Journalism Apprenticeships

Can you get an apprenticeship in journalism?

Of course! Journalism apprenticeships teach you the tricks of the trade and give you insight into how the industry works. They’re just as good as a traditional university degree, with the bonus of preparing you for office life.

A journalism apprenticeship is a structured training programme that combines full-time, paid employment with formal learning. As an apprentice, you’ll work for a media organisation, such as a newspaper, magazine, radio station, or online news outlet, while also studying toward a nationally recognised qualification.

Oh - and you’ll earn a wage too. 

As a journalist apprentice, your responsibilities could include:

• Researching, writing or broadcasting news stories across a variety of platforms

• Attending editorial meetings and pitching ideas

• Creating a database of local contacts (assuming a public relations role)

At the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll complete an end-point assessment to demonstrate your competence as a journalist, preparing you for a full-time role in the industry.

‘The end-point assessment for a journalist is completed in the final four months of the apprenticeship and is comprised of a journalism project, project report with questioning and a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence. The apprentice chooses the topic for their journalism project with the approval of their employer and the NCTJ. The project may be produced across any platform(s).’ - NCTJ

Here’s what a journalism apprentice said about their time with the BBC:

What type of journalism apprenticeships are there?

Journalism apprenticeships come in a variety of forms, tailored to different media formats, career interests, and levels of experience. Here are some of the main types:

• News Journalism Apprenticeships. Focus on researching, writing, and editing news stories for newspapers, websites, and newswires. Includes local, regional, and national news organisations.

• Broadcast Journalism Apprenticeships. Involve working in radio or television, covering everything from news bulletins to live interviews. Apprentices learn audio and video editing, scripting, and presenting.

• Digital Journalism Apprenticeships. Emphasise online content, social media, SEO, and multimedia storytelling. Perfect for those interested in emerging platforms like podcasts, YouTube, TikTok, or digital publications.

• Magazine or Feature Writing Apprenticeships. Focus more on long-form content, lifestyle writing, culture, and specialised publications (e.g., fashion, health, music). Involve developing a strong narrative voice and in-depth research skills.

• Photojournalism or Visual Media Apprenticeships. Combine photography and video work with storytelling. Apprentices may cover live events, interviews, or news features using visual content.

• Specialist Journalism Apprenticeships. Focus on specific subject areas like science, politics, finance, or sport. Often offered by niche publications or specialist desks within larger organisations.

Here’s what an apprentice says about Channel 4:

What GCSEs and A-levels do you need for a journalism apprenticeship?

Every level of apprenticeship has a different entry requirement. We’ve listed these below;

• Level 2 - Some ask for two or more GCSEs graded at 9 to 4 (A* to C). However, lots of Level 2 apprenticeships don’t require GCSEs.

• Level 3 - Five GCSEs graded 9 to 4 (A* to C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship

• Level 4/5 (Higher) - Two A-levels or equivalent (like a BTEC or an NVQ/SVQ).

• Level 6/7 (Degree) - Three A-levels graded at A* to C or equivalent.

While normally, specific subjects are not required, subjects like English, History, Politics, Media studies, and Sociology can be beneficial.  

How much do you get paid for a journalism apprenticeship?

Like any job, as an apprentice, you will be paid for the hours you complete as well as any training you do as part of your programme. 

While your salary will depend on various factors like your apprenticeship level, company and location, you will be paid at least the National Minimum Wage. On average, however, apprentices get paid around £21,600 annually. 

Also, doing an apprenticeship is an amazing way to progress through your company or industry. With an apprenticeship under your belt, you will be able to quickly progress upwards towards bigger titles and bigger earnings. 

How do you apply?

The best time to start looking is a year before you want to start. We find many journalism apprenticeships on Higherin launch between September and March. 

First, you will need to find the perfect apprenticeship for you. That’s where we come in, you can find all the journalism apprenticeships we have in one place!

Make sure you’re ready for the application process. Perfect your CV and cover letter writing so you can progress to the next stage.

Ready to start your apprenticeship journey? Check out our journalism apprenticeships now!