Magazine trainees are taught the traditional skills of reporting such as writing and subbing and also video journalism and online writing.

Working in a dedicated newsroom they produce their own weekly magazine supplement MORE, and its sister website, enabling them to work on real stories and features in real time.

This practical element of the course acts as a showcase for the trainees' work and gives them the chance to create an impressive portfolio of cuttings.

Our former trainees have gone on to work for national and regional magazines and websites, and as freelance writers.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Magazine Journalism is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and trainees are able to take the NCTJ Diploma examinations.

Duration

Postgraduate Diploma - runs for one year from January to December on a full-time basis.

MA - runs for one year on a part-time basis after completion of the Diploma.

Modules

The following five modules make up the diploma:

• Professional Journalism Practices & Responsibilities - the core skills of journalism including shorthand training. Assessment - a practical scenario-based examination and a practical examination of proficiency at shorthand.
• Law, Ethics and Regulation - the knowledge required to be legally safe journalists.
  Assessment - Law is assessed by a three-hour unseen paper, a 3000 word essay and a 500-word reflective report.
• Journalism Skills for Magazine - producing real news stories and features in real time for the North Leeds News More magazine supplement.
  Assessment - a logbook is used to record performance throughout the module, including the production of MORE magazine. Trainees are also assessed on the production of six news items and two features, whcih must be submitted by a given deadline.
• Public Affairs- where public affairs embraces British Central and Local Government.
  Assessment - this module is assessed by means of a public affairs three-hour unseen paper.
• Professional Placement - all trainees must complete at least four weeks of placement in a professional newsroom environment.
  Assessment - trainees must achieve a satisfactory grade from their host newsroom(s).

The MA in Journalism consists of one module which trainees may register for up to two years after completion of the Diploma.

• Research Methodologies and Journalism Research Project - culminates in the production of a supervised research dissertation.
  Assessment - trainees must attend a four-day introduction session in January and submit their research proposal by Easter. Trainees have 12 months to complete their thesis.

Facilities

New in 2010 is a dedicated magazine journalism room containing 16 workstations equipped with Quark Xpress and Photoshop.

Cameras, sound equipment and editing facilities in the Media Centre are also made use of when the trainees undergo video journalism training.

Trainees have full access to the Library and IT resources in the Andrew Kean Learning Centre.