The first two students on University College Falmouth’s new MA in Investigative Journalism have been awarded distinctions by external assessors.

Edward Davies and Cheryl Dennis were the first on the new vocational course, believed to be the only dedicated investigative journalism MA taught in the UK.

The course is led by investigative journalist Paul Lashmar who has published exposés for The Independent on Sunday, The Observer, TV’s World in Action and many other media organisations, during his 30-year career.

He said: “Edward and Cheryl produced projects of a very high standard and thoroughly deserve their distinctions.

“Both demonstrated an instinct to find a story that needed to be told and showed a level of determination that was impressive.”

The MA was designed to get students into the work place and both students found immediate employment in journalism – Ed at ITV Wales and Cheryl at Orchard FM.

Edward’s project was about the failure of local authorities to inspect fast food outlets. He showed that in one town in Devon a number of fast food outlets had dangerous levels of contamination, and that the local authority had failed to monitor these and many other outlets. His project also formed the basis of a major BBC South West investigation that was broadcast in October.

Cheryl’s project showed how third party telecom companies were obtaining details of users of a leading mobile phone service provider and selling them new contracts by claiming to be working with that particular provider. She located subscribers who had been misled and mistreated, and was able to show that the provider’s commercial relationship with the third party companies was secretive and ambiguous.

This new addition to University College Falmouth’s portfolio of media courses builds on the 20-year success of the College’s MA/PgDip in Broadcast Journalism.