All of our News Associates courses are highly practical, and the assessment methods mirror that, with a focus on skills-based exams and published coursework.
Please note that each course has a different combination of modules so make sure you look at your course page to find to see which modules you will be sitting.
Broadcast regulation – Assessed through a short exam applying the Ofcom code to a series of scenarios.
Data journalism – Assessed through a piece of published coursework and a practical exam using a data set to generate stories.
For his data journalism coursework, part-time trainee Ben Mulley investigated the number of ULEZ cameras vandalised. You can see his map below and read the article here.
Essential journalism – Assessed through a practical exam where you write a breaking news story using information provided and discuss the ethical considerations.
Essential journalism ethics and regulation – Assessed through a multiple-choice exam applying the Editors’ Code to a series of scenarios.
Essential journalism e-portfolio – a published portfolio consisting of 10 pieces of journalism.
Essential media law and regulation – Assessed through an exam applying media law to a series of scenarios.
Introduction to PR for journalists – Assessed through a practical exam which includes writing a PR strategy based on a given scenario.
Journalism for a digital audience – Assessed through a piece of published coursework and a practical exam generating a plan for a fictional publication’s digital platforms.
Part-time News Associates graduate Asher Gibson won the top prize for student project of the year at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence, for his work titled, How to heal a city – The growth of PrEP and future of HIV activism in London, which was also his digital journalism coursework.
For his journalism for a digital audience module coursework, sports journalism trainee Jerome Coombe wrote a feature about the realities of life on the tennis tour. You can read his work here.
PR and communications for journalists – Assessed through two practical exams which include writing a PR strategy based on a given scenario.
Public affairs for journalists – Assessed through an exam recalling learned information from the module.
Radio journalism – Assessed through a piece of published coursework and a practical exam writing and recording a radio bulletin.
Fast-track trainee Hoda Javdani interviewed an Afghan girl who risked her life to attend school secretly under Taliban rule and created a podcast as part of her radio journalism module.
You can listen to her podcast below.
Fast-track trainee Sophie Clark made a podcast about community choirs and whether they are a cure for loneliness for her radio journalism coursework.
You can listen to her podcast below.
Sports journalism – Assessed through a two-part practical exam producing content surrounding a football match.
Videojournalism for digital platforms – Assessed through a piece of published coursework and a practical exam creating video packages and clips for social media.
Fast-track trainee Nicole Covell filmed the ‘CATstravaganza’, talking to organisers and judges about the international competition, for her videojournalism coursework.
You can watch the video package below.
Optional modules:
Media law court reporting (only an option if you also sit shorthand) – Assessed through an exam applying laws related to court reporting to a series of scenarios.
Shorthand – Assessed through a practical exam taking down a passage in shorthand and transcribing it. Shorthand exams are available in 60, 80, 100, 110 and 120 words per minute.
Please note these are very succinct descriptions of the assessment methods.
We are able to support trainees with applications for additional needs such as extra time when sitting exams.
If you have any questions about the NCTJ assessment methods, please email us on training@newsassociates.co.uk