A university has had its accreditation from the Broadcast Journalism Training Council extended for three years.

The University of Northampton’s multimedia journalism BA (Hons) degree has been granted the extension after a review into the course by the BJTC.

The course combines multi-disciplinary training in radio, TV, newspaper, magazine and online journalism with academic study.

The accreditation means students will be offered the opportunity to apply for a BBC placement scheme which prioritises BJTC students’ applications ahead of standard applications.

Kate Williams, subject leader in journalism and media at the university, said: “I am delighted we’ve received the full three years’ accreditation from the BJTC.

“We are proud of the connections our degree has with industry. We are frequently visited by high-profile journalists to ensure our students are receiving excellent advice in contemporary journalism practice.”

Final-year undergraduate Jenn Stowell has benefited from the course’s close links with industry, after she secured a work placement with the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS).

Jenn, pictured above left, said: “BFBS don’t advertise work placements, as they rarely take on people for work experience. But thanks to the contacts our academics have with the organisation, I was able to secure a placement.”

She added: ““My course is fun and interesting – there are new challenges each week, just like in the professional world. Doing as much work experience as we do enhances the things we are taught by our lecturers and therefore will help us when we get jobs.

“If people want a hands-on insight into journalism then I think my course is very good at doing that.”