Estimated study time:
At least 70 hours over 7 - 9 months
Price: £550
Download an enrolment form (Word document - 48 KB)
Download a standing order mandate (Word document - 29KB) - complete and return with your enrolment form to pay in instalments
"I thoroughly enjoyed this copy-editing course. The materials were excellent as was the support from the course tutor and administration. I felt the pace and development were just right, allowing confidence and skills to develop without feeling overwhelmed. I am now taking on freelance copy-editing work from several academic publishers (and, in fact, was able to do so part way through the course). Very many thanks for all your hard work in putting together this very useful and engaging course."
E Ross
This is a thorough and up to date editing course, which covers the entire copy-editing process.
Editors face huge variations in the kind of work they are expected to undertake, depending on the type of publication they are dealing with, and this is reflected in the course materials. You’ll work on examples from fiction, academic texts, reference books and even instruction manuals. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to approach anything from a novel by a best-selling author to an article for a scientific journal.
Each unit contains four or more self-check exercises plus a longer assignment that you send to your tutor, who will mark it and provide you with the feedback you need to progress to the next unit.
The mixture of assignments and self-check exercises will give you the guided practice you need. Each assignment tests the knowledge and skills you’ve developed in the unit that you’ve just completed. The final assignment is also a consolidation exercise, which tests what you have learned in the preceding units.
On successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate, indicating the level of pass you have achieved (pass, merit or distinction). If you're an SfEP member, the course is worth between 10 and 20 points (depending on your grade) towards upgrading your membership. You will also be eligible to enter your details on the Publishing Training Centre's Freelance Directory.
Programme summary
- The copy-editor’s world
- Marking up
- Grammar and punctuation
- Cover to cover
- Style and level
- Specialist texts
- Tables, technical figures and copy-fitting
- Endmatter
Copy-Editing - full programme ...
About the author
Barbara has more than 30 years' experience in educational and trade publishing and now works as a freelance editor, project manager, consultant and trainer. She is a regular tutor on the Publishing Training Centre’s open courses and the author of Editorial Project Management by Distance Learning.
Your tutor
When you begin the course, a tutor will be assigned to you. All tutors for Copy-Editing either are or have been working editors with many years' publishing experience.
Online training and support
During the course, you'll also have the option of accessing additional training and support online (although it is not necessary in order to complete the course).
Course fees
Copy-Editing by Distance Learning is £550, which can be paid in instalments (see below). This covers all course materials, marking of modules, professional tutor support and a copy of the New Oxford Dictionary for Writers & Editors. It does not cover your postage costs or the cost of telephone calls to your tutor.
Money back guarantee
If, within 30 days of receiving your course materials (and before any assignments have been marked), you decide that the course is not for you, simply return the materials to us, in perfect condition, to receive a full refund.
How to enrol
To enrol, download and print the enrolment form (file size: 48KB) and fax it to 020 8870 8985 or send it to the Publishing Training Centre, 45 East Hill, Wandsworth SW18 2QZ. If you're in the UK, you can pay in four monthly instalments by standing order (download a standing order mandate).
Further questions?
You might find the answer on our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Alternatively, you can request a brochure or call us on 020 8874 2718 with any queries.