Essential Proofreading: Editorial Skills One

Delegate feedback

"I was a copy-editor for a market research business for five years and wanted to work in mainstream publishing. However, I needed more specialised training for editing books, and this led me to Essential Proofreading. The course was packed with the information needed to be a freelancer, including practise exercises to help develop my editing skills, and my tutor was generous with feedback. Since completing the course, I’ve proofread several books for publishers." Taliha Quadri, Freelance Proofreader; Managing Director, The Selkie

“Overall, I was delighted with the results. I learned a lot and the course was exactly what I was looking for – an update of my skills, having been absent from the publishing industry for a long time. Thank you for your courtesy and expertise throughout the course.” Anne, County Cork, Republic of Ireland

“I enrolled on the course to improve my current skills and achieve a professional standard to help with work activities, and as the first step to freelancing in this area. My objective was very well achieved.” Emma, Aylesbury, UK

“The course was excellent. I wanted to gain a well-respected qualification in basic proofreading skills and I now feel confident that I could gain paid employment as a proofreader.” Delphine, Harrogate, UK

What's included?

Personal tutor

Each student is assigned their own tutor, an experienced proofreader. who provides support throughout the course and for up to three months after completion.

Course materials and access to online learning platform

There are six learning modules, five of which contain self-check exercises, each with a longer assignment that you will submit to your personal tutor for marking and commentary.

You’ll have full access to the PTC's online learning platform, through which all course materials are accessed. Downloadable materials mean you can practise your new skills as many times as you need, to feel confident that you have mastered them.

Please note, you will need Adobe Reader DC (free version) and Microsoft Word (2010 or later) in order to complete the coursework.

Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) points

Passing this course is worth points towards upgrading your CIEP membership.

How to enrol and pay

Payment options

Essential Proofreading costs £405. You can pay for the course in five instalments:

• Instalment 1: £99
• Instalment 2: £77
• Instalment 3: £77
• Instalment 4: £77
• Instalment 5: £75

The first instalment is payable at the point of enrolment. 

The next four instalments will be collected between the 25th and last day of the calendar month, for the next four months.

To enrol, you need to click on the ‘Add to Cart’ button on this page. You will be asked to register (if you have not already done so) and, at that point, will be able to pay immediately by credit/debit card. 

Money-back guarantee

If, within 30 days of buying the course (and before any assignments have been sent to your tutor for marking), you decide that the course is not for you, simply let us know and we will issue a full refund. Note that access to the learning platform will cease once your refund is confirmed.

Course completion

You must complete the course within 12 months of enrolment. If you wish to continue the course beyond this period, you can study for a further 12 months following payment of a £75 re-registration fee. Any further extensions are at the discretion of The Publishing Training Centre.

For more information please see our Self-Study FAQs.

To purchase this course, please add it to your cart via the link at the top of the page.

Enrol and claim your free e-learning modules

You can choose two e-Learning modules from the selection below:

• A Copy-Editor's Guide to Working With Authors
• Adobe Tools for Editors
• Introduction to Marketing
• Introduction to Publishing

Once you have enrolled, email your choices to bookings@publishingtrainingcentre.co.uk

The Publishing Qualifications Board (PQB)

The PQB is responsible for the development, delivery and assessment of these self-study tutor-guided courses. Detailed and carefully moderated performance evaluation and reporting ensures that trainees and employers can accurately assess levels of knowledge and skill. Qualifications are awarded at pass, merit or distinction.

About the authors

Gillian Clarke has been a freelance proofreader and editor since 1975. She is a founder member and honorary member of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP), now the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), and was responsible for setting up its training programme. 

Margaret Aherne has worked since 1986 as a proofreader, copy-editor, project manager and tutor/mentor for a wide range of publishing clients, as well as for bodies such as the Audit Commission. She is a founder member of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP), now the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP), and is a mentor in proofreading and copy-editing on the SfEP’s mentoring scheme.