The next National exams take place in November 2025 and bookings are now CLOSED. Bookings remain open for December and January exams.
Eligibility: National exams are open to external candidates only (e.g. distance learners, candidates on non-accredited courses, industry candidates, and those who are no longer on course with a centre and need to re-sit an exam). Candidates studying on a journalism course at an NCTJ-accredited centre are not able to enter National exams while still on course. Your centre will deliver your exams.
The next Practical Magazine Journalism assessment date is 04 March 2026, with a compulsory workshop on 14 January 2026. You cannot book for the live PMJ assessment date without having attended the workshop. Bookings close on 19 December 2025.
You must ensure you are ready for, and able to sit, the scheduled exam before booking. All exam fees are payable at the point of booking. In the event of a cancellation or non-attendance, exams are non-refundable. Deferrals will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, in line with the NCTJ reasonable adjustments and special considerations policy.
If you have any queries regarding National exams, then please contact [email protected] or call us on 01799 544 014
National exam timetable:
| Exam | 2025-26 | 2026 | 2026 | Time |
| Essential Journalism | 10 November 2025 | 13 April 2026 | 6 July 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Essential Media Law | 12 November 2025 | 15 April 2026 | 8 July 2026 | 09:30 – 12:00 |
| Media Law Court Reporting | 12 November 2025 | 15 April 2026 | 8 July 2026 | 14:30 – 16:00 |
| Public Affairs | 14 November 2025 | 17 April 2026 | 10 July 2026 | 13:00 – 15:00 |
| Sports Journalism | 2 December 2025 | 19 May 2026 | 10:00 – 14:00 | |
| Editing Skills for Journalists | 4 December 2025 | 14 May 2026 | 14:00 – 16:30 | |
| Videojournalism for Digital Platforms | 5 December 2025 | 22 May 2026 | 10:00 – 12:00 | |
| Broadcast Regulation | 26 January 2026 | 18 May 2026 | 14:00 – 15:00 | |
| Business and Finance | 14 November 2025 | 17 April 2026 | 10:00 – 12:30 | |
| Newspaper Magazine Regulation Test (for the essential journalism ethics and regulation module) |
10 November 2025 | 13 April 2026 | 6 July 2026 | 13:00 – 13:30 |
| PR and Communications for Journalists | 22 January 2026 | 23 April 2026 | Part 1: 09:30 – 12:00 Part 2: 13:00 – 14:30 |
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| Journalism for a Digital Audience | 29 January 2026 | 21 May 2026 | 10:00 – 11:30 | |
| Data Journalism | 29 January 2026 | 21 May 2026 | 13:00 – 14:15 | |
| Practical Magazine Journalism | 4 March 2026 | 10:00 – 16:00 | ||
| Radio News | 28 January 2026 | 20 May 2026 | 10:00 – 11:30 |
Booking opening/closing dates
| Exam sittings | Bookings open (1pm) | Bookings close (5pm) |
| November 2025 | 2 September 2025 | 6 October 2025 |
| December 2025 | 2 September 2025 | 27 October 2025 |
| January 2026 | 2 September 2025 | 19 December 2025 |
| April 2026 | 20 January 2026 | 9 March 2026 |
| May 2026 | 20 January 2026 | 6 April 2026 |
| July 2026 | 12 May 2026 | 1 June 2026 |
Deferred exams
If you have had a previous exam deferred, you can book using our deferral form.
Further information
The NCTJ offers candidates the option to sit National exams at an academic centre, in-office if your company has suitable facilities available, or remotely at home.
When a booking has been processed, we will confirm your exam entry via email. Approximately two weeks prior to the exam date, reporting instructions and a timetable will be sent to you via email confirming the exam details. Results are issued by email within six weeks of the exam date.
Sitting exams overseas
Candidates not studying/based in the UK may enquire about sitting National exams remotely or in-centre at a British Council venue. Overseas candidates wishing to sit exams in-centre should approach the British Council offices in that country regarding their ability to host the exam.
If the British Council is able to host the exam, 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 following exams cannot be sat in-centre overseas due to software requirements and the technical support needed:
- Broadcast radio news
- Broadcast TV news
- Editing skills for journalists
- Shorthand
- Videojournalism for digital platforms
