Who will benefit from this course?

• editorial staff in publishing houses

• freelance proofreaders interested in editing

What qualifications do I need?

No specific qualifications are required, but you should have an understanding of the publishing process and / or proofreading experience. You will also need:

• an eye for detail

• the ability to concentrate

• a good command of English grammar, spelling and punctuation

• good general knowledge and an enquiring mind.

Is the course certificate a recognised qualification in editing?

Since the demise of the publishing NVQs, there is no generally accepted formal qualification in editing. However, if you complete this course successfully you will be awarded a graded certificate that will be widely recognised throughout the publishing world. As the industry and government approved training body for the book and journal publishing sector, our reputation is second to none.

How long will it take me to complete the course?

You will need to spend at least 70 hours of study to complete Copy-Editing. The estimated time including post, administration and marking is 7 to 9 months. You must complete the course within 12 months of enrolment or, if you wish to continue the course, pay a further registration fee of £20.

Which distance learning course should I do first?

Without any previous publishing experience, start with Basic Proofreading. Once you have successfully completed that, and have gained professional work experience as a proofreader, you will be ready to go on to Copy-Editing. If you are already working in publishing or have had proofreading experience (either as a freelance or in-house), and you now want to broaden or refresh your skills Copy-Editing is the course for you. Or you may have valuable specialist subject knowledge that you want to exploit as an editor (eg medical or legal); if so, you can choose to go directly to Copy-Editing for the broader grounding in publishing skills.

Can I enrol if I live outside the UK?

Yes. We have had students from all over the world. The skills you will gain from the course can be applied in any English speaking country. However, if you will be working on American English text this course is not recommended. If you're based overseas there is an extra £20 charge to cover additional postage.

When can I enrol?

You can enrol at any time of year.

Is the course only for freelances?

No. If you already work in publishing, the courses supplement and consolidate in-company training or work experience. Companies who have registered their staff include: AA Publishing, BMJ Books, Blackwell Publishers, Blackstaff Press, Cambridge University Press, Churchill Livingstone, Haynes Publishing, Heinemann Educational Books, Larousse, Macmillan Publishers Ltd, Royal Society of Medicine, Scholastic Ltd, Times Mirror International.

Do I need a computer?

A computer is not necessary, as all the course materials you need are paper based. However, if you have Internet access you will be able to take full advantage of the additional online training and support we now offer. You can access the pre-course material now, free of charge, but as a student on Copy-Editing you will be entitled to much more. Follow this link to Online Training for full details. It is still perfectly possible to complete the course without accessing the online material - when the online element was added, nothing was taken away from the paper based course.

Will I find work as an editor if I complete this course?

An editing course cannot guarantee immediate freelance or in-house work. However, on successful completion of the course we are confident that publishers will view your applications for work more seriously. It can take time to become established, however, and our experience shows that you will need 18 to 24 months' work experience in editing to become reasonably competent.

What do the different grades mean?

Pass - you have an aptitude for editing but need further practice before applying for paid work.

Merit - you show an aptitude for editing and could apply for paid work.

Distinction - you have reached a high standard and should feel confident about applying for paid work.

What is the pass mark?

Copy-Editing by Distance Learning is a vocational course and as such we have set a relatively high pass mark of 65%. This mark reflects the high expectations publishers have of their staff and freelances.