National press agency News Associates run two courses that are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), both lead to a Pre-Entry Certificate in Newspaper Journalism.

The courses are run from their newsrooms and training centres in south-west London and central Manchester.

They offer trainees the unique opportunity to study alongside a working newsroom in one of the UK's leading independent press agencies – which last year provided over 12,000 stories to 100 newspapers across the country.

In addition to a reputation for award-winning reporting, News Associates takes satisfaction from consistently posting top of the class results.

NCTJ statistics reveal that 83 per-cent of News Associates' recent trainee graduates passed their national newswriting examination - compared to the most recently published national average of 57 per-cent.

Graduates are now working on national, regional and local newspapers, in addition to specialist magazines and online publishers – see www.welovejournalism.com for a list of graduate appointments.

The NCTJ administers the industry standard qualification for aspiring journalists in the UK. To achieve an NCTJ accreditation, each training centre agrees to adhere to a strict set of guidelines, teach the agreed syllabus and to undergo regular inspections to ensure high standards.

The 20-week 'Fast Track' course has three intakes a year - in March, June September. Students attend full-time Monday to Thursday and are expected to work Friday's at a work placement on a newspaper or news outlet.

The 40-week 'Earn While you Learn' course has two intakes a year in January and June and is designed to allow students to study part-time. The course runs on Monday evenings and all day on Saturdays and a two-week work placement must be also be arranged.

To be accepted on the course you must sit an entrance examination and interview, conducted by one of our tutors and a senior editor.

Throughout the year News Associates runs regular journalism workshops – provided free of charge – where you can meet tutors, reporters and editors and get a bit of practical journalism experience. Check out www.welovejournalism.com for the latest dates.

"Thanks for providing a fantastic practical insight into life as a journalist - it was well worth the time and effort to attend. It was also great to speak with some of your reporters afterwards. They gave me some really useful advice and I left buzzing."
- Amanda Myall, January 2008 London Workshop attendee

Whatever course you choose, the syllabus is the same. There are four elements to the qualification - shorthand, law, public affairs and journalism. We additionally teach a fifth optional module – as part of the course cost – in either sub-editing/page production or sports journalism.

Students on the full-time course spend one day per week putting their classroom work into practice on a work placement. Part-time students must complete a two-week placement sometime during their studies.

For further information e-mail training@newsassociates.co.uk or visit www.welovejournalism.com - where you can read about courses in more detail and watch a video of current and recent trainees in action.

Alternatively, call 0870 445 0156.