EVER wanted to be a newspaper journalist, a roving TV reporter or make a living out of social media?

If so, then this is the last chance to apply for the Southern Daily Echo’s Classroom in the Newsroom initiative, which starts in September.

It is the second year the Echo – the Romsey Advertiser's sister paper – has run the programme.

The Echo has teamed up again with journalism training centre, Highbury College, to run a One Year Diploma in Journalism course based at its Redbridge headquarters.

It will mix high-quality training alongside work experience at the Southern Daily Echo and its website, dailyecho.co.uk.

Students will learn how to be a working journalist and will leave with all the skills they need to make it on a newspaper, website, TV or radio station.

Achieving the diploma can also pave the way for a job in PR, social media, publishing and communications – all without having to pay thousands of pounds in university fees.

For the vast majority of applicants – particularly those under 19 – the course is free, so is a great alternative to getting into debt at university.

Paul Foster, journalism course leader at Highbury College, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who wants to break into the media industry. The skills you will learn on this course, and the qualification you will achieve, can open doors to whatever job you want to get into.

“Many of our previous students have moved into magazines, radio, social media as well as traditional print media. The journalism diploma really is a stepping stone to getting a job.”

Head of training at the Southern Daily Echo, David Brine, added: “I’m excited the Echo is fully involved in continuing this fine training tradition as we prepare today’s students for the exciting multimedia world we operate in.

“By having the classroom in the newsroom we will provide an amazing opportunity of real-life, hands-on training for all students. There’s no better way of learning the skills of the trade.”

The National Council for the Training of Journalists diploma covers the essentials of journalism and includes reporting, public affairs, media law, court reporting, video broadcasting and shorthand.

Highbury College in Portsmouth has more than 50 years’ experience in training journalists with a great number of success stories including ITV newsreader Mark Austin and the BBC’s deputy political editor John Pienaar.

If you would like to apply (see panel), log on to highbury.ac.uk/journalism, ring 023 9238 3131 or e-mail journalism@highbury.ac.uk to arrange an interview.

For more information, search for the Highbury College Journalism Training page on Facebook.

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO JOIN THE COURSE

You will need at least five A-C grades at GCSE including English and ideally you should have also achieved either two A levels or an equivalent Level 3 qualification such as a BTEC Diploma.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE ACHIEVED?

You will achieve a Diploma in Journalism.

WHAT ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED?

The programme is due to run over 39 weeks, starting in September. You will be based mainly at the Echo.

COST AND PAYMENT?

You will usually not be expected to pay a fee if you are:

  • Under 19 at the start of the academic year (as of August 31).
  • Aged 19–23 at the start of the academic year (as of August 31) and are unemployed and in receipt of certain government benefits.
  • Aged 19–23 at the start of the academic year (as of August 31) and do not already hold a Full level 3 qualification.

Students not in the above categories will usually pay the advertised fee will pay a higher ‘unfunded’ fee of £2,850.

Students applying for these courses are usually eligible to apply for an Advanced Learning Loan but should consider their own personal circumstances and seek impartial advice before entering into a financial agreement.

HOW DO I APPLY?

You can apply to join the One Year Diploma in Journalism by logging on to highbury.ac.uk/journalism. You can email journalism@highbury.ac.uk or call 023 9238 3131 and speak to a member of the Information, Advice and Guidance team (option 4). Alternatively, if you would like to join the 20-week NCTJ Fast-Track Diploma in Journalism course, then log on to highbury.ac.uk/journalism or email journalism@highbury.ac.uk.