The National Council for the Training of Journalists has removed accreditation from one of its best performing centres because of concerns over the way it conducts exams.
Brighton Journalist Works has one of the best pass-rates in the country for delivering the industry-recognised NCTJ diploma in journalism.
Its accreditation has been removed for 45 days to give the private training company time to change its exam procedures and policies.
Teaching and examinations for the current crop of students will not be affected.
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NCTJ chief executive Joanne Butcher said: "We have to make sure that all the courses accredited by the NCTJ maintain rigorous professional standards for the sake of all our students and their futures. The NCTJ has a duty to take action to maintain standards and we are very concerned and sorry that students have been affected.
“Brighton Journalist Works is co-operating with our investigations. The commitment the company has shown to making changes to exam operations, and the good relationship we have enjoyed with them for many years, makes me confident that this will be a temporary measure.”
A spokesman at the Brighton centre said the recommendations by the NCTJ had already been put into practice, and the senior staff are confident that the accreditation will be restored in March.
He stressed that none of the students required to re-take exams will be out of pocket and that their fees and travel expenses will be covered.
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