"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 12:51 pm
Former Up To Speed student Lucy Woods has been having an exciting time since leaving our magazine journalism course in Bournemouth a couple of months ago.
The archaeology graduate spent the first few weeks researching, compiling and editing a 48-page guide to all the digs taking place in the UK this summer for Current Archaeology magazine.
Then Lucy hopped on a plane to the South of France. She is living in Cannes and writing travel pieces for Thetravelmagazine.net.
If you want to find out what the NCTJ-trained journalist gets up to next, you can follow her adventures on Twitter.
Lucy joined Up To Speed last September after graduating from Bristol University. Why not check out our magazine journalism pages to see what Lucy studied? There is still time for you to apply for our next course.
Saturday, December 22nd, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Entertainment news: Tanita Matthews
Journalism student Tanita Matthews has been enjoying some brushes with fame and celebrity in a week of work placement with the Mirror’s 3am celebrity column.
This piece on the X Factor contestant Jahmene earned Tanita a coveted national newspaper byline and she also wrote a piece revealing that Pamela Anderson would be one of the contestants in Dancing On Ice.
The nineteen-year-old will be able to use the pieces in her NCTJ portfolio next term. She’a already taken exams in Public Affairs, Media Law, Reporting and shorthand and will tackle video journalism in January.
Tanita secured her placement at the Mirror by emailing one of the guest speakers who came in to talk to students on Up To Speed’s NCTJ-accredited fast-track course in journalism, based in the Bournemouth Daily Echo building.
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 at 3:26 pm
If you are a newly qualified NCTJ student or part of the way through your qualification, you can take some of the courses we offer at Up To Speed as extra options.
From September, 2012, we are opening up our Sports Journalism and Business of Magazines units to students who have already passed their core NCTJ exams in Media Law, Public Affairs and Reporting.
Each course costs £550, which includes VAT and the exam fee.
