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CONTENTS

1. Routes to becoming a journalist

2. Skills you’ll need

3. Finding work experience

4. How to get a job as a journalist

5. What it's like to be a journalist

Routes to becoming a journalist

The most common route into journalism is now through some sort of degree or diploma qualification. There are exceptions but this is rare as competition for jobs has intensified.

Undergraduate degrees

The most obvious course to study is a journalism degree, although you may prefer to consider English or a combination of both. If you know the area of journalism you want to pursue – like fashion, sports, newspaper or broadcasting – you could specialise from the get-go. Alternatively there are more general multimedia courses available.

Most undergraduate journalism courses last between three or four years depending on whether there is a foundation year involved. You’ll usually need around 104–136 UCAS points to be considered for a place.

You can learn more about what to expect from a journalism degree in our subject guide, including what topics you’ll cover and how you’ll be assessed.

Degree apprenticeships

A degree apprenticeship involves working while you study. You spend time as an apprentice in a journalism environment and attend university to earn your bachelor’s degree. You are paid for your work and spend less time at university than on a traditional undergraduate degree.

A Level 4 apprenticeship is comparable to the first year of an undergraduate course and a Level 6 apprenticeship is equivalent to the final year of an undergraduate degree. You can find an apprenticeship vacancy via .

There are other apprenticeship schemes available that, while not equivalent to a degree, could be an alternative way into the industry. Companies like News UK, BBC, Sky News, ITV News and The KM Group offer diplomas directly so it’s worth checking their websites for details. Alternatively, websites like collate a list of companies.

Postgraduate degrees

You don’t need an additional postgraduate degree to become a journalist, but some people choose to gain one as a way of standing out to employers. Alternatively, you might opt for a postgraduate degree having done an unrelated undergraduate degree. A postgraduate degree usually takes a year to complete full time or two years part time.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) also offers a Fast Track Diploma in Journalism for people who already have an unrelated degree.

Skills you’ll need

As well as having a nose for a good story and interest in current affairs, you’ll also need:

• Strong communication skills
• Confidence (especially if in front of the camera)
• Excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Investigative and research skills
• IT skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Organisation
• Able to understand complex issues and sum them up simply
• Resilience
• Flexibility

Finding work experience

Some sort of pre-entry work experience in this industry is essential. Try looking for work by:

• Volunteering at a magazine, hospital radio or local TV station
• Creating a portfolio of your published work by entering competitions, submitting pitches etc.
• Producing your own blog or vlog online

How to get a job as a journalist

While a small number of recruitment agencies specialise in journalism, it’s a good idea to focus on the employers you’d like to work for be that newspaper, magazine or broadcaster. Many titles and networks are owned by large media groups such as Archant, Bauer Media, News Corp, Telegraph Media Group, Haymarket Media Group etc.

You could also look for openings through Journalism.co.uk and Hold the Front Page.

What it's like to be a journalist

As a journalist, you’ll often work to tight deadlines, creating engaging content that will appeal to your target audience. Depending on your role and specialisation, your tasks could include:

• Investigating a story as soon as it breaks
• Following potential leads and developing new contacts
• Interviewing people face-to-face and over the phone
• Attending press conferences
• Recording meetings and interviews using recording equipment or shorthand
• Researching and coming up with ideas for stories and features
• Writing articles that will appeal to your target audience
• Sub-editing other reporters' articles for online and in print
• Gathering and editing content produced by the target audience

It’s common to work long and unsociable hours and shift work may be involved if you work in TV or radio. You’ll usually work as part of a team in an office or studio. Travel is often involved when researching and reporting on stories. It can also be emotionally demanding depending on the types of stories you work on.

The average salary for a journalist in the UK is around £45,000 although starting salaries are around £24,000.

Journalists working for larger media outlets will usually receive structured training to progress within the organisation. For those people working for smaller outlets, continued professional development courses run by the NCTJ, are well recognised in the industry. 

Is a role as a journalist right for you?

If you are motivated by telling stories that will be impactful to society and raise awareness of a diverse range of issues, a career in journalism could be for you. You’ll need to respond well to pressure and be dynamic as the industry adapts to a more digital ways of working.