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Best degree for Journalism?

Obviously, many universities do degrees in Journalism, but is there any particular recognition that a degree course requires for you to have any chance of getting a decent job in Journalism.

Are Journalism degrees considered equal regardless of issuing institution, or to have a realistic chance of getting a job is the degree expected to come from a more traditional university?

Thanks

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Reply 1
NCTJ accredited ones. :smile:
Reply 2
NCTJ journalism courses. These will give you the skills and knowledge needed for professional status to be a journalist. I wouldn't really recommend taking a non-NCTJ course.

But if you want to go a journalism degree, do a NTCJ degree. For a list see the NCTJ site

http://www.nctj.com/course_introduction.php?journal_id=journal_id&PHPSESSID=ca00f9f73d3473036b95daae3f6c5995
I would of thought an English degree from a top university would be better.
I would say that Journalism, of course, is the best option and look no further.
It's a vocational course aimed to effectively train would-be journalists.
(p.s, it helps if you are a naturally-gifter *********** unlike me - I am just a naturally-gifted writer)
It's naivvvvvvvvvvvve to the point of sickness to think an English degree is going to rub. Walk into your local newspaper office, say" I've got an English degree," they'll go "Can you write shorthand? Have you even the basic experiences of sourcing a story?" To which you'll go: "No, I just have this English degree," and they'll go "right, then we don't want you."

I am going to start a few features to send away to the broadsheets ... and I quit the university course. Why? Because I think I am a good enough writer to write an effective feature. News reporting requires multiple skills, trust me. You won't cut it at the basic level with just any old English degree.
Reply 6
My aunt is a journalist (works for CNN and The World), and she specifically told me NOT to do a degree in journalism when I told her I wanted to be a journalist. She told me to do a degree in something I was interested in (eg politics) as the news corps far prefer someone with a specialism.
Charlski
My aunt is a journalist (works for CNN and The World), and she specifically told me NOT to do a degree in journalism when I told her I wanted to be a journalist. She told me to do a degree in something I was interested in (eg politics) as the news corps far prefer someone with a specialism.


That's such poor advice in my opinion. Ok, she's a journalist, ok, I'm not denying it's unqualified advie BUT are you sure you'd hedge your chances on becoming a journo on something you are INTERESTED in, rather than somthing you are QUALIFIED in?

Entry-level journalism is clearly not a glamourous thing; I mean, come on, you are generally expected to find yourself on a local weekly or, at best, an urban daily, and they just go .. "right, you can be responsible for business" in general. The 'what you are interested' thing comes in later. It would be natural to agree that if you are interested in business, sport, etc and you can write fluently in that, then chances are you will end up writing for that.

I am just being a realist as per the OP's enquiry.
Reply 8
bodybuilder22
I would of thought an English degree from a top university would be better.


Not just English. Any degree, really. Philosophy, History etc. will offer many of the transferable skills (just like English). Law would also be a good degree. The sciences have their place and so does politics (especially if you want to specialise in certain areas eg. scientific journalism, current affairs etc.)

There's nothing wrong with doing a journalism degree, if you really, really want to. But, if the OP wants to, I'd only really recommend an NCTJ course. Otherwise take another degree you have a strong interest in. Spend your time at university getting work epxerience (writing for the university newspaper or, if you want to go into broadcast journalism, the radio station) and make your contacts. Then go into journalism as a postgrad.
Reply 9
mancsmithsfan
That's such poor advice in my opinion. Ok, she's a journalist, ok, I'm not denying it's unqualified advie BUT are you sure you'd hedge your chances on becoming a journo on something you are INTERESTED in, rather than somthing you are QUALIFIED in?

Entry-level journalism is clearly not a glamourous thing; I mean, come on, you are generally expected to find yourself on a local weekly or, at best, an urban daily, and they just go .. "right, you can be responsible for business" in general. The 'what you are interested' thing comes in later. It would be natural to agree that if you are interested in business, sport, etc and you can write fluently in that, then chances are you will end up writing for that.

