A PORTFOLIO weighted at 100%.

Placement Portfolio - To include completed NCTJ portfolio of work, containing minimum 11 published news and feature articles and original copies (approx 7,000 words), a 3,000-word evaluative report by the student on the internship, and to include an employer's assessment report (total words approx 10,000, 100% weighting, Learning Outcomes 1-9)

The purpose of this module is to enhance a student's professional practice with a view to gaining full-time employment direct from graduation on completion of the internship and award. This module provides the opportunity to complete a minimum six weeks (240 hours) on an unpaid/paid internship.

Students are encouraged to arrange internships with employers or organisations working in those areas of journalism or allied fields which provide possible career options such as newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations, hyperlocal news websites, niche sites, news agencies, press offices, PR companies or departments, book publishers and business to business periodicals. Internships can be arranged with employers where students worked on the previous work placement module. The module is self-directed with no classes except for an introductory session at the start of year 2 and individual tutorial guidance, advice and support throughout provided in person and online.

1 x lecture (2 hours) = 2 hours, disseminating and explaining the key aspects of the internship and matching aspirations to assessment requirements.

Individual tutorials and online feedback and discussion before and during internship period - average total 10 hours per student. These will provide guidance and support based on individual student need, feedback and aims.
438 hours of independent learning including a minimum of 240 hours spent on the internship itself. Other learning hours spent researching, identifying and negotiating internships, producing evaluations for assessment, producing presentable NCTJ portfolios of work as per the requirements of the NCTJ diploma qualification.

Blackboard
StaffsLive
Library

Gary Hudson and Sarah Rowlands (2007) The Broadcast Journalism Handbook (Harlow: Pearson Education)
Richard Rudin and Trevor Ibbotson (2002) An Introduction to Journalism: essential techniques and background knowledge (Oxford: Focal Press)
Willings Press Guide (2008) (Chesham: Cision)

www.guardian.co.uk www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk
www.jobs4journalists.co.uk
www.pressgazette.co.uk
www.journalism.co.uk
www.sportsjournalists.co.uk
www.broadcastfreelancer.com
www.broadcastnow.co.uk
www.jobsinbroadcast.co.uk
www.themusicdirectory.co.uk
www.musicweek.com
www.prweekjobs.co.uk

Other texts advised on an individual basis depending on student interests and placements

1. KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE RANGE OF RELEVANT CAREER OPTIONS AVAILABLE AND WHAT EMPLOYERS EXPECT, AND HOW TO ENGAGE WITH EMPLOYERS TO SECURE PLACEMENT/INTERNSHIP POSITIONS.
[Knowledge & Understanding]

2. APPLY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE ACQUIRED DURING THE COURSE IN A PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENT.
[Application]

3. CRITICALLY ANALYSE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN CONTEXT OF THE INTERNSHIP AND COMMUNICATE THESE IN SELF EVALUATION AND ONGOING ONLINE FORUMS.
[Analysis]

4. SHOW SOUND JUDGEMENT OF THE RANGE OF SITUATIONS ENCOUNTERED IN THE PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT.
[Learning]

5. DEMONSTRATE OVER A SUSTAINED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT AN ABILITY TO RESEARCH, INVESTIGATE AND PRODUCE A GREATER VARIETY OF PUBLISHABLE CONTENT.
[Enquiry]

6. EVALUATE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS IN THE JOURNALISTIC WORKPLACE AND PUT THESE INTO PRACTICE.
[Problem Solving]

7. COMMUNICATE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE INTERNSHIP IN A VARIETY OF FORMATS, ENGAGING IN ONLINE FORUMS, AND IDENTIFYING OUTCOMES.
[Communication]

8. DEMONSTRATE EMPLOYABILITY IN A JOURNALISTIC CONTEXT AND TRANSFERABLE SKILLS APPROPRIATE TO OTHER DISCIPLINES.
[Reflection]

9. DEMONSTRATE PROFESSIONALISM AND ACHIEVEMENT OF INDUSTRY STANDARDS BY COMPLETING NCTJ DIPLOMA PORTFOLIO.
[Professional Practice]