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Journalism degree- is NCTJ important

Hi,
Some course such as the one at The University of Sheffield, includes an NCTJ in your training. Salford is BTJC accredited and The University of Leeds (whilst very popular) has none.
How important is accreditation? It’s hard to find a definite answer!
Many thanks 🙏🏻

Reply 1

PS Reviewer

It depends on whether you want to work as a journalist and whether you’re rich enough to be able to take nctj post-degree.

Traditionally students would study something else for their undergraduate degree and then take nctj postgraduate. But that’s only really an option if you’re wealthy which is why there’s accredited undergraduate degrees now.

Some students take a journalism degree but don’t want to work in journalism. For them accreditation doesn’t matter. Others are wealthy and plan to get accreditation postgraduate so again it doesn’t matter.

Reply 2

SarahJo17

Thankyou, that’s very helpful! So you’d have to do the NCTJ afterwards anyway, seems a sensible option to do it at the same time, especially at a highly rated Uni for journalism like Sheffield. Thanks!

Reply 3

PS Reviewer

Original post by SarahJo17

There's always exceptions - but they tend to be people who are wealthy (usually both financially and in their connections - "daddy was a columnist for the Times for 10 years" etc). If that's not you then making sure you meet the standards for a broad range of jobs and employers of journalists is very sensible

Reply 4

University of Salford

Official Rep

Original post by SarahJo17

Hello,

This is a great question and one to look at in great detail when deciding between Journalism courses so it is great that you are doing so. I will speak on my institutions behalf and what we offer but then also try and explain the differences. As mentioned in this thread it is your personal preference as to what pathway would be best for you.

All of Salford Universities' Journalism courses are BJTC accredited which stands for the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, this means that when you graduate you are a qualified Journalist with no need to do any other exams. Our course is BJTC accredited because what we study meets the approval of the governing body.

The BJTC does not offer or award its own regulated qualification and it only accredits existing degrees however the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) does. So if you studied at an institution not accredited by the BJTC would need you to study the NCTJ alongside your degree or after your degree. You may be able to study the NCTJ independently without going to University in order to be a qualified Journalist but double check this as I am unsure. The link to the website is here.

I hope this makes sense and has helped, any more questions do let me know (I am a Broadcast Journalism graduate from Salford)
Matt ~ Salford Uni Rep

Reply 5

PS Reviewer

NCTJ do accredit courses that qualify someone with their Diploma of Journalism if they complete the required modules
https://www.nctj.com/qualifications-courses/qualifications/diploma-in-journalism/

To study them post-degree you'd have to find the tuition fees of £5000+ plus living expenses from your own pocket

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 6

lottiekingdon

Original post by University of Salford

Hello,
This is a great question and one to look at in great detail when deciding between Journalism courses so it is great that you are doing so. I will speak on my institutions behalf and what we offer but then also try and explain the differences. As mentioned in this thread it is your personal preference as to what pathway would be best for you.
All of Salford Universities' Journalism courses are BJTC accredited which stands for the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, this means that when you graduate you are a qualified Journalist with no need to do any other exams. Our course is BJTC accredited because what we study meets the approval of the governing body.
The BJTC does not offer or award its own regulated qualification and it only accredits existing degrees however the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) does. So if you studied at an institution not accredited by the BJTC would need you to study the NCTJ alongside your degree or after your degree. You may be able to study the NCTJ independently without going to University in order to be a qualified Journalist but double check this as I am unsure. The link to the website is here.
I hope this makes sense and has helped, any more questions do let me know (I am a Broadcast Journalism graduate from Salford)
Matt ~ Salford Uni Rep

I've been told NCTJ is great but more for people who want to become local or court reporters if not BJTC is alot more about transferable skills.

Reply 7

University of Salford

Official Rep

Original post by lottiekingdon

I've been told NCTJ is great but more for people who want to become local or court reporters if not BJTC is alot more about transferable skills.

Hello,

Both accreditations are great to have, it is up to you in terms of which one to go for if not both.

I would recommend having a look at where you want to be in your career after university and then doing some more research as to which accreditation would be the best one to get you there.

Again, the BJTC does not offer or award its own regulated qualification and it only accredits existing degrees so this is only achievable by attending an institution that has a journalism course accredited by the BJTC (like ourselves). This is something to consider.

If you have any questions about any of this I will be happy to advise as best as I can.
Matt ~ Uni of Salford Rep