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May 2009 News

Photography prize worth £10,000 up for grabs

Third annual landscape picture award now open

City turns Blue again for cancer fundraiser

News resurrects event in memory of young footy fan

Newspapers will bounce back says Rothermere

Northcliffe’s UK profits down 91pc

New search facility for newspaper e-editions

Further advance for page-turning software provider

Newspaper office to become part of university

Echo set to move to new premises down the road

Mother's anger over murder trial coverage

Plus: Misleading figures for councillor’s expenses, excessive suicide details – and more resolved complaints from the PCC

MEN and Trinity trial new free video service

Big names sign up to service within weeks of launch

News agency founder dies aged 73

Arblaster set up SWNS during long journalism career

New boss for Scottish newspaper group

Commercial director steps up to top job

Echo reporter scoops brace of awards

Dorset journalist praised for all-round excellence

Warwickshire College, Royal Leamington Spa

NCTJ Full-time Pre-entry Newspaper Journalism Course – September till June Who are we? One of the top FE colleges in the country – and that’s official. We hold Beacon Status as learning providers who have achieved top-class inspection results and

Sir Alan launches Speaker bid via his local paper

Veteran MP is only declared candidate so far

Relaunch for Kent frees after circulation boost

Title to be available via pick-up from next month

First female press gallery reporter dies aged 84

Former regional press journalist blazed trail for women

Conference discusses 'crisis' in profession

Industry heavyweights meet to debate media’s future

Paper's plea to safeguard thousands of jobs

Over 5,000 people back Facebook campaign

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.