About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A journalist researches, investigates, and produces accurate news and feature content across print, digital, broadcast, and social media platforms. Apprentices at this degree level learn to find original stories, interview sources, verify information, and meet tight deadlines while upholding editorial and legal standards. The qualification leads to staff reporter and correspondent roles across a wide range of media organisations.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Shorthand and note-taking for accurate, fast-paced reporting
Media law including defamation, contempt of court, and copyright
NCTJ or equivalent ethical codes and editorial standards
Investigative research techniques including data journalism
Multi-platform storytelling across text, audio, video, and social media
Sub-editing, headline writing, and digital search optimisation
Interview techniques for a wide range of sources and contexts
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Research and pitch original story ideas to editors
Interview news sources in person, by phone, and online
Write accurate, well-structured news stories to tight deadlines
Verify facts and cross-check information with multiple sources
Record and edit audio or video content for digital platforms
Monitor social media and wire services for breaking news
Publish and update stories on content management systems
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.