Description
See the websites and profiles below of people we’ve helped become successful freelance proofreaders and copy editors. You could be next!
Proofreading course summary
Price: £494.50 or 4 monthly payments of £123.62. See payment options
Duration: Self-paced as long as you need
Tutor marked assignments: 11 practical tutor marked assignments. See course subjects
Government registered?: Yes. UKRLP Number – 10008168. See our listing
Accreditation: CPD | EADL
Quality endorsed by: The Quality Licence Scheme
Real success stories from real people
Felicity Yau kick-starts her proofreading career
Felicity graduated from our proofreading course earlier this year and is now running her own business as a proofreader and copy editor. She is one of many proofreading course learners to have gone on to a successful freelance career.
This proofreading course is used and trusted by:
Staff training and group bookings
Organisations including British Gas, Cancer Research UK, The NHS and Virgin Media have chosen this proofreading and copy editing course to train individual staff members and whole teams.
The course is designed to be completely flexible, which gives staff members the freedom to fit their studies around their other duties, and apply their new practical proofreading skills directly to their jobs.
Interested in booking this proofreading and copy editing course for yourself, an individual staff member or multiple members of your team? Please call us on 01243 930353 or use the ‘enquire now’ button below to submit a written enquiry. We look forward to hearing from you!
Read the proofreading and editing course overview
Proofreading course subjects | Proofreading course reviews | Proofreading course success stories
Our proofreading and editing course will equip you with the editorial skills you need to become a certified proofreader and copy editor. This online proofreading course will show you how to correct printed documents and webpages, and make them readable and legally compliant.
Many leading corporations including British Gas, Cancer research UK, Lloyds Bank, the NHS and Virgin Media, use this practical proofreading course to train their staff. And many individuals testify that it is effective and great value for money.
Successful proofreading course graduate Tom Pritchard, who secured regular proofreading work whilst studying the course, told us he thought his tutors were “clear and supportive”. Read his review
Another recent graduate, Felicity Yau, has established herself as a successful freelance proofreader and copy editor.
She is the latest of a number of learners who have gone on to successful freelance careers. Read more learner success stories
Who is this proofreading course for?
This accredited online course is ideal for:
- People who want to learn proofreading and editing from scratch.
- People who want to start a freelance business.
- Staff training and development.
- People who want to create a new income stream.
- Proofreaders and copy editors who want an endorsed award to attract more clients.
- People from teaching backgrounds who want to retrain or change careers.
- Website and blog owners who need to check their own content.
- Writers who need to produce error-free copy.
Winter Sale – Get this course for just £296.70!
You can save £197.80 (40%) on this course until 13/12/21 – 11pm.
This proofreading course is completely flexible, which means you can take advantage of the sale price and begin learning when you choose – even if it’s not until 2022.
Discount code: WINTER40 | Offer ends: 13/12/21 – 11pm (Monday).
See what this proofreading course teaches
Our comprehensive proofreading and editing course will teach you how to:
- Proofread and copy edit documents, either in print or onscreen.
- Apply style guides and BSI proofreading symbols.
- Make written content easier to read.
- Set up a freelance business and find paid work.
We have a proven track record in helping our proofreading and editing learners find work, set up as successful freelancers and learn new skills to use in the workplace.
See some examples below, and you can read lots more success stories on our proofreading and editing news feed
- Proofreading course graduate works for international news site
- Ben starts business after finishing proofreading course
- Proofreading course graduate secures new job
- CMP Proofreading and editing course attracts high profile clients
There is an unprecedented demand for skilled proofreaders and copy editors.
Each year, companies and organisations produce millions of documents and webpages that contain errors and inaccuracies. This affects their reputations.
They need certified proofreaders and copy editors to work on:
- Reports, letters, emails and business documents.
- Website content, blogs, white papers and materials for brand advocacy.
- Books.
- Commercial copy and sales literature.
- Brochures, leaflets and magazines.
Our proofreading course covers all these areas and many others.
It is one of the most comprehensive and up to date proofreading courses on the market. See all course subjects
You will study in our Online Learning Area, which is accessible from a computer or a mobile app.