I am just being a realist as per the OP's enquiry.




I'd rather take the advice of a fairly high level journo than believe the people on TSR, to be honest. According to her, they far rather someone with a degree in something which they will be able to talk about at length and in depth than someone who has a degree in how to be a journalist but no actual specialism.
River85
NCTJ journalism courses. These will give you the skills and knowledge needed for professional status to be a journalist. I wouldn't really recommend taking a non-NCTJ course.

But if you want to go a journalism degree, do a NTCJ degree. For a list see the NCTJ site

http://www.nctj.com/course_introduction.php?journal_id=journal_id&PHPSESSID=ca00f9f73d3473036b95daae3f6c5995

I'm glad you posted that, I didn't realise the Journalism degree at Uni of the Arts wasn't a NCTJ course!
Reply 11
it's better to have a law degree and report on legal matters than a journalism degree and report on legal matters.
But Charlski, she is high-level, that's the point. You seem to be using this as a edifying point, but you are ignoring the realist aspects of the issue!
I should expect you to be humbled by this revelation... and therefore believe the realist facts - that's what's going to help the OP!
Reply 13
Charlski
I'd rather take the advice of a fairly high level journo than believe the people on TSR, to be honest. According to her, they far rather someone with a degree in something which they will be able to talk about at length and in depth than someone who has a degree in how to be a journalist but no actual specialism.


Exactly!

Most employers looking for graduates are interested in the skills that you need to get a degree not the knowledge it gives you.

My degree is partly in US Public Policy so do you think a employer will be asking my what leadership possibilites exist for presidencies in public policy? No, i didn't think so!
will1989
it's better to have a law degree and report on legal matters than a journalism degree and report on legal matters.


No, it's so not. If you lack basic understanding of the methods and structures of writing per se then you are not going to be able to write it... this is a fact!

A journalist's subject requires research anyway... they are going to research the facts of what their writing is grounded on in any case.. it doesn't matter what they are writing on, law or not.
Reply 15
PPS (formerly SPS) from Cambridge
Reply 16
mancsmithsfan
No, it's so not. If you lack basic understanding of the methods and structures of writing per se then you are not going to be able to write it... this is a fact!

A journalist's subject requires research anyway... they are going to research the facts of what their writing is grounded on in any case.. it doesn't matter what they are writing on, law or not.


I'm fairly sure a law degree (LLB) will have tought the person that :rolleyes: it will also have taught the person what is and isn't important to include in the writing.

Two different routes, however, one incorporates the other, law incorporatesjuornalism.
Reply 17
mancsmithsfan
But Charlski, she is high-level, that's the point. You seem to be using this as a edifying point, but you are ignoring the realist aspects of the issue!
I should expect you to be humbled by this revelation... and therefore believe the realist facts - that's what's going to help the OP!



What on earth are you on about?

She knows what she's talking about, she has worked her way through the various levels of journalism, and sees the type of people who are employed by the news corps. I am inclined to believe someone like that over you. Any day.
Reply 18
mancsmithsfan
No, it's so not. If you lack basic understanding of the methods and structures of writing per se then you are not going to be able to write it... this is a fact!

A journalist's subject requires research anyway... they are going to research the facts of what their writing is grounded on in any case.. it doesn't matter what they are writing on, law or not.


Thats total bull, many jornos do not have a degree in journalism. All those "Basic... methods and structures" can be learned on the job.

Absolutly NO degree will give anyone everything they need to do a job.
will1989
I'm fairly sure a law degree (LLB) will have tought the person that :rolleyes: it will also have taught the person what is and isn't important to include in the writing.

Two different routes, however, one incorporates the other, law incorporatesjuornalism.



I'm more than fairly sure what I am talking about .. I have undertook a BA Journalism course with law modules... which completely defeats your LLB debate ...

It is the skills first, the second. If you aren't remotely dynamic enough to write for different specialism (that is, sepcifically engineered stoires aimed at specific target audiences) then you are a pretty crap journalist.

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