The University of Kent has officially launched its new degree programme in Journalism, based at the University’s Medway campus.

The Centre for Journalism will combine the teaching of traditional print media and journalism skills with training in digital and multimedia communications, including radio, television and online publishing.

Simon Irwin, editorial director of the Kent Messenger Group will sit on a panel of advisers, which will help oversee the new degree programme and provide expert tips and guidance from inside the news industry.

Also on the panel will be Newsnight’s Gavin Esler and Observer editor Roger Alton, Phil Harding, a former editor of Radio 4’s Today programme and one of the founders of Radio 5 Live.

The university’s Professor of Journalism, Tim Luckhurst, said. “We will be teaching students all about 21st century journalism – making sure they have the intellectual skills, and the multimedia know-how, to embark on successful careers in the fast-changing news industry.

“The Medway towns will provide an ideal newsbeat for any news trainee, and central London is also close at hand.”

There is already fierce competition among potential entrants to the new degree programme, with several students applying for each available place.

The teaching team there includes former Press Gazette editor Ian Reeves and national newspaper columnist Sarah Lonsdale.

The degree course, which begins next September, will also be offered as a postgraduate conversion course and to full-time journalists looking to further their knowledge of the profession.