This means the course is flexible, and gives you the chance to tackle practical, real-world proofreading and editing tasks at home, at work or on the go.
You will also benefit from unlimited tutor support every step of the way, including personalised feedback on every assignment.
Successful proofreading course graduate Peter Fullagar told us: “The tutor support makes the course outstanding.
Excellent feedback given in a timely manner. The course content went beyond what I was expecting.” Read his review
As a certified proofreader and copy editor, you could be:
- Raising the quality of your organisation’s content.
- Working in a specialised area, such as legal, medical, academic or scientific publishing.
- Running your own freelance business.
If you have a keen eye for detail, becoming a proofreader and copy editor is a great way to earn good money.
Proofreading and copy editing course tutors
We have three tutors on our proofreading and editing course. Julian Brouwer, Rachel Finnegan and Shuna Meade are all professional proofreaders and copyeditors.
They will provide you with personal feedback on every assignment, answer your questions and give you expert careers guidance, so you get the very best out of the course.
Proofreading course tutor 1: Julian Brouwer
Proofreader | Copyeditor | freelance journalist
Julian Brouwer has worked as a proofreader for a group of newspapers and a host of other London-based organisations. So, he is used to finding errors that even eagle-eyed subeditors miss.
He is still very much involved within the proofreading industry, and runs a successful news agency, Manhattan News, which supplies US-based news and features to national papers in the UK. He used to have his own column in the Daily Express.
Julian has also provided proofreading and editing training for some well respected businesses, including Cancer research UK, Santander, United Nations and Virgin Holidays.
He is often praised by our proofreading course learners, for his good-humoured and encouraging manner.
Proofreading course tutor 2: Shuna Meade
Freelance copyeditor | Proofreader | Publisher
Shuna is a Professional member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading and a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Before training as a professional editor and proofreader, she spent 20 years living and working in London, including eight years in the music business at EMI Music International, where she helped integrate new EMI companies into the business.
Some of Shuna’s proofreading and editing clients include self-publishing authors, published indie authors, publishers, and small business owners. She has even edited the autobiography of a Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame member.
Shuna has also provided proofreading and copy editing training for some well respected organisations including The House of Lords, The NHS and Manchester City Council.
Proofreading course tutor 3: Rachel Finnegan
Freelance copyeditor | Proofreader | Author
Rachel is Head tutor for the College of Media and Publishing and has been a tutor on the Proofreading and editing course since September 2016.
She has a BA and a PhD in classics and is a full member of the Association of Freelance Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers of Ireland (AFEPI Ireland). Rachel also has several professional certifications from CMP, CIEP and the Publishing Training Centre (UK).
She has been running her own editing business, Irish Academic Editing, since 2015 and her skills include proofreading, copy editing, academic editing, academic writing, and editorial training.
Rachel has also provided proofreading and copy editing training for some well respected organisations including British Gas, Lloyds bank and Royal Mail.
Proofreading course certifications
Our proofreading and editing course has been independently endorsed under The Quality Licence Scheme which is a product of the Skills and Education Group, who endorse high-quality, non-regulated courses and training programmes.
So at the end of this course successful learners will receive a Certificate of Achievement endorsed under The Quality Licence Scheme and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the Units the learner has completed as part of the course).
In addition, you will receive the accredited CMP diploma in proofreading and editing, which is recognised in the UK and beyond. It proves you are a certified proofreader and copy editor.
These certifications will enable you to apply for proofreading and editing jobs, find freelance work, or use your new skills in the workplace.
Each lesson includes a practical assignment which will be based on real world proofreading and copy editing scenarios. All assignments are personally marked and graded by your tutor, so you’ll be receiving expert feedback at each stage of your course. Your tutor will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
Lesson 01: The basics
- What the proofreader does.
- The proofreader’s personal qualities.
- Proofreading terminology.
- The publishing process.
- Document control New topic
- Processes and techniques for keeping track of documents when several people / versions / locations are involved.
Lesson 02: Applying style
- What a style guide is used for.
- How to use a style guide.
