Digital Journalism Apprenticeship

What will I do as part of the scheme?

The Digital Journalism Apprenticeship is for people from all backgrounds and all walks of life who are curious about the world and hungry to tell the stories happening around them.  If university is not for you this is your chance to get first class journalism training with the biggest broadcasting organisation in the world.

If you are inquisitive, creative and want to tell the stories happening in your world, we’d like to hear from you.

You will work alongside BBC News teams on work placements learning how to create and deliver quality News content for multiple platforms.

You will be working towards a Level 3 Diploma in Journalism. Balancing your time between learning on the job and in a classroom environment will be essential.

The scheme takes 18 months to complete, after which you should have the skills and training to take on a junior role in journalism at the BBC.

Who are you?

We are more interested in your potential as a BBC journalist than previous experience or training. A passion for news and current affairs, creativity, drive and resilience are the qualities we are looking for in our apprentices. We do expect you to have some digital skills though – be able to make and edit videos (on your phone is fine!) and good knowledge of social media.

You will:

• Have an intense curiosity about people – and about what’s going on in the world.
• Be brimming with creativity and a good storyteller
• Love using social media – Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and the rest.
• Be flexible and adaptable due to the pace of work and learning process– typical hours of work are 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday.  However, broadcasting and journalism is 24/7 and these hours may vary during work placements to meet the needs of the business.
• Be a team player who enjoys working with a wide range of colleagues and members of the public.
• Be a self-starter and willing to work on your own initiative when necessary.
• Be 18 or over by the time the scheme starts in the autumn.
• You will need at least five GCSEs, Grades A to C or equivalent. Your Maths and English must be at grades A-C or equivalent or Grades 9 to 4. In Scotland you will need to have five National 5’s at Grades A to C including Maths and English. This apprenticeship is aimed at non-graduate school leavers.

If you have a degree, Level 5 in media, qualifications from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) or a postgraduate qualification and want to train as a Journalist at the BBC, you should consider the Journalism Trainee Scheme instead.

We cannot accept an application from you if you do not hold documentation that gives you the right to work in the UK. You’ll be asked at the application stage if you hold documentation that gives you the legal right to work in the UK. This is an entry requirement. You must have resided within the EU for the past three years. It is not possible for the BBC to support with visa sponsorship.

What are we offering?

• Competitive salary £14,250 (or £18,810 if your apprenticeship is in London).
• 25 days holiday a year with an option to buy or sell days to suit you. As well as national bank holidays, you’ll also get an extra day-off between Christmas and New Year.
• An apprenticeship to train to be a journalist with the BBC – with a diploma in journalism accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) at the end of it.
• You will be studying for a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Journalism designed by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). Apprentices combine classroom-based study, learning on-the-job and working towards exams including Media Law, Public Affairs, Broadcast Journalism, Media Regulation and News Reporting.
• In addition to your NCTJ apprenticeship training, we will train you in the editorial and technical skills that you will need to work in a BBC newsroom. The training will be overseen by the BBC. We will give you an induction into the BBC and then a good grounding in basic journalism. We will also give you all the relevant technical training to start work placements and we will top up your training in specific skills when you need it.
• You will be assigned a mentor, someone to support and guide you throughout the scheme. Your mentor will be in touch with you regularly to see how you are getting on and to offer advice and encouragement.
• By the end of the scheme you will be in a strong position to apply for BBC jobs.

Diversity

We are a diversity champion and we promote a good working environment for all existing and potential staff ensuring equal treatment for all of our employees. We have formed a partnership with VERCIDA, the UK’s largest diversity and inclusion focused careers site. All of our vacancies are also listed on VERCIDA. Click here to view our vacancies in an accessible format.  If you have a disability you will also have the option to go through our Extend Hub when you apply.

Application process

The first stage is to complete your online application which will include a variety of questions around your interest in journalism and what you can bring to the apprenticeship. We will also ask you some questions based on situations you might encounter as journalist at the BBC. We will ask you how you might approach different problems and challenges.

Check the application deadline when you apply and do not leave it until the last minute.

If we like what we see, you will be invited to record a short video response to one or multiple questions. If you are invited to the next stage, you will be asked to attend an Assessment Day.

Due to the volume of applications it is a long process, and it could be up to three months until you hear from us about the outcome of your application.

We wouldn’t advise candidates to apply to both the Digital Journalism Apprenticeship and the Journalism Trainee Scheme because although they sound similar in what they offer, they are very different.

• The Digital Journalism Apprenticeship is targeted towards non-graduates and would be a great option for a school leaver.
• The Journalism Trainee Scheme is ideal for graduates or people who can already demonstrate evidence of their own journalism.

For both schemes you need to research and have a great understanding of our range of audiences and how to reach them through TV, radio, online and digital platforms.