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January 2008 News

Student journalist could save £10,000 with new scholarship

One lucky journalism trainee could find themselves nearly £10,000 better off in three years time

Editor completes year-long 80-race running challenge

Jogging journalist completes daunting race mission – and plans a book on his challenge

Newspaper runs hunt coverage shot with head-mounted camera

Western Daily Press used webcam footage to give a closer view of traditional Boxing Day meets

Farewell faithful fax machine

Payphones, fax machines and typewriters. How journalists miss their favourite old technology …not

Fast track journalism training course comes out on top

Sheffield College leads the list of the UK’s top ten industry-accredited courses

EDF Energy East of England Media Awards shortlist is announced

More than 200 entries from print and broadcast media are whittled down to the final few

Sub-editor sets up own publishing firm to launch first novel

Former regional press man set up on his own to pen mid-life crisis book

Reporters turn superheroes to raise charity cash

Evening Post staff retain “a shred of dignity” by partially hiding their identities

Paper's campaign helps secure new billion-pound academy

The South Wales Echo launched a petition and printed coupons to win reader support

Veteran newspaper reporter and author dies

Former Barry Herald editor went on to work for the Daily Mail and the BBC

Readers react to Express & Star's same-day Bhutto edition

“We continue to benefit from being an authentic evening newspaper” – deputy editor

North West Evening Mail names its new editor

Move gives weeklies man his big chance to edit a regional daily

British journalists in the news as cop is shot dead in Bahamas office car park

Incident was a dramatic end to a dramatic year for The Tribune

Citizen boss gets editor-in-chief job

Appointment brings Gloucestershire Media’s editorial structure into line with the other Northcliffe centres

News editor's New Year's Eve baby makes the news

New Year celebration of a different kind as Echo journalist gives birth

Student successes take up their first jobs in journalism

Graduates win jobs in global news organisations

Tips on choosing a journalism course

Emma Clark, former marketing and communications manager for the National Council for the Training of Journalists, offers her advice on choosing between journalism courses.
Recently I've attended numerous careers fairs around the country, meeting students of all ages keen to break into journalism - whether that be in newspapers, television, radio or magazines. And of course, all students want to know which journalism course they should go on and whether they need NCTJ qualifications.

A quick look at the trainee job ads on HTFP demonstrates the importance of gaining the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. Many adverts require candidates to have, or be awaiting results for, their NCTJ Diploma.

Trying to break into the industry without it makes a tough task almost impossible. With the rise in tuition fees, choosing the right journalism course is even more important than ever and students need to be sure they are learning the vocational skills required by employers, enabling them to hit the ground running when they enter the newsroom.

Employers know that an NCTJ-trained applicant will be able to find and construct stories, understand media law and ethics and be able to take down an accurate shorthand note when required. And contrary to popular belief it is not just the regional press looking for these skills, but nationals, online and broadcast too. Recent Sky Sports News schemes, for example, have been looking for practical skills including a minimum of 100wpm shorthand.

Student journalists can complete their NCTJ training in a number of ways - FE colleges and independent centres offer the Diploma in Journalism as fast-track and academic year courses, while universities offer it as part of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. All of these journalism courses lead to the same NCTJ qualifications and meet the same standard, allowing students to pick the one that's best for them.

It's no secret that the NCTJ has an exacting standard, and this applies not just to the qualifications but also to the course provider. All NCTJ-accredited courses have to work incredibly hard to meet the requirements in the same way that students have to work incredibly hard to achieve the gold standard. This ensures the NCTJ logo acts as a meaningful kitemark for quality journalism training.