- Applying different styles to printed and online documents. New topic
- Coordinating editorial style with brand and visual style rules. New topic
Lesson 03: Spelling and grammar
- Where to find reliable spelling and grammar facilities.
- Explain the need for accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation when proofreading and editing.
- Apply spelling, grammar and punctuation rules to a range of exercises.
- Spotting and correcting spelling and grammar errors.
Lesson 04: Proofreading onscreen
- What a copy editor does.
- Levels of editing.
- The client’s brief.
- Editing with the reader in mind.
- Proofreading and editing using Adobe Reader annotations and sticky notes. New topic
- Proofreading and editing using Microsoft Word, Mac Pages, Google Docs, LibreOffice Writer, Apache, OpenOffice Writer, Zoho Writer or WPS Office Writer. New topic
- Working with others using MS Teams. New topic
- How to proofread webpages. New topic
- How to proofread text in a Content Management System. New topic
- How to proofread metadata. New topic
- How to proofread alt text. New topic
- How to proofread transcribed text using Otter.ai. New topic
- How to proofread text that has been translated from another language. New topic
Lesson 05: Copy-editing basics
- What a copy editor does.
- Levels of editing.
- The client’s brief.
- Editing with the reader in mind.
- Editing different tones and registers. New topic
- Globalisation copy editing New topic
- Proofreading and editing these: New topics
- Title pages.
- Contents pages.
- Lists of illustrations.
- XML tags.
Lesson 06: Copy editing – use of language
- Learn summarising techniques.
- Editing techniques that make text fluent, plain and simple to read.
- Identifying and replacing clichés and inappropriate material.
- Editing copy for multicultural and global audiences.
- Copy editing in a ‘woke’ world. New topic
Lesson 07: Checking accuracy and facts
- Analyse words and phrases for accurate meaning.
- Identify and correct factual errors.
- Reliable fact checking in a fake news world. New topic
- Dealing with misleading promotional copy. New topic
Lesson 08: Legal checks
After studying this Lesson, you will be able to discuss how the following laws affect copy editors and apply them to a range of real world situations:
- Copyright law.
- Trademark law.
- Defamation law.
- Data protection law.
Lesson 09: Proofreading on paper
- Proofreading on paper BSI symbols.
- Proofreading methods and techniques.
- Compiling and presenting a query list.
- Marking up copy clearly and accurately.
Lesson 10 (Optional): Academic editing
This Lesson concentrates on editing academic, medical and scientific editing, and fictional documents.
It is optional, so you may skip it and go on to Lesson 11, if you wish.
Lesson 11: Finding work
- How to boost your speed and efficiency.
- How to negotiate fees and tie up the details of proofreading and copy editing jobs.
- How to find proofreading and editing work.
- How to build your own freelance business.
Once you have completed this course you will have learned the practical skills to proofread and edit the following:
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Proofreading course success stories 🚀
This proofreading course has an outstanding track record in helping people find work and establish themselves as successful freelancers.
At the end of your course, we give advice on which proofreading agencies to join, how to market yourself correctly, and we also help you to devise a step by step plan to help you find clients.
Check out our learner’s freelance businesses and success stories below.
This proofreading course has an outstanding track record in helping people find work and establish themselves as successful freelancers. It is also used by numerous respected organisations for staff training purposes.
Anya’s German and US proofreading business
CMP proofreading and editing course graduate, Anya Lothrop, is a German American who was raised both in Germany and the USA. Anya launched her proofreading and copy editing business after completing her course with [...]
John Lewis books our proofreading course
High street chain John Lewis, famous for its Christmas TV adverts have chosen CMP to train several of their staff members. John Lewis approached us recently, needing to upgrade some of their staff's skills [...]
Charlotte launches proofreading business
CMP proofreading and editing course graduate, Charlotte Cooke is now running her freelance proofreading and copy editing business. Proofreading by Charlotte offers proofreading and copy editing services to small businesses. She has already worked [...]
CMP welcomes NHS staff on to its proofreading course
The NHS are the latest organisation to book several staff members onto our proofreading and copy editing course. The staff members all have admin based for the NHS, and need to be able to [...]
