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Student press card: press cards for journalism students

Journalism students aged 18 or over who publish regularly – in student newspapers, student radio or TV, or their own outlets – can apply for the FJA press card. Students on journalism courses can also join the NUJ as student members for £10 a year and apply for the NUJ’s UK student press card.

A press card helps student journalists book interviews, cover events and build a portfolio that impresses future employers. Here is how the options compare and how to make the most of a card while you study.

Apply for your press card Check the requirements

Student press card: FJA press card for journalism students, sample data

Press card options for students

Two routes, depending on your situation.

	NUJ student press card	FJA press card
Who can apply	NUJ student members on journalism courses or in student journalism supported by the NUS	Anyone 18+ who publishes journalistic work regularly
Cost	NUJ student membership £10 per year of study	£82 / £130 / £156, no membership
Course required	Journalism course or NUS-supported student journalism	No
After graduation	Upgrade to full or temporary NUJ membership within three months	Card stays valid until its expiry date

Source: NUJ, October 2026.

Which students qualify for the FJA card?

Being a student is not enough on its own – publishing is what counts.

Qualifies

Reporters, editors and photographers on student newspapers and magazines
Presenters and producers at student radio or TV stations
Students who publish their own journalistic blog, channel or podcast
Students freelancing for local or national outlets

Does not qualify

Students under 18 – see under 18
Coursework that is never published
Students who want the card for discounts

How student journalists use a press card

Small advantages that add up during your studies.

A press card helps when you contact councils, police press offices, clubs or businesses for a story and the person on the other end does not know your student publication. It supports accreditation for local events, gigs, sports fixtures and conferences, and it gives interviewees confidence. Combine it with a letter or email from your student editor or course leader confirming the assignment. Always make clear that you are writing for a student outlet – transparency builds trust. For your next steps, see journalism courses in the UK and journalism work experience.

Building a portfolio while you study

Employers look at published work.

Publish regularly

A steady record of bylines matters more than a few big pieces.

Diversify formats

Combine written news, audio, video and data work.

Get qualified

Many UK newsrooms value NCTJ qualifications such as the Diploma in Journalism.

Getting the most out of student media

Student media is the quickest way to publish regularly – and regular publication is what we look for.

Student newspaper, radio and TV

Most universities have a student paper, a radio station or a TV society. Offer to cover news, sport or culture on a fixed beat. Editors value reliability more than experience, and a weekly slot quickly builds a body of work.

Local and specialist outlets

Local news sites, hyperlocal blogs and specialist magazines often accept well-researched pieces from students. Start with stories from your town or your subject area, where you have knowledge that other reporters lack.

Your own platform

A newsletter, blog, podcast or video channel counts too, as long as it is journalism: you research, check facts, name sources and correct mistakes. Publish on a regular schedule rather than in occasional bursts.

Using a press card responsibly as a student

A press card raises expectations. These habits protect you, your sources and your course.

Always say who you are and which outlet you are working for – for example “student reporter for the university paper”.
Follow your university’s media guidance and any rules of your students’ union.
Take extra care with privacy when you report on fellow students, staff or vulnerable people.
Use the Editors’ Code and NUJ Code of Conduct as your reference for fair, accurate reporting.
Store notes, recordings and contact details securely and only as long as you need them.
Never use the card for private advantages such as discounts or free entry – see press card discounts.

From student journalist to professional

Three steps that help you turn student work into a career.

Build a clippings file

Keep links and PDFs of your best published work in one place, sorted by topic. Editors and organisers ask for it, and so do we when we check an application.

Get newsroom experience

Placements show you how a professional desk works and give you contacts. Our guide to journalism work experience explains where to find them.

Add recognised training

Many employers look for shorthand, media law and practical reporting skills. Compare the options in journalism courses in the UK.

What the FJA card is – and what it is not

Before you apply, it helps to know exactly where this card fits next to the UK Press Card.

What it is

A photo press card in English for people who work journalistically but fall outside the UK Press Card scheme: freelancers without union membership, photographers, bloggers, creators and people starting out.
Checked by a person before it is printed. Anyone can confirm it is genuine through the QR code on the card (how verification works).
A quick way to show organisers, press offices and venues who you are – alongside your published work and, ideally, a commissioning letter.

What it is not

It is not the UK Press Card. That card is issued only through the 22 gatekeepers of the UK Press Card Authority and is the press ID recognised by the UK police chiefs’ associations. If you qualify for it, get it.
It has no standing in the UKPCA scheme. The UKPCA warns that “press cards” sold by other organisations have no standing or value within its system. That is true for ours too: the FJA card is a separate, openly issued card and we never present it as a UK Press Card.
No card guarantees access. Police, organisers and press offices decide case by case. College of Policing guidance also lets officers accept a letter from your editor instead of a UK Press Card.

Frequently asked questions

Can students get a press card?

Yes. Students aged 18 or over who publish journalistic work regularly can apply for the FJA press card. NUJ student members can apply for the NUJ’s UK student press card.

Is there a student discount on the FJA press card?

No. The price is the same for everyone: £82 for 12 months.

Do I need to study journalism?

Not for the FJA card. What counts is that you publish journalistic work regularly, whatever you study.

How much is NUJ student membership?

According to the NUJ, £10 per year of your course in the UK.

Can I get a press card at 16 or 17?

No. Our card is only for adults aged 18 or over. See our page for under-18s for alternatives.

Does a student press card get me into events?

It supports your request, but organisers decide. Student media are often welcome at local events and university-related occasions.

Can I use the press card for my dissertation or coursework?

Only when the work is journalism that will be published. For purely academic research, use your student ID and follow your university’s research ethics process instead – a press card is not the right tool for that.

What happens to my card when I graduate?

The card stays valid for the period you paid for (12, 24 or 36 months), provided you continue to work journalistically. If your work changes, the card must no longer be used.

Do I need a letter from my course leader to apply?

No. We do not ask for letters from tutors or course leaders. We look at your published journalistic work – for student media, a local outlet or your own platform – and check that you are 18 or older.

Is the FJA card the same as an NUJ student card?

No. The NUJ offers student membership with its own card for members. The FJA press card is an independent press card without membership. Both can be useful; the NUJ route also gives you union support and training offers – see NUJ press card.

Can I report on my own university?

Yes, and student media often does important work holding institutions to account. Be fair, give people a chance to respond before publication and take particular care with personal information about students and staff.

Sources and last review

Written and reviewed by the FJA editorial team. Last reviewed: 23 October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.