NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2025 open for entries
The NCTJ Awards for Excellence, sponsored by Reuters, are now open for entries.
The NCTJ Awards for Excellence, sponsored by Reuters, are now open for entries from students, trainee and apprentice journalists across the UK.
Free to enter, the annual awards recognise the achievements of talented individuals with promising journalism careers ahead of them.
Students, trainees and apprentices can enter the following categories:
- News journalism
- Sports journalism
- Top scoop
- Features
- Podcast journalism
- Data journalism
- Videojournalism
All shortlisted entrants will be invited to the awards ceremony, which will take place in early 2026.
You can enter as a student if:
- You are studying (or have studied) on an NCTJ-accredited course in the 2024-25 academic yearand/or
- You are studying towards the Diploma in Journalism as a distance learner, having started the course no more than two years ago, and are not a working journalist
You can enter as a trainee if:
- You have completed the Diploma in Journalism and have less than two years’ employmentand/or
- You are completing (or have completed) an NCTJ journalism apprenticeship during the 2024-25 academic yearand/or
- You are studying towards the Diploma in Journalism as a distance learner, having started the course no more than two years ago, and are a working journalist with less than two years’ employment
NCTJ-accredited course providers are also encouraged to nominate the best student projects from the 2024-25 academic year.
Performance awards will also be presented to the best performing student, trainee and apprentice journalists across the NCTJ’s qualifications.
Specialist award categories include the innovation of the year award, which recognises innovation in journalism education and training, as well as the equality diversity and inclusion awards. These awards recognise the outstanding work of individuals and organisations that promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the media and training sector.
Nominations are also encouraged for the NCTJ’s chair’s award, which recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to high standards of journalism training.
The deadline for entries is Wednesday, 12 November at 5pm. Click here to find out more and enter.
