AddThis SmartLayers

August 2013 News

Press photographs from around world appear in exhibition

Scottish Parliaments hosts global picture gallery

Former journalist who spent 40 years at daily dies at 79

Reporter covered district patch for newspaper

Photojournalist caught up in West Bank conflict pens book

Travelogue tells of five-day trip to region

Weekly photographer rescues tortoise for namesake

Pet reunited with family after trip to film festival

Alan Geere: What happened next to the brightest and best

Latest extract in our serialisation of What Do We Mean by Local?

Newspaper MD joins board of business organisation

Regional press boss appointed as new director

Editor quits over column attacking rival newspaper

News chief overruled on publishing of comment piece

Local TV areas merged by Ofcom

Four locations joined to create two licences

New monthly newspaper hits the streets in seaside town

Former regional daily journalist is editor of new title

Deadline extended for EDF Energy awards

Extra week to enter for London and South of England contenders

Paul Robertson: The glue holding communities together

Continuing our series of extracts from What Do We Mean By Local?

Training Matter: Why we insist on the NQJ for our reporters

Our fortnightly look at training issues facing the industry

Scottish daily to sponsor musical based on girls’ magazine

Title will shortly celebrate 50 years of publication

Regional dailies break news of murder confession

Exclusives by titles include political editor’s run-in with cockerel

Friend’s tribute to former daily district reporter

Journalist offered way in to flagship daily

Publisher welcomes publicity boost over obscene advert

‘Everyone knows about us now’ says newspaper boss

Senior Media Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Content, Channels and Engagement Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Communications Lead – Chief Media Officer  Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Senior Content, Channels and Engagement Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Media Officer Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Communication Planning Manager Metropolitan Police Westminster, closes 22 Sep
Communications Manager NCTJ Saffron Walden, closes 26 Sep
Press Photographer North News and Pictures Newcastle, closes 13 Sep

Scroll up Scroll down

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.