Journalism Courses

Careers in journalism are dynamic, creative and highly competitive and here at the college we can offer you progression.

Some of the best things about journalism are:

• You get to meet interesting people. Not just celebrities, but also unknown people with a compelling story to tell
• Your raw materials are ideas. You learn as well as being creative all the time
• You get to travel and see places you may not have imagined seeing
• It's satisfying to produce articles that you can be proud of and nice to get recognition for that
• There's plenty of variety
• There are plenty of career options (tv, radio, magazines, newspapers, books and then writing, editing, photography etc)

Creative Media Production (Route to Journalism)

An exciting new route to a career in Journalism. This course focuses on the general principals of the profession of journalism with particular emphasis on the application and techniques needed in today’s digital media environment.

You will need:  5 GCSEs at grade A*-C including English, or a BTEC First Diploma in Media at merit or an equivalent qualification. All applicants will have an interview at the college and we will request a school or college report.

Journalism Foundation Degree

This journalism course is a higher education course of study that runs in partnership with Teesside University, focusing on the general principles of the profession of journalism, with an emphasis on print and web-based publishing in the first year, and with added elements of broadcast production in the second year.

You will need: a level 3 qualification in a relevant subject and appropriate training is required.

NCTJ Diploma in Journalism

This is a new NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) course which takes into the account demands from the industry for journalists who can adapt to a world of print, online and video.

You will be in the college 4 days a week spending time in the industry standard media centre, which includes; a radio studio, TV studio and industry specific multimedia equipment.  Recognised by the newspaper industry by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, this qualification will help you become a reporter with a local weekly or daily newspaper. The college has a regional, national and international reputation for training journalists.

For a second year, Darlington College achieved first place as an ‘Accredited Fast-track NCTJ course at a Further Education College’ at an Awards Ceremony for Journalism Skills Conference in Cardiff in 2010.

This course starts 6 February 2012. 

Another course will start in September 2012 - Dates will be confirmed.

It is possible to apply to the Journalism Diversity Fund for help with fees, etc visit www.journalismdiversityfund.com

Please note that there are deadlines to meet when applying for the fund.

You will need: a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent qualifications) and pass the NCTJ entrance test. You will need a good standard of written English and competent IT skills. You will also attend an interview here at the college.