NCTJ Diploma
Train with the national news agency and gain the Level 5 NCTJ Diploma in Journalism that impresses editors.
If you want to be a journalist, there are two things that will help – a portfolio of great stories and an NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. Train with the Press Association Academy and our high standards will help you impress with both.
If you're looking to take your first steps as a journalist, this is the qualification that will impress future editors and help you land a great job. Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, the media industry's professional body, the Level 5 Diploma in Journalism is a highly-practical course that gives you the essential skills for being a journalist.
On our 19-week fast-track course in multimedia journalism you'll build reporting, digital and video skills, and study media law and ethics. You'll learn how to make notes in shorthand so you can always be first to a story, and will have the opportunity to specialise in news, sports or digital features journalism.
Our people get jobs with organisations such as The Athletic, The Sun, The Daily Mail, The BBC, LBC, The Independent, City AM, The Telegraph, the FT, Politico and the Press Association newsroom. So if you're committed, talented and keen to be working as a journalist in less than five months, then this could be the course for you.
Alternatively, if full-time study doesn't fit with your work or life situation right now, you can apply for our year-long part-time Diploma course. Join us for training on Saturdays and Tuesday evenings, and bag the essential skills you need to succeed as a journalist over a longer time-frame.
You'll acquire reporting, editing, digital and video skills and gain a thorough understanding of media law and ethics. If you study on our part-time NCTJ Diploma, you'll also spend time developing writing skills thanks to a focus on digital features and longform writing.
All our trainers are expert journalists, with many still working for leading newsrooms, broadcasters and digital publishers. Because of our unique connection with the UK and Ireland's national news agency, you'll also gain invaluable insights into what it's really like to work as a journalist, what hiring editors are looking for and how your career could progress.
training by journalists, for journalists
You'll be taught by senior journalists who will not only give you the skills and knowledge you need to do well in your exams, but also to thrive in a media organisation and build your career.
We know what editors value, so our courses are intensely practical and you'll gain hands-on experience through live news days, trips to the courts, interviewing and breaking news exercises. You might even play a supporting role in the Press Association newsroom during elections and big events.
You'll receive the feedback, encouragement and guidance you need to get your career off to a flying start.
More about our training
- NCTJ Diploma
- Apprenticeships
- Media Training
Courses
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NCTJ Diploma in News Journalism
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Build your digital storytelling skills and craft compelling long-form stories
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NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism
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Part-time NCTJ Diploma in Journalism
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Why train with Press Association Academy?
- Newsroom connected with national and international reach
- More than 50 years' experience training journalists and PRs
- All courses are expert-led by working media professionals
- Trainers have a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives
- Small class sizes allow for practical, interactive exercises
Our trainers
Meet some of the Press Association Academy trainers who lead the NCTJ Diploma.
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Photo: Press Association Academy
Sean Howe
Head of Journalism Training
Sean Howe is an experienced journalist and editor with specialist knowledge of subjects including policing, crime, defence and security. He launched his first magazine at university before starting his career formally in local papers. He went on to edit national B2B titles before being promoted to take up editorial leadership roles. Sean spearheaded the editorial, analytical and forecasting operations for Janes, a specialist defence, aerospace and security publisher.
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Photo: Press Association Academy
Alison Kershaw
Journalism Training Manager
Alison has extensive experience in news journalism, most recently as a PA news editor. She started out in local newspapers and joined the PA news agency as a general reporter. She then worked as a royal reporter before serving as PA's education correspondent for over 10 years. Prior to joining the news desk, she worked as a High Court reporter, covering major cases including the Johnny Depp libel trial and The Duchess of Sussex' privacy claim.
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Photo: Press Association Academy
Jon Bernstein
Associate Trainer
Jon Bernstein has been running training courses for over a decade and comes with 25+ years' experience as a journalist. He was Deputy Editor, then Digital Director, at the New Statesman; Digital Editor for Channel 4 News; launched and ran the Channel 4 FactCheck website during the 2005 UK general election; and was Editor-in-Chief of Directgov, working in the Cabinet Office's eGovernment Unit. He was named Website Editor of the Year by the British Society of Magazine Editors for Newstatesman.com. He spent his first ten years as a journalist working as a reporter and editor covering technology for a number of trade titles including PC Week and silicon.com.
Not only did I develop the necessary toolkit to become a journalist, but I also did so in an environment that fosters a real sense of community and personal career support.
I made amazing friends, amazing memories and now it has led me to an amazing job which I never would have gotten without my time at Press Association.
The methods and techniques you learn (and apply) on a daily basis through teaching, coursework and eventually exams crop up again and again in both job applications and jobs themselves – the course content is directly relevant to the realities of the industry.
I learned to write concise articles and features, while developing my skills in social media, interviewing sources, and producing stories for an increasingly online audience. The course has allowed me to start a full-time journalism career.
Being equipped with an NCTJ Diploma does massive favours for your future, and the skills the course taught me are ones I lean on every single day. The simple fact is, I wouldn’t be where I am without that course.
The small class sizes nurture a comfortable environment where everyone supports and learns from each other. The staff helped me hone in on my writing skills and develop the confidence to feel comfortable on camera.
The teaching I received was second to none and despite having no experience whatsoever in journalism, the tutors made sure there was a friendly environment where I felt welcome to ask any questions I needed. I was able to finish the course and go into a job working for The Sun.
My time at PA Training was a whirlwind of fun and excitement. The full-time NCTJ course in London is fast-paced and hard work but perfectly sets you up for what to expect in a reporter role.
The staff truly go above and beyond, providing detailed feedback, a wealth of knowledge and many career opportunities. I’d recommend the course to any budding journalist. You’ll have fun, too!
It’s a great place to make connections – networking with teachers, guest speakers and fellow students can be key to gaining advice or even job opportunities during and after the course.
I really could not recommend Press Association enough to anyone who is looking to jump into the fascinating world of journalism. The course equips you with all the necessary skills you need to enter the industry and the wide range of topics covered leaves it hard for you to ever feel bored.
I was able to count on excellent teachers and professionals who helped me push my limits and achieve my goals. I was impressed by the quality of the course and the motivation teachers put into it. It was a great experience and I would definitely do it again!
Find out more
Talk to the Press Association Academy team about dates, fees and bespoke training options.
Ask a question
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Apply for the NCTJ Diploma
Ready to apply? We will ask about your education and employment history, and why you want to be a journalist.