Edge Hill College of Higher Education's BA journalism degree has been awarded full three-year accreditation by the NCTJ.

The college's BA (Hons) Journalism course, run by the institution's Department of Media and Communication, was launched in September 2001.

Tony Turjansky (pictured), who has 18 years of radio production experience at the BBC World Service, leads the course.

He said: "We are pleased to have achieved industry recognition after only one year, and will be working hard to justify the NCTJ's confidence in us.

"As the course enters its second year our students are about to embark on newsroom work placements in newspapers, radio stations and online news operations across the region, which is just one of the ways in which we bring a strong practical emphasis to the teaching of journalism."

The course is designed to focus on the practical and theoretical skills required by students to compete for jobs in newspapers and magazines, broadcasting and online journalism.

Places are still available for September 2002 as well as 2003 entry. Enquiries should be directed to Tony Turjansky on 01695 584066 or email turjana@edgehill.ac.uk.