London School of Journalism

What London School of Journalism does

Founded in 1920 and headquartered in the United Kingdom (registered office in Staverton, Cheltenham; London training academy at Maida Vale), the London School of Journalism (LSJ) is a privately held education provider operating as a multi-entity group under LSJ Holdings Ltd, comprising The London School of Journalism Ltd. (primary UK entity), Post Graduate Open Learning Ltd. (UK postgraduate), Open Learning Ltd. (international and non-journalism), and LSJ Tutors (course assessment and marking). It serves aspiring journalists, freelance writers, creative writers, and corporate/organizational clients, with operating geographies spanning the UK, UAE, USA, South Africa, and Bahrain.

The school's product portfolio is organized around four core channels: (i) Online Courses — 18 distance-learning modules covering news journalism, internet journalism, media law, subediting, feature/freelance specializations (travel, music & arts, sports), creative writing (novel, short story, thriller, romantic novel, children's, poetry, memoir), and English language/history, priced £290-£460 with installment options; (ii) Postgraduate Diploma — a multi-module £3,900 program delivered via London evening classes and distance learning; (iii) Summer School — a four-week intensive in London each August at £1,695; and (iv) Bespoke/Corporate Training — customized programs for companies and government agencies. Course delivery is via a JavaScript-based online learning management system at online.lsj.org with optional video tutorial integration, and one-to-one tutor feedback from working journalists and writers with at least a decade of field experience.

The business model is B2B2C hybrid: the long tail consists of self-enrolled individual learners paying per course (subscription/installment cadence), while corporate/enterprise bespoke training and two postgraduate diploma cohorts per year provide larger, scheduled contract revenue. Distribution is primarily website-led at lsj.org, supplemented by student testimonials, alumni case studies, and word-of-mouth. No public funding, M&A, or listing has been disclosed; the firm operates as a self-funded, mature SME with a 50-person headcount band and century-long operating history.

Name

London School of Journalism

Legal name

The London School of Journalism Ltd.

Website

https://lsj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The London School of Journalism, founded in 1920, provides distance learning, postgraduate diplomas, summer schools, and bespoke corporate training in journalism and creative writing to aspiring journalists, freelance writers, and organizations across the UK, Middle East, North America, Africa, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Journalism and Creative Writing Education

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Writing Skills & Composition Enrichment (EDAMAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Writing, Journalism & Publishing Camps (EDAMALAM), Essay, Research & Academic Writing (Middle/High School) (EDAMAJAL), English/Language Arts Tutoring (Reading, Writing, Literature) (EDANAAAC), Writing & Assignment Support (Essays, Reports, Research Skills) (EDANADAD), Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Journalism training courses
• Creative writing courses
• Distance learning education
• Freelance writing training
• Corporate media training

Headquarters

HQ city

Maida Vale

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Online Course Fees: Students pay for individual online courses, with various payment options including full payment upfront or monthly installment plans. Courses range from £290 to £445 depending on the program.
2. Postgraduate Course Fees: Full postgraduate diploma course priced at £3,900, with deposit of £100 and first module fee of £1,050. Structured as a multi-module program with scheduled start dates.
3. Summer School Fees: Four-week intensive summer school program in London priced at £1,695, with options to pay in full or via deposit (£450) plus balance.
4. Bespoke/Corporate Training: Customized courses developed for organizations and corporate clients seeking tailored journalism and writing skills training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The London School of Journalism delivers tutor-supported, distance-learning and in-person courses in journalism and creative writing, marketed primarily to individual aspiring journalists, freelance writers and creative writers globally. Its portfolio comprises four core offerings: an online courses programme with around 18 course modules across news journalism, freelance writing, internet journalism, creative writing and English language; a postgraduate diploma with evening classes in London; an intensive four-week London summer school; and bespoke corporate training programmes tailored to organisations and government agencies.

