portfolio of your work to show prospective employers proving your new-found but reliable abilities. During the course you will find two weeks´ work experience on magazines, so you could already have work published by the end of our course.

You will be expected to work under pressure but not without the assistance and guidance of our tutors who care about every individual. The timetable provides for a range of seminars and tutorials (some one-on-one), giving you all the help you need to reach the required exacting standards.

All our students are also able to tap into the experiences and advice from top personalities from the journalistic and political worlds who are regular guest speakers at noSWeat and form an integral part of our journalism training programmes across all courses.

In the past, visitors have included such well known names as Alan Rusbridger (editor of The Guardian); Michael White (assistant editor at The Guardian); Max Clifford (PR guru); Lord Falconer (former Lord Chancellor and personal friend of Tony Blair); Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP (former leader of the Conservative Party and adviser to David Cameron on social justice); and Teresa May MP, shadow leader of the House of Commons.

Visitors from the magazine world include top players on household name magazines and publishers like OK; Sky Magazine (see separate article); John Brown Publishing; and Ambition.

noSWeat magazine graduates now work or have worked in consumer magazines including Cosmo and Inside Soap, to business to business titles like Legal Week and Pensions Age. They can also be found on provincial and national newspapers including The Sun features desk, and in broadcasting both on the BBC and independent stations.

The full-time and part-time courses run twice each year, beginning in October and April. The full-time course runs for 16 weeks and the part-time for 26 weeks.

Full-timers come in five-days-a-week from 10am to 5.45pm; part-timers come in two evenings a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) from 6pm to 9pm and one day at the weekends (usually Saturdays) from 10am to 5.45pm.

When it comes to job hunting our graduates will be encouraged to take up posts in quality magazines in London and the provinces – there are more than 8000 in the UK alone.

NCTJ Professional Exams
The National Council for Training of Journalists (NCTJ) is the publishing industry´s officially recognised training body. Candidates are examined by the NCTJ in the following areas results of which appear on the final certificate:

• news writing (one exam)
• features portfolio (marked and graded)
• media law for journalists (one exam)
• business of magazines (one exam)
• sub-editing (one exam)
• shorthand (exam at 80 words per minute. Lower speeds are available)

In addition, noSWeat offers:

• help to arrange work experience placements (should be a minimum of 10 working days during the course)
• talks given by visiting professionals
• graded mock exams to prepare for NCTJ exams
• assistance in finding employment
• enrolees eligible for National Union of Journalists student press cards at a minimal cost
• a host of other discounts and incentives (see frequently asked questions FAQs).

Admission criteria
Admission to noSWeat´s NCTJ Preliminary Certificate course:

• Educational qualifications (see below)
• Application form
• Personal visit, to include:
  • Personal interview to assess applicant´s motivation and commitment
  • One hour written exam which tests applicant´s language, writing skills, and general knowledge

Educational requirements
The educational requirements are:

• Five GCSEs (grades A-C) or equivalent, including English;
• In addition, noSWeat usually requires at least one of the following:
  • University degree
  • Two A-Levels, or BTEC National Award, or GNVQ Advanced Level
  • A recognised access course
  • Higher National Diploma
  • Highly motivated and talented mature students may be accepted without these formal qualifications, subject to successful interviewing and testing

Cost
For either the full or part-time NCTJ Preliminary Certificate course the fee is £3,500 with a discount of £200 for early payment. This includes all NCTJ exam fees, text books and a limited amount of stationery. The cost of visits on both the part-time and full-time courses is also included. There is no charge to attend guest speaker sessions.

Grants and loans
For more information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact 0800 100 900. noSWeat also runs its own instalment scheme but this is arranged on an individual basis and there is an admin charge. Financial advice is available for all our students at a stand set up and run by Barclays Bank on induction days. noSWeat´s own branch of Barclays in the City is especially geared to looking at loan applications from our students and is aware of their requirements. Some local authorities may provide discretionary grants. Applicants should contact their local council, careers office, or job centre.

Those already working for a publication may find their employer may contribute to their fees.

Course details
Magazine Journalism
News Writing
News writing sessions focus on developing the skills to identify a story´s primary and secondary facts, choose relevant and emotive quotes, and compose accurate, interesting copy within the word limit. Assessment: One 120 minute exam prepared and graded by the NCTJ.

Features Portfolio
A portfolio of work must be prepared by the student. Portfolio requirements are specified at the beginning of the course and consist of a number of articles mainly of published material. Students produce at least one edition of the in-class magazine "London update". Pages can be used as part of the student´s portfolio of work. Assessment: The portfolio is marked and graded and forms part of the NCTJ certificate.

Business of Magazines
This element of the course is designed to give the student a thorough understanding of the magazine industry. Topics covered include: How are magazines created and revitalised? The finances of magazines, means of distribution, marketing and advertising, editorial strategy and the production process. This comprehensive module gives students much-needed background information to add to their practical journalistic skills . Assessment: One 120 minute written exam prepared and monitored by the NCTJ.

Sub-editing
The module covers basic subbing procedures, including the principles of graphic design conditioned by journalistic themes in both magazine and newspaper environments. Sub-editors are production journalists who put a publication together. They have a keen eye for detail. They calmly knock out beautifully laid out pages in the twinkling of an eye despite looming deadlines and, where necessary, may re-write and shape reporters´ copy for print, broadcast and the internet. Students learn copy subbing, picture selection and cropping, design, layout and headline writing. The different journalistic principles involved in subbing for the magazine, tabloid and broadsheet press are covered and practical exercises undertaken in class. Assessment: One 120 minute written exam prepared and monitored by the NCTJ.

Law for Journalists Module
The professional journalist must be acutely aware of UK – and increasingly EU – media law. A mistake can bankrupt a publication and ruin a journalist´s professional reputation. High profile cases often involve defamation, libel or contempt of court charges, but many other traps await the unsuspecting journalist. However, the journalist cannot shrink away from a good story; biting journalism, particularly investigative, needs to exploit fully the rights of expression. Professional journalists must know well the relevant laws, how they are applied, the journalists´ rights, and the journalists´ defences such as "in the public´s interest" as distinct from "the interest of the public". Assessment: One 120 minute written exam prepared and monitored by the NCTJ.

Shorthand Module
Shorthand remains the preferred recording method of the professional journalist. Once mastered, it is a fail-proof, and quicker to transcribe than tape or digital recordings. More importantly journalists´ shorthand notes are legally accepted as evidence, and shorthand is necessary to report from the courts, council meetings, and Parliament, where recording devices are generally prohibited. noSWeat teaches Teeline, one of the four shorthand methods acceptable to the NCTJ. Assessment: One exam, prepared and graded by the NCTJ. To be successful, students must be able to take four minutes dictation at 80 words per minute, and transcribe their notes into text within a 2.5% margin of error. The shorthand exam will be taken towards the end of the course.

Tutorials
Tutorials are an important part of the learning process. They are given individually or in small groups at the request either of the tutor or student. Compulsory tutorials are usually scheduled into the timetable between mock and final exams to give students individual exam preparation. Half-hour tutorials are held before the morning and evening classes and following the afternoon classes.

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