Many employers in the UK will ask for an NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) qualification when they hire you. You can either do these courses directly with the NCTJ or some British universities also offer the qualification.
These are rigorous exams and they are not to be underestimated. The examiners will test every fibre of a good journalist in the making, from shorthand to media law. What do aspiring journalists need to know before jumping in? News Associates provides a debrief on their website.
First and foremost, it pays to be a news junkie. News Associates deputy managing editor Graham Dudman says: "Pay attention to how different types of stories are covered and how much detail is or is not included. Know a little about a lot of what’s going on in your area, the UK and the world."
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