Teenagers looking at a career in journalism, but worried about university fees, can now study magazine journalism free of charge at Harlow College.

The training centre has launched a one-year journalism programme, which is free to under-19s.

The new programme is fully accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists and gives students a firm grounding in essential skills to begin a career in magazine journalism.

Candidates under 19 years of age and are UK or EU citizens, will have fees paid by the Learning and Skills Council.

Successful students who then decide they wish to study journalism to degree level can try for the second year of the BA (Hons) Journalism degree, which is also run at Harlow College in Essex, and validated by Middlesex University.

Magazine Journalism programme leader Philip Cowan said: "This is fantastic news for young people worried about university fees. They can get the first year of their degree paid for and prepare for a dream job in journalism.

"Many of our students already have jobs before their programme finishes; they are highly prized by the industry."

Harlow College's Journalism Centre currently runs a fast-track Magazine Journalism programme, designed for graduates.

"This new programme is targeted at non-graduates and others who have been out of education for some time."

The college's contact details for more information can be found here.