Journalism students from across the country will be fighting it out for work experience placements on national titles in an awards scheme run by the National Union of Students.

One lucky journalism hopeful will also scoop a trip to either Thailand or Africa, when the winners of the National Student Journalism Awards, sponsored by Press Association Training, are announced later this month.

Cash prizes and a place on the Press Association Editorial Foundation course in Newcastle are also up for grabs.

The shortlist for the competition has now been announced.

The nominees include Cardiff University’s Gair Rhydd, Sheffield University’s Sheffield Steel Press, The University of Leeds’ Leeds Student, Warwick University’s Warwick Boar and Nouse from the University of York, which are all in with a chance of being named Best Student Newspaper of the year.

Other categories include Best Student Feature Writer and Best Student Reporter – the winner of which will win a place on PA’s 16-week Editorial Foundation course in Newcastle, which usually costs £4,700.

The winner of the Best Travel Writer award will be able to choose a four-week trip to either Thailand or Africa, and each category has a top prize of £500.

Work experience placements at The Press Association, The Mirror and Closer Magazine are also on offer.

A full list of nominees is below.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Marriot Hotel, West India Quay, London on November 24, to which all nominees have been invited.

Stephen Brown, NUS national secretary, said: “Once again we have had a high number of entries and the excellent standard of work has made the task of the judges a tough one. Congratulations to everyone who has made the shortlist.”

The nomninees are:

Best Newspaper

Warwick Boar, University of Warwick
Sheffield Steel Press, Sheffield University
Gair Rhydd, Cardiff University
Nouse, University of York
Leeds Student, University of Leeds

Best Magazine

The Smoke, Westminster University
Quench, Cardiff University
The Orbital, Royal Holloway, University of London
Pugwash, University of Portsmouth
Impact, University of Nottingham

Best Website

Scan, Lancaster University
Warwick Boar, University of Warwick
Sheffield Base, Sheffield University
Durham 21, Durham University
Gair Rhydd, Cardiff University

Best Small Budget Publication

Leek, University of Glamorgan
York Vision, University of York
Medical Student, University of London Union
Sharp Magazine, St George’s University of London
Huddersfield Student, University of Huddersfield

Best Further Education Publication

Sideshow, Prior Pursglove College, Middlesbrough
Scribbles, City of Wolverhampton College
Student Eye, Liverpool Community College
The Point Magazine, Worcester College of Technology

Best Student Reporter

Chaminder Jayanetti, The London Student (University of London Union)
Charissa Coulthard, Gair Rhydd (Cardiff University)
Rachael Murray, The Courier (Newcastle University)
Matthew Kennard, Leeds Student (University of Leeds)
Matt Sandy, Warwick Boar (University of Warwick)

Best Student Feature Writer

Kevin Widdop, Leeds Student (University of Leeds)
Perri Lewis, Gair Rhydd (Cardiff University)
Toby Green, Nouse (University of York)
Alastair Plumb, Warwick Boar (University of Warwick)
Catherine Benion-Pedley, Sheffield Steel Press (Sheffield University)

Best Student Sports Journalist

Ky Capel, Leeds Student (University of Leeds)
Sophia Pickford, Varsity (Cambridge University)
Jamie Dear, Cherwell (Oxford University)
William Tidey, Overtime (Brighton University)
David O’ Kelly, Warwick Boar (University of Warwick)

Best Student Critic

Laura Battle, The Student (Edinburgh University)
Alexandra Preston, Warwick Boar (University of Warwick)
Laura Beattie, The Orbital (Royal Holloway, University of London)
Miles Johnson, The Student (Edinburgh University)
Laura Swinton, Durham 21 (University of Durham)

Best Publication Design

Smiths, Goldsmiths College (University of London)
0+ , Oxford University
Impact, University of Nottingham
Gair Rhydd, Cardiff University
Quench, Cardiff University

Diversity Award

Matthew Kennard, Leeds Student (University of Leeds)
Dan Johnson, Leeds Student (University of Leeds)
Kevin Widdop, Leeds Student (University of Leeds)
Chris White, Gair Rhydd (Cardiff University)
Perris Lewis, Gair Rhydd (Cardiff University)

Best Student Travel Journalist

Lucy Beaumont, Pi Magazine (University College London)
Catherine Bolsover, Student Direct (Manchester University)
James Hoare, Pluto (University of Central Lancashire)
Laura Powell, The Core/ Warwick Boar (University of Warwick)
Tancred Newbury, Warwick Boar

Best Student Photographer

Patrick Ropeta, The Orbital (Royal Holloway, University of London)
Rachael Ocsingberg, University of Bangor
Kate Goodacre, Student Direct (Manchester University)
James Robertson, The Student (Edinburgh University)
Ching Sum Yuen, Warwick Boar (University of Warwick