Do journalism degrees need to be accredited?

I have been looking at the international journalism degree at UCLAN but noticed it isn’t accredited by the NCTJ or BJTC. Does that mean employment prospects will be low?
I would really like to get a journalist job abroad. I am more interested in broadcast rather than print.
Thanks

Hi @Leila1997


How come you specifically want to do International Journalism, is it the course content or just because you want to work abroad?

I would say yes, that there is a chance employment prospects could be lower if a course is not NCTJ or BJTC accredited, but this doesn't mean you can't get the accreditation. You can gain the accreditation independently but you just have to pay for the exams yourself I think? That's what I was always told by my tutors when I studied Broadcast, but NTU has the accreditation so I never had to.

You could contact UCLAN and ask them if they have any support in place for students wishing to gain the accreditation?

Or alternatively, if you just want to work abroad as a journalist, you don't NEED an international journalism degree, a plain journalism degree would be enough. I assume the international part is sort of international relations based?

I hope this helps, let me know if you've got any more questions?

Matt - NTU PG TSR Rep

Thanks very much for your response.
I like the look of the international journalism degrees at both LJMU and UCLAN because they offer an optional summer work placement in Shanghai which I think would be a fantastic opportunity. I have also been looking at NTU and will probably be applying for the Broadcast Journalism course there and study abroad in my third year. What do you think of NTU? I am going to the open day there on the 2nd Dec. I want to find out more about Nottingham, the journalism facilities there and see the campus. But I have to send off my UCAS application at my college on 11th November so will have to decide before then.
Thank you!
Leila