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 amended national exam dates for 2019 - 20 are as follows.
PLEASE NOTE: The new June dates are for candidates who had previously booked onto April/May dates which were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
| Exam | 2019-2020 | 2020 | 2020 | Time |
| Essential Journalism | 11 November 2019 | 8 June | 13 July | 10:00 - 12:00 |
| Essential Media Law | 13 November 2019 | 10 June | 15 July | 09:30 - 12:00 |
| Media Law Court Reporting | 13 November 2019 | 10 June | 15 July | 14:30 - 16:00 |
| Public Affairs | 15 November 2019 | 12 June | 17 July | 14:00 - 15:45 |
| Sports Journalism | 10 December 2019 | 23 June | 10:00 - 14:00 | |
| Production Journalism | 12 December 2019 | 25 June | 14:00 - 16:30 | |
| Business of Magazines | 16 January 2020 | 18 June | 14:00 - 15:45 | |
| Videojournalism for Online | 6 December 2019 | 19 June | 10:00 - 12:00 | |
| Broadcast Regulation | 6 July | 14:00 - 15:00 | ||
| Business and Finance | 15 November 2019 | 12 June | 10:00 - 12:30 | |
| Newspaper Magazine Regulation Test (for the essential journalism ethics and regulation module) |
11 November 2019 | 8 June | 13 July | 13:00 - 13:30 |
| Intro to PR for Journalists | 3 December 2019 | 16 June | 14:00 - 16:00 | |
| PR and Communications for Journalists | 5 December 2019 | 18 June | Part 1: 09:30 - 12:00 Part 2: 13:00 - 14:30 |
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.