Proofreading course graduate works for international news site
CMP proofreading and editing course graduate, Robyn Hunter, has been taken on as a copy editor by a large international news website. Robyn is doing regular work for ArmedPolitics, a Swiss-based website that provides news and [...]
Samantha’s proofreading and copy editing success
CMP proofreading and editing course student, Samantha Hardman, has been running her own successful business. She used our partner organisation Digital Creative Hub to design her website. Take a look at the full range of [...]
Jesse’s proofreading business continues to succeed
Jesse Voth graduated from our proofreading course earlier this year and is now running his own business as a proofreader and copy editor. He offers professional proofreading and copy editing services and has already [...]
The British Medical Journal uses our proofreading course
The British Medical Journal booked several members of its staff on to our proofreading and copy editing course recently. The BMJ wanted to improve some of their staff member's accuracy when writing in the [...]
Proofreading course graduate runs her own business
CMP proofreading and editing course student, Rebecca Link, who studied with us in 2018 has been running her own successful business. She has been offering her services as both a proofreader and copy editor. [...]
Yello Media Group staff members loved our proofreading course!
Yello Media Group (formerly Yell.com) booked three members of its content writing team on to our proofreading and editing course. The three staff members have now completed their training and have left us some [...]
Proofreading course reviews
The course was truly excellent. Extremely comprehensive, relevant and also quite fascinating in places. The tutorial support was absolutely first class. I learned new skills, for example, Adobe Acrobat proofreading and using track changes more effectively, and gaining a sound understanding of basic copyright and libel law.
The tutorial support was excellent, very timely, full of detailed help and advice, with excellent feedback and pointers, as well as fast grading. Even the tests were fun!
It taught me a great deal about grammar, style and referencing that I didn't know. It was good that you were always able to get a speedy and accurate reply to your queries.
The content explained all the aspects clearly and succinctly. There is an awful lot more to proofreading than spelling and grammar.
The lessons were interesting and informative. The assignments were challenging and rewarding.
The tutorial support was excellent. Julian Brouwer always replied in a timely manner and was extremely helpful and encouraging.
I learned where I am currently going wrong and I can improve my approach and communicate more effectively.
I enrolled in this course as a key training for my role as content/features writer at Yello Media Group. I am directly responsible for nine of the company's 20 markets. I don't know how to improve this class. It was a great learning experience. I graduated university almost a decade ago and this course was my first real professional development class since school and I am impressed.
I really enjoyed the course. It is well structured, flexible, and the tutorial support is amazing. Each lesson is long enough to cover everything and the assignments are designed to properly test the students.
My tutor was fantastic. She was very fast responding to my emails and marking my assignments.
The course was superb in every way. Do not enrol with any other course provider. Julian Brouwer was fantastic. He supported me in every way, and answered all my questions - instantly.
I didn't just learn what I needed to know, the course was a great adventure in itself.
I learned so much on the course, and really enjoyed the challenges of each lesson. I feel confident in my proofreading and editing skills now, and can't wait to put them to the test.
The marking and feedback from my tutors throughout the course was consistently speedy and helpful.
The course was engaging and enjoyable, and offered excellent resources, both while learning and for the post-course job search.
My tutor, Dr Rachel Finnegan, was always on hand to answer any questions I had, and offer guidance where required in excellent time. My assignments were usually returned to me within 24 hours.
The course was amazing. It covered everything I expected.
The tutor support makes the course outstanding. Excellent feedback given in a timely manner. The course content went beyond what I was expecting.
The course was thorough and gave plenty of extra tips and information to help me with the studying.
The tutorial support was excellent, with encouragement and helpful advice for each assignment.
I wanted to change my career path. My expectations were highly exceeded! The support was fantastic. The content was easy to understand and enlightening.
I learnt the ins and outs of proofreading and the most effective way of editing.
The course exceeded my expectations with the level of detail it went into and the amount of support that was available to me.
My tutor Julian was brilliant! I always received a prompt response to my queries and assignments. He ensured the feedback was detailed so I learned from mistakes and further my knowledge.
