Want to be a journalist? You’ll need your NCTJ…
They are just four letters but, if you don’t have them, it can make or break your career in journalism.
The NCTJ — the National Council for the Training of Journalists — is the industry charity which has been overseeing the development of trainee reporters for decades.
Many editors will not take on someone who hasn’t passed, or is at least on the way to completing, the qualification.
And that’s why here, at the University of Portsmouth journalism department, the NCTJ is central to our BA (Hons) Journalism degree course.
As well as a degree, every undergraduate who passes through our doors aims to achieve the gold standard NCTJ diploma — 100wpm in shorthand and an A-C in every unit.
Last year we won the award for the NCTJ Best Performing Higher Education Undergraduate Course in the UK.
So, why is the NCTJ important?
Well, if you have achieved the NCTJ qualification then editors know:
- You are legally-trained in media law
- You can find and write stories to a good standard
- You can shoot and edit videos on the move
- You know how to use data analytics to increase hits and reader engagement
- You can take down accurate notes using shorthand
- You are an ethical journalist who abides by the IPSO code of conduct
- You have knowledge of current affairs both nationally and internationally
Industry wants it, we provide it.
You need 82 credits to achieve the NCTJ diploma which you will complete as you progress through your degree. The diploma chart is below.
So, start preparing for the NCTJ and your journey into journalism.
To apply for our award-winning journalism course, go to: https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/ba-hons-journalism
