The judges have shortlisted 72 students, trainees, apprentices and training providers in the 2024 Awards for Excellence.
More than 400 entries were received across 20 categories for the annual awards, which highlight the achievements of individuals with promising journalism careers ahead of them and those doing outstanding work in the media and training sector.
The NCTJ is grateful to Reuters, our headline sponsor, and to all the media organisations that support the event: Alder Media, Yahoo, Sky News, i, the Market Research Society, British Polling Council, News UK, The Telegraph, Sky Sports and the Financial Times.
Shortlisted in the student and trainee categories are:
| Student | Trainee/apprentice | |
| News journalism | Emma Dodd, Darlington College George Palmer-Soady, Nottingham Trent University Ruby Watson, University of Sheffield |
Yzabelle Bostyn, The Olive Press Max Kendix, The Times Isabelle Parkin, Express & Star |
| Sports journalism | Evie Ashton, St Mary’s University David Olaseinde, News Associates London Oscar Pick, St Mary’s University |
Ben Fleming, Metro Reuben Threllfall, talkSPORT |
| Top scoop | Nicole Haynes, News Associates London Charles Pring, Glasgow Clyde College Eduardo Tansley, St Mary’s University Lucy Wilde, News Associates London Conor Wilson, News Associates London |
Jonathan Addai, BBC News Tom Burgess, The Northern Echo Shing Hei Yip, The Chaser News Isabella Ward, Bloomberg News |
| Features of the year | Jessica Benjamin, University of Portsmouth George Nash, News Associates London Richard James Sladden, News Associates London |
Sharin Hussain, The Times Charlotte McDonald, BBC News Elysia Taylor-Hearn, The Daily Record |
| Podcast of the year | Joshua Brooks, University of Salford Rosabel Crean, News Associates London Holly Nichols, News Associates London |
Hayley Clarke, BBC News Dell Goonetillake, talkSPORT Josephine Watson, TechRadar |
| Data journalism | Charlotte Bend, News Associates London Joanna Burrell, University of Portsmouth Lucy Rowan, News Associates London Lisa Valentine, News Associates Manchester |
Eleri Griffiths, BBC Wales News Imogen James, BBC News Isabella Ward, Bloomberg News |
| Videojournalism | Na Ao, University of Sheffield Jay Blakeway, Glasgow Caledonian University Tommy Lawrence, University of Lincoln Izabella Thornley, News Associates London |
Mirek Gosney, Newbury Weekly News Simran Sohal, BBC News Lydia Wilson, BBC South |
Shortlisted in the specialist categories are:
Student project of the year
- ‘Sink or Swim – a cultural deep dive’: Cynthia Ajayi, Liverpool John Moores University
- ‘The Geography of Suicide’: Joshua Day, University of Salford
- ‘The Numbers Game’: Adam Tones, University of Sunderland
Innovation of the year award
- Ulster University – Mediastrong mental health awareness campaign
- University of Sheffield – Virtual reality immersive newsgathering workshop
- University of Sunderland – AI on-the-scene reporting simulation
Equality, diversity and inclusion award (individual)
- Hayley Clarke, BBC News
- Shaheena Uddin, Muslim Journalists Connect
- Grace Wheeler, BBC Sport
- Lydia Wilson, BBC South
Equality, diversity and inclusion award (organisation)
- City of Liverpool College
- News UK
- University of Sheffield
Level 5 apprentice of the year award
- Phoebe Abruzzese, Darlington College, The Northern Echo
- Annabelle Ariyanayagam, PA Media Academy, BBC World Service
- Ezekiel Bertrand, Darlington College, Newsquest South London
- Jasmine Dufraisse, PA Media Academy, BBC News
- Harry Goodwin, PA Media Academy, The Sun
- Dell Goonetillake, PA Media Academy, talkSPORT
- Niamh Robinson, PA Media Academy, The Telegraph
Level 7 apprentice of the year award
- Tom Burgess, Darlington College, The Northern Echo
- Hayley Clarke, University of Kent, BBC News
- Daniel Hordon, Darlington College, The Northern Echo
- Sanjana Idnani, University of Kent, BBC Wales News
- Jacob Ridley, University of Sunderland, PC Gamer
- Josephine Watson, University of Sunderland, TechRadar
The shortlist for the student of the year and trainee of the year awards will be announced in early 2025.
The chair’s award will be presented at the ceremony in spring 2025.
