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We help budding sports journalists break into the industry with this fully flexible and self-paced online course. Start your dream career now.
The Professional Freelance Journalism Course has been designed to provide you with the professional skills required to succeed as a sports journalist. This course offers you a unique opportunity to develop the knowledge to be a professional freelance sports journalist or to indulge your passion for writing as a profitable sideline.
Get your free course guide and mini-tutorial by completing the form here.
Do you have a passion for both writing and sports? Then, this online course may be what you are looking for. This course can help you pursue a career as a sports journalist.
This course will teach you the fundamentals of sports journalism so you can better craft sports-related articles. Sports journalism isn’t just about reporting on the latest match/game or event. It includes profile pieces, season previews and wrap ups, opinion columns and blog posts, travel articles relating to sports events and so much more.
You will learn to ask the right questions when interviewing an athlete, coach, official or any other sports expert. It will also tighten your writing skills, help you develop quality article ideas and produce attention-grabbing pitches.
There is also the quiet but undeniable pleasure of seeing your name and material in print. Furthermore, in providing information and pleasure to your readers, you will also be giving recognition to those who deserve it and sometimes even assistance to those who need it. You’ll discover that being a freelance sportswriter gives you status. The very nature of your work also puts you in contact with endless people of interest – those who are worthy of writing about.
Writing about football, tennis, cricket, or any sport you are passionate about will make readers more aware of how sports evolve through time with various strategies from different athletes, coaches and officials.
Learn sports journalism online with us and be more confident in your skill set when it comes to journalism and writing!
Course Type
Professional & Personal Development
Study Mode
Distance Learning - via email or student portal
Course Length
12 Tutorials: Sent weekly or fortnightly (take up to a year)
Award
The Diploma of Professional Freelance Journalism
Payment Options
Flexible payment plans available
Why Do The Professional Freelance Journalism Course?
Fully Flexible And Online
No due dates or assignment deadlines, you work on the course at times that best suit you.
Recognition Of Studies
Obtain your Diploma and Media Pass.
Flexible Payment Options
Payment plans offered over three, and six months, or pay upfront and receive a £50 discount. Looking for a different payment schedule? Get in touch, we'll be happy to help.
12 Detailed Course Modules
Easy to use, detailed modules that become an invaluable guide for you long after graduation.
7-Day Money Back Guarantee
Should you decide this course is not for you, just get in touch by email within 7 days of your course start date to request your money back.
Personalised feedback on every assignment you submit from a successful journalist.
Personal Feedback From Your Tutor
Should you need to, you can take as long as one year to complete your course.
One Year To Complete
Read what our graduates say
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!
Jon B
I am fortunate to be published now and have had my work used by Sky Sports and Boxing News Magazine, as well as having a regular opinion piece on a boxing website … I still pinch myself that someone will pay for my thoughts and views on a sport I love and it may not have happened without this course.
Sandra B
The course was invaluable in my getting the article published as it gave step-by-step detailed information in each tutorial. …. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone interested in freelance journalism. The support has been brilliant and has given me invaluable skills to further my journalism career.
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.
Joy S
When I started I did not consider making journalism a career, but now I can earn money doing something I enjoy – life doesn’t get much better!
Ranjit S
I am delighted to say that I am now a regular feature writer for travel company Travioor. Obtaining the BCJ qualification was pivotal in acquiring this position as it increased my flair for words and improved my content structure.
In a nutshell, developing a strong set of journalism skills will help you become a more effective communicator, better understand your target audience, and create informative, engaging, and persuasive copy.
Gain Industry Knowledge Direct From The Source
This freelance journalism course was published by Joseph Morris, founder of the British College of Journalism off the back of more than 30 years experience in writing and publishing.
Mr Morris commenced his career as a cadet journalist and newspaper reporter before becoming a feature writer. He later published two weekly newspapers, one covering general sport and one for children. Mr Morris has also written a series of newsletters including On Assignment, a newsletter for travel writers and Briefing, a monthly newsletter for the media. Morris has also worked in radio and television, for United Press International (UPI) and as an international correspondent.
