A university has launched an innovative new training course which gives journalism students the chance to work for a live 24-hour local news website.

The 11-week postgraduate couse, at Goldsmith’s College, London, gets under way in July.

It is aimed mainly at those already working in journalism, public relations, marketing or related fields who want to boost their career prospects by learning about the latest online journalism skills.

Students on the course will work as real journalists on the pioneering EastLondonLines news website, serving Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Lewisham and Croydon, organising coverage of local events and editing their own material.

The website was originally established by the Department of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths to act as a multi-platform training vehicle for journalism students.

However it operates as an independent news website and is earning a growing reputation for its coverage of local issues.

Course convenor Angela Phillips said: “We are the first university in this country to establish an independent community news service and to offer journalism students the opportunity to learn their skills while practising as journalists.”

The course will include instruction in basic news gathering and reporting skills, copy and picture editing and legal issues and will be largely taught by Terry Kirby, a founding member of staff of the Independent.

Full details of the course can be found here