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Training council hails 'benchmark' Kent degree
The University of Kent’s new Centre for Journalism could lead the field in journalism training and provide a benchmark for other universities, according to the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), which has given full accreditation to the centre’s degree programme. Click to watch the news video below.
It is the first time that a course has been fully accredited by the industry body before any students have joined.
The decision to accredit the course follows a visit to the Centre for Journalism by members of an NCTJ panel last month.
The panel’s report states: ‘The University of Kent’s Centre for Journalism says it aspires to set a new standard in the training of tomorrow’s journalists. Panel members agreed that the course has the potential to lead the field of undergraduate degree courses.
‘All panel members agreed that this is a fantastic course in development with huge potential. It is a first degree-level course that could really work and provide a benchmark for others running journalism degree courses to aspire to.’
The centre’s first course, a BA Honours degree in Journalism and the News Industry, will enrol its first students in September. They will be taught from a fully-equipped multimedia newsroom on the award-winning Medway campus.
Tim Luckhurst, Professor of Journalism, said: ‘At this challenging time for British journalism, the industry looks more than ever before to the NCTJ to uphold training standards. We are delighted that an organisation of such standing is impressed by our plans. We look forward to living up to the panel’s expectations as we train the stars of journalism’s future.
‘Excellent multimedia reporting, capable of winning the attention of the internet generation, is essential to the future of democracy, tolerance and prosperity. The Centre for Journalism will teach the highest standards of accuracy and professional ethics.’
The Centre for Journalism’s staff are all working journalists. Professor Luckhurst is a former BBC and Scotsman editor who writes and broadcasts in Britain and abroad. Senior staff include former Press Gazette editor Ian Reeves and Daily Telegraph columnist Sarah Lonsdale.
They will focus on giving students hands-on experience in a real editorial environment. Core academic components of the new degree will be taught with the help of academics from the University School of History, Department of Politics and International Relations and Kent Law School.
Work experience will also play a big part in the course. All students are guaranteed a two-week placement with the Kent Messenger Group, and will be expected to take additional placements on national newspapers, magazines and in broadcast and online newsrooms.
Professor Luckhurst added: ‘The degree is a balanced mix of vocational training and the high-level academic skills that are common in successful journalists.’
The NCTJ report also states: ‘Convergent journalism skills are at the heart of the curriculum and the practical aspects of the course are based firmly on the reality of real-world reporting and NCTJ requirements.
‘The staff members, under the inspired leadership of Tim Luckhurst, are excellent practitioners who will be able to motivate students to practice high standards of journalism.’