NCTJ Syllabus Map
Every module of the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, mapped to UK JournoHub guides, tools and templates. Everything on this site is free. Use it alongside your NCTJ study or lecturer materials.
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Not affiliated with the NCTJ. Module names and descriptions are drawn from the NCTJ's public course descriptions and updated when the NCTJ revises its syllabus. Report a stale mapping via our contact form.
- EML
Essential Media Law
Defamation, privacy, contempt of court, reporting restrictions, court structure, sources and copyright. The core UK press-law paper.
UK JournoHub resources for this module
- guideMedia Law hub — 36 sub-pages
- caseLandmark UK press-law cases (34 briefs)
- guideDefamation risk checklist
- statuteDefamation Act 2013 s.4 walkthrough
- guideContempt and active proceedings
- guideReporting restrictions
- guideSource protection
- toolReporting Restriction Checker (interactive)
- toolActive Proceedings Calculator (CCA 1981)
- toolDefamation Risk Score
Official NCTJ reference: NCTJ Diploma in Journalism ↗
- EPA
Essential Public Affairs
How UK democracy works — Parliament, devolved administrations, local government, the courts, and reporting on them.
UK JournoHub resources for this module
- guidePolitics and Parliament reporting
- guideLocal government reporting
- guideElection reporting
- guideNCTJ Public Affairs paper strategy
- guideParliamentary reporting: privilege, Hansard, lobby
- guideElection reporting rules
Official NCTJ reference: NCTJ Diploma in Journalism ↗
- ETH
Journalism Ethics and Regulation
NUJ Code of Conduct, IPSO Editors' Code, IMPRESS Standards Code, Ofcom Broadcasting Code, editorial responsibility, complaint handling.
UK JournoHub resources for this module
- guideEthics hub — 31 sub-pages
- guideNUJ Code of Conduct explained
- guideIPSO Editors' Code explained
- guideOfcom Broadcasting Code
- guidePublic interest test
- toolIPSO Complaint Builder
- toolPublic Interest Test Builder
- guideEthics quiz (detailed answers)
Official NCTJ reference: NCTJ Diploma in Journalism ↗
- SHT
Shorthand
Teeline shorthand to 100 words per minute — a core NCTJ requirement, especially for court reporters.
UK JournoHub resources for this module
Official NCTJ reference: NCTJ Diploma in Journalism ↗
- RJP
Reporting (News, Features and Video)
Core reporting craft: news writing, feature writing, interviewing, headline discipline, video-first storytelling.
UK JournoHub resources for this module
- guideNews vs feature writing
- guideInterviewing techniques
- guidePitching tips for regional UK papers
- guideWriting for different platforms
- toolHeadline Checker
- guideHeadline writing: SEO vs print
Official NCTJ reference: NCTJ Diploma in Journalism ↗
- PJ
Practical Journalism
Assessed portfolio work: real-world story sourcing, editorial decision-making, deadline discipline.
UK JournoHub resources for this module
- guideBuilding your journalism portfolio from scratch
- guidePublication-day workflow
- guideFact-checking at scale
- guideWorking with editors
- guideManaging sources over time
- guideWorking the phones
Official NCTJ reference: NCTJ Diploma in Journalism ↗
- DATA
Data Journalism (module + optional papers)
Spreadsheet basics, cleaning data, chart-building, FOI-driven investigations, publishing data with a story.
UK JournoHub resources for this module
- guideData Journalism hub
- guideSpreadsheet essentials
- guideData-cleaning techniques
- guideData visualisation tools
- guideFOI hub (drives most data stories)
- toolFOI Cost Estimator
Official NCTJ reference: NCTJ Qualifications ↗
- NCTJ-OJ
Online Journalism
SEO for journalism, social sourcing and verification, mobile-first storytelling, newsletter craft.
UK JournoHub resources for this module
- guideNCTJ Online Journalism module
- guideSEO for UK journalists
- guideNewsletter strategy
- guideOSINT toolkit
- guideVerifying social-media sources
- toolSource Verification Confidence Checker
Official NCTJ reference: NCTJ Qualifications ↗
- CR
Court Reporting (optional specialism)
Reporting from magistrates' and Crown Courts, statutory reporting restrictions, contempt, coroners, tribunals.
UK JournoHub resources for this module
- guideCourt Reporting hub — 20 sub-pages
- guideMagistrates' court daily practice
- guideCrown Court reporting
- guideSentencing-remarks reporting
- guideBail hearing reporting (s.52A CDA 1998)
- guideCoroner jury-inquest reporting
- guideCoroner PFD reports
Official NCTJ reference: NCTJ Qualifications ↗