Outstanding journalists celebrated for top NCTJ diploma results
Twelve high-flying journalists have been recognised for achieving the best results in the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism.
A total of 11,158 diploma exams were sat throughout the last academic year by students, distance learners and apprentices.
The top-performing candidates receive a prize of £250 from their respective award supporters: Independent, ITV News, Mark Allen Group, National World, Newsquest, News Media Association, Oxford University Press, Premier League, Reach, Sky Sports News and Telegraph.
The award winners are featured in the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism examiners’ report, which has been published today:
In the report, principal examiner Amanda Ball said the results: “show a remarkable degree of consistency between 2023-24 and the previous academic year.”
She added: “I want to highlight the hard work and dedication of examiners across all the subject boards, as well as the staff at the NCTJ, all of whom play a vital role in ensuring that the NCTJ diploma continues to provide an excellent pathway in journalism education and training, preparing the next generation of journalists for a fast-changing media industry.”
Congratulating the award winners, NCTJ chief executive Joanne Forbes said: “NCTJ diploma assessments are a challenging test of competence, and it takes a great deal of commitment and hard work to achieve the gold standard. Getting the top marks is a wonderful achievement.
“This is a list of names to watch, and I look forward to seeing the award winners develop in their journalism careers.”
The winners are as follows:
Left: Niamh Curran. Right: Cerys Jones
The Newsquest essential journalism award – Niamh Curran, PA Media Academy
Niamh has been working as a reporter for the Times Entrepreneurs Network since January 2025. Her focus is fast growing small businesses across the UK. She took her NCTJ while working for Finextra covering the global fintech business.
The Oxford University Press essential media law award –Cerys Jones, University of Sheffield
Since completing her course at the University of Sheffield, Cerys has been working at The Athletic as their first UK newsroom intern. Cerys is supporting the editorial team across the transfer window, Club World Cup, and Women’s Euros, contributing through live match coverage, news, feature writing, and podcast appearances.
Left: Lucianne Bell. Right: Lise Evans
The National World media law: court reporting award – Lucianne Bell, News Associates London
Lucianne achieved an incredible 98% in the court reporting exam and since completing her course, she has been travelling, but will soon rejoin Centrica as a marketing graduate, having previously interned there last summer.
The Oxford University Press public affairs award – Lise Evans, Darlington College
Lise achieved 92% in the public affairs exam and completed her training through the Community News Project. She currently is the main reporter for the Evesham Observer and a local news reporter for Bullivant Media Group, contributing to 12 titles across Worcestershire and Warwickshire.
Left: Ayaat Yassin-Kassab. Right: Joshua Brooks
The Sky Sports News shorthand award (100wpm) – Ayaat Yassin-Kassab, News Associates London
Ayaat achieved the highest mark in the 100wpm shorthand exam, with an impressive 100% accuracy. She is currently a trainee reporter at MailOnline.
The ITV News broadcast journalism award – Joshua Brooks, University of Salford
Joshua was highly commended for the student podcast of the year award at the NCTJ 2024 Awards for Excellence. After completing his course, he freelanced with ITN and is now working as an Assistant Producer at ITV News.
Left: Josef Al Shemary. Right: Cara Wheeldon
The News Media Association editing skills for journalists’ award – Josef Al Shemary, Liverpool John Moores University
Josef started a freelance position at LBC in August of 2024, before securing a permanent role as a digital journalist in April this year. His work includes souring and writing news stories, updating live new blogs, and managing the output and layout of LBC’s website and app.
The Mark Allen Group practical magazine journalism award – Cara Wheeldon, Nottingham Trent University
Cara is a freelance journalist writing a regular column for The Country Smallholder, focusing on Bantams chickens. Cara started this position whilst at university while creating an article piece for her portfolio.
Left: Uma Gurav. Right: Rosa Kama
The Independent videojournalism award – Uma Gurav, PA Media Academy
Uma is a freelance sports broadcaster and journalists specialising in football. She writes for The Cutback, covering Manchester City Women, and has recently reported on the Lionesses at the Women’s Euros in Switzerland for talkSPORT and Times Radio. You may also recognise her as a presenter for talkSPORT’s television sports news bulletins.
The Premier League sports journalism award – Rosa Kama, News Associates London
Rosa achieved 83% in the sports journalism module and is now a digital editorial consultant at The Premier League.
Left: Emily Davison. Right: Thomas Picillo
The Reach journalism for a digital audience award – Emily Davison, Darlington College
Emily is a Multimedia Reporter at Newsquest London, writing for South London titles.
The Telegraph data journalism award – Thomas Picillo, News Associates London
Thomas is currently an Assistant Producer at podcast production company Stak. He is the lead producer of The Second Tier and On The Continent podcasts, and a regular producer of The Football Ramble.
Read the Diploma in Journalism examiners’ report 2023-24 here.
