"Without Up To Speed I would not have been able to get a job in journalism. The facilities there are first class and it was a great atmosphere to take my first few steps as a journalist."
Ryan Jennings, Reporter, Maldon Standard
"Up to Speed is friendly and supportive, with brilliantly helpful tutors. Up to Speed has definitely prepared me well for my career, and I know my editor thinks so too!"
Helen Tunnicliffe, Senior Reporter, The Chemical Engineer
"I find that I use my knowledge of Public Affairs every day. I often find myself writing political stories."
Daniel Shane, Editor, Network Middle East
"It is fantastic to have got something to do in my chosen field after taking the course at Up To Speed"
Sean Raymond, Sports Content Writer
"I'm pretty sure that my work experience at the Echo was responsible for me getting the job ... and of course obtaining 100wpm shorthand!"
Alana Lewis, News Editor, Llanelli Star
"We are here to give you the skills to succeed. Contact us now to make sure you are Up To Speed."
Tom Hill, Up To Speed's Founder
"I would recommend a course at Up To Speed to anyone seeking a career in journalism. The tuition is first-rate, the facilities are excellent, and the staff are knowledgeable and supportive."
Timothy John, Assistant Editor, Training Journal
"I really enjoyed my time here and I couldn't have asked for better teachers. It's amazing how much I have learned in these last couple of months. Doing this course has opened many doors for me."
Chrissy Symmons, Reporter, Shropshire Star
"The course is housed in a fantastic setup, giving students the facilities and guidance to develop their own style of journalism to a professional standard. I'm not surprised to hear of the success of past students."
Neil Lancefield, Press Association Multi-Media Journalist
"I'm so grateful for the tuition and help I received during my time at Up To Speed and also after the course finished."
Rebecca Greenow, Celebrity Writer, Reveal
"I learned about Twitter and blogging at Up To Speed and that's how I became an online columnist writing about Formula 1. It's so exciting."
Laura Allard, F1 Blogger and Social Media Executive, Cunard
"Tom could not have been more helpful when it came to advice and help with job applications. "
Ruth Norris, Assistant Editor, Cambridge University Press
"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Up to Speed and it set me up well to begin my first job as a reporter; I use the knowledge I gained on the course on a daily basis. Mastering 100wpm shorthand was the best thing I've ever done."
Hannah White, Senior reporter, Salisbury Journal
"Up To Speed was a real springboard into sports journalism and the skills I learnt on the course have been highly valuable to my work at Sky Sports."
Rachel Griffiths, Football writer, Skysports.com
"If you're considering working in journalism, the NCTJ is the only place to start. I'd have no hesitation in recommending Up To Speed as the place to begin that career."
Rory White, Used Car Writer, What Car?
"I definitely wouldn't have stood a chance of getting my job if I hadn't been on this course, so thanks for everything."
Jack Kitson, Sports content writer
"The course has set me up really well for the job and I am loving it."
James Bass, Freelance editor, ESPN
"I am so pleased to have found a job writing about sport, it's something I have always wanted to do."
Chris Knight, Sports content writer
"Tom does a great job at Up To Speed. I went from knowing very little about journalism to earning some fantastic grades, invaluable contacts and top-end freelance work."
Michael Dias, Founder, Fame Awaits
"My editor on placement just kept saying that it was a brilliant idea to qualify before going to university."
Becca Parlby, Gap Year NCTJ student
"It's always been a dream of mine to work for a magazine, and I couldn't be happier as I am now the editor of a title."
Alice Rook, Editor, Do More Magazine
"I am really pleased that it has all worked out for me and that my decision to do something different, and not just follow all my friends to university, has paid off."
Heather Findlay, Features Writer, That's Life magazine
"It was absolutely excellent as I got the qualifications I needed and my boss was really impressed that I hadn't just followed everyone else and gone to university."
Laura Herbert, Reporter, Reading Post
"I have no hesitation in describing the knowledge, skills and experience both the course and Tom himself has provided me with as invaluable for securing a job in journalism."
Paul Briden, Writer, Know Your Mobile
"Without Tom's journalism school, I would never have landed my first job. Likewise, my every subsequent career success can be directly or indirectly ascribed to the education I received at Up to Speed."
