University of Salford receives prestigious journalism accreditation

The University of Salford’s journalism department has praised students after its single honours undergraduate programme was awarded prestigious industry accreditation.

Based at its MediaCityUK campus, the University of Salford’s BA Journalism is now fully accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), which is backed by major media organisations including MediaCityUK occupiers the BBC and ITV, as well as ITN, Sky News and Channel 4 News.

BJTC multimedia experts awarded their kite mark – bestowed only when journalism courses have proven they meet stringent industry standards – after visiting the programme team and their 350 students at the University’s MediaCityUK campus.

Paul Broster, Director of Journalism, said: “The BJTC were clearly impressed with our fantastic staff, facilities and programme but also, crucially, our students and their work.

“We can’t thank our students enough. A big part of the accreditation process involves the BJTC panel speaking at length to students and watching them at work in our newsroom. They represented themselves superbly and produced some brilliant journalism for the web, TV, radio and print.”

BA Journalism is led by Senior Lecturer and former newspaper editor Sara (CORR) Hadwin, who oversaw the successful accreditation bid.

The team includes BBC broadcast journalists Andrew Lindsay, Caroline Cheetham and ITV Granada Reports correspondent and presenter Andrew Fletcher.

It also boasts former BBC World Service journalist Marek Bekerman, BBC Sport’s Martin Hamer, Ian Wood, former deputy editor of the Manchester Evening News, national newspaper journalist Debbie Manley and former Coronation Street press officer Sara Eyre.

The award means that the Journalism Directorate, based in the School of Arts and Media, now has accreditation at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Its long-standing PGDip/MA Journalism programme is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

This academic year, both programmes are hosting more than 120 student placements with organisations including the BBC, ITV, the Manchester Evening News, Key 103, Global Radio, Manchester United FC and Lancashire Cricket Club.

Paul Broster added: “We are proud that Salford is now undoubtedly a major centre for journalism education in the UK. Our courses are extremely popular year-on-year because of our industry connections, a superb facility at the heart of MediaCityUK and great lecturers.

“This latest accreditation is also further evidence that our standards and quality clearly match what the industry is looking for in the next generation of talent.”