Magazine - NCTJ exams - Price £725.00

Do you have what it takes to be a magazine journalist? Are you looking for the challenge of working to deadlines, writing features, and designing pages for magazines?

If so, this is the course for you! You can get the skills, qualifications and experience you need - and build up contacts for the future work.

Our magazine journalism e-course has NCTJ qualifications. And it is the only one in the UK that teaches multi-platform features and news writing.

The modern journalist has to be versatile. So this course will train you to:

• Use Quark Xpress, Adobe Photoshop and Dreamweaver and other software packages
• Cover stories and features for print, the web and for radio
• Write for other platforms like SMS alerts, news tickers, e-zines
• Transfer stories from one platform to another
• Upload stories to the web and establish reader dialogue

The course covers everything you would do at a college � at a fraction of the price.

You will be able to specialise in at least one of the following subjects:

• Sports journalism (with NCTJ exam)
• Celebrity journalism
• Fashion journalism
• Education writing
• Freelance journalism
• Web writing
• Investigative journalism
• Travel writing
• Political journalism
• Opinion writing and reviewing

The course will give you one of the country's leading media and journalism trainers as your personal tutor and mentor.

 

Cleland Thom has wide-ranging contacts in all areas of journalism and is well placed to help you find work.

He has helped hundreds of young - and not so young - journalists into jobs over the years.

Many of his former students work on magazines like Future, TNT, Janes Defence Weekly, Which?, People Management, Go, New Start and Voluntary Voice, and on TV stations like Sky News, the BBC and ITV.

 

Others hold senior positions on magazines and websites all over the UK and abroad.

Why so popular?

This course is popular because it is:

• Friendly � you can join our online community of students in 40 countries
• Quick � queries and assignments are usually dealt with the same day. No waiting around to see a tutor or get marked work back
• Flexible � you can fit the course round your other commitments
• Accessible - you can do the course in virtually any country. And we have an excellent reputation among the disabled
• Cheap - our fee, and flexible payment options, mean that almost anyone can afford journalism training with us

Is this a proper course?

 

Yes, we are recognised by the UK Government and are fully accredited. See Why you can trust us.

 

Who is the course for?

 

The course is open to anybody who is serious about a career in magazine journalism.

 

It is particularly suitable for people who:

• Do not have the time, money or opportunity to go to college. Some courses cost five times what we charge
• Are entering journalism late in life
• Are making a career-change
• Have found it difficult getting into a college

The course is for people want to work for a magazine within the next 1-2 years.

It is quite possible to complete the course in nine months - but you can take it more slowly if you have heavy commitments already.

What does it cover?

 

You will cover all the subjects in the NCTJ syllabus:

• Multi-platform journalism
• Law 2 (general reporting)
• PA 2 (Central Government)
• Shorthand (80wpm)
• Sub Editing

Plus �

• Feature photography
• Radio broadcasting
• Quark Xpress desktop publishing
• Adobe Photoshop
• Dreamweaver

For further details, see What you'll study.

 

An addition to these core subjects, you can also choose one specialist area, mentioned above:

 

• Sports journalism (with NCTJ exam)
• Celebrity journalism
• Fashion journalism
• Education writing
• Freelance journalism
• Web writing
• Investigative journalism
• Travel writing
• Political journalism
• Opinion writing and reviewing

You can also do other specialist areas for an additional fee (�80 per subject).

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 12 months to complete.

Who is my tutor?

 

Your tutor will be Cleland Thom, who is recognised as one of the UK's leading trainers for the NCTJ exams. Find out about him.

Is there any tutorial support?

 

Yes, you can email your tutor any time - as often as you need to. There are no time limits on the tutor support. This is really helpful in the run-up to the exams.

We guarantee to respond within two working days, although you will usually hear from us the same day.

 

We will phone you if there is an issue that cannot be dealt with by email.

You will get tutorial support for:

• All aspects of your studies
• Marking your assignments
• Coaching and vodcasts for the NCTJ exams
• Marking mock exam papers
• Finding work attachment
• Finding work
• Preparing for job interviews
• Career guidance

What equipment do I need?

Access to a computer with internet facilities, Microsoft Word software (or equivalent), and an email account.

Some of our students study in internet cafes and libraries if they do not have their own equipment.

You will be provided with FREE audio software. But you will need to buy Quark Xpress, Dreamweaver and Adobe Photoshop software. We can get this for you at discounted students prices.

You will also need a camera, or a mobile phone with good quality camera and video facilities (4 megapixel minimum).

Do I need any skills or qualifications to enrol?

 

We consider every application on its merits. You will probably have A levels or a degree and plenty of commitment and motivation.

What qualifications will I get?

The NCTJ Preliminary Certificate, and the CTJT diploma, which is accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council.

What is this qualification worth?

The NCTJ Preliminary Certificate is the industry-recognised qualification for a magazine journalist. You would be unlikely to get a job interview without it.

The NCTJ is the UK's leading journalism training body. It sets exams and accredits colleges. Its qualifications are recognised worldwide.

The CTJT Diploma is widely recognised right across the media, mainly due to the large number of organisations where we have delivered training courses and have personal contacts. Check them out.

What can I expect to do at the end of the course?

 

Get a job as a trainee reporter, or possibly a senior reporter, on a magazine or a website. See where our ex-students work.

What about arrangements for external exams?

 

We remind you when to enter the exams, and advise you which subjects to sit.

You post your entry to the NCTJ with the appropriate fee - around �37 per subject, which is not included in the course fee.

What are your exam success rates?

 

Our NCTJ exam success rates over the past five years are as good as, or better than, most colleges.

We are one of the only organisations to put our results on our website - we've nothing to hide! Check them out.

Make sure you find out the pass rates at other colleges or centres you are applying to.

What if I live abroad?

We have students right across the world - see Studying Abroad.

You can sit the NCTJ exams via the British Council in your region. We will explain how to arrange this when the time comes.

What if I am disabled?

 

Not a problem - we have a great reputation among disabled students. See Equal Opportunities.

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 something unexpected turns up.

Are there any time limits or deadlines?

 

The only time constraint is that you complete the course in two years. This is because the syllabus is constantly changing and you don't want your qualifications to be out of date.

How much is the course?

�725. This covers everything apart from NCTJ exam and registration fees, (around �250) which are paid to them, when you enter.

Our fee covers all teaching material, textbooks and tutor support.

How do I pay?

See Payment Options

For information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact 0800 100 900.

Are instalments available?

Yes. You can pay in five consecutive monthly instalments of £145, either by cheque, standing order, credit/debit card or by using a Paypal instalment plan.

Email us if you want to discuss other instalment arrangements. We're here to help you get started in journalism - no matter what your income. So don't worry if you are on benefits or are unemployed.