Do I need a portfolio for the Higher Diploma in Creative Media and Publishing?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Creative Media and Publishing assumes a working creative background, so a short recent portfolio of editorial, design or production work is part of the application. Admissions reviews portfolios at application and discusses the right level for your background.

Does the Higher Diploma in Creative Media and Publishing cover indie press founding?

Yes. The independent publishing module covers indie press economics, audience building, distribution and the practical realities of running a micro-publishing operation. Many Higher Diploma in Creative Media and Publishing graduates launch indie presses during or just after the course.

Does the Higher Diploma in Creative Media and Publishing lead to a degree?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Creative Media and Publishing articulates into the final year of a UK BA in Publishing, Media or Creative Industries at LSJHML or a partner university.

What fees and instalment options are available?

Fees vary by mode and intake. LSJHML offers an instalment plan across the academic year and a small employer-sponsorship discount where your employer funds the course. Contact admissions for the current schedule.

Higher Diploma in Creative Media and Publishing | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Creative Media and Publishing at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a fifteen-to-eighteen-month UK qualification at near-degree level for editors, producers and independent publishers ready to move into senior creative-direction work. The course is built in dialogue with the Royal Television Society and the Independent Publishers Guild and assumes a working background in editorial, production or design.

You will work across multimedia editorial practice — text, audio, video, image — and independent publishing strategy, lead a creative team across a structured project, and produce a capstone published piece in your chosen format that demonstrates senior-direction-level craft.

Key Features

Near-degree-level depth in multimedia editorial and publishing practice.
Multimedia editorial module — text, audio, video and image editing to senior-direction standard.
Independent publishing module covering trade economics, indie press founding, micro-publishing models.
Creative direction workshop — lead a small team across a structured project with regular review.
Capstone published piece in your chosen format with measurement and audience-feedback framework.
Direct top-up into the final year of a UK BA in Publishing, Media or Creative Industries.

What You Will Learn

The Higher Diploma in Creative Media and Publishing is structured around the working practice of a senior multimedia editor or independent publisher — concept, lead, produce, distribute, measure. You finish able to lead a small editorial team, direct multimedia production to senior standard, run an independent publishing project end-to-end, and account for its commercial and editorial outcomes.

Multimedia editorial — text, audio, video and image to senior-direction standard.
Creative direction — concept development, team leadership, review and iteration.
Independent publishing — trade economics, indie press founding, audience building.
Rights and intellectual property at a working level.
Distribution and audience — print, digital, audio, festival and direct-sale channels.
Editorial planning — calendar, brand voice, list strategy.
Production workflows — design, typesetting, accessibility (EPUB-A, audio description).
Measurement — readership, listenership, engagement, the indie metrics that matter.

Who This Higher Diploma Is For

Advanced Diploma graduates in publishing, journalism or media ready for senior-track creative direction.
Working editors and producers stepping up to lead multimedia projects.
Independent publishers, zine-makers and micro-press founders wanting a structured external credential.
Career-changers from design, journalism or broadcasting moving into independent publishing.

Career Pathways

The Higher Diploma in Creative Media and Publishing supports progression into senior editorial and independent publishing leadership, and articulates into a Bachelor's top-up year. Typical roles include:

Multimedia Producer (broadcaster, podcast network, independent studio)
Digital Editor (publishing house, longform digital publisher)
Creative Director (independent press, brand-publishing operation)
Independent Publisher (indie press, micro-publisher, zine collective)
Multimedia Storyteller (museum, festival, brand)
Senior Production Editor (publishing house, journal publisher)

Graduates progress to the final year of a UK BA in Publishing, Media or Creative Industries at LSJHML or a partner university.

Entry Requirements

An Advanced Diploma (Level 5) or equivalent in a related subject, OR a Diploma plus two years of relevant work experience.
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement, CV and a portfolio of recent editorial or creative work.
Mature applicants (25+) without standard qualifications may apply with significant senior-track 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.