Professional Diploma in Journalism
This journalism course explores journalism as more than a job, it is a vocation, a way of engaging deeply with the world. Journalists are not simply processors of information. They are observers, interpreters, analysts and storytellers, and at times even philosophers and poets.
Reporting reality is about more than repeating facts or relaying someone else’s words. It involves offering readers insight into events, people and ideas through your own informed perspective, shaped by your experiences, curiosity and critical thinking. Even when the words “I” or “me” never appear on the page, the journalist is always present in the story.
The world is not best understood through claims of complete objectivity, but through the thoughtful balance of head and heart. The most compelling journalism recognises that perspective matters, and that readers connect most strongly with writing that is honest, engaged and human.
This journalism course encourages students to move beyond outdated notions of detachment and to develop their voice, judgement and confidence as writers who actively engage with the subjects they report on.
Live online training with real-time instructor-student interaction.
- Archived for review
- 10 Weeks, 1 evening per week
- Starting September 2026
- 6.30 to 9.30pm
A flexible online approach developed to allow you to learn at your own pace.
- Fully online
- Pre Recorded
- Start Anytime
- Suit your own Schedule
- Access for 12 weeks
- 12 -13 weeks to send in the assignment
Course Details
Professional Diploma in Journalism
Ms. Brenda Power BL
Brenda Power has been in journalism for almost 40 years. She has worked for the Irish Press and Sunday Press, initially as a news reporter, later as a feature writer and columnist, and then moved to the Sunday Tribune as a reporter, feature writer, and columnist.
Brenda has worked as a presenter/reporter in RTE on the series Would You Believe, and also for two years as presenter of Crime Call. In radio, she stood in for Marian Finucane and Joe Duffy, as well as presenting several series of shows of her own, including a daily live interview series and a Sunday morning moral maze-type programme called The Grey Area. Brenda worked for Newstalk for two years presenting a daily morning phone-in show. She has worked for The Sunday Times for many years as a columnist, and also at The Irish Daily Mail, also as a columnist,
Brenda was called to the Bar in 1996 and is currently practising as a Barrister as well as continuing to work as a Journalist and Broadcaster.
Moira Lawson
Moira has been travelling the world since 2003 photographing and writing about people and their cultures.Throughout the years she has spent time as a photo-journalist for NGO’s in countries such as South Africa, Malawi, Colombia and Kenya. This work has seen her capture numerous images for Concern Worldwide and other organisations, working alongside some of the top dignitaries such as Kofi Annan (7th Secretary-General to the United Nations), Mary MacAleese and Mary Robinson (former Irish Presidents).
She spent 5 years working for a South African magazine (Camera & Image) as the Travel Feature Editor where her work took her across 7 Continents in 10 years. Her work focuses strongly on ethical and respectful photography and when she is not out taking photos Moira works as a Production Manager and Researcher in Film and Documentary.
Mr. Niall O’Flynn
Niall O’Flynn is a writer and director. A former award-winning journalist, he covered major international news and sports events for newspapers, radio & TV – working in the Middle East, USA, Australia, Europe, UK & Ireland, and heading national radio coverage of elections, referenda, budgets and major international news stories, including the 9/11 attacks.
He now directs a variety of TV’s flagship programmes and special events. He is the author of two books – Writing For A Living & Ireland’s Olympians – and a member of the Irish Film & Television Academy.
Course Award
A City College Dublin Professional Diploma Course is a focused, practical programme designed and delivered by an industry practitioner, that consolidates, upskills or reskills learners in a professional area. They are stand-alone qualifications that indicate that you have been trained in a particular area or specific subject matter.
City College Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study here by their organisation.
Learn from the best in your industry
Study your way, on your time
Programmes with purpose, aimed at your future
Here for you, every step of the way
Graduates Success
Congratulations to one of our recent alumni Sarah Bredin, a graduate of our Professional Diploma in Journalism who has just published an article in The Irish Times “The ethical shopper: Buy local, read labels, think before you shop”.
Testimonial
The Diploma in Journalism course at City Colleges was a fantastic experience. The lecturing team created an encouraging environment where people can once again rediscover their own enthusiasms and energy, or tap into it for the first time as the case may be.
They shared their experiences, opinions, views, values, knowledge in an industry where far too many seek to exclude in order to protect their own positions. It was hugely encouraging to discover someone within the industry with so much decency and appetite to help others, even in a broad sense beyond the course itself. Our tutors were able to reach each of us as individuals, to cater and allow for the different personalities and help get the best from each of us. Creating such an environment of empowering and equipping trust is not easy to achieve.
Dr. Myles Dungan – Course Director
Presenter & Broadcaster, RTE
Dr. Myles Dungan (PhD Trinity College, Dublin, 2012) is a writer, lecturer and broadcaster and is also Programme Director of the annual Hinterland Festival in Kells, Co. Meath.
He currently presents the weekly RTE Radio 1 programme The History Show, writes a weekly column (‘Fake Histories’) for the RTE Radio 1 Drivetime programme, and has worked as presenter of various RTE radio and TV programmes for the last thirty years (Five Seven Live, Rattlebag, Prime Time).
He is an Adjunct Lecturer in the UCD School of History and is the recipient of two Fulbright Awards. He has taught Irish history in UCD, Trinity College and the University of California, Berkeley.
He is the author of more than a dozen books on Irish and American history (including Irish Voices from the Great War, How the Irish Won the West and Mr. Parnell’s Rottweiler).
