Advanced Journalism Apprentice Review
at BBC
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Journalism and Publishing
London
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
4.2 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
3.8/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
This really changes depending on which team you are placed in. We do 3-4 rotations around different teams in BBC News across two years. The job can include research, supporting story finding in the team, co-production, finding and booking guests and working across TV, radio and online.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I have really enjoyed some of my placements, and feel like I've found my specialism working with certain correspondents. You get to learn very quickly on the job and meet some very inspiring and successful people. Sometimes the work is very challenging and it needs a high amount of self motivation, discipline and time management. I find this hard sometimes and find sometimes there is a lack of understanding from other staff in the building about what an apprentice is. But there is also so much opportunity to do big, exciting projects and get people to listen to your ideas and that is amazing to have.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Definitely - I can now film, edit and produce TV and radio packages which I could not do before. I am also more confident in writing for online and in pitching my own ideas and working within the wider team.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
I think it is quite well organised, especially the training - internal and external. They provide good solid weeks of intensive training where we learn lots of skills that will be useful for the rest of our career. It is mainly well structured with good signposting about what the next steps are at every stage.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Lots of good support in terms of internal training. There is support from the wider employer but it seems to be a case by case basis. Lots of people dont know what an apprentice is or why they are working with them and that causes confusion sometimes. Ive been very lucky with how supportive and open my managers have been and how much they make time for me and to ask how I am doing. They really want to hear my ideas and integrate me into the team.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Good support - I think the training from the university has been great and has prepared us well for exams.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
Training through the provider is great at teaching us media law. This is definitely necessary for the job and an essential skill. Other training in using and operating camera equipment and editing packages has been super valuable. These are all really great skills ot now have and I use basically every day.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
I joined the netball club. I think there are other sports teams. There isn't that much professional networking or social activities that I have seen.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend BBC to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It really trains you in all the aspects you need to be a journalist in the modern world - using a camera, filming on your phone, editing video, editing audio, writing for online, making social clips, interviewing people, making editorial decisions etc. I did not think I would feel so competent at doing all these things by now, when I started the scheme. I also think the opportunities at the BBC are vast and if you have a good idea, if you push and push enough and meet the right people you'll be able to do big things with it.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to BBC?
- read all the BBC values
- think about what makes you different and unique / your experiences have shaped what sort of stories and insight you can bring to the BBC
- have lots of story ideas and think about how you would practically do them
- read a wide range of news outlets and have opinions about what they've done
- think about what makes you different and unique / your experiences have shaped what sort of stories and insight you can bring to the BBC
- have lots of story ideas and think about how you would practically do them
- read a wide range of news outlets and have opinions about what they've done
