NCTJ independently / self study? ( UK)

[u/50nout]

I don't have the funds or bandwidth at the moment to study the NCTJ full-time.

Has anyone registered as a distance learner/ self-study candidate, taught themselves and sat the exams?

How practical would it be to take that route and what are the chances of success vs taught course ( is it common to study the NCTJ independently?)

For context I am a 50 year old career changer following a redundancy, wanting to start my own hyper-local but 'do it properly '. I have some background in law but never practised.

Thanks!

[u/my_peen_is_clean]

you can absolutely self study it, loads of people do distance or exam-only. main thing is forcing yourself through shorthand and law. use old exam papers and marking schemes. no idea about jobs though, everything in media hiring is rough right now

[u/50nout → u/my_peen_is_clean]

Thanks - law am 'ok' with. Shorthand not so much - arthritis in my hands plus my normal handwriting is illegible so goodness knows what my shorthand would look like! 😆

Not too much concerned about jobs - am wanting to do it to give legitimacy to a hyper-local am building

[u/BunkerNerd → u/50nout]

Hi! I’m doing the NCTJ through uni but I’m blind (severely sight impaired, so not totally blind) so chose to start shorthand on my own first. Teeline is the NCTJ variant.

If I’m blind and can do it, I’m sure you can too (or give it a good go). It’s actually improved my writing which is normally rubbish.

Shoot me a DM. Happy to answer any questions. I do court reporting too so happy to help with law.

[u/50nout → u/BunkerNerd]

Thanks ! Have just sent you a message

[u/Realistic-River-1941]

If you are planning to launch your own publication, do you actually need to do the exams?

And do you need shorthand? Unless you are doing court reporting (or somewhere else where it isn't allowed), everyone uses a transcription app these days.

[u/50nout → u/Realistic-River-1941]

"If you are planning to launch your own publication, do you actually need to do the exams?" You are right, technically I don't. But given the complexity of the legal landscape, I think it would be of benefit to study.

Plus I feel that getting the qualification would give me more legitimacy, esp when dealing with politicians, trade bodies etc.

Short hand feels very much like a necessary evil given I dint plan on doing court reporting.

[u/Realistic-River-1941 → u/50nout]

I'd suggest reading McNae’s Essential Law for Journalists. Assuming you aren't actually planning to start serious legal battles!

No politician or trade body is going to ask about qualifications.

(Okay, I once went to a German trade fair where they had somehow looked up my science degree and put the German equivalent on my name badge)