See all proofreading course reviews
Money back guarantee
If you are not 100% satisfied with your proofreading course you are entitled to a full refund within 14 days of your enrolment.
There are no catches or exceptions. For more information, please see our money back guarantee page
US version of the proofreading course
We offer a separate version of this course for those living in the US, Canada or any other country that uses US English. 
This version of the course uses The Chicago Manual of Style, and is taught by Julian Brouwer, who has worked for some of America’s top publications.
If you’d like to book this version of the course, please proceed in the usual way – by clicking on the yellow ‘Buy this course button’ and on the second page of the enrolment form in the field which says ‘Employer’, please write – US version of the course.
We will then ensure that you are put onto the correct version of this course.
Price: The price of this course in US dollars is $571.45. This fee does not include UK taxes. This fee covers your materials, unlimited tutorial support, marking of your assignments, certificates and post-course careers advice.
We accept PayPal and all major card issuers, including American Express.
Time difference: We work with learners in 110 countries across the globe, and in every time zone. Many of our learners are based in the US and Canada, and find that the time difference is not an issue.
Staff training and group bookings
Organisations including British Gas, John Lewis, Oxfam and Santander have chosen this proofreading course to train individual staff members and whole teams.
Interested in booking this course for a member of your team? Please call us on 01243 930353 or use the ‘enquire now’ button below to submit a written enquiry. We look forward to hearing from you!
Proofreading course accreditation and quality
We comply with the very highest external standards. We are:
- Registered by the UK government.
- Accredited by two recognised organisations
- Quality endorsed under The Quality Licence Scheme
Each organisation has its own standards, code of practice and complaints procedure, so you can enrol with complete confidence.
How does this proofreading course work?
This proofreading course is delivered online. So, you can study at a pace you’re completely comfortable with and fit your studies around your lifestyle.
You can use a computer, or our exclusive app to work on a tablet or smartphone.
How long will it take?
This proofreading course is designed to be as flexible as you need it to be. There are no deadlines, time limits or expiry dates. So, you can study at a pace that suits you, and fit the course around your lifestyle.
On average, our learners who commit to 4 hours per week to their studies, will usually complete the course within 4 months.
What will I need to study this proofreading course?
We aim to keep our course delivery as simple as possible, so people of all ages, locations and abilities can take part.
This is what you will need to study our proofreading course:
We aim to keep our course delivery as simple as possible, so people of all ages, locations and abilities can take part.
This is what you will need to study our proofreading and editing course:
- Access to a computer, tablet or similar device.
- Internet access.
- Microsoft Word. The MAC version is acceptable.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- An email account.
What happens when I enrol?
There are no set enrolment dates which means you can book this proofreading course 24 hours a day – 365 days a year.
Once you have completed your enrolment form and paid your fee, you will receive a login to our Online Learning Area and a document called ‘enrolment pack’, which explains how to get started, who your tutor is and other important information.
You will get immediate access to your learning materials upon purchase, but you are under no obligation to begin studying until you are ready.
Proofreading course payment options
This proofreading course costs £494.50 including VAT. This is all you pay. There are no hidden charges, and we offer a wide range of secure payment methods, so you can purchase the course from wherever you live.
You can either pay the fee in full, or with four monthly instalments of £123.62 including VAT.
Read our latest proofreading blog and advice posts
Our advice blog is packed with content to help you expand your proofreading and copy editing knowledge.
Fact checking whilst proofreading
Our proofreading course will equip you with the editorial skills you need to become a qualified proofreader and copy editor. This online course will show [...]
Personal qualities explained on our proofreading course
Our proofreading course teaches you all the editorial skills you need to become a successful proofreader. But can anyone benefit from the training provided [...]
What we tell proofreading course learners about commas
Aside from apostrophes, commas have to be the trickiest bits of punctuation to understand. We cover this on our proofreading course I mean, every time you [...]
Why our proofreading course is so popular
Our proofreading course attracts a lot of interest, and has been one of our most popular courses for several years now. One reason is [...]
