The next National exams take place in November. Bookings open on 1 September 2026 at 1pm.
The next Practical Magazine Journalism assessment date is 3 March 2027, with a compulsory workshop on 13 January 2027. Bookings for this open on 1 September 2026.
The next TV Newsday assessment date is 10 September 2027, with a compulsory workshop on 10 September 2027. The TV Newsday workshop will be invigilated remotely via Zoom, and the live assessment day will be held in-person at the NCTJ Office in Newport, Essex. Bookings for this open on 19 January 2027.
The compulsory workshops for the above assessments are included in the learning materials, and do not require a separate booking. You cannot attend the live assessment day for both PMJ and TV Newsday without attending the workshop.
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.
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 | 2026-27 | 2027 | 2027 | Time |
| Essential Journalism | 9 November 2026 | 12 April 2027 | 12 July 2027 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Newspaper Magazine Regulation Test (for the essential journalism ethics and regulation module) |
9 November 2026 | 12 April 2027 | 12 July 2027 | 13:00 – 13:30 |
| Essential Media Law | 11 November 2026 | 14 April 2027 | 14 July 2027 | 09:30 – 12:00 |
| Media Law Court Reporting | 11 November 2026 | 14 April 2027 | 14 July 2027 | 14:30 – 16:00 |
| Business and Finance | 13 November 2026 | 16 April 2027 | 10:00 – 12:30 | |
| Public Affairs | 13 November 2026 | 16 April 2027 | 16 July 2027 | 13:00 – 15:00 |
| Videojournalism for Digital Platforms | 20 November 2026 | 21 May 2027 | 10:00 – 12:00 | |
| Sports Journalism | 1 December 2026 | 18 May 2027 | 10:00 – 14:00 | |
| Editing Skills for Journalists | 3 December 2026 | 13 May 2027 | 14:00 – 16:30 | |
| Broadcast Regulation | 25 January 2027 | 17 May 2027 | 14:00 – 15:00 | |
| Intro to PR for Journalists | 26 January 2027 | 20 April 2027 | 10.00 – 12.30 | |
| Radio News | 27 January 2027 | 19 May 2027 | 10:00 – 11:30 | |
| Journalism for a Digital Audience | 28 January 2027 | 20 May 2027 | 10:00 – 11:30 | |
| Data Journalism | 28 January 2027 | 20 May 2027 | 13:00 – 14:30 | |
| Practical Magazine Journalism | Workshop: 13 January 2027 Assessment day: 3 March 2027 |
Workshop: 2 June 2027 Assessment day: 21 July 2027 |
Workshop: 10:00 – 13:00 Assessment day: 10:00 – 16:00 |
|
| TV Newsday | Workshop: 21 July 2026 Assessment day: 11 September 2026 |
Workshop: 2 July 2027 Assessment day: 10 September 2027 |
Workshop: 13:00 – 16:00 Assessment day: 10:00 – 16:00 |
Booking opening/closing dates
| Exam sittings | Bookings open (1pm) | Bookings close (5pm) |
| November 2026 | 1 September 2026 | 5 October 2026 |
| December 2026 | 1 September 2026 | 26 October 2026 |
| January 2027 | 1 September 2026 | 18 December 2026 |
| April 2027 | 19 January 2027 | 8 March 2027 |
| May 2027 | 19 January 2027 | 5 April 2027 |
| July 2027 | 11 May 2027 | 4 June 2027 |
| Exam sittings | Bookings open (1pm) | Bookings close (5pm) |
| Practical Magazine Journalism | ||
| Workshop: 13 January 2027 Assessment day: 3 March 2027 |
1 September 2026 | 4 January 2027 |
| Workshop: 2 June 2027 Assessment day: 21 July 2027 |
19 January 2027 | 24 May 2027 |
| TV Newsday | ||
| Workshop: 21 July 2026 Assessment day: 11 September 2026 |
23 March 2026 | 7 July 2026 |
| Workshop: 2 July 2027 Assessment day: 10 September 2027 |
19 January 2027 | 21 June 2027 |
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
