New media firms are suffering from a shortage of graduates in spite of fears that the industry is collapsing, according to a lecturer at City University.
Neil Thurman, electronic publishing course director in the department of journalism at City, said: "We have found that far from the industry imploding, there is a shortage of the right professionals.
"Firms in the industry tell us that their biggest problem is not lack of work but a lack of people," he said.
The electronic publishing MA at City is flourishing and there is no shortage of applicants for the course.
This has been boosted by the announcement of scholarships worth up to £7,000 for students on the course.
The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis by the Arts and Humanities Research Board and are designed to give students access to high-quality training in professional and vocational skills.
Applications for the bursaries close on March 5.
Mr Thurman said: "The electronic publishing course covers creative, technical and management skills required by the new media industries.
"We have recent graduates working for top agencies in London."
One of the course's former students, Yanna Papaioannou, is a double winner of British Interactive Media Association awards.
Mr Thurman said that some course graduates had been hit by dotcom failures, but had found work again within the industry fairly quickly.
He added:"Our view is that it is important to teach students the right attitude that combines communications skills with technical knowledge.
"This is a complex industry that involves so many different areas. "Successful students are those who have grasped the principles rather than specific software skills."
This view is backed by academic studies of the sector, which have been undertaken during the past two years: Interactive London Report and One: Supporting Digital Media .
During the MA course, the students produce work for clients such as AOL and Sony. They also do work placements in media units at companies such as the Electronic Telegraph , BBC New Media, New Musical Express , Guardian Unlimited and Freeserve.
Details: www.city.ac.uk/journalism
Interactive London Report: Mapping the Capital's New Media Industry at:
http://.nmk.co.uk/publications/t.o.publication.cfm?ItemID...
One: Supporting Digital Media is at the Digital Media Network: www.dmn.org.uk/