Writing courses

[JaneyGee]

Does anyone know if there are any good freelance writing/freelance journalism courses out there?

I don’t want to do a full degree.
I don’t want to study ‘creative writing’.
And I don’t want to do the course from home/online.

What I’m looking for is some kind of course in freelance journalism (ideally in freelance writing) that involves actual taught classes, in a classroom, with an actual tutor. Preferably something that lasts a few months, or perhaps a year. I’m in Essex and can’t find anything.

If such a thing doesn’t exist, can anyone recommend a really good distance/home-based course. I did try one in copywriting, but wasn’t impressed.

I don't want to be negative, but if it's with a view to getting work in this area I would really reconsider this. I've worked as a freelance writer/ trade journalist over the last 20+ years and the work is drying up. So much content is being bought cheaply from English writers in other countries or 80% generated by AI, with 'writers' just adding to and tweaking it. Moreover, there is so much free content out there, that the rates for paid content are under constant pressure.

Sorry if this is not what you want to hear.

Have a look on Poynter’s News University and The Publishing Training Centre. There might be something online that interests you. As far as I know they’re both good quality outfits that produce very thorough courses. Apart from that, the only thing I can think of is postgraduate certificates.

I must admit. I have to agree with FluffyHamster that it’s a very difficult time. Particularly now that AI is around. I would still look at those websites I recommended, as something might whet your appetite.

I agree too. Being a journalist is now more of a hobby than a job. I met a very well-known female journalist a few weeks ago, someone with a long career in broadsheets, who said that she struggles to get paid for her work these days. Unless you are exceptionally well-connected it's going to be very difficult.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Actually, that's kind of how I see freelance writing – as a hobby. I know there is little to no chance of making a decent, full-time living.

Have you considered self-learning through practice?
You could start your own blog, or find a blog in a niche that you enjoy, or an upcoming news site and contact them about writing for them as an apprentice writer. Most of them will be glad to have a volunteer onboard.
It would also start your portfolio off if you had some published articles or blogs out there with your name on as the author.