Application for the part-time photojournalism course at Norton College, Sheffield have halved to just six in the previous three years
This article was migrated from an old version of our website in 2025. As a result, it might have some low-quality images or non-functioning links - if there's any issues you'd like to see fixed, get in touch with us at info@journalism.co.uk.
A spokesperson for Norton College in Sheffield has said the media industry is partly to blame for the lack of demand that lead the college to axe one of its photojournalism courses.
The college previously ran three courses in press photography: a full-time academic year course; a block release course supported by industry employment; and a refresher course.
The block release course was scrapped this year due to low demand and cuts in adult education funding.
"The lack of demand is linked to the industry," the college spokesperson told Journalism.co.uk.
"It all depends on the employers, but it seems their commitment to photojournalism is shrinking."
Applications to the part-time course have halved in the last three years, from 12 students in 2007/08 to just six in 2009/2010.
Now the full-time course is also in jeopardy, with applications for 2009/10 at just 13, leaving the course hanging on by a thread.
With the added pressures of funding cuts and a lack of demand for photojournalists in the industry, the college is now considering the NCTJ accredited course's future.
"Currently, the college's primary focus is on trying to save it," the spokesperson said. "This involves looking at whether the college can recruit a suitably qualified new course leader, as the current one is leaving, and also charging students the entire course fee, rather than the course being part subsidised given the overall cuts in adult courses funding."
The college could not confirm rumours that previous course leader Paul Delmar had taken voluntary redundancy and not retirement as several reports suggested.
"We would not comment on individual cases," the college spokesperson told Journalism.co.uk. "We can confirm that the Sheffield College launched a voluntary redundancy scheme last year. No staff are being forced to leave their jobs. They have chosen to apply to the scheme, which was open to all employees across the organisation. Around 100 jobs will be affected from a total staff number of 1,400. We have consulted with the trade unions and staff throughout this process. The college is not immune to the current economic climate but we are committed to minimising the impact on staff and students."
The NCTJ has nothing to add at this point.
