Sector Guides: Journalism: Journalism courses

Types of course

Common graduate pre-entry training routed into journalism include:

One year postgraduate course (Diploma/Master's)
Fast Track 18-20 week course accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)

Whatever course you choose, make sure it is right for you. The NCTJ has a useful guide to researching courses, as well as a list of the electives offered by different courses.

Accredited NCTJ Course Search
Search by region, centre or type

News Associates - Free Workshops
News Associates runs free workshops introducing journalism and its NCTJ training courses in London and Manchester
Find an Accredited BJTC Course
The Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) accredits a number of MA/Pg Dip courses

Schemes to increase diversity in journalism - scholarships and funding

Journalism Diversity Fund
awards bursaries to people from diverse backgrounds to help fund NCTJ training
George Viner Memorial Fund
for Black and Asian students to study print, broadcast, photographic or online journalism
The Scott Trust Bursary Scheme
bursary scheme from The Guardian Foundation to study for particular MA Journalism courses. Aimed at people who face financial difficulties.
Women in Journalism Mentoring
includes a specific scheme for women starting out in journalism, looking for guidance and experience
The Maisie Hylton fellowship
The Financial Times, in partnership with Creative Access, offers two six-month placements at the FT to young journalists from ethnic minority backgrounds

Facts and figures

These figures are taken from the recent Journalists at Work Report, commissioned by the NCTJ

82% of journalists have degrees in various subjects
83% of new journalists did work experience before entering the profession,
76% have done unpaid work experience
63% of journalists have an NCTJ qualification