In 1981, the department established a second course, a Postgraduate Diploma in Radio and Television Journalism, with the support of broadcasters from the BBC, independent television and independent radio. This was followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Newspaper Journalism that, like the broadcast course, placed a strong emphasis on “learning by doing”, both courses including a work placement.

In 1991, just before the University of Central Lancashire was established, the department launched one of the first BA (Hons) journalism degree courses in the UK.  It also started to teach Public Relations and Journalism as subjects in combined honours degree programmes. 

By this time, over 200 students studied Journalism or Public Relations at UCLan. Now, 15 years later, the figure is over 700.  The department has always strived to be at the cutting-edge of an ever-changing journalism industry and over the last 15 years has set up new Masters programmes in Online Journalism, Magazine Journalism, International Journalism, International Documentary and Factual Television Production, International Applied Communication and Strategic Communication.  Our undergraduate portfolio includes new developments in Sports Journalism and International Journalism. 

Accreditation

Our courses are accredited/approved by leading industry bodies including the National Council for the Training of Journalists, (NCTJ), the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), the Periodicals Training Council (PTC) and the Chartered Institute for Public Relations (CIPR). UK Progress, our student-led PR consultancy, won the CIPR’s Excellence Award in 2004 for ‘outstanding achievement in education and training’. 

Most recently the Journalism Leaders Programme has been created.  It is a course for editorial professionals to find solutions to the challenges that face news leaders in the digital age.  The success of Journalism Leaders and our MA in Strategic Communication marks the department’s growing role as a provider of education and development for senior professionals in journalism and public relations. This work is supplemented by our extensive digital training and consultancy activities.

Research is key

Research is a key, developing element of our success. This academic year there have been several successes that we are very proud of. Jane Singer joined us from the University of Iowa to take up her post as the Johnston Press Chair in Digital Journalism in January 2007. Peter Anderson was appointed Reader in the department in the autumn of the same year. Colleagues in the department edited and contributed to a critically acclaimed research text on 'The Future of Journalism in the Advanced Democracies', which was published in 2007 and a variety of follow-up projects are underway. Five Journalism staff were entered for the 2008 national research assessment exercise. The department’s first PhD bursary student, who graduated in 2004, has been published in several major international academic journals.

45 years

As we celebrate 45 years of journalism and public relations education, we are keen to find out what has happened to the thousands of students who have passed through our doors over the years. 

If you are an alumnus of our department and are reading this, we hope you will get in touch, to share memories of your time at the University, Polytechnic or Harris College and tell us of your career experiences.  We are keen to track down the people in our photos so if you recognise yourself or someone you know, please contact Mike Ward at MEWard@uclan.ac.uk

To make contact easier, the department has also set up a group on facebook for our journalism alumni. You can join and help us build a picture of what it’s been like to study at the oldest journalism department in England.

Extra and related information

Accreditation

Our print and broadcast courses are accredited by the The Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Our MA Magazine Journalism is accredited by the Periodicals Training Council.