Budding journalists in the Midlands will be able to sign up for a national diploma course which is being launched at the new Coventry University College in September.

The full-time course, which is hoping to gain accreditation by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, will feature five core subjects: news writing, media law, public affairs, shorthand and journalistic portfolio, plus court reporting and production journalism.

Trainees will undertake one day of work placement every week over the nine months of the course and their ultimate qualification will provide the required credential for media employment.

Course leader Peter McGarry, a former journalist, broadcaster, and academic director of the University of Warwick Open Studies Certificate in Journalism, said: “Since the closure of the NCTJ Certificate course at Warwickshire College in Leamington two years ago, there has been no logical training route in this area for people seriously seeking a career in journalism.

“This will all change now in line with the vocational training initiative at the new Coventry University College.”

Candidates can apply to the college on line at www.coventry.ac.uk/cuc.

Entry to the course is subject to admission test and interview.