News - Course Wins Industry Accreditation
University College Falmouth press release
University College Falmouth's groundbreaking MA in International Journalism has been recognised by the top names in the industry. The course has been fully accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) whose members include the BBC, ITN, Reuters, Sky and Channel 4 as well as the UK's biggest commercial radio group, G-Cap.
Aimed at UK and overseas students, the multi-platform, industry-focused course teaches news journalism across television, radio, print and online. It is for aspiring journalists who want to work on international stories as foreign correspondents, field producers or production staff on international news desks in the UK or elsewhere. The MA is now a professionally accredited qualification designed in consultation with industry experts to meet the challenges facing journalism in the 21st century. It is a very practical, hands-on course which centres on international and national news. It is also taught by experienced professionals and is the only course in the UK to include Hostile Environment training as part of the curriculum.
The BJTC was impressed by the track record of the course's first cohort of students who graduated last autumn. "The first year of the course has been remarkably successful in achieving a high level of success in the employment market," explained Accreditations Secretary, Steve Harris. "Four are already working directly for broadcasters including the BBC, Sky, Reuters, ITN and CNN, whilst another is working with the EU Journalism Unit in Brussels."
In addition, Daniel Morgan, another of the course's first graduates, has just secured a major position in international television. He has won a job as a Field Reporter in Afghanistan and will be heading out there in a few weeks time to report on hard-hitting topics such as reconstruction, police corruption and opium eradication.
"The course absolutely landed me the job," said Daniel. "Being able to use a camera, script write and edit all helped, as did having a work placement with Reuters already under my belt," he added. "The fact that I had already undertaken Hostile Environment training at Falmouth also really impressed my new bosses and I think that clinched it for me."
Course Leader, George Matheson, himself a former International Reporter and Editor with ITN, the BBC and Reuters, said: "It's great to get the BJTC accreditation so early in the course's existence as it brings practical support for the students from some of the biggest names in the industry and provides them with a stamp of approval that will help them to fast track their careers."
"The MA in International Journalism at Falmouth is a unique course," added BJTC Secretary, Jim Latham. "There isn't another one like it and the industry is watching it with careful eyes. It fills a gap that has been needed for some time and the BJTC congratulates Falmouth on fulfilling that need."
University College Falmouth is part of the Cornwall Skillset Media Academy, which celebrates innovation and creativity through the close collaboration between education and business, building on strong existing partnerships of broadcasters, training organisations and media production companies.
The College has recently merged with Dartington College of Arts, which adds exciting new opportunities in Choreography, Music and Theatre to its existing portfolio of Art, Design and Media.
University College Falmouth is a founding partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC), a unique initiative to promote regional economic regeneration through Higher Education. The CUC is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council.
For further information about MA International Journalism at University College Falmouth, visit http://www.falmouth.ac.uk/internationaljournalism, email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone admissions on 01326 214389.