It was in 1976 that London’s City University opened its doors to the first cohort of postgraduate journalism students.
From that somewhat tentative beginning it soon developed into one of Britain’s most respected journalism faculties. Among its alumni are many leading newspaper, magazine and broadcasting journalists.
Now renamed City, University of London, a thriving undergraduate strand has since been launched in addition to the one-year MA course.
To mark the department’s 40th anniversary, a big party is being staged next month with many alumni in attendance.
Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan, who graduated in 1984, will host the event. Other speakers are expected to include Sun editor Tony Gallagher, BBC economics editor Kamal Ahmed, Guardian head of media Jane Martinson, Guardian joint political editor Anushka Asthana and the New Statesman’s deputy editor Helen Lewis.
The celebration will be held at Drapers’ Hall in London, beginning at 6.30pm (until 11pm) on 9 February. Tickets are £20 each, which includes a buffet and a welcome drink. Current students can attend for half price. More information here.
Full disclosure: I teach at City and have done so since 2003. And, yes, of course I’ll be partying too.
