London College of Communication’s PgDip Broadcast Journalism is an award-winning course based within the media capital of the world, providing top quality training for people aspiring to work as journalists in radio and television.

Established in 1977, this course was one of the first of its kind in the UK and is widely regarded by industry professionals as offering the best training in the country. It is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) and won the BJTC Award for Excellence in 2008.

You can expect ...

You can expect your studies to prepare you for employment in radio or television as a journalist, reporter or editor either in the BBC or a commercial company. This is an opportunity to develop your knowledge of the processes of media broadcasting including the technical skills of presentation, writing, interviewing and editing as well and the ability to apply research methods and techniques to information gather, analyse and evaluate.  Furthermore, you will gain a working knowledge of the legal, ethical and political frameworks that affect political and current affairs broadcasting.

Students operate within a simulated media environment, working to deadlines and engaging constantly with both industry professionals and peers developing your creativity and ability to problem-solve within complex situations. These 'newsdays' are overseen by editors from the industry, six from the BBC and six from commercial radio. The course has an impressive track record of noted alumni some of whom return as guest speakers. Visitors from industry have includes Helen Boaden, an LCC alumna who is now Head of BBC News; John Sopel, another graduate and one of the main presenters on BBC; Professor David Mannion, Editor-in-Chief, ITV News, John Waite, Presenter of R4's Face the Facts, John Whittingdale MP, Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Commons Committee as well as editors from SKY, BBC and commercial radio.

Tutors on this course ...

Course Director, Martin Shaw himself is a graduate of the course. He began his career in commercial radio as a newsreader and reporter in Coventry before moving to the BBC in London. Martin was a reporter, newsreader and producer at BBC London before being appointed the station’s news editor, and has also worked in regional television news. Martin is assisted by Rebecca Pearce, another course graduate who has worked across BBC local and national news as a reporter, producer and editor. There is also a full time technician assigned to this course and Law is taught by leading ITV/C4 lawyer, Louise Hammersley.

Alumni include ...

Helen Boaden (Director of BBC News), Jon Sopel (BBC presenter of The Politcs Show), Rosie Millard (former BBC Arts Correspondent, now a Sunday Times journalist), Alice Bhandhukravi (BBC News presenter) and Gurinder Chadha (film director - best known for Bend it like Beckham). Three recent graduates, Graduates Ray Sadri, Amy Lewis and Declan Harvey won the Independent Radio News Reporter of the Year award (2006, 2007 and 2010).

What students say ...

"I knew a postgraduate diploma in broadcast journalism was an essential passport into news and I only had eyes for the LCC - quite simply it had the best reputation. The course didn't let me down. Consistent package-making assignments really gave me a chance to find my style and learn all the essential techniques. The strong focus on voice has really helped me at BBC London and the tutors' constant support and attention was invaluable. I found the LCC course thorough and demanding, but I enjoyed every minute of it, and it has certainly reaped professional rewards." Alice Bhandhukravi, BBC News Presenter.

"Although I only graduated last year, I have already been given some fantastic opportunities in both radio and television. I have no doubt this is because of the exceptional teaching and training I received while studying at LCC. Every day, I put into practice something I learnt on the course, whether it is doing an interview, writing a script, or getting to grips with media law. I left the course with plenty of experience and this has been invaluable in helping me make the transition from classroom to newsroom." Former student, Lauren Carter.

Further information

For any further course queries, please contact the School of Media Office on 020 7514 6800 or Martin Shaw, Course Director (email:m.shaw@lcc.arts.ac.uk)

For enquiries about admissions please call +44(0)20 7514 6599 or email info@lcc.arts.ac.uk

This course is taught within the School of Media.

Visit the department's website

Phase 1

• Broadcast News Reporting 1 (Radio Documentary)
• Contemporary Affairs (Local, National and European government)
• Law (Law theory and law practical)

Phase 2

• Broadcast News Reporting 2 (TV)
• Multi Media Journalism (Online, Radio, Work placement)

During the course you will cover the following:

• Newswriting for radio/TV and online
• Online journalism and social networks as a tool of research
• Website content and production 
• Media Law
• Politics – local, national and European government
• Research and newsgathering
• Bulletin and programme production
• Interviewing and editing
• Radio studio operation
• Voice training
• Documentary making
• TV production and editing

About two thirds of the course is very practical, involving newsroom simulations. Students train under the supervision of professional broadcasters and we run a 'working newsroom' twice a week in the second term. We also arrange a three-week work placement as part of the course.

