NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism

Train with the PA Media Academy and become a sports journalist in just 19 weeks

The NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism from PA Media Academy will build the foundations for your career in sports journalism, helping you develop the skills you’ll need to succeed in this competitive field and understand what will set you apart when it comes to finding a job and impressing editors.

You’ll spend one day each week learning how to write great previews, match and event reports, interviews, commentary and more. Coached by a specialist sports journalist trainer, the fast-track NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism will give you lots of opportunity to put your learning into practice and develop your style and voice.

For the rest of the week, you’ll focus on building core journalism skills – learning how to be a fair and ethical reporter who lands great stories, understanding how to get the most from digital platforms, and gaining essential digital video skills. You’ll study media law and ethics modules so that editors know they can trust you to work safely and with integrity, and build your knowledge of public affairs and politics so you can hold power to account. You’ll also be working towards attaining 100 words-a-minute in shorthand so that you never need to worry about having missed a quote or a story.

Who the course is for

What could be better than getting paid to watch sport and share your passion for it with others? If you’re keen to build journalism skills to match your enthusiasm for sport, then this course could help you take the first steps in your dream career. We’d love to hear from you if:

You love sport – it doesn’t need to be football. All sports welcome!
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

  • 19-week programme of study at our central London HQ
  • Next course begins 2 September 2024

Where

fees

  • Fees are £5,563 for the 19-week course
  • Fees can be paid by instalments
  • If eligible, you might consider applying to the Journalism Diversity Fund

NCTJ Diploma modules

  • Sports Journalism – master compelling previews, commentary, live blogs and features
  • 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 and Court Reporting – 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 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
  • Shorthand – develop the skills to write 100 words a minute

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.

You’ll build a signficant portfolio of sports journalism through practical exercises each week, alongside a selection of digital and news stories that will impress editors when you apply for your first job.

Journalism careers

We have excellent links with newsrooms and understand what hiring editors are looking for. During your course you’ll meet journalists from national newsrooms 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.

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

  • Confidently write a compelling sports report
  • Develop the skills for good storytelling
  • Understand the code that guides journalists
  • Acquire essential media law and court reporting knowledge
  • Learn how to create excellent digital content
  • Build your shorthand speed to 100 words a minute
Apply now

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
Find out more

What our students say

View all testimonials

My time at PA Training was a whirlwind of fun and excitement. The full-time NCTJ course in London is fast-paced and hard work but perfectly sets you up for what to expect in a reporter role.

Camilla Foster
, Reporter
, Newsquest

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

PA Media Training were efficient, well organised and genuinely lovely people to deal with and, importantly for us, able to provide flexibility around our needs to create the bespoke training we required. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them for further training or to recommend them to other organisations.

Mayor of London’s Press Office
, Head of Media

The methods and techniques you learn (and apply) on a daily basis through teaching, coursework and eventually exams crop up again and again in both job applications and jobs themselves – the course content is directly relevant to the realities of the industry. 

James Saunders
, Digital News Reporter
, GB News

The staff truly go above and beyond, providing detailed feedback, a wealth of knowledge and many career opportunities. I’d recommend the course to any budding journalist. You’ll have fun, too!  

Erin Waks
, Trainee Sub-Editor
, Daily Mail

It’s a great place to make connections – networking with teachers, guest speakers and fellow students can be key to gaining advice or even job opportunities during and after the course. 

James Saunders
, Digital News Reporter
, GB News 

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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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.
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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.