There are six exams to be taken and a portfolio to be completed. There are also optional sub- editing and sports journalism modules that can be taken, if they are offered at centres.
News writing: tests candidates' ability to understand information provided in a variety of written forms, recognise what is newsworthy and write clear news stories, to length and in a given time. Candidates write a news story of about 300 words from material provided; rewrite two shorter stories and suggest three ideas to develop a story using various multi-media platforms (ie video, online etc).
Public affairs: local government: four questions on local government, one of which is a compulsory finance question. Time allowed is two hours.
Public affairs: central government: four questions on central government. Time allowed is two hours.
Media law: court reporting: examines court reporting and related issues in defamation and contempt, sources of law, crime terminology, relevant aspects of the PCC code. Time allowed is two hours.
Media law: general reporting: examines general reporting (excluding court reporting). Takes in defamation, contempt, copyright, confidentiality, other parts of the PCC code. Time allowed is two hours.
Shorthand (Teeline): a practical examination set at 100wpm. The exam consists of two passages of two minutes each with an interval of 30 seconds between them. Transcription time of 45 minutes is allowed.
Portfolio: this demonstrates a variety of reporting styles and also serves as a record of training. Students can include ten stories and a feature, or eight stories, one feature and one video report.
Optional exams:
Subbing: three on-screen subbing tests in which candidates sub a story and write a headline in a software package of choice. A piece of coursework - a page of real stories - examines design skills. Time allowed for subbing tests is 90 minutes.
Sports journalism: three match reports are written in less than three hours – a half-time report of a recorded match; a full report on the whistle; and a third quote-led piece, based on interview transcripts.
NB: optional exams are additional qualifications which may not be offered on all accredited courses. Ask your centre whether it runs the courses.
