Last chance to join our classroomin the newsroom

We have once again teamed up with journalism training centre, Highbury College, to run an NCTJ-accredited one-year diploma in journalism course based at our 1000 Lakeside headquarters.

Starting this September, it ­will mix high-quality training alongside experience at The News and our website, www.portsmouth.co.uk.

Those interested in sports journalism can gain experience on our sports desk and even have the chance to cover Pompey. While those who love the arts can enjoy reporting on the best of our local culture scene, including writing reviews for gigs and theatre shows.

Students will learn how to be a working journalist and will leave with all the skills they need to make it on a newspaper, website, TV or radio station.

Achieving the diploma can also pave the way for a job in PR, social media, publishing and communications – all without having to pay thousands of pounds in university fees.

We can only take a maximum of 15 students so make sure you apply now before the last few places are snapped up. For the vast majority of applicants – particularly those under 19 - the course is free.

Paul Foster, journalism course leader at Highbury, said: ‘This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who wants to break into the media industry.

‘It’s not just about newspapers and websites – the skills you will learn on this course can get you a job in most areas of the media. How do we know this? Because our previous students have done exactly that. We have had students move into magazines, radio, social media as well as traditional print media. It really is a stepping stone to getting a job.’

The diploma covers the essentials of journalism and includes reporting, public affairs, media law, court reporting, video broadcasting, and shorthand.

Highbury College in Portsmouth has more than 50 years’ experience in training journalists with a great number of success stories including ITV newsreader Mark Austin and the BBC’s Deputy Political Editor John Pienaar.

If you would like to apply (see panel), log on to highbury.co.uk/journalism, call (023) 9238 3131 or e-mail [email protected] to arrange an interview.

For more information, search for the Highbury College Journalism Training page on Facebook.

What is required to join the course?

You will need at least 5 A-C grades at GCSE including English and ideally you should have also achieved either two A Levels or an equivalent Level 3 qualification such as a BTEC Diploma.

What qualifications will be achieved?

You will achieve a Diploma in Journalism

What attendance is required?

The programme is due to run over 39 weeks, starting in September. You will be based at The News and Highbury College.

Cost and payment?

You will usually not be expected to pay a fee if you are:

· under 19 at the start of the academic year (as of 31st August)

· aged 19–23 at the start of the academic year (as of 31st August) and are unemployed and in receipt of certain government benefits

· aged 19–23 at the start of the academic year (as of 31st August) and do not already hold a Full level 3 qualification

Students aged between 19–23 and not in the above categories will usually pay the advertised fee. Students 24 and over at the start of the course will pay a higher ‘unfunded’ fee of £2,850. Students applying for these courses are usually eligible to apply for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan but should consider their own personal circumstances and seek impartial advice before entering into a financial agreement.