FAQs

1. Is it possible to apply for more than one course a year?
Yes it is, but you should not apply for the same type of course twice and be qualified for the course of your choice.

2. Does NSJ offer courses for beginners?
No. NSJ is a training institute for mid-career journalists with at least two to three years professional experience. There is a basic skills course but still you would need some job experience.
If you want to learn journalism from scratch, you should contact universities or vocational schools in your country. You will find helpful contact data in the “media directory” offered on the homepage of our trustee Media Institute of Southern Africa www.misa.org.

3. Does NSJ sponsor academic degrees for journalists (Masters, PhD, etc)?
No. But NSJ has started a cooperation with Rhodes University in the late 2004. Participants of NSJ’s higher education programme will be accredited 50 % of the Rhodes University’s Post Graduate Diploma in Media Management (PDMM) at the Rhodes’ Sol Plaatje Media Leadership Institute. We are working on further cooperations, e.g for economic reporting.

You should be aware that the second 50 % of the studies at Rhodes is to be sponsored individually. For more information please check by clicking NSJ Higher Education Programme Jounalism and Media Management which you will find under Our Programme (or we link it directly if possible)

4. Are freelance journalists eligible for NSJ courses?
Yes, they are. Just apply regurlarly disregarding the employers letter.

5. Are there any special arrangements for freelance journalists regarding full sponsorship in all the courses?
No, there are no special arrangements for freelancers. If you like to attend more courses in a row you will have to apply and qualify separately for each course of your choice.

6. I’m an employed journalist. Is it nontheless possible to apply independently from the employer?
Yes it is. Just apply regularly disregarding the letter of the employer. Though, in your motivational essay you should include the reason why you want to apply independently.

7. Where can I request the application form and inform about the necessary procedures to be admitted into NSJ courses?
You can find the application forms for download and the selection procedures on our website by clicking How to apply on the home page. If you are eligible for the course of your choice you will find by clicking Course Programme 2005. Please check.