There’s a newsroom equipped with a work station for each student and three production studios and a ‘talks’ studio. Work stations are equipped with both BBC software (Quick Edit Pro, Radioman and ENPS) and commercial software (BURLI). Students share TV equipment in groups of three – we have professional digital TV cameras and an edit suite equipped with Final Cut Pro. All students are provided with their own portable digital recording kit and microphone – and this is theirs to keep. Headphones are available in the newsroom and studios

During the year we will take you on a variety of field trips and visits. Recent site visits have included the BBC and commercial local radio, LBC, ITN and BBC Television Centre as well as trips to Courts and the House of Commons and Lords. Previous guest speakers included Helen Boaden (Director, BBC News and an alumna of the course), Jon Sopel (BBC presenter, also an alumnus), David Mannion (Editor-in-Chief, ITV News and Visiting Professor). Editors from BBC Oxford, Essex, London, Kent, Sussex and Surrey, Radio 1 Newsbeat , Global , Bauer and Sky are all regular guests on our newsdays. As well as getting invaluable advice from industry professionals you will get a chance to network, swap contacts and ask for work experience.

The course has a good employment record: around 80% of recent graduates have found employment within six months of leaving the course.

Graduates of this course work in almost every broadcast newsroom in the UK. In the last two years graduates have joined the BBC in London, The World Service, Radio 4, 5 Live, BBC 2012 Olympics, Radio 1 Newsbeat, Oxford, Essex, Three Counties, Leicester, Newcastle, Bristol, Brighton, Cambridge and various others. In the commercial sector they’ve joined Sky, ITN, Press TV, Al Jazeera, various commercial radio stations as well as independent production houses in the UK and abroad. Overseas destinations have included France 24 and Russia Today.

Alumni

Helen Boaden - Director of News BBC
Jane Root – Former Controller BBC 2
Mark Pougatch – BBC Sport
Mark Mardell – BBC North America Correspondent
Jon Sopel – BBC Reporter/Anchor
Emma Hurd – SKY Africa Correspondent
Lucy Cotter – SKY Entertainment Correspondent
Philip Crowther – France 24 Washington Correspondent

Recent First Jobs

Numerous BBC Local
Numerous local commercial
LBC
MTV
CBS - America
BBC2 - Culture Show
BBC World Service
TV3 - Eire
IRN
ITV News
BBC Watchdog
BBC Parliament
Bloomberg TV
France 24

Recent graduates on TV

Philip Crowther - France 24 (graduated 08)

Alice Bhandhukravi - BBC London News (graduated 06)

Andy May - BBC News (graduated 06)

Matt Cooke - BBC News (graduated 05)

Lucy Cotter - SKY

Emma Hurd - SKY

Recent graduates on radio

Hugh Ferris Sports Editor Key 103 (graduated 02)

Andrew Fagg BBC Radio 4 (graduated 06)

Enterprise and employability at UAL

We know what it takes to be successful in your chosen field. Your tutors are professionals in their own right and understand what you need to help you establish your career. Staff in our Centre for Student Enterprise and Employability (SEE) are dedicated to helping you build up work-relevant skills, knowledge, experience and networks throughout your time here. You will also benefit from our many relationships with industry, which give our students exclusive opportunities and access to networks and funding.

Artists and designers tell us they value UAL's informed engagement with their career and professional practice development and our ability to offer them practical advice, guidance and opportunities across the wide spectrum of possible professional pathways - as entrepreneurs and employees. Staff value the resources and skills UAL makes available to help them deliver effective professional and career development through the curriculum.

Find out more

ArtsTemps (SEE) is the UAL in-house recruitment agency placing students and graduates in paid temping roles within the University. 

Creative Opportunities (SEE) is the UAL job vacancy and work placement website for students and graduates and advertises hundreds of creative job and placement opportunities each month.

Get more information and advice on employment and creative careers for all UAL students and graduates.

A degree at undergraduate level of preferably a 2:1 or above is required. It’s also helpful to have had some work experience in a radio or TV environment which could include hospital, student or local radio.

Candidates are invited to group interviews and asked to complete a series of tests including a news and current affairs test, a team exercise and a writing and spoken exercise. Candidates may then be offered a ‘one-on-one’ interview on the same day and a decision will be made immediately after this.

International and EU students: If your first language is not English you should check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English. Further information is available on our International Applications page.

Application route

Entrance is via application form and a group interview session. It is in your interest to apply early, as this course is heavily oversubscribed. We take about 24 students each year. At the interview you will be expected to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of news and current affairs.

Your application should demonstrate that your intention to begin a career in broadcast journalism is founded upon a well-researched and accurate understanding of the state of the industry and the opportunities that it affords. Should you have an example of work that has been broadcast, for example on campus, community or hospital radio, you can forward it with your application on CD, DVD or standard cassette.

All applications should be made on the standard LCC Application form (PDF - 4MB).

Please send completed application form and supporting to:

Postgraduate Admissions,
Central Administration Office,
5th Floor Tower Block,
London College of Communication,
Elephant and Castle,
London,
SE1 6SB

International students should use the international postgraduate application form which is available to download on the International Office's web pages.

Admissions enquiries

For more information please call the admissions team on +44(0)20 7514 6599 or email info@lcc.arts.ac.uk (for UK and EU student enquiries) or international@lcc.arts.ac.uk (for international enquiries).

Home/EU student fee discounts

If you have successfully completed a UAL undergraduate degree, PgDip or PgCert you will qualify for a £1000 discount from your tuition fees. For further information please contact info@lcc.arts.ac.uk