To enter the industry of media and journalism, it is important to practice old and current skills to adapt to today’s dynamic industry. In a competitive landscape where experience goes a long way, student media at Newcastle University may be the very thing you need.
Being a University student means a lot of writing for academic purposes, gaining knowledge of the field and learning from those who work or have worked in the industry. Still, at Newcastle University, there are so many extracurricular opportunities for you to sink your teeth into, offering you the sweet instant gratification of your work published in an established newspaper or hearing your voice broadcast across campus. Finding a space with publishing and broadcasting freedom is liberating and a place you do not see in national media outlets.
Within Newcastle University’s Students Union, student media is a collaborative community of the award-winning student newspaper The Courier, 24/7 award-winning NSR student radio, and the television channel NUTV.
Currently, student media has over 500 volunteers, making it the BIGGEST Go Volunteer Programme within the SU. These students come from not only MCH courses but from across the whole University. Many alumni mention their degree highlights came from the community of student media.
What do we do?
The community within student media is diverse allowing many perspectives and cultures to meet with and learn. Student media gives you the chance to find like-minded writers and meet people from different schools within the university.
Joining Student Media can assist in developing your skills to support your place in the industry, potentially learning about what to expect in a professional newsroom and working your way up the position hierarchy.
Stage 2 JMC student and Head of Life & Style Charlotte Burley-Hnat said "I was a volunteer writer for 4 months before I got promoted to a sub-editor where I got to design paper spreads. Now in my second year, I am the co-head of Life & Style in which I oversee six sub-sections with a team of ten editors. I also have a radio show called ‘I Digress’ and I love the progression, freedom and fun Student media offers".
Unlike any other university SU media outlet, Newcastle has an elected and full-time post-graduate who oversees and runs all three branches. Editor-in-Chief Lucy Bower said ‘being SMO is a privilege and I love to work with the volunteers to hear their views on current topics. As a director and trustee of the Students' Union, being able to give student perspectives directly to the University executive board is very important.
Over the last 75 years, The Courier has reported on some of the biggest stories from campus and in the local area. From student activism to local and national politics to the best music and arts scenes in Toon, The Courier has covered it. The paper was first established in 1948.
The team prides itself on its independence from the University, allowing students to freely report on the good and the bad happenings on campus. Writers can be critical of their education experience, holding power to account with university and union leaders and fighting to make a difference within the student community.
Volunteering for The Courier allows you to get ahead in your degree with media law training and industry-standard software training, communicate with media practices such as press relations, Freedom of Information requests, interviewing and reporting accurately.
Former student media officer Gabbi De Boer ‘I wanted the practical experience, for a creative outlet and just to have fun! I have used everything I learned from SM, every day in my current job’.
The newspaper is the voice of Newcastle students, so being in the role means sharing student concerns and perspectives not only across campus but also to the wider community, practicing hyper-local journalism from day one.
NSR, has its own recording, podcasting and live-streaming room, where the magic happens 24/7. The award-winning station has over 40 shows where students can host, present and gossip about their favourite topics.
From sports to blind dates, game shows and specialised music programmes, ThisIsNSR offers skills and practice in broadcasting on air, online and in the students' union.
Former NSR Station Manager James Turner (Jim Jam the Radio Man) said:
‘I have two favourite moments: plugging in the radio for the first time after Christmas in 2023 and it working for the first time. Or hosting the SRA conference, where I met so many good friends and brilliant people from the industry.
NSR also run fundraising events for charity in collaboration with the NUTV. Last academic year, volunteers live-streamed for 24 hours to raise money for UNICEF in aid of children in Gaza.
Ross Bennett, former Deputy Editor of The Courier said ‘The livestream was a barrel of laughs, and I had so much fun in the studio. Highlights would be The Courier office hunger games and a 3am McDonalds delivery and also raising money for Gaza. It is a great example of the values and virtues of NSR’.
Working at Newcastle Un Television offers volunteers a dynamic and engaging experience that spans various aspects of media production including, camera operating, livestreaming, commentating, and production.
Allowing participants to explore the multiple facets of broadcasting. NUTV covers big events on campus to bring the student lifestyle and interest straight to the big screens, so no one feels like they are getting FOMO. Production makes the events more accessible to the wider student community, and gaining skills in media production is a great skill to empower your future career in digital industries.
One of the big events NUTV co-hosts is Fight Night, where students live-stream boxing competitions in the NUSU venue, gaining hands-on experience in the technical aspects of production. From sound, lighting and script writing, students gain practical skills in working on live-long form content creation.
Sport Sub-Editor, Noelia Fernandez Perez says, ‘I love working with NUTV because the events we get to work in are so much fun, and we get free access to live broadcasting and commentating. The experience has made me want to go work in broadcast in the future’.
NUTV also run the Student Elections and Student Council to discuss the student experience, hold representatives to account and directly influence the work done with the union, the university and in the education industry nationally. Broadcasting student feedback helps keep the union and the students transparent about the happenings on campus.
During the student elections, volunteers get to live interview candidates for sabbatical and liberation roles, sharing their manifestos and supporting democracy within the union.
James Kellett, former Gaming Sub-Editor, who is now completing his NCTJ said ‘It was slightly nerving to do it but I’m so happy I went ahead with presenting. I proved to myself that I could take a task and make something out of it which has been so useful in giving me confidence to cover stories that are outside of my comfort zone.
Join student media by attending our Student Media afternoons every Wednesday in the union for your chance to sign up for amazing opportunities in media! For more information check out @courieronline on Instagram.