Apart from his intimate knowledge of professional writing, Morris had the ability to impart this knowledge. He launched The British College of Journalism in the United Kingdom and the Morris Journalism Academy in Australia in the early 2000’s. An acknowledged expert in media training via distance learning, he successfully trained students in more than 80 countries and territories. The British College of Journalism was launched in 2007 and has assisted countless graduates to success.
On the craft of freelance journalism, Mr. Morris always said: "Freelance writers are not born, they are taught. And, the simple truth is, it’s not that difficult."
Judy Yorke has been a journalist for more than 20 years. She has worked both on staff and as a freelancer, and has an enormous amount of experience across many sectors.
Judy worked earlier as a business journalist before moving to a feature agency supplying regional newspapers. She then switched to consumer magazines where she held senior staff positions including features editor of Woman and assistant features editor of Good Housekeeping. An important part of Judy’s work in both these roles was editing staff and freelancer copy in order to turn it into publishable material.
As a freelance journalist, Judy has worked for, among others, Fabulous, Closer, Prima, Essentials, Women’s Own, Love It, and Real People. At the time of writing Judy also a weekly contributor to the Daily Mirror.
Senior Tutor: Judy Yorke
- KRISTEN KING
Full-time freelance writer-editor. A previous finalist in the Writer’s Digest “Best Writer’s Website” Contest and named one of the previous “Top 10 Blogs for Writers”. Her work has appeared in local, regional and national publications both in print and online, and she has a global freelance client base. Kristen makes her home in the Virginian countryside with her husband, a pug, a bull mastiff, and two cats.
Course Contributors
- MICHAEL PICKERING
Currently a freelance editor and journalist, Michel was Editor of Men’s Style magazine. Previously Michael has been Editor of Rugby League Week and Editor of cricket magazine, Inside Edge and Ralph magazine. He has also been a senior writer, sub and editor at a number of international publications.
- NETTIE HARTSOCK
Nettie has been a professional freelance writer for the past 20 years, including high tech and business journalism. Apart from her strong print media background, Nettie has become a leading provider of freelance material to the internet. In her diverse writing journey, she’s worked as a technical writer, produced legal documentaries, and was a devoted celebrity/lifestyle/fiction review writer for many different print magazines. She also worked as managing editor of a high gloss feature and styles magazine Access Texas. Nettie was also a reporter for the award winning alternative print news weekly The Chatauquan.
Follow Your Passion
The Professional Freelance Journalism Course provides individual and flexible, quality training. Learn to write about what you love and how to get paid for it!
For more than a decade, The British College of Journalism has helped thousands of aspiring writers achieve success.
See your work published
Grow your skills for success in print and online journalism.
15,000+
Students
17
Years of Experience in Distance Education
80
Countries and Territories
Course Content
Learn freelance journalism with us and be more confident in your skill set and services in sports journalism!
BASICS OF FREELANCE JOURNALISM & WORKING FROM HOME
So, you want to be a freelance journalist? This introduction sets a solid foundation to the exciting and dynamic world of journalism. This tutorial will present the day-to-day realities of being a journalist, as well as debunking the myths of the industry. You will be introduced to what it means to work freelance, as opposed to full-time, as well as the implications these roles have. You will be given tips on setting-up a functional and productive work space and ethic, and how this works on the road. Tutorial one concludes with Assignment One.
THE MARKET PLACE & THE ARTICLE
Success in the industry comes in part by knowing the news stands and identifying markets. In this tutorial, you will be shown the different formats of publications that make the industry, as well as gaining an understanding of the differences between news, stories, features, profiles, reviews and columns, and you will learn what editors like. The tutorial ends with Assignment Two.
KNOWING YOUR CLIENTS & BUILDING A CV
In tutorial four we go through the chain of command and production cycle, starting with the editor and what they do. You will learn how to satisfy any editor, as well as how to develop relationships with sub-editors and using these to your advantage to sell and gain stories. You will begin to develop your portfolio, as well as learning everything you need to know about writing for lifestyle magazines. Tutorial four finishes with Assignment Four.
UNDERSTANDING GRAMMAR & SUB-EDITING
Tutorial three is back to basics, where you will look at the parts of speech, the importance of punctuation and the rule of modern language. You will be given tips on editing and re-editing your work and the growth that comes from an editor telling you to ‘have another go’. As well as this, you will learn to recognise when your article is finished and how to write a review. The tutorial ends with Assignment Three.
