Three UCFB students have been nominated for a prestigious journalism award at the upcoming NCTJ Awards for Excellence ceremony.

Rachel Matthews, Safeeyah Kazi and Daniel Boswell, who’ve recently completed the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism programme at UCFB Wembley, have all been nominated in for the Apprentice of the Year award.

In further success, UCFB Wembley has also been nominated for the Innovation of the Year award for its partnership with the Evening Standard and Independent in delivering the Media Diversity Bursary Scheme. The programme, aimed at opening up opportunities for young people from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, saw four apprentices embark on their two-year programme in January 2017. The scheme also gained the backing of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

UCFB launched the 20-week NCTJ programme in September 2016. Its links to the media industry, including the Evening Standard and Sky Sports, and its state-of-the-art facilities in and around Wembley Stadium, have already set it apart as one of the leading NCTJ courses in the UK.

Rachel, Safeeyah and Daniel, who studied at UCFB as apprentices from the Daily Telegraph, Evening Standard/Independent and Sky Sports News respectively, make up three of the five-nominee shortlist.

UCFB NCTJ programme leader Roz McKenzie said: “To have one student nominated for an award is a huge achievement, but to have three in the same catergory is just amazing. Rachel, Safeeyah and Daniel all worked extremely hard during their time at UCFB and showed the kind of aptitude needed to succeed in the world of journalism. Their nominations are well deserved and we’re very proud of them.”

Roz added: “Similarly, for UCFB Wembley to be recognised for innovation along with our partners at the Evening Standard and Independent is hugely exciting and recognition of the hard work put in by all parties. I’m looking forward to the first of many ceremonies celebrating the success UCFB and our brilliant NCTJ students.”

The awards take place at Hampton Court Palace on Wednesday 23rd November.