Journalism

[lulu_bucket]

What is the best course/uni to go to to read journalism - partic interested in sport/reporting etc - any ideas about son's future career will be welcomed. Doing English lang, history, maths and physics A level. Thanks

[loobie]

Hi lulu,

When I was looking into uni for media I heard that Bournemouth uni was excellent for journalism. You do need quite good grades to get in from what I remember (obviously I didn't go there!!!) but look into it as I do think it has a great reputation. I know of someone that went there and done something in media, and he now has his own media company!! Good luck with it all.

[mccfluff]

our reporter's get sent on courses run by the nctj, if they haven't already a degree in journalism, not sure if that helps at all but it may be worth getting in touch with them to see what they recommend. If he isn't already doing so it's worth him contacting you local paper and getting some work experience.

[kirstyvw]

Hi Lulu
An NCTJ accredited course is considered the best way in coupled with as much work experience as possible. I'm not a journalist but have recruited them for sports media companies and we had lots of requests for work experience from college students so I would advise bombarding as many as possible, as early as possible. And think of new media as well as the traditional newspapers - sports websites which write their own content.
Prior to doing the NCTJ course a good tip would be to start learning shorthand too.
I'd also advise keeping your sons expectations realistic - it's quite likely that he will have to work his way up to sports journalism as there is so much competition for these jobs but he should stick with it - its is achievable even though I'm sure he won't think so when early on he's covering the local cake fair or having to report on the local 5 a side league in the pouring rain.
Good luck

[metagirl]

for London area - City University