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Course is named best in UK

The Press Association foundation course is officially the best in the country according to new league tables published by the NCTJ.

Our course was the best performing commercial fast track course in the tables published by the industry awarding body.

It is the first time that the NCTJ has officially published rankings of the 70 courses it accredits based on exam results.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists said the course was the best-performing last year, with 56 per cent of students gaining at least a C-grade in the preliminary certificate, which is widely seen as the industry standard for new entrants.

The winners in the league tables were revealed last night at a dinner for journalism trainers in Salford, Greater Manchester, ahead of the NCTJ’s journalism skills conference.

Tony Johnston, Head of Press Association Training, said: “We have always thought that our course was the best fast-track course in the country and now it has been recognised officially.

“It is testimony to the dedication of all the trainers and staff at the centre who work so hard to make sure our trainees succeed in their chosen profession.”

Highbury College in Portsmouth was named the best fast-track course run by a college or university, with 30 per cent of students meeting the industry standard.

The preliminary certificate includes modules covering news writing, media law, public affairs and shorthand.

It celebrates its 40th anniversary next year and has been the starting point for the careers of many of the UK’s leading journalists, including Andrew Marr from the BBC.

05- 12- 2008

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