The Media School

BU journalism sets professional standard

12 March 2010

Flagship journalism degree is re-accredited by the professions leading skills organisations in the UK.

BU’s renowned BA (Hons) in Multi-Media Journalism has maintained its reputation as the UK’s flagship journalism degree following a superb fortnight in which the profession’s leading skills organisations confirmed their re-accreditation for the course.

Both the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) and the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) paid visits to BU to scrutinise the work of academic staff and students in journalism.

The BJTC re-accredited BU’s undergraduate journalism degree for three more years – an unbroken record since 1997 – after a panel of professional representatives from organisations including Reuters and Independent Television News (ITN) gave glowing accounts of the course. Panellists were particularly impressed by the new Buzz website which showcases student work. The site was created by Lecturer in Online Journalism, Liisa Rohumaa, who joined BU from ft.com, and technical tutor Will Goldstone. The panel also observed TV and radio bulletins produced on the converged news day and saw online news and features teams in action.

Representatives from the NCTJ were equally impressed and recommended the full term of re-accreditation (two years) to their Board. The University’s BA (Hons) in Multi-Media Journalism was the first undergraduate journalism course to receive NCTJ accreditation in 1995 and has now retained that status longer than any other programme in the country.

The NCTJ’s Head of Accreditations, Michelle Patient, said that the prize for Best Performing Undergraduate Course recently awarded to BU by the Council, was clearly deserved and praised the spirit of the team and work ethic of the students.

Student newspaper, The Wire, and radio and TV work produced by the students was commended by the panel, which included Ian Murray, Editor in Chief of the Southampton Daily Echo, Chris Harris, head of news at BBC Radio Solent and John Newth, Editor of Dorset Life magazine.

Karen Fowler-Watt, Associate Dean for Journalism and Communication in BU’s Media School said, “These two successful re-accreditations are a testament to the hard work and commitment of all the journalism staff and to the incredible work ethic of our students. The feedback from the industry experts at the BJTC and NCTJ marks the undergraduate course out as a leader in its field. I am hugely proud of the dedicated and professional staff, who have made this possible and of our dynamic students!”

Stephen Jukes, Dean of the Media School added, “This has been an outstanding two weeks for journalism in the Media School. Two of the leading accrediting bodies have revalidated our undergraduate course, passing it with flying colours. It is a tribute to our staff and students and fully supports the fact that, here at Bournemouth, we really are at the forefront of today’s journalism.”

Dan Hogan, Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) in Multi-Media Journalism, agreed saying, “I genuinely believe this is a world class course and it’s great to have our quality recognised.”