Now in their sixth year, the awards recognise and reward the best journalism students completing NCTJ-accredited courses and journalists/photographers with less than two years' experience on the job. There are five main categories, each with an award for students and one for trainees: news journalism; sports journalism; top scoop/exclusive; features of the year; and images of the year.
In addition, there is the opportunity to enter the student publication of the year category. This award is for the best student publication across any platform (print, online and broadcast) submitted by accredited course providers. Judges will be looking for innovative and original ideas, quality content and design, student involvement and reader/user engagement.
There is also a chance to submit nominations for a special award, the NCTJ Chairman's Award which will recognise an individual’s outstanding contribution to high standards of journalism training. Anyone can put forward a candidate to be considered for the NCTJ Chairman’s Award.
All submissions are free of charge and an entry form is available to download from the NCTJ website along with submission guidelines and competition rules. All work entered must have been produced during the period 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2013.
All entries should be sent to the NCTJ by 5pm on Friday 13 September 2013.
About the National Council for the Training of Journalists
The NCTJ says: “The NCTJ is the leading journalism training organisation. It accredits courses at education and training providers; offers qualifications which guarantee the skills needed in the workplace for entry-level students and trainees through to senior status; fosters continuing professional development for journalists, and provides a range of services and products relevant to its customers.”
