Part-time NCTJ Diploma in Journalism

Don’t let life or work commitments stop you from making a journalism career a reality

Study part-time with PA Media Academy and over 40 weeks you’ll learn everything you need to achieve your NCTJ Diploma in Journalism and emerge a qualified journalist and take your first, confident steps into the industry.

As the UK & Ireland’s national news agency, the PA Media newsroom sets the standard for fast, accurate, fair reporting. It’s our job to help you achieve that standard across the board. You’ll work with expert trainers who have huge experience in leading newsrooms, and benefit from their insights into what editors are looking for – and how you can make sure you have it.

Our part-time NCTJ Diploma in Journalism course has a focus on digital features and long-form journalism, so you’ll learn how to get beyond a news story and build a compelling longer read. As you develop your skills over 40 weeks, you’ll have lots of opportunities to put your learning into action with live news days, digital assignments and interviewing exercises.

Learn from practising journalists and work closely with a copy tutor who will act as your first editor, meaning you’ll be newsroom-ready with an enviable portfolio by the end of your course. If you’re committed and keen to make an impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Who the course is for

If you prefer to study over a longer period, the PA Media Academy’s part-time NCTJ Diploma allows you to transform your career while working or caring for others. We’d love to hear from you if:

You read and consume media in all forms and want to develop your storytelling abilities
You are committed to building a career in journalism and prepared to work hard
You are ambitious and impatient to get your career started
You want to learn from experts with huge industry experience

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Dates

  • 40-week programme of study on Tuesday evenings and Saturdays
  • Next course starts September 2024
  • Following course begins September 2025

Where

  • Workshops are a mixture of remote and at our central London HQ
  • We are based in the heart of the City of London, a short walk from Parliament and the Central Criminal Court
  • Our address is: 61 Queen Street, London, 
EC4R 1EB

fees

  • Fees are £5,563 for the 40-week course
  • Fees can be paid by instalments
  • If eligible, you might consider applying to the Journalism Diversity Fund

NCTJ Diploma modules

  • Practical Magazine Journalism – build your writing, editing and idea development skills along with an advanced understanding of digital storytelling
  • Essential Journalism – the basics of how to get the story and develop strong writing skills. No matter the role you’re aiming for, you’ll need to show these skills to get the job
  • Ethics – understand the code that guides journalists and discuss real-life issues
  • Essential Media Law – this is essential for any journalist. The toolbox no journalist can be without, and every editor wants to know you have
  • Journalism for a Digital Audience – understand how modern digital publishing organisations work and how to write brilliant stories across all digital platforms
  • Public Affairs – understand how power works and how you can challenge it

Note: Shorthand is only available on our Fast-Track NCTJ Diploma courses due to the need for daily practise.

Journalism Careers

We have excellent links with newsrooms, magazines and broadcasters and understand what hiring editors are looking for. During your course you’ll meet journalists who are doing your dream job – and can tell you how to get it. We can also offer support and advice to those choosing freelance careers. After the course you’ll be able to join our alumni network and build connections with other PA Training graduates.

Your portfolio

Our training is hands-on and includes news days and live exercises where you’ll be tasked with interviewing people, attending a press conference, and covering a breaking news event.

Additionally, you’ll build a significant portfolio of features and longform journalism through practical assignments and live magazine days where you’ll work to a brief and deadline.

Multimedia training

You’ll receive video and audio training as part of your course and will also build a strong portfolio of stories so you have a range of work to show editors when it comes to finding a job.

Contact us

for more information, or book a spot on this course.

Learning outcomes

  • Build an impressive portfolio of high-quality journalism
  • Use different formats and approaches to write compelling features
  • Develop the skills of good storytelling and sourcing
  • Understand the code that guides journalists
  • Acquire essential media law knowledge
  • Learn how to create excellent digital content
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Why train with PA Media Academy?

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  • Newsroom connected with national and international reach
  • More than 50 years’ experience training journalists and PRs
  • All courses are expert-led by working media professionals
  • Trainers have a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives
  • Small class sizes allow for practical, interactive exercises
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What our students say

View all testimonials

I really could not recommend Press Association enough to anyone who is looking to jump into the fascinating world of journalism. The course equips you with all the necessary skills you need to enter the industry and the wide range of topics covered leaves it hard for you to ever feel bored.

Holly Bishop
, Digital Reporter
, GB News

The team is flexible, slick, well-resourced and overall simply first class. Their expertise and knowledge have been invaluable. I was delighted with our choice, so I’d have no hesitation in recommending them

Prostate Cancer UK
, Head of External Relations

I learned to write concise articles and features, while developing my skills in social media, interviewing sources, and producing stories for an increasingly online audience. The course has allowed me to start a full-time journalism career.

Jonathan Moynihan
, Social Media Producer
, Forces News

Being equipped with an NCTJ Diploma does massive favours for your future, and the skills the course taught me are ones I lean on every single day. The simple fact is, I wouldn’t be where I am without that course. 

Alex Barker
, Videographer & Presenter
, The Athletic

The lifelike interview settings and tasks that PA Media Training deal in replicate perfectly the real-world feel of a tough media interview and help the delegates come out of the day feeling much more confident that they can play an active role in representing their organisation.

Transport for London
, Director of Communications & Corporate Affairs

I was able to count on excellent teachers and professionals who helped me push my limits and achieve my goals. I was impressed by the quality of the course and the motivation teachers put into it. It was a great experience and I would definitely do it again!

Laure Poncet
, Research Officer
, ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes

Contact us

Do you wish to train on one of our specialist courses? Start by filling in the application form – we’ll ask you for some important information such as your education and employment history.

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If you would like to receive regular updates from PA Media Academy, please tick here:

Contact us

For more information , simply fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
By submitting this application form you confirm your acceptance that the information you have provided will be used during the recruitment procedure. Once the recruitment procedure is completed, the data will be stored for one year and then destroyed. If you are the successful candidate, relevant information may be taken from this form and used as part of your personnel record.
If you would like to receive regular updates from PA Media Academy, please tick here:

Contact us

For more information , simply fill out the form and a member of our team will be in touch.