A university is celebrating after becoming the latest to have its journalism degree accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

The BA (Hons) Journalism course at Brunel University, which is headed by Keith Somerville, was launched less than three years ago but has now become one of only 18 NCTJ-accredited undergraduate degrees across the UK.

Students on the course study for the NCTJ’s exams, which include shorthand, law and public affairs, alongside their degree assignments and are also taught techniques in multi-platform journalism and entrepreneurialism.

The university’s journalism department was established four years ago by Sarah Niblock, who is the head of journalism, and it also runs an NCTJ-accredited postgraduate course.

Sarah said: “We are delighted as we want to provide the best possible launch-pad for our students’ careers in this competitive climate.”

NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher added: “It’s great to see the journalism provision at Brunel going from strength-to-strength.

“We know how challenging it is for undergraduate journalism degree courses to meet the NCTJ standard for accreditation but the team at Brunel were more than able to demonstrate the commitment, resources and quality we require.”