Journalism training body the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) is co-ordinating a ‘Save Quality Journalism Education’ campaign, calling on the government to reverse planned cuts to journalism course funding in higher education.
The move follows new guidance from the Secretary of State for Education directing the Office for Students (OfS) to withdraw Strategic Priorities Grant funding from journalism courses for the 2025-26 financial year. In response, the NCTJ has joined four other journalism education bodies in issuing a joint statement of concern to the Secretary of State for Education.
The statement, co-signed by the Association for Journalism Education (AJE UK), the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), the Media, Communication and Cultural Studies Association (MeCCSA), and the Professional Publishers Association (PPA), warns the decision threatens the future of UK journalism.
Joanne Forbes, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “The targeted withdrawal of funding suggests the government’s value and support for journalism is diminishing at a time when trusted, well-trained journalists are more essential than ever.
“Rather than narrowing the path into journalism, we should be widening it. These cuts risk reducing the accessibility, quality and diversity of journalism education, and threaten the future health of journalism in the UK.”
The NCTJ has written directly to both the Secretary of State for Education and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, urging the government to reconsider and reinstate support for journalism education.
Recent data underscores the importance of formal journalism training. The Journalists at Work 2024 report found that 81 per cent of journalists hold a journalism qualification, 83% of whom have an NCTJ qualification, with 84 per cent saying it helped secure their first job.
The NCTJ supports multiple pathways into journalism, including pioneering apprenticeships and supporting further education routes, which are already under financial pressure. However, higher education remains crucial – 71 per cent of NCTJ diploma graduates studied at universities.
The joint statement argues that removing funding now “sends a damaging signal”, noting that journalism graduates contribute across traditional newsrooms and the wider communications and creative industries.
The organisations have expressed readiness to collaborate with the Department for Education and Office for Students to develop sustainable funding approaches that support journalism’s role in public life.
The ‘Save Quality Journalism Education’ campaign continues as the industry mobilises against the proposed cuts. Readers can support the campaign by writing to their local MP about the importance of journalism education funding or sharing the issue through their professional networks.
It’s not just journalism bodies that are backing the campaign, which has also found an ally in the PR industry. One Manchester founder, Whitney Williams of PR by Whitney, was concerned about the possible knock-on effect in her own industry: ““Journalism training equips students with essential skills such as research, writing, storytelling, and communication, all of which are highly valued in PR.
“Reducing funding risks shrinking this vital talent pipeline, making it harder for PR agencies to find skilled professionals. A strong media landscape benefits PR by ensuring well-informed journalists who engage responsibly with communications professionals.
“Many PR executives come from journalism backgrounds, so losing access to quality journalism education will directly impact the skills available in our industry. We strongly hope the government reverses this decision to ensure future generations have the training they need to succeed.”
The News Media Association are also among the first to join the campaign. News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith said: “Bridget Phillipson’s instruction to move high-cost subject funding away from journalism and media courses is completely contrary to the government’s stated policy of creating and supporting an environment in which local and national journalism can thrive.
“At a time when we need trusted news and information more than ever, this misguided and irrational move risks undermining the pipeline of talent into the industry and restricting access to journalism as a career choice.
“The Education Secretary has got this one wrong and needs to think again.”
