Course Accreditation
What accreditation does the journalism course have?
The British College of Journalism and The Professional Freelance Journalism Course is approved by the International Approval and Registration Centre (IARC). The British College of Journalism is also a member of the International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC).
This Professional Freelance Journalism course is recognised as suitable training for a range of freelance journalism fields, supported by experienced UK writers and editors who contribute to course design and tutoring. It is structured to provide practical, industry-focused learning while remaining self-paced and accessible.
This accreditation supports both UK and international students, ensuring the skills developed through the course can be applied across freelance journalism opportunities in local and global media markets.
What is the IARC?
The International Approval and Registration Centre (IARC) is an independent organisation that recognises quality post-secondary education, including vocational, distance, and continuing education.
It works with institutions across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australasia.
The British College of Journalism and its Professional Freelance Journalism Course are approved by the IARC, confirming the College meets standards in administration, course content, delivery, and assessment. This online professional journalism course is assessed to ensure consistent quality and structure for students worldwide.
The IARC is not a government body, and its approval awards recognition of the British College of Journalism as having met high standards of criteria in the areas of administration, course content, course delivery and graduate assessments.
What is the IAPCC?
The International Association of Private Career Colleges (IAPCC) is a global industry association for private post-secondary institutions that provide career-focused education and training programs.
The College shares the IAPCC Value statement of providing quality career and market-focused education to support students towards industry success whilst operating with integrity and compliance with policies and legislation.
The IAPCC is a non-profit global industry association with the aims and objectives to serve its members, students enrolled by IAPCC's members, and the public. These include fostering and promoting high educational standards and IAPCC’s Code of Ethics, encouraging the development of improvements in the fields of education in the career college sector and to work in harmony with other related associations to name a few.
Do I need qualifications to become a freelance journalist?
No formal qualifications are required to work as a freelance journalist, and success depends more on what you can write than academic background.
A journalism certificate course is the most effective way to start now because it teaches you how to approach writing professionally, understand how publications operate, and develop the ability to turn your work into paid opportunities. In freelance journalism, practical output matters more than formal qualifications, which is why structured training gives you a clear advantage from the beginning.
The British College of Journalism delivers a focused online professional journalism course designed to help you build real writing experience through assignments that form a usable portfolio. This allows you to start developing publishable work immediately, rather than waiting to 'figure it out' alone.
You can request a free course guide today to learn how to start a career in freelance journalism and take the next step towards becoming a freelance writer.
Get your course guide
& free mini-tutorial
Complete the form below to receive your free course guide and course updates by email.
Melita C
The Professional Freelance Journalism Course gave me the confidence to start my career in freelance journalism. The in-depth educational material equipped me with the skills I needed to get published.
Tony N
I wanted to write when I left school, but I never achieved the correct qualifications. Finally, I achieved that goal and successfully became a graduate. I received my diploma promptly, and a boyhood ambition has come true.
Emily B
I've found that having this journalism qualification, and subsequently being published, has been beneficial for my work as a copywriter.
Andrew L
I have started working with Kung Fu Kingdom, which has accepted and commissioned several pieces of my work. This achievement speaks volumes about the quality and practical relevance of the education I received from the British College of Journalism.
Louisa E
The skills and confidence I gained through BCJ's Freelance Journalism Course opened the door to numerous opportunities in the media world. Since completing the course, I have been fortunate to contribute to some of the UK's most prominent publications…
Thomas B
I already have three streams of income from writing and I’m making more money than ever before. I now earn a living from my laptop, writing online blogs . . . The demand for content is endless. You don’t need to be an exceptional writer, just a good one, who is able to deliver what is asked of you to a deadline.
Sara M
I have written for a number of well-known international newspapers and magazines including BBC Wildlife, National Geographic Kids and National Wildlife Federation magazine... The satisfaction you get when seeing your article in a magazine is priceless!
-
Find out how to set yourself up as a freelance journalist and pitch to editors
-
Learn everything you need to know at your own pace from your own home
-
Complete practical assignments and build your journalism portfolio
-
Flexible course format allows your to study around work and family commitments
