Welcome to the Journalism Training Centre

Financing your course

There are many ways you can finance your course:

• Savings
• Family funding
• Sponsorship
• Bank loans
• Career Development Loan

Savings
Many people wishing to train as journalists have been working in another career for a few years. Career-changers make up a large proportion of those undertaking journalism training. In some cases they have used their time to save enough to meet their course fees and living expenses. But you should be aware that because of the intensive nature of the course, it is not possible to work - even part-time - during the ten weeks.

Family funding
If you have a parent or other relative who is prepared to fund in part or in whole your training, then you're very lucky. There's not much else to say about this option.

Sponsorship
You may already be working for a magazine, newspaper or broadcaster willing to pay for you to gain the skills you need to do the job of journalism. As with the rich relative, you are very lucky. It's an opportunity not given to many. But remember, your employer may not know of your desire to develop your skills - so tell them. If you don't ask, you don't get.

It could be the case that you are not working in the media. Don't let that stop you approaching publications and seeing if they run any in-house training schemes or would be prepared to finance you to train with us or another training company.

Finally, check out the Directory of Grant Making Trusts in your public library. This large book lists all the charitable trusts who give money to people. You'll be surprised how many there are...and what they give money for. (We heard, some years ago, of a trust related to the construction industry that gave a journalism student half of his course fees. He had no relation to the building industry. But, said the trust, as no one had asked them for money for as far back as they could remember, they decided to make a donation.)

Bank loans
Banks will sometimes lend money for a training course if you have been a good customer. However, as with all loans, the payback period starts as soon as you take out the loan. Unless you get a very good deal, you might be better to look at the next option...

Career Development Loan (CDL)
The CDL was initiated some years ago to allow people to borrow money to fund vocational training which was undertaken for the purposes of getting a job. The idea is that you borrow the money for your course but only start to pay it back some time after you've completed your course.

At present three banks operate the CDL scheme. Here's where you can read more about the Career Development Loan scheme.

While borrowing to pay for a course is a very good investment in yourself and your future do bear in mind: Bank loans and CDL are not permanent gifts from the financial institutions - they have to be paid back. Think about that before committing yourself.

A word of warning about finance:

When calculating your finances remember that you will not only need your course fees and living expenses but also some socialising money. During the ten weeks, you will make new friends and the temptation to socialise after the day's training can often be overwhelming. Add it into your planning.