I'm sometimes asked by would-be journalists: do I need a degree? Or
do you just need the National Council for the Training of Journalists
diploma?
Personally, I'm not a great fan of media and journalism degrees, unless they come from somewhere like the City University, which has a fantastic reputation. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do one … but the NCTJ diploma is the qualification employers expect, and the one they respect – far ahead of degrees.
Many editors are sceptical about ‘meeja' and journalism degrees, because they're unsure what they actual mean, if anything. I met one media graduate who didn't write a single story or feature in three years! He knew the theory and the cultural philosophy inside out … but what use is that when your news editor is screaming for a story to upload in 30 seconds time? Other university degrees don't even cover core subjects like a proofreading course or module.
Also, universities aren't always great in providing work experience on newspapers and magazines. Editors insist on plenty of work experience, as well as the NCTJ diploma. NCTJ courses are brilliant at finding you placements. But universities are often at a disadvantage because many editors only offer placements to people on an NCTJ course.
Degrees are not necessarily a waste of time and money if you want to do one. But they are often surplus to requirements in getting that all-important first job in media or journalism.
And when you consider the fees, and the money you could be earning during a three-year course, I have ask myself: Why be £60,000-£100,00 out of pocket for a qualification that's more a luxury than a necessity? Your money would be better spent on buying a property, or doing something like a distance learning proofreading course, that really adds something to your CV.
I know many examples of NCTJ diploma candidates beating a degree-holder to a job – and many degree-holders come to us to get their NCTJ after failing to find work with a media / journalism degree.
It's obviously up to you … there's hundreds of journalism graduates out there working in the media. But – in the current desperate jobs climate, there's hundreds more who can't find work.
Personally, I'm not a great fan of media and journalism degrees, unless they come from somewhere like the City University, which has a fantastic reputation. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do one … but the NCTJ diploma is the qualification employers expect, and the one they respect – far ahead of degrees.
Many editors are sceptical about ‘meeja' and journalism degrees, because they're unsure what they actual mean, if anything. I met one media graduate who didn't write a single story or feature in three years! He knew the theory and the cultural philosophy inside out … but what use is that when your news editor is screaming for a story to upload in 30 seconds time? Other university degrees don't even cover core subjects like a proofreading course or module.
Also, universities aren't always great in providing work experience on newspapers and magazines. Editors insist on plenty of work experience, as well as the NCTJ diploma. NCTJ courses are brilliant at finding you placements. But universities are often at a disadvantage because many editors only offer placements to people on an NCTJ course.
Degrees are not necessarily a waste of time and money if you want to do one. But they are often surplus to requirements in getting that all-important first job in media or journalism.
And when you consider the fees, and the money you could be earning during a three-year course, I have ask myself: Why be £60,000-£100,00 out of pocket for a qualification that's more a luxury than a necessity? Your money would be better spent on buying a property, or doing something like a distance learning proofreading course, that really adds something to your CV.
I know many examples of NCTJ diploma candidates beating a degree-holder to a job – and many degree-holders come to us to get their NCTJ after failing to find work with a media / journalism degree.
It's obviously up to you … there's hundreds of journalism graduates out there working in the media. But – in the current desperate jobs climate, there's hundreds more who can't find work.
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