The pass rate for the National Qualification in Journalism has risen for the second successive year with two thirds of those who sat the exam becoming seniors.

The annual Examiners’ Report from the NCTJ revealed that 129 candidates sat the exam during 2023-24 with 86 passing – 48 of them with distinction.

The pass rate of 66pc is up from 63pc in 2023-23, when 56 new seniors qualified, and 55pc the previous year.

A total of 203 candidates sat one or other element of the NQJ exam during the academic year, with pass rates of 100pc in the e-logbook, 69pc in media law and ethics, and 61pc in practical skills.

Chief examiner Andy Martin said: “The results in 2023-24 have been excellent, with  an overall pass rate of 66 per cent reflecting a superb standard of journalism in newsrooms up and down the country.

“At this point it’s worth reflecting on the pivotal role of journalism in a world of growing misinformation and disinformation. It is even more important that the digital and printed voice of trusted, professional, trained journalists and mainstream media outlets is heard above all the other noise and distraction.

“Also, more important than ever is the journalist’s role of holding to account public bodies, private organisations and individuals in high office and other positions of power and providing the scrutiny that no-one else has the ability and credibility to carry out.

“The NQJ plays a huge part in that. The qualification is the professional standard for  our industry and rightly so.”

Individual prizes of £750 for exam performance went to the candidates who gained the highest in each of the three sections.

Thomas Hardwick, pictured, of the Derbyshire Times, earned the media law and ethics in practice award, supported by IPSO, with an impressive 88pc. He was praised for his clear understanding of complex legal scenarios and excellent application of ethical principles.

The practical journalism skills award, supported by Newsquest, went to Daniel Hordon from The Northern Echo whose “ability to craft a clear, engaging story and his sharp news sense stood out.”

And the logbook award, supported by Iliffe Media, was presented to Hayley Clarke from the BBC, who achieved an exceptional 89pc. Her portfolio impressed examiners with its depth and variety, covering subjects from disability rights to child poverty.

Details of the pass rate in each section of the exam and the list of those who gained the NQJ can be seen below.

TOTAL ENTRY

Candidates 129
Passes 86
Failures 43
Pass rate 66%

Of the 86 who passed, 48 gained a distinction, 33 a merit and 5 a straight pass.

PRACTICAL SKILLS EXAMS

Candidates 153
Passes 49
Failures 31
Pass rate 61%

MEDIA LAW AND ETHICS IN PRACTICE

Candidates 134
Passes 92
Failures 42
Pass rate 69%

E-LOGBOOK

Candidates 89
Passes 89
Failures 0
Pass rate 100%

The following candidates gained the National Qualification in Journalism in 2023-24:

Rachel Alexander Birmingham Mail
Shazia Ali Freelance
Owen Arands Bauer Media Group
Christopher Atkinson Hampshire Chronicle
Patrick Barlow The Argus
Pamela Bilalova BBC North East and Cumbria
Joanne Chapman Bauer Media Group
Hayley Clarke BBC
Nathan Clarke Birmingham Live
Molly Cleary Future
Chelsea Coates BBC
Dylan Connell The York Press
Phoebe Cox National World
Eleanor Crabbe The Argus
Jemma Cullum Wiltshire Gazette
Conal Cunningham St Helens Star
Maia Davies BBC
Yvonne Deeney Bristol Live
Emma Downey Lancashire Evening Post
Natalie Earl Future
Oscar Edwards BBC Wales
Jordan Elkins Salisbury Journal
Jacob Evans BBC World Service
Jack Ewing BBC Scotland
Alice Faulkner Radio Clyde
Jack Fifield The Bolton News
Cait Findlay Cambridgeshire Live
Emma Fradgley Newsquest London
Erin Gaskell Newsquest Cumbria
Maya George Southern Daily Echo
Alice Gerrard Bury Times
Emily Gilbert Bauer Media Group
Patrick Gouldsborough The Northern Echo
Katie Green Grantham Journal
Jake Groves CAR magazine
Kirsty Hamilton Sheffield Star
Thomas Hardwick Derbyshire Times
Zachary Harrison The Bolton News
Katie Hoggan Wales Online
Daniel Hordon The Northern Echo
Zoe Hu Drapers
Patrick Hughes BBC
Sanjana Idnani BBC Wales
Hamish Inglis Future
Jasmine Jackson The Bolton News
Imogen James BBC
Kris Johnston Lynn News
Hana Kelly The Telegraph
Perisha Kudhail BBC Midlands
Alexandra Langridge KentOnline
Maisie Lawton Manchester Evening News
Tom Leaman Somerset County Gazette
Sophie Lewis The Portsmouth News
Shereen Low Bauer Media Group
Ellis Maddison Bauer Media Group
Alexander Marsh Islington Gazette
Alice Marshall Future
Paul McAuley Liverpool Echo
Thames Menteth Ground Engineering magazine
Inaya Mohmood BBC
Rowan Newman Bradford Telegraph & Argus
Kaia Nicholl East Anglian Daily Times
Isabel Oldman Bury Times
Tobias Oliver Hampshire Chronicle
James Pallant KentOnline
Andrea Pluck BBC
Megan Price Bauer Media Group
Jose Ramos Southern Daily Echo
Daniel Rees Colchester Gazette
Georgia Revell Bournemouth Echo
Jacob Ridley Future
Ez Roberts BBC Panorama
Joe Robinson The Leader
Steven Ross South Yorkshire Police
Ella Rule BBC Radio 4
Erin Sharrocks BBC
Sophie Squires Bauer Media Group
Clodagh Stenson BBC Radio Oxford
Gabrielle Sungailaite BBC Business
Lauran O’Toole Daily Express
Sophie Wallace BBC
Josephine Watson Future
Eleanor Weaver Bauer Media Group
Katie Wheatley Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Luke Wilkinson Bauer Media Group
Joshua Wolens Future