Distance Learning Courses

Enrol now

If you want to learn to write, distance learning is a very successful method of learning. LSJ courses are world-renowned for training by home-study, and cover creative writing and journalism in all its forms.

Courses can be completed entirely online.

London School of Journalism courses can teach you to make the most of your writing ability. We have trained students to be successful writers for almost 100 years.

Make the most of your writing ability

  • Course List
  • How does it work?
  • T & Cs
  • Enrol
  • Freelance and Feature Writing (with optional video tutorials)

    The great advantage of freelance writing is that it can be done either in conjunction with another career, or as a career in itself. It can also be a very well paid profession, whether part-time or full-time. This course is an ideal starting point and covers the whole field of modern freelance writing…
    Learn more…
  • News Journalism

    This course will train you in a whole range of skills, all of which are required for a successful career as a staff journalist. You will learn the techniques of interviewing and reporting through the practical experience of your assignments as well as writing an intro, feature and editorial articles…
    Learn more…
  • Internet Journalism (with optional video tutorials)

    This 12-lesson course is designed to give a basic understanding of how to create web content as well as in-depth training in the art of being a freelance supplier to the web. The course begins with a basic introduction to the web and then deals with the basics of freelance writing - not just with…
    Learn more…
  • Novel Writing

    A good novelist offers the reader a story in which events and actions have logical but unpredictable consequences, and which will eventually lead to a satisfying conclusion, but which also give the reader some surprises along the way. This course will help you develop the techniques needed to achieve…
    Learn more…
  • Short Story Writing

    Whether a short story is meaningful and gritty or light entertainment, a good one is a work of art. It’s a brief encounter. It’s a glimpse into another life. It’s complete and self-contained. With no room for padding, the short story also bares the elements of the writing craft – your writing…
    Learn more…
  • Thriller Writing

    If you are dedicated, determined and love this exciting genre, the course will show you how to understand, plot and produce an entertaining thriller of your own. The Thriller's popularity has evolved over the last hundred years as the media industry has also developed. It is, by definition, a genre…
    Learn more…
  • Freelance and Travel Writing (with optional video tutorials)

    The great advantage of freelance writing is that it can be done either in conjunction with another career, or as a career in itself. It can also be a very well paid profession, whether part-time or full-time. This course is an ideal starting point and covers the whole field of modern freelance writing…
    Learn more…
  • Freelance and Music and the Arts (with optional video tutorials)

    The great advantage of freelance writing is that it can be done either in conjunction with another career, or as a career in itself. It can also be a very well paid profession, whether part-time or full-time. This course is an ideal starting point and covers the whole field of modern freelance writing…
    Learn more…
  • Freelance and Sports Writing (with optional video tutorials)

    The great advantage of freelance writing is that it can be done either in conjunction with another career, or as a career in itself. It can also be a very well paid profession, whether part-time or full-time. This course is an ideal starting point and covers the whole field of modern freelance writing…
    Learn more…
  • Subediting

    Although writers attract the plaudits (and brickbats) of the literary world, those who work on the editorial side of the business are largely responsible for the finished product. Checking for the accuracy of information and avoiding any legal pitfalls has always been too important to leave solely in…
    Learn more…
  • Media Law

    This course takes the form of 12 lessons which incorporate reading, writing and revision assignments designed to consolidate your knowledge of the subjects covered. The course is structured to take account of the difficulties students most frequently encounter in understanding media law and the suggested…
    Learn more…
  • Improve your English

    This course was written specially to help those who want to write straightforward, correct English, using current forms of language and idiom. The course will show you the best way to deal with the complexities and anomalies of the English language, and how to improve the style and content of your writing…
    Learn more…
  • Writing for Children

    Most people have fond memories of books that they read as a child, stories that made them laugh, gasp, hide their head under the bedclothes whilst they read the final gripping paragraph, or transported them to faraway, magical worlds. Parents enjoy reading stories to their own children. This can be …
    Learn more…
  • English History

    If you have an understanding of English History from Roman Britain to the European Union you will have given yourself a basic knowledge of the major events that have shaped the history of western civilization. This course will prompt you to do much individual reading. You will learn which events have…
    Learn more…
  • Writing Poetry

