NCTJ

The NCTJ is organising outstanding exams for students who have not completed courses that were previously NCTJ-accredited


The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) has confirmed it will not overturn a decision by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) to cease accreditation of courses at noSWeat Journalism Training.

Last month the training body announced it would not renew its accreditation of two courses at the London-based training centre.

The NCTJ said the decision was taken after directors agreed the courses, a full-time and part-time course in newspaper journalism, "did not fully meet the NCTJ standard, aims and performance indicators".

CEO and founder of noSWeat Stephen Ward said he would seek a grant of appeal from Ofqual over the decision, but it was confirmed this week that Ofqual had responded to say the decision to renew accreditation is operational and not a regulatory matter.

"Ofqual confirmed it is not an appeals body and would not overturn a decision made by an awarding organisation," the NCTJ said.

"The response also went on to explain that the NCTJ had not breached any of its recognition conditions and therefore Ofqual was unable to intervene in this matter."

A spokesman for Ofqual said it had nothing further to add.

Responding to the news Ward said he wished to draw a line under the issues he went to Ofqual with.

“It is now imperative we work with the NCTJ to restore relations we have had for over a decade.”


According to the NCTJ the private journalism college can no longer deliver NCTJ qualifications, other than to complete the training for students on courses prior to 8 July.

"The NCTJ is organising the outstanding exams for students from noSWeat who have not completed courses that were previously NCTJ-accredited as well as students on the magazine course which was refused accreditation in 2009," it added in a statement.

"The NCTJ is covering the costs of the exams and students do not need to pay exam fees for first sittings."

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