Alexander Shaw, Parliamentary Researcher
Friday, May 10th, 2013 at 8:30 am
If you have passed all your NCTJ exams and have 100wpm shorthand, then you can apply for this position in Devon.
The Midweek Herald is an award-winning free newspaper based in Sidmouth and the successful applicant will be trained to take the NCTJ’s senior qualification, the NQJ.
You will need your own transport and a clean driving licence.
Thursday, May 9th, 2013 at 10:07 am
A growing international retail brand is hiring a web editor.
As the online content executive you will be responsible for writing and producing content across the site and ensuring copy conforms to house style.
You will be a content producer, but will also be part of the web development team and able to respond to briefs from brand, merchandising and marketing specialists.
The job is in North West London.
Monday, January 17th, 2011 at 10:57 am
With over a month to go until their final exams, a third of the current group of students at Up To Speed Journalism already have jobs.
Today, Lauren May was offered a job as a trainee reporter with the Epsom Guardian in South-West London. Lauren, who is a graduate of Surrey University, will start on the day after her final exam in Court Reporting in February.
She is due to take an exam in video journalism next week and is currently working on a video story about the London Boat Show.
Lauren May: starts work the day after her last exam
“I am so pleased and I just can’t wait to get started,” said Lauren, who joined the Up To Speed Journalism course based at the Daily Echo in Bournemouth in September.
Lauren, 22, has already passed her 100 wpm shorthand exam and is waiting for results in Reporting, Public Affairs and Media Law. The former Parkstone Grammar School pupil has just completed a two-week work placement at the Daily Express.
Three of Lauren’s colleagues on the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism course at Up To Speed have already started jobs.
Stephen Ashby, 22, a graduate in English from Lancaster University and a former pupil at Poole Grammar School, is working as a staff writer for i-create magazine. Stephen’s job is to write about Apple macs and his first assignment was to play a new game and write a review of it.
Hannah White, 22, an English graduate from Southampton University, has already started working as a trainee reporter for the Salisbury Journal.
Heather Findlay, 19, who left Brockenhurst College with straight As in her A Levels decided to join Up To Speed’s course rather than going to university. She started working as a journalist for the agency Medavia in Bristol on January 4th.
The latest group of Up To Speed students started their course last Monday. The next course at the NCTJ-accredited centre starts in October.
Monday, November 15th, 2010 at 4:45 am
At Up To Speed we have always believed in equipping our journalism students with traditional skills, but we also believe that it is vital to prepare them for the 21st Century workplace.
All Up To Speed journalism students are taught and encouraged to create their own websites and to make professional use of social media such as Twitter and Linked In.
We have created our own Linked In groups so that our former students can network with people who have gone into the same branch of journalism when they leave us.
Up To Speed's Journalism Jobs Feed
We also use Twitter to give all of our students, past and present, the latest news on new jobs as they are advertised.
You can use the journalism jobs feed yourself by following us
We hope you find it useful!
Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at 4:50 am
Friday, October 22nd, 2010 at 11:05 am
In a week dominated by grim headlines about job cuts and economic gloom, journalism students at Up To Speed have been out on the streets interviewing people affected by the news and filing their stories instantly on twitter.
The Up To Speed students have also been working on their own CVs and on covering letters as they plan their assault on the journalism jobs market.
Up To Speed’s founder Tom Hill tells the story of the week, a yarn with a happy ending.
Friday, October 1st, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Up To Speed Journalism’s founder Tom Hill reflects on a week dominated by contacts, networking and positive news on jobs.
And if you are interested in keeping tabs on some of the latest jobs in journalism, why not follow us on Twitter @Up_To_Speed. You can see all the jobs by following the list we have created for you.
Sunday, September 26th, 2010 at 9:02 am
A former Up To Speed student has beaten off competition from ninety other applicants to land a job working for a magazine in rural Dorset.
Matt Fancy, 29, is starting work for the Blackmore Vale magazine next week.
Matt grew up in Wimborne Minster and attended the Queen Elizabeth’s School there before taking a degree in English Literature and American Studies at Winchester University.
He joined the NCTJ accredited journalism course at Up To Speed after working in advertising and for Royal Mail.
“I’m really pleased to be starting and I can’t quite believe I’ve found a job in journalism,” said Matt.
