NCTJ
Level 5
QN: 603/6435/X
Curriculum Active
NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by NCTJ. Classified as a Vocationally-Related Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 1370 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 5
Awarding Body
NCTJ
Syllabus Units
22 Units
Guided Hours
1370 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Broadcast Journalism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Research and write clear, accurate and engaging stories of varying length for broadcast on radio and television.
- Accurately check, source, verify and attribute stories.
- Present stories in different styles for different audiences; showing news judgements.
- Compile items to broadcast standard for use on TV and radio.
- Explain how to prepare for an interview.
- Conduct an interview for both TV and radio.
- Co-ordinate an interview for others.
- Explain the technologies used for broadcast newsgathering.
- Evaluate the techniques used for broadcast newsgathering.
- Co-ordinate “other” sources to gather broadcast material.
- Recognise and use the specialist terms and phrases used in television and radio news production in different parts of the industry.
- Analyse the implications of the different ways people consume news on various media.
2
Broadcast Regulation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain and apply the principles of broadcast regulation as set out in the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
3
Business and Finance Journalism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the purpose of business journalism.
- Describe the importance of the business and finance diary.
- Interpret the value of global, European and domestic business and finance news to competitive news organisations.
- Identify information from a range of official and unofficial sources of business and finance news.
- Assess the business and finance news cycles of different media.
- Manage contributed columns from external business and finance experts and contacts.
- Produce reports on major business and finance stories, highlighting the public and human impacts.
- Deliver regular updates of business and finance news.
- Develop a range of business features.
- Write business and finance stories with a ‘human face’.
- Edit business and finance stories proficiently.
4
Business of Magazines
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Research and analyse the magazine industry.
- Explain the different requirements of audiences for business to business (B2B) and a range of consumer and specialist magazines.
- Evaluate how magazines work as a business.
- Analyse magazine organisational structures.
- Explain the magazine production process.
- Evaluate the relationships between a print magazine and its digital/online presence.
5
Data Journalism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Source and manage the collection of relevant data.
- Interrogate and evaluate large data sets.
- Research and develop compelling stories from data.
- Produce and provide engaging visuals.
- Create engaging content based on an accurate interpretation of data.
6
Editing Skills for Journalists
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Edit and manipulate words and pictures in a desk top publishing programme.
- Edit a variety of different stories in print and for digital platforms
- Ensure the accuracy of content
- Evaluate how typography communicates with the reader.
- Optimise headlines for print and online.
- Systematically proof completed pages (in print and online), to ensure accuracy; annotating changes as necessary.
- Optimise pictures, captions, standfirsts, infographics and other ‘furniture” when used in print and digital platforms.
7
Essential Journalism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Use the English language effectively and accurately to produce vigorous, well-balanced stories
- Maintain ethical and regulatory principles in day-to-day journalism
- evaluate and establish sources of news
- Analyse the various types of news stories required for online, print or broadcast readerships
- Generate, research and investigate ideas for stories across various platforms, establishing how a potential story should be developed in an ethical manner and, where appropriate, in the public interest
- develop and create stories for a range of platforms that comply with ethical guidelines
- Deliver content from a range of locations using a variety of techniques
- Analyse the way people consume news
- Formulate and carry out interviews to gather information for a variety of different platforms.10.
- Produce content for various platforms from information gathered from interviews
- Evaluate the differences between hard news stories and longer news features and general features in terms of style, content and structure
- Develop content for longer news features and general features, published on a range of platforms
- Evaluate the characteristics of a news website
- Monitor analytics information gained from websites and social media, and use for journalistic purposes
- Identify and apply appropriate forms of social media for journalistic purposes
- evaluate, verify and use information gained from message boards, forums, reader polls, comments and other interactivity for journalistic purposes
- Develop a dialogue with readers, viewers or listeners.18.
