National exams

 

National examination dates are offered in April/May, July and November/December each year. These dates are open to anyone wishing to sit an NCTJ Diploma in Journalism exam. They are the exam dates for distance learners, trainees and those who are no longer on course and need to re-sit an exam.

Candidates should apply direct to the NCTJ by completing the application form on the left hand side by the stated deadline. Applications received after this date may not be accepted. Candidates must ensure that they are ready for, and are able to sit the scheduled exam before submitting an application. All exam fees are payable on application and are non-refundable.

** Candidates taking up an approved deferral of an examination MUST book the required exam(s) as above and forward the approval document to the NCTJ on application.

The national exam dates for 2021 - 22 are as follows.

Exam 2021-2022 2022 2022 Time
Essential Journalism 08 November 2021 25 April 11 July 10:00 - 12:00
Essential Media Law 10 November 2021 27 April 13 July 09:30 - 12:00
Media Law Court Reporting 10 November 2021 27 April 13 July 14:30 - 16:00
Public Affairs 12 November 2021 22 April 15 July 14:00 - 15:45
Sports Journalism 07 December 2021 24 May   10:00 - 14:00
Editing Skills for Journalists 09 December 2021 26 May   14:00 - 16:30
Business of Magazines 14 January 2021 13 May   14:00 - 15:45
Videojournalism for Digital Platforms 10 December 2021 27 May   10:00 - 12:00
Broadcast Regulation   16 May   14:00 - 15:00
Business and Finance 12 November 2021 22 April   10:00 - 12:30
Newspaper Magazine Regulation Test
(for the essential journalism
ethics and regulation module)		 8 November 2021 25 April 11 July 13:00 - 13:30
Intro to PR for Journalists 18 January 2022 26 April   14:00 - 16:00
PR and Communications for Journalists 20 January 2022 28 April   Part 1: 09:30 - 12:00
Part 2: 13:00 - 14:30
Journalism for a digital audience 21 January 2022 19 May   10:00 - 11:15
Data journalism 21 January 2022 19 May   13:00 - 14:15

The NCTJ will allocate candidates to the centre where they will sit the exams. A local/preferred centre cannot be guaranteed due to availability/demand. Candidates must be prepared to travel to sit exams.

Book an exam

Confirmation

When an exam application is received, the NCTJ will confirm your entry by email.

Approximately two weeks prior to an exam date, reporting instructions and a timetable will be sent to you by email confirming your centre and exam details.

Results are issued by email within six weeks of the exams.

Newspaper Magazine Regulation Test:

A - 10/10

B - 9/10

C - 8/10

D - 7/10

E - 6/10

All other modules:

A - 70% +

B - 60 - 69%

C - 50 - 59%

D - 40 - 49%

E - 30 - 39%

Sitting exams abroad

Those not studying/based in the UK may enquire about sitting certain exams at a British Council abroad. Candidates wishing to sit Diploma in Journalism exams abroad should approach the British Council offices in that country regarding their ability to host NCTJ exams.

If the British Council is able to host the applicable exams please send contact details to [email protected] to finalise the arrangements.

Exams are scheduled to be held at UK time and may not be altered. The NCTJ will confirm examination times for locations abroad.

The following exams cannot be sat abroad due to software requirements and the technical support needed:

  • Editing skills for journalists
  • Broadcast radio news
  • Broadcast TV news
  • Videojournalism for digital platforms
  • Shorthand