The Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism at Nottingham Trent University has been training aspiring journalists for over 15 years. Our Journalism courses are among the most highly-regarded in the UK and our graduates have gone on to work with the BBC, ITN, Sky News, major newspapers and magazines and numerous BBC and commercial radio stations across the country.
The Broadcast Journalism course offers specialist training to equip students with the well rounded skills required within this industry. The course focuses on areas such as video editing, story selection, bulletin production, camera work, TV and Radio presentation, interviewing, voice training, plus specialised reporting such as sports writing, documentary making and two-way work. You will be taught by our team of experienced media professionals, and their knowledge is supplemented by a lecture and tutorial programme of visiting professors, journalists and other guests.
The course has a practical focus, and you are expected to develop story ideas and contacts, and gather your own material for journalistic work. Online production is an integral part of the course with students focusing on the key multi-media skills required by the industry. The course also incorporates a work placement to allow students to put their newly developed skills into practice and build valuable experience.
Based in modern facilities our resources include professional standard TV and radio studios and one of the UK’s largest student newsrooms.
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the BJTC and all exam fees are included in course costs. Please visit the Journalism Diversity Fund website to view what funding opportunities are available.
Journalism facility tours
To visit our outstanding journalism facilities and meet with one of our academic team simply contact us
Email Telephone: +44(0)115 848 5803
Any questions?
General course enquiries
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Admissions enquiries
Telephone: +44(0)115 848 4200
Please note the following information for applicants
Course content
Following an induction, students take the following core modules in:
- Broadcast Journalism Skills and Production
- Media Law
- Communication and Ethics
- Broadcast Journalism Production
- Public Administration
- Online Journalism.
Professional development
Students are encouraged to work to professional standards. You may also become involved with the Centre's dedicated news website which broadcasts radio and television programming and publishes student journalism online.
Assessment
Students on the MA course are assessed according to their results from the core modules, their dissertation and a journalism project (topic chosen by the student). MA students are also required to take a placement as part of the course. PGDip students study the core modules and must also successfully complete a placement in a professional environment. Applicants should be aware that each module involves a considerable amount of independent learning.
MA Bursaries - the School of Arts and Humanities are offering competitive £1,000 bursaries (tuition-fee reduction) - apply here
Graduates from the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism have gone on to work as television and radio journalists, radio producers, television researchers, news editors, sub-editors, and media related work in PR, marketing, promotions, and advertising.
Students are expected to undertake a minimum of three weeks of placements normally in the UK but potentially anywhere in the world. They are usually undertaken during vacation periods. CBJ does not guarantee to find placements for students but has placement partnerships with various organisations including:
- Sky
- BBC East Midlands
- ITV Central (East and West)
- Independent Local Radio and BBC Radio.
Placements allow you to use, in front of professionals, many of the skills and much of the knowledge and understanding you will acquire while studying at the CBJ. Every newsroom has its own distinctive way of working and it's important that students experience these different ways.
Find out more about applying for a postgraduate course at NTU.
All Journalism candidates will also be asked to submit a written piece as part of their application. The written journalism test can be found here.
This will be judged against clear criteria. When assessing sample writing manuscripts from MA applications, staff are looking for work of at least a satisfactory (pass) standard in terms of language, content, observation, structure and voice.