HOW TO GET FREELANCE ARTICLE IDEAS
This tutorial will help you find your ‘light bulb’ moment, as we explore where to find good ideas and turning them into great stories. You will learn seasonal story ideas, and how to place yourself in the front line of accessing potential stories. This tutorial will also cover how to write for music press. Assignment Five rounds off this tutorial.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD FREELANCE ARTICLE
Building on knowledge gained from tutorial five, tutorial six explored the finer points of turning a good story into a great story, exploring new angles to a story and picking the right angle. You will learn of the importance of research and multiple view points, and how to conduct effective research using many channels. This tutorial also explores everything you need to know about writing for women’s magazines.
HOW TO SELL AN ARTICLE
Tutorial seven begins with the all important pitch; how to pitch, and why timing is everything. You will learn about how to get your pitch in front of the right people, as well as the right and wrong ways to do the ‘hard sell’. This tutorial covers the uncomfortable topic of rejection, and how to bounce back from it. It takes a practical look at the business-end of freelance journalism, looking at contracts, rates and copyright, and the industry standards that determine these elements. You will also learn about writing for men’s magazines, as well photography and photo-journalism.
TAKING A BRIEF & THE BASIC RULES OF JOURNALISM
In tutorial eight, you will look at the brief, and the importance of sticking to it. It also covers writing to a deadline, and why deadlines are so important. Tutorial eight also covers journalism ethics, with a brief discussion on defamation, developing and respecting sources, and the importance of industry contacts. This tutorial looks further into travel writing, and how to write a fishing article, and computer and IT articles.
HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE – PART ONE: THE BASICS
Tutorial nine is the first in a two-part series on how to write an article. Beginning at the basics, you will look at understanding the client and the audience, as well as the rules of reporting (the who, what, where, when and why). You will learn how to make structure simple by understanding the structure pyramid. You will also learn the importance of the lead, and what the lead should contain, as well as how to use direct and indirect quotes, references and how to end a story. This tutorial concludes with Assignment Six.
HOW TO WRITE AN ARTICLE – PART TWO: WRITING STYLE
In the second part of ‘How to Write an Article’, you will look at writing in the active voice, as well as setting tone and tense, and sticking to it. You will learn how to build a story and letting it flow, while removing redundant words, platitudes and clichés. You will learn that competent writing is good writing.
THE INTERVIEW
Tutorial eleven explores how to set up, and conduct interviews, as well as the finer points of interviewing, interview techniques and how to get the most out of a short amount of interview time. You will learn how to make technology work in your favour as a freelance journalist, as well as how to work as a roving reporter. This tutorial concludes with Assignment Seven.
FREELANCE ASSIGNMENTS THAT PAY
To conclude this online freelance journalism course, you will look at why niche publishing is so important to a freelancer, as well as how to write and sell to these niche markets. Tutorial twelve looks at the various niche markets and discusses the potential markets that are often overlooked. On the business end of being a freelancer, this tutorial offers a checklist for running your freelance business, and factors such as taxation and accountancy. This tutorial offers a valuable list of contacts, associations and resources to set you on your way. This tutorial ends with your final assignment.
Establish a full or part-time career as a sports journalist.
Open the door to a world of opportunity!
The Ultimate Guide To Becoming A Professional Freelance Writer by The British College of Journalism is FREE for a limited time only. Take advantage and get the FREE eBook along with the course guide now!
Take The First Step To Become A Professional Freelance Writer
15,000+
17
80
Students
Years Training Successful Journalists
Countries and Territories
The Professional Freelance Journalism Course has been designed to provide you with the professional skills required to succeed as a freelance journalist. This online journalism course offers you a unique opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge required to be a professional freelance journalist or to indulge your passion for writing as a profitable sideline.
The British College of Journalism
The British College of Journalism is a division of International News Syndicate LTD. Our directors and principals have been involved in all aspects of media work, training and distance education for some 30 years.
The British College of Journalism is a division of International News Syndicate LTD. Our directors and principals have been involved in all aspects of media work, training and distance education for some 30 years.
Through online course delivery and email communication, the College is able to assist you every step of the way.
