UK Journalism Awards Calendar

Entry deadlines, category overviews and eligibility at a glance for the major UK journalism awards — from the British Journalism Awards to BAFTA and the Orwell Prize.

Listings are illustrative, current at last review. Entry windows and deadlines shift year to year; always confirm with the organiser before submitting work.

Last reviewed: 13 June 2026Next review due: 13 December 2026

UK journalism has a well-developed awards landscape spanning print, digital, broadcast and specialist beats. Entering awards is not just about winning: the process of curating your best work, writing supporting statements and having your journalism judged by peers is a valuable professional exercise in itself. Many editors look for award nominations and wins when reviewing job applications or commissioning freelancers.

The eight awards below represent the most widely recognised in the UK profession. Ceremony months are more stable than entry deadlines; bookmark the organiser pages and set a calendar reminder for when entries typically open.

Major UK Journalism Awards

British Journalism Awards

Organiser: Press Gazette

Ceremony: December

Typical entry window: Entries typically open September; deadline October/November
Eligibility: UK-published journalism; open to all journalists including freelancers
Key categories: News Journalist, Investigative Journalist, Scoop of the Year, Comment & Criticism, Data Journalist, Podcast, Digital Journalism, Young Journalist and more

Press Awards

Organiser: Society of Editors

Ceremony: Spring

Typical entry window: Entries typically open January; deadline February/March
Eligibility: UK newspapers and magazines; editorial staff and freelancers
Key categories: News Reporter, Feature Writer, Photographer, Campaign, Sports, Business, Scoop and Digital Publisher categories

Orwell Prize for Journalism

Organiser: The Orwell Foundation

Ceremony: Spring/Summer

Typical entry window: Entries typically open January; deadline February
Eligibility: UK-published or UK-broadcast work; writers of any nationality
Key categories: Political writing, books, journalism and emerging writers. Journalism category covers print, digital and broadcast work

Foreign Press Association Media Awards

Organiser: Foreign Press Association

Ceremony: November

Typical entry window: Entries typically open September; deadline October
Eligibility: FPA members and accredited foreign correspondents based in the UK
Key categories: Foreign correspondent categories covering print, broadcast and photojournalism; work originating outside the UK

RTS Television Journalism Awards

Organiser: Royal Television Society

Ceremony: March

Typical entry window: Entries typically open October/November; deadline November
Eligibility: UK-broadcast television journalism; open to broadcasters and production companies
Key categories: Network Journalist, Regional Journalist, Correspondent, Scoop, Breaking News, Investigations, Home News, International News, Young Journalist

BAFTA Television Awards (Journalism & Current Affairs)

Organiser: BAFTA

Ceremony: May

Typical entry window: Entries typically open November/December; deadline January
Eligibility: UK-broadcast television; BAFTA membership or submission via registered company
Key categories: Current Affairs; News Coverage; Documentary. Journalism recognised within broader television categories

Sports Journalists' Association Awards

Organiser: Sports Journalists' Association

Ceremony: Autumn

Typical entry window: Entries open spring; deadline summer
Eligibility: SJA members and UK sports journalists; membership may be required for some categories
Key categories: Sports Writer of the Year, Sports Photographer, Sports Broadcaster, Young Sports Journalist, Sports Feature

Online Media Awards

Organiser: Online Media Awards

Ceremony: Autumn

Typical entry window: Entries typically open spring/summer; deadline varies
Eligibility: UK-based or UK-focused digital publishers; freelancers may enter individual categories
Key categories: Best Online News Operation, Best Newsletter, Best Podcast, Best Social Media Team, Best Video Journalism

How we keep this current

We review this calendar every six months by checking each award organiser's website and the Press Gazette awards diary. If an award has moved, changed its eligibility rules or if we have missed a significant UK journalism prize, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can freelancers enter UK journalism awards?

Yes. Most major UK journalism awards accept entries from freelancers. A small number require that the work was published by a UK outlet. Always check the specific award's eligibility criteria, as some restrict entries to members of the organising body or salaried staff.

How far in advance do entry deadlines typically open?

Most awards open entries one to three months before the submission deadline. Sign up to the organiser's newsletter or follow them on social media to get early notice, as deadlines can move.

Is there a cost to enter?

Many major UK journalism awards are free to enter. Some sector-specific or niche awards charge a per-entry fee. Check the organiser's website for current entry costs.

Where can I find the full eligibility rules for each award?

Each award organiser publishes full rules and entry guidelines on their website, usually when entries open. The links in this directory point to the official organiser pages.