Journalism Training FAQs

Newspaper journalism is often seen as an exciting career but, as with any occupation, success is only likely after much hard work. However, each day in newspapers is different and the training you receive will give you the flexibility to cover a wide range of news stories and features. Newspaper journalism draws on all the knowledge and skills you have acquired and can give you a tremendous sense of achievement. If you've got what it takes, journalism could be the career for you!

How do I get into the newspaper industry?

To convince an editor that you are worth appointing you will need to be able to demonstrate:

• an interest in current affairs at all levels
• a lively interest in people, places and events
• an ability to write in a style which is easy to understand
• good spelling, grammar and punctuation
• an appreciation of the part a local newspaper plays in the community
• a willingness to accept irregular hours and an ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• determination and persistence

What qualities do newspaper editors look for?

Trainees come into the industry by a variety of routes. Some are recruited directly by regional or local newspapers and carry out their basic training under the terms of a training contract or Modern Apprenticeship. This is known as direct entry. Within this category are those who may have secured employment with a newspaper company or a group of companies who run their own training programmes.

About half the intake of trainees are recruited after attending one-year full-time vocational education and training courses for post A-level students and graduates. Such courses are generally held at colleges accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Some of these courses are for graduates only. This route is known as pre-entry.

In Scotland, a two-year full-time course is held at Napier University, Edinburgh.

Entry Requirements

The usual entry requirements for newspaper journalism is a minimum of 5 GCSE passes (grades A-C) or equivalent. However, in recent years it has become rare for a trainee to come into the industry at this level. Over half the recruits are university graduates and many of the others have achieved at least two A Levels or equivalent. One of the passes at A Level or GCSE must be in English. A minimum of two A Levels or equivalent is often required for entry to a full time course.

There have been occasions when individuals who have shown exceptional talent but have not achieved the minimum academic qualifications have been granted a waiver. However, this is unusual.

What do I have to study?

Currently, training courses lead to a variety of qualifications but all courses cover those aspects of law, public affairs and newspaper journalism necessary to enable a journalist to perform competently by the end of the training period. As well as demonstrating competence in these and other practical areas, trainees are expected to be able to achieve 100wpm in a recognised shorthand system before obtaining an industry recognised qualification.

Direct Entry

If you have been recruited into the industry from school or university, you will be regarded as a direct entrant. The first six months of employment are likely to be a probationary period during which you will be able to decide whether you have made the right career choice, and your editor will make up his/her mind whether you have got what it takes to become a successful journalist. Most companies will then expect you to enter into a training contract for a period during which basic training will be carried out.

At the appropriate time, some companies will register you with the National Council for the Training of Journalists (a registered charity) and provide you with a distance learning pack of 16 units. With the help of your employer you will be expected to study and learn from this foundation course. The final unit will be a test which will determine whether you will go forward to a 12-week period of college-based education and training.

Alternatively, after a further period of work experience, you will have the opportunity to prove that you are competent and obtain a National (Scottish) Vocational Qualification at level 4 or equivalent. Trainees recruited by Trinity International Holdings, the Midland News Association companies using the Editorial Centre will undertake their off-the-job training at their specialised training centres. Training will be directed to the achievement of high professional standards and to the attainment of a competence-based qualification at least the equivalent of the National Certificate and the NVQ. In some cases qualifications are available at a higher level than the industry minimum standard.

Modern Apprenticeships

An alternative form of direct entry is the Modern Apprenticeship programme. This scheme enables employees of participating companies to undertake relevant training leading to an NVQ level 4 in Newspaper Journalism: Writing; News & Features or in Press Photography.

Increasing numbers of publishers participate in the scheme with their local Training & Enterprise Councils (TECs). Entry is open to any non-graduate between the ages of 16 and 23 years although you should have completed the programme by your 25th birthday. The more likely age range is from 18 to 19 years.

When applying for direct entry places you should ask publishers whether they participate in the scheme.

Pre-Entry

If you have attended a full-time journalism course before obtaining employment, you will serve a three-month probationary period before possibly entering into a training contract. As with direct entrants, you will still be expected to prove your competence after a period of work experience.

What about Press Photography?

The industry recruits a small number of trainee photographers each year. The minimum educational requirement to take part in the one-year full-time course at Stradbroke College is one A Level plus four GCSE passes or equivalent. Direct entrants are required to have five GCSE passes at grades A-C, of which one pass should be in English. Alternatively, applicants with less than the above qualifications will be eligible if they have had at least two years relevant experience of photographic techniques, either within or outside the industry or have undertaken an equivalent further education course in photography.

In many companies, a National or Scottish Vocational Qualification or national Certificate in Press Photography will be available after a successful period of work experience.

Modern Apprenticeships are also available to cover press photography.

Adult Entrants

Each year, the industry receives many career enquiries from adults. Some editors like to employ mature people because of their considerable local knowledge and their settled life style.

It is expected that adult entrants will achieve the same standards as those taking the National Certificate examination and National (Scottish) Vocational Qualifications will be available in many companies. 

Qualifications

The new National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) and its Scottish equivalent (SVQ) are recognised by most newspapers as a high level minimum standard, holders of which can be considered competent journalists. The National Certificate and company specific diplomas are seen as equivalents, at least. Media Studies degrees and diplomas do not indicate journalistic competence and would need to be followed by a vocational training programme and workplace assessment.

Advice to applicants

Some colleges will only grant places to people on pre-entry courses if they have already been on a brief work experience placement at a newspaper. Therefore, it would be sensible for you to write to a number of local newspaper editors asking if they will allow you to join the team of reporters as an observer for a few days. Explain why you think you would make a good reporter and whether you think you have a good chance of passing your examinations. Try to pick a time other than June or July, when pressure on work experience places is at its greatest.

You should try to be the applicant for a journalist position who stands out as the most committed to newspaper journalism and the most able. Do not be put off if you receive some rejection letters. Editors appreciate and respect determination and persistence.

Whether you opt for the direct entry route or apply for a training course, you should be aware that those who study the market carefully and show a knowledgeable interest in the industry will have an advantage, whether graduates of previous courses or not.

How to get a place

As a direct entrant reporter or photographer or a Modern Apprentice

Apply direct to the editor of a regional or local newspaper for employment as a trainee. The names and addresses of regional and local newspapers can be obtained from current editions of Benn's UK Media Directory and Willing's Press Guide. Copies should be available in reference libraries. For a list of telephone numbers of industry training centres please see the link at the bottom of this page.

On a full-time course for reporters or photographers

Apply for a detailed application form to the National Council for the training of Journalists, Latton Bush Centre, Southern Way, Harlow, Essex CM18 7BL, enclosing a 9" x 4" stamped addressed envelope. Suitable applicants are required to take a written test and, if successful, will be invited to attend a selection interview. Written tests and interviews are held in regional centres and are normally completed by February. Interviews are usually completed by Easter. Applications for the course at Napier University, Edinburgh, should be made direct to the college.

On a first degree or post-graduate course

Apply to the university of your choice.

Paying for a full-time college course (other than first degree courses)

Local educational authorities may award grants to meet all or part of the cost. Early enquiries should be made because grants are extremely limited. Before applying for a full-time course in newspaper journalism it is essential that candidates establish what the financial situation is. If an approach is made to the Local Educational Authority for a grant, they will wish to know the full designation of the course, which is: Full-time professional pre-entry course for newspaper journalism, DFEE registration number 355-P600 on course list 209. It is an "advanced" course within the terms of the Further Education Regulations 1975. Applications for grants for post-graduate courses should be made to the appropriate authority. Career Development Loans may also be available.