The next available National exams take place in April/May. Bookings are now closed for April exams. The bookings remain open for May exams and will close on 11 April 2023. Please ensure to book your exam(s) in good time, as the NCTJ are unable to accept late booking requests.
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 exams@nctj.com or call us on 01799 544 014
Editing Skills for Journalists workshop: For any external candidates who are completing the Editing Skills for Journalists exam in April, we will be running a workshop on 27 April 2pm – 4.30pm remotely via Zoom.
Video Journalism workshop: For any external candidates who are completing the Video Journalism exam in May, we will be running a workshop on 12 May 10am – 12pm remotely via Zoom.
Whilst it is not compulsory that you attend these workshops, this is a valuable opportunity to sit a practice exam under exam conditions, ensure that you are able to run the appropriate software and Zoom and be able to ask any questions you may have. If you would like to make a booking, please contact emma.richens@nctj.com
National exam timetable:
| Exam | 2022 | 2022-23 | 2023 | 2023 | Time |
| Essential Journalism | 11 July | 7 November 2022 | 17 April | 10 July | 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Essential Media Law | 13 July | 9 November 2022 | 19 April | 12 July | 09:30 – 12:00 |
| Media Law Court Reporting | 13 July | 9 November 2022 | 19 April | 12 July | 14:30 – 16:00 |
| Public Affairs | 15 July | 11 November 2022 | 21 April | 14 July | 14:00 – 15:45 |
| Sports Journalism | 6 December 2022 | 16 May | 10:00 – 14:00 | ||
| Editing Skills for Journalists | 8 December 2022 | 18 May | 14:00 – 16:30 | ||
| Business of Magazines | 20 January 2023 | 26 May | 14:00 – 15:45 | ||
| Videojournalism for Digital Platforms | 9 December 2022 | 26 May | 10:00 – 12:00 | ||
| Broadcast Regulation | 22 May | 14:00 – 15:00 | |||
| Business and Finance | 11 November 2022 | 21 April | 10:00 – 12:30 | ||
| Newspaper Magazine Regulation Test (for the essential journalism ethics and regulation module) |
11 July | 7 November 2022 | 17 April | 10 July | 13:00 – 13:30 |
| Intro to PR for Journalists | 31 January 2023 | 25 April | 14:00 – 16:00 | ||
| PR and Communications for Journalists | 26 January 2023 | 27 April | Part 1: 09:30 – 12:00 Part 2: 13:00 – 14:30 |
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| Journalism for a digital audience | 13 January 2023 | 25 May | 10:00 – 11:30 | ||
| Data journalism | 13 January 2023 | 25 May | 13:00 – 14:15 | ||
| Practical magazine journalism | 23 May | 10:00 – 16:00 | |||
| Radio news | 24 May | 10:00 – 11:30 |
Booking opening/closing dates
| Exam sittings | Bookings open (1pm) | Bookings close (5pm) |
| November 2022 | 1 September 2022 | 3 October 2022 |
| December 2022 | 1 September 2022 | 1 November 2022 |
| January 2023 | 1 September 2022 | 9 December 2022 |
| April 2023 | 30 January 2023 | 13 March 2023 |
| May 2023 | 30 January 2023 | 11 April 2023 |
| July 2023 | 24 May 2023 | 5 June 2023 |
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 alison.puttock@nctj.com to finalise the arrangements.
Exams are scheduled to be held at UK time and may not be altered. The NCTJ will confirm examination times for overseas locations.
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
