Train part-time to become a journalist
If you wish to fit your training around work or caring responsibilities, then our part-time NCTJ diploma course could be for you. With its focus on features and longform journalism, you’ll study many of the same modules as students on the fast-track course as well as growing your skills in digital features and editing skills for journalists.
You’ll learn how to capture and edit great video content, and you’ll build a portfolio of brilliant work to impress future employers and help land your first journalism job. And if you’re keen to build your skills in reporting from the pitch, pool or court, you can also take a sports journalism module.
Our training is by journalists, for journalists. So you’ll learn from the best in the business.
Study is in-person each Saturday, with remote workshops on Tuesday evenings, allowing you to balance building your journalism career with other commitments — a great choice if you’re looking to change careers or can’t commit to full-time study.
We encourage you to undertake work experience during the course, and offer careers support as you approach the job market. The course runs until July 2024 with breaks at Christmas and Easter.
We have offered this flexible approach to studying for many years, and many of our part-time diploma trainees have gone on to inspiring media careers in top UK newsrooms.
All our courses are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
If you are interested in learning shorthand and taking a module in court reporting, then our 18-week, fast-track diploma will help you gain those skills and launch your news journalism career.
Who the course is for
- Recent college or university leavers
- People keen to build practical journalism skills they can put into practice
- People looking to study journalism around other commitments
- People with an interest in sports journalism
- People with an interest in features or longform journalism
- People who want to achieve a Level 5 NCTJ Diploma in Journalism
We also work with companies who wish to invest in their teams to improve their journalism skills. 4
Dates
- Course begins early September 2024 and finishes early July 2025
Where
61 Queen Street, London, EC4R 1EB
We are based in the heart of the city, a short walk from parliament and the central criminal court.
Fees
£5,563 for the full course.
Fees can be paid by instalments.
Modules
- 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 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
All trainees are encouraged to undertake work experience during the course, and there are also opportunities to specialise in sports journalism, or digital features and longform journalism.
Opportunity to specialise
For candidates interested in sports journalism, you’ll join our fast-track trainees for 10 weeks on a Friday, and learn how to write great previews, match reports, interviews, commentary and more with our intensive sports training.
Coached by a specialist sports journalist trainer, you’ll be given opportunities to put your learning into practice and encouraged to head out and cover events at the weekend. At the end of the module, you’ll take the NCTJ’s Sports Journalism exam.
For candidates interested in digital features and longform journalism, you’ll join our fast-track trainees for 10 weeks on a Friday, learning about style and structure from magazine and features experts. You’ll develop your interviewing skills, find your voice, and learn how to write a balanced feature that engages a reader.
You’ll put your learning into practice and will be encouraged to pitch these pieces of compelling, longer-form journalism to editors for publication. At the end of the course, you’ll take the NCTJ’s Practical Magazine Journalism module, during which you’ll take part in a live magazine day.
Video training
All trainees also receive video training throughout the course, and you will build a strong portfolio so you have a range of work to show editors when it comes to finding a job.
Next steps
We have excellent links with newsrooms and 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.
Learning Outcomes
Build reporting and news skills
Develop techniques for good storytelling
Understand the code that guides journalists
Know how to edit and improve copy and how to write great headlines
Learn the essentials of media law and how it is put into practice
Learn the skills for creating excellent digital content
Improve understanding of public affairs
Why choose PA Training?
Europe's leading newsroom
We provide the best start to your career with our industry-leading journalism training. Training with the UK and Ireland’s national press agency means that you’ll be treated like a journalist from day one of your course, and we’ll focus on giving you the skills you need that potential employers are looking for.
Learn from the experts
You’ll be taught by senior journalists from some of the UK’s most prestigious newsrooms and produce stories that help you achieve top marks in your NCTJ exams — not to mention gaining the best start to your journalism career.
