Online proofreading and editing course (level 4)

An accredited proofreading course for individuals and businesses

Proofreading course: Practical assignments | Unlimited tutor support  | Endorsed certificate

This proofreading course is used and trusted by:

Course summary

Learn the editorial skills you need to proofread and edit documents on paper and on screen

Proofreading and editing course overview

See course subjects | See course reviews | Success stories | Advice blog

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

This comprehensive online course is ideal for:

• Beginners.
• People who want to start a freelance business.
• Staff training and development.
• People who want to find proofreading and copy editing work.
• Proofreaders and copy editors who want an endorsed award to attract more clients.
• Website and blog owners who need to check their own content.
• Writers who need to produce error-free copy.

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, and business documents.
• Webpages.
• Books.
• Commercial copy and brochures.
• Newspapers and magazines.

Our proofreading course covers all these areas and others. See 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 or academic publishing.
• Running a 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 course subjects

This vocational course covers every aspect of proofreading and editing. Each lesson includes a practical assignment, based on real-world proofreading and editing.

Every assignment is personally marked and graded by your tutor, so you’ll receive expert feedback on your progress.

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.

You can join the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP) as an entry level member.

Proofreading course accreditation and quality

We comply with the very highest external standards. We are:

• Registered by the UK government.
• Accredited by four recognised organisations
• Quality-checked by ABC and Certa Awards.

Each organisation has its own standards, code of practice and complaints procedure, so you can enrol with complete confidence.

Proofreading course certifications

Our proofreading and editing course has been independently endorsed under the Quality Licence Scheme which is a product of ABC Awards and Certa Awards, 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 by ABC Awards and Certa Awards 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 level 4 diploma in proofreading and editing, which is recognised in the UK and beyond. It proves you are a certified proofreader and editor.

These certifications will enable you to apply for proofreading and editing jobs, find freelance work, or use your new skills in the workplace.

 

Proofreading course tutors

We have three tutors on our proofreading and editing course.  Julian Brouwer, Rachel Finnegan and Shuna Meade are all professional proofreaders and copy editors.

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 | freelance journalist

Julian Brouwer 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 still works as a proofreader, 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.

Find out more about Julian

Proofreading course tutor 2: Shuna Meade

Freelance editior | Proofreader

Shuna is a Professional member of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders 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.

Find out more about Shuna

Proofreading course tutor 3: Rachel Finnegan

Freelance editor | Author | Lecturer

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 qualifications from CMP, SfEP and the Publishing Training Centre (UK).

She has been running her own editing business, Irish Academic Editing, since 2015 and my 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.

Find out more about Rachel

Proofreading course payment options

This proofreading course costs £494.50 including VAT. This is all you pay. There are no hidden charges, and we have a range of payment methods, so you can purchase your course wherever you live.

You can either pay the fee in full, or with four monthly instalments of £123.62 including VAT.

What happens when I enrol on the proofreading course?

There are no set enrolment dates. You can begin studying this proofreading course when you want to.

Once you have completed your enrolment form and paid your fee, you will receive a login to our Online Learning Area.

There, you will find your learning materials and other resources. You can start studying when you want to.

Proofreading course subjects

This comprehensive proofreading course covers every aspect of proofreading and copy editing. Each lesson includes a practical assignment which is based on the real world of proofreading. All proofreading course assignments are personally marked and graded by your tutor, so you’ll be receiving expert feedback at each stage of the course.

Lesson 01: The basics

• What the proofreader does.
• The proofreader’s personal qualities.
• Proofreading terminology.
• The publishing process.

Lesson 02: Applying style

• What a style guide is used for.
• How to use a style guide.
• Apply style to a range of copy.

Lesson 03: Spelling and grammar

• Where to find reliable spelling and grammar facilities.
• Spotting and correcting spelling and grammar errors.

Lesson 04: Proofreading on paper

• Proofreading on paper symbols.
• Proofreading methods and techniques.
• Marking up copy clearly and accurately.

Lesson 05: Proofreading onscreen

• Onscreen proofreading symbols.
• Methods and techniques for onscreen proofreading.
• Marking up copy clearly and accurately.

Lesson 06: Copy-editing basics

• What a copy editor does.
• Levels of editing.
• The client’s brief.
• Editing with the reader in mind.

Lesson 07: Copy editing – use of language

• Learn summarising techniques.
• Edit for fluent, plain and simple copy.
• Edit to remove inappropriate material.
• Edit copy for multicultural audiences.

Lesson 08: Checking accuracy and facts

• Analyse words and phrases for accurate meaning.
• Identify and correct factual errors.

Lesson 09: An introduction to academic editing

• Edit front and back matter such as footnotes, title pages, contents pages, appendices, references and indexes.

Lesson 10: Legal checks

• Explain the basics of key publishing laws: copyright, defamation, data protection, privacy and contempt of court.
• Apply publishing laws to a range of exercises.

Lesson 11: Finding work

• How to find proofreading and editing work.
• How to build your own business.

On successful completion of this proofreading course, you’ll be sent your certification. Scroll to the ‘certifications’ section to find out more.

Proofreading course FAQs

Questions	Answers
Is this proofreading course accredited?	Yes. The course is externally accredited by 4 recognised organisations. It is also quality endorsed by ABC and Certa Awards.
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 CMP Level 4 diploma in proofreading and editing. You'll also receive a Certificate of Achievement endorsed by ABC Awards and Certa Awards 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