The Professional Diploma in Business and Financial Journalism is a non-regulated professional qualification designed by London School of Finance and Law for finance and tax law students and practitioners who want to upgrade existing knowledge and skills in areas related to business and financial journalism.
Course programme
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- Essentials of journalism
- Journalism ethics and regulation
- Major finance newspapers, magazines and journals
- Corporate, financial and economic reporting skills for journalists
- Interviewing skills for journalists
- Data sources and analysis in business and financial journalism
- Analysing financial issues within a wider macroeconomic context: economics, politics, legislation, society, technology, environment
- Expanding specialist knowledge for business journalists: regions, sectors, companies, personalities
- Focus on globalisation, technology, sustainability, business ethics, equality and future of work in today’s journalist work
- Examining some of the best cases of financial investigative reporting
- Journalism vs. Investor and Public Relations (IR/PR) in the finance sector
- Financial blogging tools for digital journalism
- Reflective practice for journalists
- Creating a journalist e-portfolio
- Conducting a small-scale research project on business and financial journalist theories and practices
You will be able to select any two optional courses* from the following LSFL course list to complete your qualification:
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- Economic History
- Business Economics
- Financial Accounting
- Management Accounting
- Forensic Accounting
- Financial Management
- Corporate Finance
- Corporate and Business Law
- Taxation (UK)
- International Taxation
- Personal Financial Planning
- Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Estates
- Sources of Finance for Businesses
- Financial Markets and Institutions
- Behavioural Economics and Finance
- Economics for Investment Decision-Making
- Sustainable Finance: Major Issues in ESG and SR Investing
- Professional Ethics in Accounting and Tax Advisory Services
- Business Ethics, Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
* The optional courses are free if taken as part of this qualification. You will be sent details about registration for the optional courses after you start your studies with us.
Please note that all law and financial planning courses at LSFL, except for International Taxation, relate to the UK legal framework.
If English is not your native or second language, we recommend you complete English for Financial Journalists before enrolling in this course. English for Financial Journalists is also suitable for experienced business and financial journalists who would like to improve their written English skills and journalistic style.
Key features of the course
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- Flexibility to suit your needs – allowing you to study anytime, anywhere
- An emphasis on personal and professional development through independent learning
- Relevance of topics and practical examples to the context of your own professional practice
- Guided independent study, directed research and reading as well as tutor-marked assignments, including a reflective journal, a journalist e-portfolio and a final report, to reinforce learning
A unique feature of the course is an intensive one-week digital journalism bootcamp where students get practical experience of work in a technology-assisted newsroom. Moreover, the articles you will write during the course for your journalist e-portfolio will be published in our School’s finance magazines, providing you with a proven record of publications.
When enrolled in this course, you will work alongside our research team at the LSFL Centre for the Study of Financial Journalism and Strategic Communications. The course team runs a dedicated Twitter account: LSFL Business and Financial Journalism @BzFinJournalism.
The course can be taken alongside your degree or professional qualification studies elsewhere or as part of your informal career development programme.
Awards
The Professional Diploma in Business and Financial Journalism is awarded by London School of Finance and Law, allowing you to work as a journalist for a financial or business magazine or as a content manager in a financial institution.
You will also be awarded certificates of completion for the optional courses you will take as part of this qualification.
Learning outcomes
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- Knowledge and understanding of core subject areas
- Independent and critical thinking
- Problem-solving and reasoning
- Practical and professional skills
- Data handling, analytical skills and overall research literacy
- Communication, team working and time management skills
Career relevance
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- Journalism
- Business administration
- Management consultancy
- Financial management
- Risk management
- Investment analysis and management
- Professional bodies
- Professional training
- Government offices and NGOs
Study method
Online learning with tutor guidance and support
How long it takes
12 months (576 hours)
You need to be able to spend approximately 12 hours per week on studying this course.
Teaching and assessment
A tutor will guide you throughout the study process and mark and comment on your written work. You and your tutor will primarily communicate with each other through email.
The course work includes online practice tests, tutor-marked assignments and end-of-course assessment. The end–of-course assessment includes a reflective journal, a journalist e-portfolio and a 20-30 page qualification paper on business and financial journalist theories and practices.
You must use the online VLE-system to submit your tutor-marked assignments and end-of-course assessment.
The Pass mark for the course is 50%.
Study materials
All study materials are provided on the module website.
Microsoft Office presentations and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of study material are available.
A computer with a browser and broadband internet access is required for this course. Functionality may be limited on mobile or tablet devices.
If you have a disability or particular study requirements, please tell us as soon as possible.
Fees and funding
Course fees for the 2024/2025 academic year: £3,120
Course fees cover registration, course materials, tuition and assessment.
LSFL course fees depend on the level and duration of courses: check all tuition fee rates for the current academic year here.
You may be eligible for tuition funding.
Registration
Next term start date: 20 January 2025
The module website will be available to registered students three days in advance of the module start. Module sessions will be opened every week or every two weeks to enable tutor-led, gradual progression through the study materials and continuous assessment.
Course registration is open, but please be aware that due to the increased demand it may take us longer to respond than usual.
Registration closes 10 January 2025 (places subject to availability)
Registration for current students:
Registration for new students:
You have to register as an LSFL student to study this course.
Future availability
Professional Diploma in Business and Financial Journalism starts three times a year – in January, May and September.
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International professional qualifications: ACCA, CIMA, IMC, CFA or IAD
Advanced courses in business management, finance, business analytics and business law
English language requirements
There is no formal requirement to prove your English language proficiency to study our courses. If English is not your native or second language, or you would like to improve specialist language skills necessary for your profession, you may complete the following English language course:
English for Financial Journalists
A full range of our English language courses can be viewed here.