- Plan, set up
- monitor and report the result of a reader poll or vote
- Apply appropriate forms of communication for different stakeholder groups to effectively engage the viewer and/or listener
8
Essential Journalism E-portfolio
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Use the English language effectively and accurately to produce vigorous, well-balanced stories
- Maintain ethical and regulatory principles in day-to-day journalism
- evaluate and establish sources of news
- Analyse the various types of news stories required for online, print or broadcast readerships
- Generate, research and investigate ideas for stories across various platforms, establishing how a potential story should be developed in an ethical manner and, where appropriate, in the public interest
- develop and create stories for a range of platforms that comply with ethical guidelines
- Deliver content from a range of locations using a variety of techniques
- Analyse the way people consume news
- Formulate and carry out interviews to gather information for a variety of different platforms.10.
- Produce content for various platforms from information gathered from interviews
- Evaluate the differences between hard news stories and longer news features and general features in terms of style, content and structure
- Develop content for longer news features and general features, published on a range of platforms
- Evaluate the characteristics of a news website
- Monitor analytics information gained from websites and social media, and use for journalistic purposes
- Identify and apply appropriate forms of social media for journalistic purposes
- evaluate, verify and use information gained from message boards, forums, reader polls, comments and other interactivity for journalistic purposes
- Develop a dialogue with readers, viewers or listeners.18.
- Plan, set up
- monitor and report the result of a reader poll or vote
- Apply appropriate forms of communication for different stakeholder groups to effectively engage the viewer and/or listener
9
Essential Journalism Ethics and Regulation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate the purpose and scope of media regulation for the purposes of journalism in the UK
- Comply with and apply the sector-appropriate codes of practice (Ofcom and Ipso)
- Identify and understand potential ethical issues in day-to-day work
- Explain how their actions and work as individuals can reflect on their own integrity, on their employer’s standing and on the reputation of journalists generally
- Review and interpret the phrase “that rights bring with them responsibilities
- Deliver challenging journalism in a legal, ethical and responsible manner, while serving the public interest.
10
Essential Media Law and Regulation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the legal system and court structure in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
- Explain the operation of the Contempt of Court Act and its relevance to reporting.
- Explain and apply the restrictions placed by statute and regulatory (self-regulatory) industry codes on reporting proceedings involving juveniles and sexual offences.
- Analyse the ethical obligation to be accurate in media reports.
- Identify and apply the general principles of defamation law.
- Describe the operation of copyright law.
- Analyse how the law of confidence works.
- Analyse the law of privacy.
- Review and interpret other ethical considerations in media reports.
- Evaluate the importance of journalists protecting confidential sources.
- Explain what the law states about the right of journalists to photograph and shoot footage in public places.
- Explain the importance of impartiality in the Office of Communications (OFCOM) Code.
11
Introduction to Public Relations for Journalists
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Formulate and deliver professional tools and techniques to produce a basic Public Relations (PR) campaign.
- Produce accurate and effective news releases suitable for publication in a variety of media outlets.
12
Journalism for a Digital Audience
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate and analyse the style and layout of websites.
- Evaluate and analyse different digital platforms.
- Effectively use dashboard features to improve the performance of content.
- Monitor and evaluate analytics to build strategies.
- Implement strategies to achieve agreed targets.
- Analyse and moderate content effectively.
- Research potential audiences for proposed content.8.
- Develop content which will reach the audience, including social media.9.
- Produce accurate and engaging visuals.
- Present in front of camera.
- Develop and promote a brand.
- Manage workflows.
13
Media Law Court Reporting
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the legal system and court structure in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
- Explain the operation of the criminal courts.
- Identify and apply the reporting restrictions on media reports of preliminary hearings in magistrates’ courts.
- Evaluate the operation and requirements of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and its relevance to reporting.
- Explain and apply the restrictions placed by statute and regulatory (self-regulatory) industry codes on reporting proceedings involving juveniles.
- Explain and apply the restrictions placed by statute and regulatory (self-regulatory) industry codes on reporting proceedings involving sexual offences.
- Analyse the principle of open justice in common law.
- Challenge court restrictions on media reporting.
- Explain the purpose and functions of the coroners’ court.
- Apply the general principles of defamation law as regards court reporting.
14
Photography for Journalists
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain and evaluate the photographer’s role in journalism.