Proofreading rates for beginners (Updated Nov 2021)
One of our proofreading course students asked us recently: "Can you please tell me the current pricing on word count for a proofreader who [...]
Our proofreading course will help you spell those awkward words
There is no doubt that English is a very difficult language to spell and a lot of people do admit to being a bad [...]
Proofreading course FAQ
| Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Is this proofreading course accredited? | Yes. The course is externally accredited by 2 recognised organisations. It is also quality endorsed under The Quality Licence Scheme. |
| How long will the course take? | This proofreading and editing course is flexible which means you can fit it around your lifestyle. On average, our learners who commit 4 hours per week to their studies, will usually complete it within 4 months. |
| Can I take time out? | Yes, many of our proofreading course learners take breaks from their studies, and continue from where they left off. |
| What certification will I receive? | You'll receive the Accredited CMP Diploma in proofreading and editing. You'll also receive a Certificate of Achievement endorsed under The Quality Licence Scheme and a Learner Unit Summary (which lists the Units the learner has completed as part of the course). |
| Can I study this proofreading course if I don't live in the UK? | Yes, this proofreading course isn't just restricted to people in the UK. We have learners from all over Europe, and in America, Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, New Zealand and many others. This course is internationally accredited, which means you can enrol with confidence no matter which country you live in. |
| Do you send the certifications overseas? | Yes. There are no additional charges for this. |
| Can I apply for a job with the certification? | Yes, many of our proofreading course learners use the certifications on their CV to apply for jobs. |
| Will this proofreading course show me how to get started as a freelancer? | Yes. We offer full support after the course, and give each learner expert advice on starting as a freelance proofreader. This includes advice on which rates to charge, which agencies to join and how to market yourself in the correct way in order to attract clients. We have lots of free resources in the Online Learning Area which are geared to helping you establish yourself as a freelance. |
| Can this proofreading course be used for staff training? | Yes. Many organisations, including British Gas, Lloyds Bank, BT, the NHS, TNT Magazine and Virgin Media, use this accredited proofreading course to train their staff. Because the course is flexible, you can fit it around your work commitments and apply your new proofreading and editing skills to your job as you learn them. You will also have lifetime access to the materials, so you can refer back to them later if you need to. |
| How many tutor marked assignments are there? | There are 11 lessons on this proofreading course, and 6 of them come with tutor marked assignments. Our tutors are often praised for the level of detail they go into when marking our learners assignments. |
| Can I resubmit assignments if I fail? | Yes. If you fail an assignment, your tutor will point out where you went wrong, and will give you constructive feedback which should help you achieve a pass grade when you resubmit. |
| How much tutor time do I get? | This is one of the only online proofreading courses that offers unlimited tutor support. This means you can contact your tutor with questions at any point during the course, and they will usually reply the same working day. This support also includes expert careers advice, help looking for work, help with CVs and covering letters, and much more! |
| Can my employer pay for this course for me? | Yes, on the second page of the proofreading course enrolment form, please select 'invoice to employer'. When your form reaches us, our finance team will send the invoice - usually the same working day. |
| Will I have to start straight away? | No. Because the proofreading course is flexible, you can purchase it and begin studying whenever you are ready. Lots of our learners take advantage of offers and discounts, but begin studying the course weeks or even months later. |
| Can I pay for this course monthly? | Yes. The payment plan for this proofreading course is 4 monthly instalments of £123.62. Unfortunately monthly instalments cannot be used with a discount or promotional offer. |
| When can I enrol? | You can enrol on our proofreading course 365 days a year. Upon enrolment, you'll receive your login details and enrolment pack, which means you can get started immediately... if you want to. |
Why you’ll benefit from studying with us
Hunter, has been taken on as a copy editor by a large international news website.
You can sign up for this course 24 hours a day – 365 days a year.
The course more than met my expectations.
New CMP copywriting course graduate, Wendy Woodhead, is using her skills and qualification to boost her business.
CMP copywriting course graduate, Katie Scott, is now doing regular commercial writing work.
Journalist | Editor | Copywriter | Consultant