    Poetry has enjoyed a revival in the last five years, with more people writing and reading it than at any time since the thirties. If you are a new or inexperienced poet, this is a good time to begin. Your tutor will provide advice and guidance as to the form and construction that will best suit you…
    Learn more…
  • Writing a Romantic Novel

    What is a romantic novel? It’s usually a story in which boy meets girl, boy loses girl, then boy gets girl back again. It always answers the question: who ends up with whom. It should take the reader on an emotional journey in which elements such as mystery, horror, fantasy and adventure are secondary…
    Learn more…
  • English for Business

    The ability to communicate effectively is a priority for anyone wishing to succeed in business. Even the most straightforward business correspondence needs to be clear, relevant and appropriate in style if it is to achieve its purpose. Advertising copy and promotional material must be well designed …
    Learn more…

Distance Learning courses consist of 3 major parts:

  1. Lesson modules:

    All course material is provided in PDF format. They can be downloaded whenever is convenient for you.
  2. Lesson assignments:

    At the end of every lesson module there are a number of assignments for you to complete.
  3. Feedback and Critique:

    Your tutor comprehensively reviews your assignments and returns them to you. With the return of your marked assignments, you will receive the answers to any queries you have raised and any additional suggestions your tutor feels would be helpful.

Course start dates and duration

Distance learning courses have no set start dates, and may be taken at a time to suit you and your plans. Students are given two years in which to complete their course.

Most students complete their course within a year. On average, one lesson module a month is a reasonable target. If you have lots of time to dedicate to the course, it would be possible to complete one lesson module every week. As a result, all of our courses can be completed in a few months, although it will take hard work!

Diplomas and Certificates:

For all Journalism courses, a Diploma is awarded where the student has achieved a satisfactory standard, a Diploma with Distinction is awarded where a student has achieved a consistently high standard of work, and an Honours Diploma is awarded to those who have shown outstanding ability and expertise.

For the Creative Writing courses, a Certificate of Completion is awarded upon the end of the course where a student's work has been satisfactory.

Terms and Conditions for Distance Learning courses

The return of a signed enrolment form or completion of our online enrolment form constitutes a contract between the London School of Journalism and the named student.

A student shall have a period of two years from the date of enrolment to complete the course.  At the discretion of the School and at the request of the student the period of the course may be extended, for which a fee may be payable.

The student may cancel this contract by notifying the School in writing within the first seven days after receiving the initial course materials and by returning all such materials in good usable condition within a further seven days whereupon a full refund of all amounts received by the school will be given.

The school may at its absolute right and discretion terminate a course in circumstances where it feels that a student will not benefit further from the teaching provided and under such circumstances will be liable only to refund to the student the proportion of fees relating to those lesson modules which have been cancelled and not worked by the student.

Students who agree to pay their fees by instalments are required to make their periodic payments according to the fees schedule, except that where a student progresses the course at a rate in advance of the proportion of fees paid, the School will require payment to be advanced, or the delivery of lesson modules delayed.

Courses held in the United Kingdom are provided by The London School of Journalism Ltd, in other markets some or all of the courses are provided by Open Learning Ltd, licensed to trade outside of the United Kingdom as The London School of Journalism. Any course fee quoted covers the provision by either supplier.

All contracts between the School and students are subject to the terms of The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 in addition to the specific terms as set above.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall be held to restrict the rights of Students existing under statute.

The following should be taken as an indication of current working practice and of the discretion exercised by the School in its day to day activities and do not form part of the standard terms and conditions:

In any case where the School and the student are unable to resolve a dispute over quality or service the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council is prepared to review the position on behalf of the student and the School will comply with any specific ODL QC recommendation (on an ex-gratia basis) even where it is not legally obliged to do so.

The student may cancel this contract more than seven days and less than 30 days after receipt of the initial course materials by notifying the School in writing.  The School will refund any course fees received subject to a deduction in respect of administration and tutor costs incurred to date. After 30 days no right of refund shall exist.  The School may at its discretion grant a refund or partial refund of fees at any time during the period of the course.

How to Enrol

You can enrol online using the secure enrolment form, by clicking on the "enrol now" button below.
Before enrolling, please read our terms and conditions.