- Employ the technical and practical skills needed to take photographs suitable for publication from a variety of settings.
- monitor and verify photographic material via social media.
- Assess risks
- work safely and comply with health and safety requirements
- Formulate and manage own employment path and operate as a freelance.
- Produce accurate captions and stories to accompany pictures.
- Demonstrate compliance with the law and how to maintain ethical standards while working as a photographer.
15
PR and Communications for Journalists
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand and evaluate the potential roles of PR in any organisation from a multinational company to a local charity
- Explain and apply the basic concepts of running a creative PR campaign, internal communications, developing corporate social responsibility policies, planning for/handling PR crises; and creating suitable content for a client, such as media releases, internal newsletters, video or social media
- Review the different work environments in which PR practitioners operate and appreciate the different demands and pressures their roles place upon them
- Explain commonly-used concepts and terms used in PR
- Accurately distinguish between the different roles of PR, marketing, advertising and journalism.6.
- Review and interpret the history of PR, the development of its modern-day practice and the changing relationship with journalism.7. Formulate ways in which a campaign can be evaluated to establish how successful it has been for the client.8.
- Establish techniques to manage relationships with local media.9.
- Integrate use of social media with other channels of communication used during a PR campaign and demonstrate how they would measure its success
- Recognise the legal and ethical issues encountered by PR practitioners and demonstrate the appropriate action.
16
Practical Magazine Journalism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Articulate creative and original ideas to source and tell compelling stories.
- Promote ideas effectively and succinctly to an editor or freelance writer.
- Develop a detailed picture of the reader of a particular magazine, identifying the key characteristics of the targeted audience.
- Produce engaging content in a variety of formats for digital platforms.
- Ensure all copy is well-researched, accurate and completed to deadline.
- Optimise relevant heads and sells for a variety of digital platforms.
17
Public Affairs for Journalists
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain how power is exercised and controlled within local and central government in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
- Explain how local and central government is held to account.
- Describe how information can be controlled and accessed.
- Identify the sources and controls over public and private sector funding
- Collate and analyse how key public services are structured and delivered
- Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of local government in protecting and developing the environment.
- Collate and analyse the roles and responsibilities of local government in protecting the citizen.
18
Radio Journalism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Research and write clear, accurate, compliant and engaging stories for radio.
- Explain the techniques of interviewing for radio.3. Conduct an interview for radio.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the techniques and technology of radio newsgathering, including the sourcing of material.
- Explain the set-up of radio news studios.
- Effectively operate radio equipment.
- Recognise and use the language and terminology of a radio newsroom.
19
Sports Journalism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Produce different types of sports stories for all platforms.
- Produce content from various locations.
- Create engaging content using detailed knowledge of football, cricket and rugby (union and league)
- Produce content demonstrating a competent working knowledge of other sports.
- Support the production process.
- Assess risks
- work safely and comply with health and safety requirements
- Formulate and manage own employment path and operate as a freelance.
20
Teeline Shorthand for Journalists
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the principles of the Teeline shorthand system.
- Use Teeline to take down material dictated at speeds of 60 to 120 words per minute (wpm).
- Produce an accurate transcript from dictated material.
- Recognise quotes from dictated material at speeds of 90 wpm and up to 120 wpm.
21
TV Journalism
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Research and write clear, accurate, compliant and engaging stories for television.
- Explain the techniques of interviewing and presenting for TV.3. Conduct an interview suitable for broadcast on TV.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the techniques and technology of TV newsgathering, including the sourcing of material.
- Describe the set-up of television news studios.
- Effectively operate television equipment.
- Recognise and use the language and terminology of a TV newsroom.
22
Videojournalism for Digital Platforms
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Operate equipment and software proficiently to produce video news reports
- Create and produce original short, focused video news reports for use on a variety of digital platforms
- Organise and conduct interviews to gather material to be used in a video report
- Produce video news reports in compliance with the law and regulations
- Produce video ‘snippets’ for use on social media using subtitles
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 603/6435/X
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- NCTJ
- Qualification Type
- Vocationally-Related Qualification
- Operational Start
- Sept 2020