The next National exams take place in April and May 2024. Bookings for May are now CLOSED.
Eligibility: National exams are open to external candidates only (e.g. distance learners, candidates on non-accredited courses, industry candidates, and those who are no longer on course with a centre and need to re-sit an exam). Candidates studying on a journalism course at an NCTJ-accredited centre are not able to enter National exams while still on course. Your centre will deliver your exams.
You must ensure you are ready for, and able to sit, the scheduled exam before booking. All exam fees are payable at the point of booking. In the event of a cancellation or non-attendance, exams are non-refundable. Deferrals will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, in line with the NCTJ reasonable adjustments and special considerations policy.
If you have any queries regarding National exams, then please contact exams@nctj.com or call us on 01799 544 014
National exam timetable:
| Exam | 2023-24 | 2024 | 2024 | Time |
| Essential Journalism | 13 November 2023 | 15 April 2024 | 08 July 2024 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Essential Media Law | 15 November 2023 | 17 April 2024 | 10 July 2024 | 09:30 – 12:00 |
| Media Law Court Reporting | 15 November 2023 | 17 April 2024 | 10 July 2024 | 14:30 – 16:00 |
| Public Affairs | 17 November 2023 | 19 April 2024 | 12 July 2024 | 14:00 – 15:45 |
| Sports Journalism | 5 December 2023 | 14 May 2024 | 10:00 – 14:00 | |
| Editing Skills for Journalists | 7 December 2023 | 16 May 2024 | 14:00 – 16:30 | |
| Videojournalism for Digital Platforms | 8 December 2023 | 24 May 2024 | 10:00 – 12:00 | |
| Broadcast Regulation | 15 January 2024 | 20 May 2024 | 14:00 – 15:00 | |
| Business and Finance | 17 November 2023 | 19 April 2024 | 10:00 – 12:30 | |
| Newspaper Magazine Regulation Test (for the essential journalism ethics and regulation module) |
13 November 2023 | 15 April 2024 | 08 July 2024 | 13:00 – 13:30 |
| Intro to PR for Journalists | 30 January 2024 | 23 April 2024 | 14:00 – 16:00 | |
| PR and Communications for Journalists | 25 January 2024 | 25 April 2024 | Part 1: 09:30 – 12:00 Part 2: 13:00 – 14:30 |
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| Journalism for a digital audience | 12 January 2024 | 23 May 2024 | 10:00 – 11:30 | |
| Data journalism | 12 January 2024 | 23 May 2024 | 13:00 – 14:15 | |
| Practical magazine journalism | 06 March 2024 | 10:00 – 16:00 | ||
| Radio news | 17 January 2024 | 22 May 2024 | 10:00 – 11:30 |
Booking opening/closing dates
| Exam sittings | Bookings open (1pm) | Bookings close (5pm) |
| November 2023 | 1 September 2023 | 9 October 2023 |
| December 2023 | 1 September 2023 | 31 October 2023 |
| January 2024 | 1 September 2023 | 7 December 2023 |
| April 2024 | 29 January 2024 | 11 March 2024 |
| May 2024 | 29 January 2024 | 9 April 2024 |
| July 2024 | 22 May 2024 | 3 June 2024 |
Deferred exams
If you have had a previous exam deferred, you can book using our deferral form.
Further information
The NCTJ offers candidates the option to sit National exams at an academic centre, in-office if your company has suitable facilities available, or remotely at home.
When a booking has been processed, we will confirm your exam entry via email. Approximately two weeks prior to the exam date, reporting instructions and a timetable will be sent to you via email confirming the exam details. Results are issued by email within six weeks of the exam date.
Sitting exams overseas
Candidates not studying/based in the UK may enquire about sitting National exams remotely or in-centre at a British Council venue. Overseas candidates wishing to sit exams in-centre should approach the British Council offices in that country regarding their ability to host the exam.
If the British Council is able to host the exam, please send contact details to alison.puttock@nctj.com to finalise the arrangements.
Exams are scheduled to be held at UK time and may not be altered.
The following exams cannot be sat in-centre overseas due to software requirements and the technical support needed:
- Broadcast radio news
- Broadcast TV news
- Editing skills for journalists
- Shorthand
- Videojournalism for digital platforms
