News
Bright Spark Wins Noughties Writing Prize
Biology student Georgina Mills’ passion for the environment helped her to win Up To Speed’s 2009 Student Journalism competition.
Georgina, 20, who studies at Reading University and writes for the university’s newspaper Spark, impressed the judges with her elegant writing style and her coherently structured argument.
Students writing for campus newspapers all over the country were invited to write a feature about the Noughties, assessing the hopes and fears experienced during the decade.
Georgina won the £250 first prize and a colleague of hers on Spark, Marcus Greenslade, 18, came second. The third prize went to Robin Morgan, 20, the Features Editor of Cardiff University’s Gair Rhydd.
New Year, New Courses At Up To Speed
Up To Speed's students are all returning from work placements on Monday and ready for the final six weeks on the course before qualifying.
If you want to follow in their footsteps, you can apply now for our next Fast-Track in Digital Journalism, which starts on February 22nd and join the graduates and gappers who have already been selected.
To see what you can achieve on the course, why not watch our Review of 2009?
Up To Speed's Sam Becomes A Senior Reporter
Former Up To Speed student Sam Emanuel has become a senior reporter after passing her NCE exam while working on the Norwich Evening News.
Sam, 24, joined Up To Speed two years ago after taking a degree in English and History at the University of East Anglia in Norwich.
Sam has had quite a few scoops during the last two years and has also used the multi-media training she received at Up To Speed to make video reports.
You can see an example of her work by clicking Sam
Up To Speed's Rory Lands Motoring Column
Up To Speed student journalist Rory White has blogged his way into an online motoring column.
Rory was shown how to create his own blog on the first day of his course at Up To Speed and his Motor Journalist site was soon attracting new readers every day. Now he has been head-hunted by the publisher of an online Magazine called Ultimately Urban.
"It's been great for my writing and the new role has opened doors for me as it will allow me to test-drive new cars," said Rory, who is taking delivery of a Subaru next week.
Rory, 21, read English at the University of Kent. He grew up in Dorset and attended Queen Elizabeth's School in Wimborne Minster. Rory's Column!
Seven Places Remaining On Our February Course
There are just seven spaces remaining on Up To Speed's next Fast-Track course in Digital Journalism, which starts on February 22nd, 2010.
Thirteen graduates and gap year students have already signed up for the NCTJ-accredited course, which is based in the Daily Echo in Bournemouth.
The syllabus covers newspaper journalism, but also gives you the skills you need to work in online, radio and television. Students have gone on to work for Sky Sports and CNN.
To book a space on our next Selection Day on November 27th, click 'apply' on our website.
Sky Sports Job For Up To Speed's Rachel
Up To Speed's Rachel Griffiths has landed a job as an online sports journalist just a few weeks after completing the Fast-Track Digital Journalism course at Up To Speed.
Rachel, 22, is a graduate of Winchester University and comes from Chesterfield in Derbyshire.
"I am so chuffed to have landed my dream job so quickly," said Rachel, who
is working for Skysports.com in Leeds. You can see an example of Rachel's work by clicking here: Rachel
Up To Speed Reporter Lands Job In Wales
When Becky Greenow started at Up To Speed in February she was a long way from home, but six months later the Cardiff graduate is back in Wales with a job on her local paper.
Becky, who speaks Welsh and English, is now based in the Porthmadog office of the Cambrian News.
"I applied for lots of jobs as a graduate, but it was my NCTJ qualifications and my training at Up To Speed that made all the difference," said Becky, 22.
"I am so excited that everything has worked out for me."
Up To Speed's Journalists Cover Party Conference
Up To Speed's latest group of trainees have been immersed in political reporting this week, covering the Liberal Democrat Party Conference.
When party leader Nick Clegg(pictured) held a town hall meeting on Monday, they were there to cover it, writing a variety of print stories and filming two video packages. They also produced a live Twitter feed of the meeting.
The Up To Speed journalists have since covered fringe meetings, rubbing shoulders with politicians and political correspondents.
Up To Speed's New Start At The Daily Echo
Up To Speed has just moved into new offices at the Daily Echo in Bournemouth. With our own training room just off the paper's main news room, our trainees are able to experience the daily buzz of life as a journalist.
Eleven students are currently taking our Digital Journalism Fast-Track and you can follow their progress through our blog and by reading the stories they write over the next six months.
Up To Speed Annie's 0 to 100 In Just 14 Weeks
Up To Speed student Annie Roberts found shorthand tough when she first started the course in February, but she was determined to get the better of it. And she has.
Annie passed the 100wpm exam at the first attempt after just 14 weeks.
"I'm just one of those people who hates to be defeated by anything and I wanted to prove that I could do it," said Annie.
But Annie's success in Shorthand has not come at the expense of her other studies. She received an A in her first Public Affairs exam.
