Is the Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing NCTJ-accredited?

The Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing is aligned to the NCTJ syllabus — the same content areas (news reporting, court reporting, public affairs, media law, ethics, shorthand) taught at NCTJ-equivalent depth. Students wanting the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism qualification specifically should also sit the NCTJ exams independently.

Does the Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing include shorthand?

Yes. Teeline shorthand is taught to 80–100 wpm — the standard regional newsrooms expect for court and meeting coverage. Achievement is assessed by timed dictation. The Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing treats shorthand as a working skill, not an optional add-on.

Is the Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing recognised by UK newsrooms?

Yes. The Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing is structured around the skills regional and national newsrooms recruit for. Your portfolio of published bylines carries equal weight with the credential — which is why every student finishes with at least twenty published pieces.

What fees and instalment options are available?

Fees for the Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing vary by mode and intake. LSJHML offers an instalment plan across the academic year and a small early-application discount. Contact admissions for the current schedule.

Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a twelve-to-fifteen-month UK qualification for reporters ready to move from competent contributor to publishable newsroom reporter. The course is aligned to the NCTJ syllabus and the National Union of Journalists' standards for accuracy, ethics and source handling, and is built around weekly news days, deadline filing and a portfolio of published bylines.

You will cover magistrates' and Crown court hearings, local-authority meetings, breaking-news incidents and pre-planned events under tutor supervision — the bread-and-butter beats of every regional newsroom, taught in the city where the trade was invented.

Key Features

NCTJ-aligned curriculum — news reporting, court reporting, public affairs, media law, ethics, shorthand at 80–100 wpm.
Weekly news days with a fixed bulletin deadline and published-online standard for every piece.
Court reporting module in magistrates' and Crown courts — listings, restrictions, contempt risk, structuring the report.
Public-affairs reporting covering local authorities, devolved governments and Westminster basics.
Industry-led masterclasses from working news editors, crime reporters and political reporters.
Published portfolio — every Advanced Diploma student finishes with at least twenty published bylines.

What You Will Learn

The Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing is structured around the working life of a news reporter — chase, verify, write, file, defend. You finish able to walk into a regional newsroom, file accurate copy to deadline, cover a magistrates' court hearing without endangering the trial, and stand by your work to an editor and a lawyer.

News writing — top line, intro paragraph, body construction, attribution discipline.
Court reporting — magistrates', Crown and civil courts, reporting restrictions, contempt risk.
Public-affairs reporting — local authority meetings, FOI for council scrutiny, election coverage.
Investigative basics — document trails, Companies House, public registers.
Media law — defamation, contempt, harassment, data protection in journalism.
Ethics — Editors' Code, IPSO complaints process, accuracy logs.
Source work — recruitment, verification, protection, on/off-the-record handling.
Shorthand at 80–100 wpm (Teeline) for accurate quote capture in court and meetings.

Who This Course Is For

Diploma-level journalism graduates ready for a senior-track reporting qualification.
Junior reporters at regional newsrooms ready to formalise their training to NCTJ-aligned standard.
Career-changers with strong writing backgrounds (PR, civil service, academia) moving into newsroom journalism.
Freelance bloggers and contributors ready to commit to news reporting as a profession.

Career Pathways

The Advanced Diploma in News Reporting and Writing is the recognised UK route into regional newsroom reporting. Graduates typically move into junior or staff reporter roles, with progression into specialist beats over two-to-five years. Typical roles include:

News Reporter (regional daily, weekly title, online publisher)
News Desk Editor (junior or assistant)
Local Government Reporter (council patch, LDR scheme)
Crime Reporter (regional title, news agency)
Wire-Service Reporter (PA, Reuters local, AFP local desk)
Court Reporter (regional newsroom, specialist agency)

Graduates progress to the Bachelor's top-up year or to a specialist Master's in International, Investigative or Broadcast Journalism 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 — strong writing sample preferred.
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.