Does the Advanced Diploma in Documentary Journalism cover both video and audio?

Yes. The Advanced Diploma in Documentary Journalism teaches video and audio in parallel for the first half of the year, with a choice of specialism for the final project. Audio documentary is growing rapidly thanks to the longform podcast market.

Do I need my own kit for the Advanced Diploma in Documentary Journalism?

On-campus students borrow kit. Online and distance students need a camera (a recent phone is acceptable for early exercises), an external microphone and a laptop able to run editing software. Software access is supplied.

Is the Advanced Diploma in Documentary Journalism suitable if I've never shot a film?

Yes. We expect Diploma-level journalism or media training or equivalent experience, but practical shooting and editing instruction starts from the first week. You build technical confidence alongside editorial craft.

Can my Advanced Diploma in Documentary Journalism project go to festivals?

Yes. Selected final projects are submitted to UK and international documentary festivals; LSJHML covers entry fees for tutor-selected pieces. Several student documentaries each year are picked up by broadcasters or podcast networks.

What law and ethics are covered on the Advanced Diploma in Documentary Journalism?

Defamation, privacy, contempt, GDPR/data protection in journalism, contributor consent and post-publication duty of care. The aim is for graduates to make documentaries that hold up legally, ethically and in front of a sceptical commissioner.

Advanced Diploma in Documentary Journalism | LSJHML London | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Advanced Diploma in Documentary Journalism at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a twelve-to-fifteen-month UK qualification for reporters and producers ready to commit to long-form factual storytelling. You will direct a single year-long documentary, learn the field craft a self-shooting director needs, and build the editorial discipline long-form work demands.

This is documentary taught as a craft and a duty of care. Every contributor you record has a stake in how they appear; every cut you make is an editorial choice. You finish the course able to take an idea from pitch to finished film or audio piece — and able to defend the choices you made along the way.

Key Features

Year-long documentary project — direct a short film or audio documentary across the year with tutor and industry-mentor review.
Field-recording and self-shooting craft — camera, sound and lighting modules using kit comparable to indie production.
Story development clinic — pitch document, treatment, sizzle reel and edit-room defence.
Documentary ethics module — informed consent, vulnerable contributors, contributor-care protocols.
Industry masterclasses with working documentary makers from UK production houses and broadcaster strands.
End-of-year screening with commissioning editors and industry guests in attendance.

What You Will Learn

The Advanced Diploma in Documentary Journalism is structured around the working life of a documentary maker — research, access, recording, edit, finishing, delivery. You leave able to develop a story, secure access, capture useable footage or audio in unpredictable conditions, and finish a piece to broadcast or festival standard.

Story development — angle, premise, treatment, pitch document, sample reel.
Research and access — building trust with subjects, contributor agreements, ongoing duty of care.
Cinematography and field sound — composition, lighting, recording in real-world conditions.
Audio documentary craft — long-form interviewing, structure, scoring, sound design.
Edit-room practice — narrative architecture for long-form, pacing, archive integration.
Rights and clearance — music licensing, archive footage, contributor releases, fair dealing.
Documentary law and ethics — defamation, privacy, anonymisation, contributor wellbeing.
Delivery — colour grade, sound mix, accessibility standards, broadcaster and festival specs.

Who This Advanced Diploma Is For

Diploma graduates in journalism, film or media moving into specialist documentary practice.
Working journalists and video producers wanting to build a long-form portfolio.
Production runners, researchers and assistant producers looking for an editorial credential to step up.
Self-shooting filmmakers and podcasters wanting to formalise craft and ethics into a recognised qualification.

Career Pathways

Documentary is a portfolio career, and the Advanced Diploma in Documentary Journalism builds the credit-bearing showreel new entrants need to land first roles. Recent destinations from comparable programmes include factual production companies, broadcaster current-affairs teams and longform podcast networks. Typical roles include:

Documentary Researcher (BBC, Channel 4, ITV current affairs)
Assistant Producer (factual production company)
Audio Documentary Producer (BBC Sounds, independent podcast network)
Self-shooting Director (entry-level documentary)
Festival Programmer's Assistant (Sheffield DocFest, Open City Docs)
Long-form Video Producer (digital news desk, social-first publisher)

Graduates top up to a Bachelor's degree in Documentary Journalism or a related discipline at LSJHML or a partner university.

Entry Requirements

A UK Diploma (Level 4) or equivalent in a related subject, OR completion of secondary school plus one year of relevant work experience.
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement and CV; a short sample reel is welcome but not required.
Mature applicants (21+) without standard qualifications may apply with three years of relevant work experience.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.