Journalism NCTJ

College Title: NCTJ Full and Part Time Courses

This course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

This course is offered on either a Full-time or Part-time day release basis. The day release course is designed for trainee journalists already in the newspaper industry. Students who wish to pursue a career in journalism are encouraged to apply for the full-time course after achieving A-levels or as post-graduates. Wolverhampton College has NCTJ accreditation which means it has to agree to very strict guidelines to teach the complete syllabus and undergo regular inspection visits to ensure high standards. It is the only college in the country which offers the day-release training.

Trainee Journalists already employed by newspapers for the day release course. Post graduates and students with at least two 'A' Levels must arrange to sit an NCTJ aptitude test and interview for the full-time course. You will need to register with the NCTJ before joining this course - application forms can now be downloaded from the accredited courses section of the NCTJ website

The courses include essential law for journalists including contempt of court, defamation and reporting restrictions, local government, central government, practical newspaper writing skills and T-Line shorthand up to 100 words per minute. Various practical activities are also included such as court reporting and covering stories at local councils. The full-time course offers work placement opportunities throughout the Midlands.

Assessment is based on the NCTJ preliminary examination. For a full certificate passes must be obtained in the following:-

• Law, parts one and two
• Local Government
• Central Government
• One practical writing examination with portfolio of published material.
• 100 wpm shorthand

(Total of six exams plus shorthand)

The NCTJ preliminary examinations are the professional qualifications recognised by the newspaper in this country and abroad. After further newspaper experience, a trainee with the full certificate may go on to the final NCE National Certificate.

Costs for day-release trainees are met by newspaper publishers where the trainees are already in employment on newspapers. Students who are 18 on 31 August 2007 - tuition fees will not be charged subject to certain criteria being met. Fees for students who are not assessed under this criteria will be £980. This covers tuition, exam and registration fees.