"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, February 3rd, 2012 at 3:35 pm
Up To Speed’s founder Tom Hill was a guest on BBC radio yesterday. Tom was discussing the future of television with Alex Dyke(below) on Radio Solent in Southampton.
You can listen to the programme again on the i-player.
Tom was a journalist for the BBC, ITN and Sky News before he started training journalists and photographers on NCTJ accredited courses at Up To Speed.
Saturday, November 12th, 2011 at 10:44 am
Up To Speed’s Tom Hill explains what’s been happening on fast-track courses at the Bournemouth journalism and photography training centre this week.
Friday, November 4th, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Up To Speed’s founder Tom Hill has been speaking to students and sixth formers from schools in Bournemouth and Poole in recent weeks as they plot their careers in journalism.
As a former university admissions tutor, Tom has read more than 8,000 UCAS forms in the last ten years and so was able to offer advice on standing out from the crowd.
Up To Speed's Founder Tom Hill
Former pupils from Poole Grammar School, Parkstone Grammar School, Talbot Heath School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Bryanston School, Clayesmore School, Gillingham School and Brockenhurst College have all taken Up To Speed’s fast-track courses in journalism in recent years.
They have gone on to work in both magazines and newspapers.
Up To Speed runs accredited courses in Magazine Journalism, News Journalism, Sports Journalism and Photojournalism from its offices in the Daily Echo, Bournemouth.
Thursday, September 29th, 2011 at 12:07 pm
By Tom Hill
QR codes are a simple and highly effective way to ensure smartphone owners can easily read your stories or make a fast note of your contact details when you are working as a reporter.
I’ve just discovered them thanks to a former Up To Speed student, Jack Parsons whose magazine Listed is now carrying one on its front cover.
The black and white patterned square can be scanned by any phone equipped with an app and readers can instantly see the online version of your magazine, newspaper or journalism course listing.
So, what do you need to do?
Step 1: Download an app. I downloaded i-nigma to my i-phone for free. For android there is an app called Barcode Scanner and if you already own Red Laser for scanning barcodes, that has now been QR-enabled.
Step 2: Visit a free QR generator site by googling ‘QR generator’. Fill in your details and generate QR codes for your site or v-card. I used goqr.me.
Step 3: tap the app on your phone hold it up to the QR code and you will be taken straight to the digital article.
So why not try it?
Here’s the QR code for the Up To Speed site:
And here’s the QR code for my v-card.
There is more detailed information on an excellent site called Social Media Examiner. You can find them at www.socialmediaexaminer.com or by checking out the site’s QR code.
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
5. We Care About Our Students
At Up To Speed you won’t get lost in the crowd and we will do our best to help you at all times – before you join us, while you are with us and after you leave.
If you think that sounds like hollow, marketing speak, then all you have to do is hear what some of our former students have said about us on Linked-In.
“As an experienced journalist himself, Tom is a great teacher, and encourages both the development of a personal portfolio and independent work experience throughout the course. The multi-media course brings budding journalists into the modern world with its focus on social media and the use of media platforms. Up To Speed is a great place to start!” Annie Roberts, Editor, LatAm Fund Manager
“If it wasn’t for the help, guidance and teachings of Tom Hill at Up To Speed Media Ltd I wouldn’t be working in journalism today. He helped me on the way to being able to write on a daily newspaper as well as writing weekly columns about music and getting to interview stars. I fully recommend Tom Hill and Up To Speed Media for anyone wanting to break into Journalism. He offers a fun and essential course to all.” Chrissy Symmons, Reporter, Shropshire Star
“It’s as simple as this. Without the NCTJ qualification I worked for at UpToSpeed, I wouldn’t be working as a journalist today. The valuable support and guidance Tom Hill and his colleagues offer as teachers over the course helps build a confidence that stays with you, in interview, and ultimately in the workplace. If you’re considering working in journalism, the NCTJ is the only place to start. I’d have no hesitation in recommending UpToSpeed as the place to begin that career.” Rory White, Magazine Journalist, Haymarket Magazines
“It was entirely down to Tom and Up to Speed that I got the reporter job I have today with the Cambridge News, and that I have the confidence to know I can do it well. Tom could not have been more helpful when it came to advice and help with job applications, and the course gave me everything I needed. As a result I felt way ahead of the game compared to people who had done other courses when it came to interviews and my first few weeks on the job. I would absolutely recommend the course to anyone who is serious about a career in journalism.” Ruth Norris, Reporter, Cambridge News
“I cannot recommend the Up To Speed course highly enough. I took the course after deciding on a change of career and Tom and the rest of the team could not have been more helpful. All of the tutors have a huge amount of experience within the industry and they are only too happy to pass that on. Tom in particular was a huge help and his knowledge, tips and advice are second to none. The fact the course is a fast-track course is a huge plus as you really get to immerse yourself in the world of journalism every day. And I’m already reaping the benefits of the course as without the NCTJ accredited qualification I wouldn’t have my current job writing about sport.” Chris Knight, Sports Content writer
You still have time to follow in their footsteps and join Up To Speed on one of our fast-track courses in magazine, sport, news or photojournalism starting on September 26th.
All you have to do is apply now.
Sunday, August 21st, 2011 at 6:45 pm
Magazine Editor Annie Roberts has come a long way since she took a fast-track course in journalism at Up To Speed.
Annie, who joined Up To Speed with a degree in English from Southampton University, is making a splash in Rio De Janeiro.
Annie Roberts: Magazine Editor
She has just published the first two editions of the business magazine she is editing there for British company Pageant Media.
LatAm Fund Manager is a reminder that there are parts of the world where economic doom and gloom is not on the news agenda.
Brazil is one of the world’s fastest growing economies – sometimes described as BRIC countries, which is short for Brazil, Russia, India and China.
Annie’s magazines include information, news and features for people in Brazil and for people interested in investing in the country.
Annie's First Edition
Annie's Second Edition
Annie kindly took time out from her busy job to give Up To Speed a recommendation on Linked In.
Here’s what she said: “The NCTJ Journalism course at Up To Speed provided me with the fundamental tools to begin my career in journalism. The course brings students ‘Up To Speed’ on reporting requirements and techniques, and teaches both local and international politics. I would highly recommend all the teachers, particularly Karen Ballam, who has an excellent method of teaching shorthand. As an experienced journalist himself, Tom is a great teacher, and encourages both the development of a personal portfolio and independent work experience throughout the course. The multi-media course brings budding journalists into the modern world with its focus on social media and the use of media platforms. Up To Speed is a great place to start!”
Sunday, November 21st, 2010 at 4:22 am
Up To Speed Journalism’s founder Tom Hill looks back on the week. In the last few days, the 12 students on the fast-track journalism course have been hearing some results from exams and a job interview.
If you would like to hear more of Up To Speed Journalism’s podcasts, you can subscribe free of charge through i tunes.
Saturday, November 13th, 2010 at 4:50 am
Sunday, November 7th, 2010 at 7:46 am
Up To Speed’s founder Tom Hill looks back on a week, which started with a simulated Radio 4 editorial meeting and ended with a beauty pageant pitting a newly designed newspaper against an Apple i-mac.
You can hear the ninth episode of the Up To Speed podcast here:
If you would like to hear more of Up To Speed Journalism’s podcasts, you can subscribe free of charge through i tunes.
Sunday, October 31st, 2010 at 7:24 am
