Two former journalism students who achieved the best results in their preliminary media law exams have been presented with cheques for £250.

Anna Lowman, left, who studied magazine journalism with noSWeat Journalism Training, gained a 99pc grade in the general reporting exam to win the Oxford University Press Media Law Award.

And Hannah Whitelam, a graduate from the University of Sheffield, gained the most impressive marks of 97pc in the court reporting paper to win the Johnston Press Media Law Award.

They were announced as winners for the 2008/09 academic year at the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ media law exam board meeting earlier this month.

Anna, 24, said: “Media law was brilliantly fascinating and gave me a great insight into the ethics and regulations around journalism that would not have even occurred to me had I not taken it.

“I still bear many of the case studies and precedents in mind when writing my pieces now.”

She is now doing PR and marketing for FILMCLUB, an educational film charity which gives children free access to film culture.

Mark Hanna, chair of the media law exam board and a co-author of McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists, praised all those nominated for the awards, who had to achieve at least 80pc.

He said: “There was an exceptional standard of entries which made the judges’ task incredibly difficult. To see students scoring 99pc is fantastic, and illustrates just what can be achieved.”

And 26-year-old Hannah, left, hopes to study a PhD at the University of Sheffield next year.