The next National exams take place in April 2025. Bookings are now CLOSED for April and May 2025 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.
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 | 2025 | Time |
| Essential Journalism | 28 April 2025 | 07 July 2025 | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Essential Media Law | 30 April 2025 | 09 July 2025 | 09:30 – 12:00 |
| Media Law Court Reporting | 30 April 2025 | 09 July 2025 | 14:30 – 16:00 |
| Public Affairs | 25 April 2025 | 11 July 2025 | 14:00 – 15:45 |
| Sports Journalism | 20 May 2025 | 10:00 – 14:00 | |
| Editing Skills for Journalists | 22 May 2025 | 14:00 – 16:30 | |
| Videojournalism for Digital Platforms | 23 May 2025 | 10:00 – 12:00 | |
| Broadcast Regulation | 12 May 2025 | 14:00 – 15:00 | |
| Business and Finance | 25 April 2025 | 10:00 – 12:30 | |
| Newspaper Magazine Regulation Test (for the essential journalism ethics and regulation module) |
28 April 2025 | 07 July 2025 | 13:00 – 13:30 |
| Intro to PR for Journalists | 29 April 2025 | 14:00 – 16:00 | |
| PR and Communications for Journalists | 01 May 2025 | Part 1: 09:30 – 12:00 Part 2: 13:00 – 14:30 |
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| Journalism for a digital audience | 15 May 2025 | 10:00 – 11:30 | |
| Data journalism | 15 May 2025 | 13:00 – 14:15 | |
| Practical magazine journalism | 26 March 2025 | 10:00 – 16:00 | |
| Radio news | 14 May 2025 | 10:00 – 11:30 |
Booking opening/closing dates
| Exam sittings | Bookings open (1pm) | Bookings close (5pm) |
| April 2025 | 21 January 2025 | 17 March 2025 |
| May 2025 | 21 January 2025 | 27 March 2025 |
| July 2025 | 20 May 2025 | 2 June 2025 |
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
