University of Cape Town
Feature Journalism
Navigate the styles, structure, and processes of feature journalism.
Starting soon
Start date
31 August 2023
Enroll by 25 August 2023
Course duration
10 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7–10 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The amount of people who trust traditional media as a source for general news and information.
Edelman (2019).
More than a third of newsrooms increased the number of long-form pieces they ran over the course of 2019.
International Center for Journalists (2019).
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
The rise of online content marketing and brand journalism has ignited the demand for professionals who produce quality content that is accurate, informative, and generates readership. The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Feature Journalism online short course equips you with the skills needed to research, write, and sell your features to a variety of publications. Over the course of 10 weeks, you’ll refine and enhance your writing skills as you become a better journalist and build towards your writing career.
This highly practical online course explores the development of feature stories, research methods, and interview techniques, amongst other essential content elements such as language, structure, and editing methods. Navigate the legal aspects and ethical implications of journalism, and discover best practices for working with editors. Throughout the course you’ll produce your own 2000-word feature article, guided and reviewed by the award-winning journalist André Wiesner.1
1 André Wiesner (Nd.) Accessed 2019.Is this course for you?
This course is designed for anyone wanting to develop their professional writing by acquiring in-depth research and interviewing skills, as well as those hoping to improve their readers’ experience by refining their structuring and editing knowledge. This is valuable to anyone hoping to enter into the journalism industry, and existing writers who wish to further enhance their skill set and expand their expertise. The course also offers the chance to validate your feature journalism skills with a certificate from UCT, and offers you the chance to expand your writing network by collaborating with fellow writers.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 10 weeks (excluding orientation)
The rise of online content marketing and brand journalism has ignited the demand for professionals who produce quality content that is accurate, informative, and generates readership. The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Feature Journalism online short course equips you with the skills needed to research, write, and sell your features to a variety of publications. Over the course of 10 weeks, you’ll refine and enhance your writing skills as you become a better journalist and build towards your writing career.
This highly practical online course explores the development of feature stories, research methods, and interview techniques, amongst other essential content elements such as language, structure, and editing methods. Navigate the legal aspects and ethical implications of journalism, and discover best practices for working with editors. Throughout the course you’ll produce your own 2000-word feature article, guided and reviewed by the award-winning journalist André Wiesner.1
1 André Wiesner (Nd.) Accessed 2019.Is this course for you?
This course is designed for anyone wanting to develop their professional writing by acquiring in-depth research and interviewing skills, as well as those hoping to improve their readers’ experience by refining their structuring and editing knowledge. This is valuable to anyone hoping to enter into the journalism industry, and existing writers who wish to further enhance their skill set and expand their expertise. The course also offers the chance to validate your feature journalism skills with a certificate from UCT, and offers you the chance to expand your writing network by collaborating with fellow writers.
What will set you apart
The skills to develop, research, and interview for feature journalism, alongside editing and structuring methods.
A 2000-word article for your portfolio or for publication, guided by award-winning journalist André Wiesner.
An understanding of the legal and ethical implications of feature journalism.
The knowledge needed to sell your articles within the publishing market.
Unlimited access to 2U’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Introduction to feature journalism
Module 2
The form and function of features
Module 3
Developing feature story ideas
Module 4
Researching the feature article
Module 5
Interviewing for feature journalism
Module 6
Essential elements of feature articles
Module 7
Language and structure
Module 8
Editing your article for style and clarity
Module 9
Journalistic ethics
Module 10
Selling your writing
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What past students
think
Eugene Seegers
Past student
This course has equipped me with the tools I need to be able to write a high-quality article for my channel of choice. The video tutorials, as well as the additional material, provide a solid basis for the learning experience, and I found the course notes to be comprehensive without being overwhelming.”
Course Convenor
Dr Ronald Irwin
Senior Lecturer of Media Studies and Production, University of Cape Town
About the certificate
Polish your writing skill set and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
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Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