Product overview

The London School of Journalism offers a portfolio of educational products comprising four core offerings: Online Courses (distance learning programs in journalism and creative writing with optional video tutorials), a Postgraduate Course (diploma programs in journalism with flexible study options), Summer School (intensive four-week face-to-face program in London), and Bespoke Courses (customized corporate training). The Online Courses span 18 distinct course modules covering journalism specializations (News Journalism, Internet Journalism, Media Law, Subediting and Design), freelance writing tracks (Feature Writing, Travel Writing, Music & Arts Writing, Sports Writing), creative writing (Novel Writing, Short Story Writing, Thriller Writing, Romantic Novel Writing, Poetry Writing, Writing for Children, Writing a Personal History), and English language programs (Improve Your English, English for Business, Understanding English History). The Postgraduate Course and Summer School provide structured credential programs while Bespoke Courses offer customized training for organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Courses (Distance Learning) A portfolio of self-paced distance-learning courses covering journalism, freelance and feature writing, internet journalism, creative writing, and English language programmes, delivered through the LSJ's online learning platform with optional live video tutorials and one-to-one tutor feedback.
• Postgraduate Diploma Course A postgraduate diploma in journalism combining structured evening classes in London with flexible study, providing pre-entry knowledge and experience for students seeking professional journalism careers.
• Summer School A four-week intensive face-to-face journalism training programme held each August in London, taught in small groups and aimed at international and UK-based students wanting immersive journalism skills.
• Bespoke Corporate Courses Customised journalism and writing training programmes developed for organisations, government agencies and corporate clients requiring tailored in-house training for their employees.
• News Journalism Course A 16-lesson online course training students in staff journalism skills including interviewing, reporting, intro writing, feature articles, subbing, headline creation and newsroom techniques.
• Freelance and Feature Writing Course A comprehensive online freelance writing course covering the whole field of modern freelance writing, with optional specialist modules in Music, Travel and Sports writing. Over 80% of students have work published by course completion.
• Internet Journalism Course A 12-lesson online course covering web content creation and training for freelance web journalism, including the use of social media and AI in journalism.
• Novel Writing Course An online course developing techniques for writing novels, including plotting, dialogue, character development, narrative understanding and publishing guidance, with extensions available for additional chapters.
• Short Story Writing Course A 14-lesson online course teaching the craft and technique of writing complete, self-contained short stories across various genres.
• Writing a Romantic Novel Course A 14-lesson online course teaching romantic fiction writing including plot construction, characterisation, dialogue, narrative viewpoint and publishing guidance.
• Thriller Writing Course An online course covering the thriller genre, including plot development, characterisation, narrative voice, dialogue and publishing strategies.
• Writing for Children Course A 10-lesson online course covering children's literature across multiple genres, including picture books, fiction, teenage fiction, non-fiction and publishing guidance, with extensions available for additional chapters.
• Writing Poetry Course An 8-lesson online course covering poetry writing, including rhyme, metre, form, imagery, metaphor and getting published.
• Subediting and Design Course A 12-lesson online course covering subediting skills including copy editing, headline writing, legal responsibilities and publication design principles.
• Media Law Course A 12-lesson online course covering English media law using McNae's Essential Law for Journalists, including defamation, contempt of court and privacy law. A graded Diploma is awarded on successful completion.
• Freelance and Travel Writing Course A specialist online freelance writing course focusing on travel writing, covering travel journalism overview, market preparation and commercial appeal techniques.
• Freelance and Music & Arts Writing Course A specialist online freelance writing course covering music and arts writing, including reviewing, interviewing and feature writing for the arts industry.
• Freelance and Sports Writing Course A specialist online freelance writing course covering sports journalism, including sports reporting, interviewing and sports market opportunities, with optional tutorials available at extra cost.
• English for Business Course An 11-lesson online course developing business English communication skills including style, advertising, reports, presentations, summaries and CVs.
• Improve Your English Course An 8-lesson online course helping students write correct English using current forms of language and idiom, covering grammar, style and common pitfalls.
• Understanding English History Course A 9-lesson online course covering English history from Roman Britain to the European Union, examining major events that have shaped western civilization.
• Writing a Personal History Course An online course teaching techniques for writing personal histories and memoirs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% of freelance writing students have work published by time they complete the course
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Faber Academy: UK-based creative writing school offering short courses and longer programmes in novel writing, poetry, and non-fiction. Direct overlap with LSJ's creative writing portfolio (novel, poetry, short story, thriller, romantic fiction).
• Cambridge School of Journalism: A UK-based distance learning journalism school offering freelance, news, and feature writing courses via online and correspondence formats. Closest direct competitor to LSJ by delivery model, target student profile, and course pricing.
• News Associates: London-based journalism school offering fast-track and postgraduate diploma courses, with strong industry placement record. Competes directly with LSJ's postgraduate diploma and summer school offerings for UK-based journalism aspirants.
• Curtis Brown Creative: London-based literary writing school run by the Curtis Brown literary agency, offering novel and short fiction courses. Comparable to LSJ in creative-writing curriculum and tutor calibre (working industry authors).

Broad incumbents

• London College of Communication (UAL): University of the Arts London constituent college offering journalism, media, and creative writing degree programmes. Competes with LSJ for London-based students seeking professional media training.
• City, University of London – Journalism Department: One of the UK's leading university journalism programmes offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Competes with LSJ's postgraduate diploma for entry-level and career-changer journalism students seeking credentials.
• National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ): The UK's industry-standard body for journalism training and accreditation. Sets the qualification benchmarks LSJ's postgraduate diploma competes against; provides broader journalism training infrastructure rather than competing only on commercial courses.
• Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism: Global flagship journalism school offering master's programmes. Indirectly competes with LSJ for international students seeking credible journalism credentials, though at very different price points and selectivity.
• Penguin Random House Writers Academy: The publishing giant's online writing courses division offers creative writing programmes. Overlaps with LSJ's creative writing catalogue but distributed through a major publisher's marketing and audience funnel.

Emerging players

• The Writers' Workshop: Online creative writing school focused on novel, memoir and short fiction courses. Comparable course catalogue to LSJ's creative writing modules but at smaller scale and more recent founding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/london-school-of-journalism

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about London School of Journalism