A-Level students who did not receive the grades they needed have been urged to consider studying for a career in journalism.

Freelance Sky News runner Naomi Greenaway has encouraged students entering the clearing process at university following the release of this year’s A-Level results yesterday to think about applying for NCTJ-accrdited courses, even if it is not what they originally planned to study.

Naomi, pictured, did not get the A-Level results for her first choice to study English Literature at King’s College London.

She was accepted into her second-choice English degree course at the University of Nottingham, but instead decided to study journalism at the University of Kent.

The 20-year-old, from Basildon, subsequently began her career on Iliffe Media-owned television channel KMTV before movign to Sky.

Naomi said: “Although I got into the University of Nottingham, I remember panicking and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.

“I decided to take the risk and I rang the clearing phone number. They were really helpful and I had a chat to them about my options. I decided I wanted to go straight into doing journalism.

“I also knew I needed to look for NCTJ accreditation to tip me over the edge of my competitors.”

Offering advice for students now entering clearing, she added:”I know clearing sounds like a scary place, but honestly it was the best thing that happened to me.

“From the first day I came into the university, I have been really pushed to do my best and get out of my comfort zone. Now I feel comfortable going out reporting and being in front of the camera.”