Journalism NCTJ Diploma Level 3

For the fast track option, a degree or experience in a newsroom environment is preferable. All candidates will be interviewed and sit a national entrance exam. We are happy to consider candidates without the above qualifications if they can prove a commitment to the industry.

For the one year option, a candidate will usually have a level 3 qualification. They should also have an interest in and commitment to journalism. All candidates will be interviewed and sit a national entrance exam. This course is aimed at younger students and those with less industry experience as it allows study to take place over a longer period of time than the equivalent fast-track.

You will study multi-platform journalism, including newspaper and magazine writing, online, video reporting and editing, newspaper law, central and local government, shorthand (teeline) up to 100 words per minute, with opportunities to develop skills in other areas such as keyboard skills, design and page layout. You will follow the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Diploma in Journalism course; assessment will be by formal NCTJ exams and a portfolio of news, feature and video reports. Successful completion of each subject will result in an NCTJ Diploma. The NCTJ is a practical based course which is very much hands on, where students will be expected to produce real stories for news products on a weekly basis. Work experience is a crucial element of the course and successful applicants will have the opportunity to spend a day a week throughout the course working in the industry.

Work Experience