Media (Journalism) BTEC Level 3 Sub Diploma

The nature of Journalism is changing; national and regional newspapers still account for a huge proportion of the nation’s news diet, but it doesn’t stop here. Magazine sales are thriving with an ever-changing range of specialist publications. Social media is enhancing the role of community journalists. Journalists need to write good English; they need to know and angle; they need to see a story; however they also need to have another background interest, whether this is in science, technology, business, the arts, or humanities. Furthermore, the skills of a journalist are in demand from organisations requiring their message to be conveyed successfully.

In addition to our general entry requirements, you must have: n GCSE English – grade 4 No previous knowledge of Journalism is required but you need to have a strong interest in developing these skills and not be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zones.

After some initial core background units, you will work on developing written pieces for specific types of publication and target audiences. You will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the techniques required, an understanding of the audience and publication, and high quality research to ensure your story is correct; ultimately, this will lead to writing articles to specified lengths. Additionally, as journalists are now multi-skilled, you will also be given the chance to develop your digital photography and processing skills and take on the work of a sub-editor, editing stories for style and length, creating appropriate headlines, and designed pages for publication using Adobe Creative Suite. You may also have the chance to develop news for television or radio broadcasting.

Discussion and understanding of theoretical concepts; research and development; drafting, editing, proofing, and writing copy; digital photography; page layout and design including software skills development.

This is a two-year course and is the equivalent of one A Level. It is divided into a range of units, which are subject to change according to student interests, specialist teacher expertise and to reflect modern trends to aid employability and progression to Higher Education.

Television, publishing or radio, or
onto formal journalism qualifications such as the NCTJ Level 3 Diploma in Journalism, seen by many
editors as the gold standard in training.
Furthermore, you could progress to advertising, marketing, promotions, paid charity work,
communications, and a range of associated careers. This course also carries the equivalent UCAS
points as a traditional A Level and can be used to access Higher Education courses.