Is the Diploma in Storytelling a creative writing qualification?

It overlaps but is not identical. The Diploma in Storytelling works across written, spoken, recorded and branded narrative forms rather than focusing only on creative prose. Students wanting a pure creative writing focus should consider the Advanced Diploma in Creative Writing instead.

Does the Diploma in Storytelling cover branded storytelling ethically?

Yes. A dedicated ethics module covers the line between persuasion and manipulation, the responsibilities of brand voice, and consent and accuracy when telling stories about real people or organisations. The Diploma in Storytelling treats this as core rather than peripheral.

Can I take the Diploma in Storytelling online?

Yes. The online route runs live cohort sessions and tutor-marked critique on the same syllabus as on-campus. Distance learners follow a structured deadline schedule with weekly tutor contact and asynchronous portfolio feedback.

What kind of final portfolio will I produce on the Diploma in Storytelling?

Three pieces in different forms — typically one written, one audio or video, and one branded or applied — critiqued by working narrative practitioners. The portfolio is built for submission to commissioners, agents or employers rather than only for academic assessment.

Is the Diploma in Storytelling recognised by UK creative-sector employers?

Yes. The Diploma in Storytelling is a UK qualification at Level 5 aligned to Society of Authors and Royal Television Society narrative-practice standards. UK creative-sector, podcast, brand and editorial employers recognise the credential alongside your portfolio.

Diploma in Storytelling | LSJHML London | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Diploma in Storytelling at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a nine-to-twelve-month UK qualification for writers, brand communicators, documentary makers, podcasters and oral storytellers who want a credentialled foundation in narrative craft. You will work across the major forms — written, spoken, recorded, branded — and learn the analytical and practical tools for building a story that holds attention without misleading the audience.

This Diploma takes storytelling seriously as craft rather than as a buzzword. The Diploma in Storytelling is for people who already do narrative work in their day-to-day and want the structured training to do it more honestly, more effectively, and with a portfolio that reads professionally.

Key Features

UK Diploma credential in narrative craft, aligned to Society of Authors and Royal Television Society narrative practice.
Multi-form narrative module — written, spoken, recorded and branded story-building.
Documentary storytelling strand — narrative architecture for long-form factual work.
Ethics of storytelling — informed consent, contributor care, the line between persuasion and manipulation.
Three study modes — on-campus, online with live cohort sessions, or distance learning with structured deadlines.
Final portfolio — three pieces in different forms, critiqued by working narrative practitioners.

What You Will Learn

The Diploma in Storytelling is structured around the working life of a narrative practitioner — whether the practice is documentary, branded, written or spoken. You graduate able to pitch a story, build its architecture, draft and revise it across forms, and defend the ethical choices you made along the way.

Foundations of narrative — character, conflict, structure, voice.
Story development — pitch, treatment, sample, iteration.
Written narrative — short fiction, creative non-fiction, longform reporting.
Spoken and oral storytelling — public storytelling traditions, performance, audience.
Documentary narrative — long-form factual structure, character-led story, archive.
Audio narrative — podcast craft, longform audio documentary, sound design basics.
Branded storytelling — narrative for organisations, ethics of brand voice.
Editorial discipline — revision, structural editing, contributor care.

Who This Diploma Is For

Working writers, content makers and brand communicators wanting credentialled narrative training.
Documentary makers and podcasters wanting structured craft tools alongside their practice.
Career-changers from teaching, civic or community work moving into narrative-led roles.
Students preparing for an Advanced Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing, Documentary Journalism or Content Creation.

Career Pathways

The Diploma in Storytelling supports portfolio careers in narrative work — across written, spoken, recorded and branded forms. Typical roles include:

Narrative Designer (game studio, immersive theatre, branded experience)
Story Editor (production company, podcast network, publisher)
Brand Storyteller (in-house team, agency, NGO)
Documentary Writer (factual television, longform podcast)
Story Consultant (in-house, freelance)
Editorial Producer (longform audio, factual video)

Graduates progress to the Advanced Diploma in Creative Writing, the BA Documentary Journalism or related route at LSJHML or a partner university.

Entry Requirements

Completion of secondary school (A-Levels, BTEC, or international equivalent).
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement and a short narrative sample in any form (written, audio or video).
Mature applicants (21+) may apply with two 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.