Key Takeaways
- Earn £26,000 per year as a Journalist Apprentice at BBC Radio Northampton.
- Undertake a 24-month Level 6 Apprenticeship, working towards the NCTJ National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ).
- Gain hands-on experience in news gathering, writing, and producing content for BBC audiences.
- Must be 18+ and have lived in the UK for three years; English GCSE (Grade 4/C or above) required.
About the Role
About the Apprenticeship
This is a 24-month, full-time apprenticeship at BBC Radio Northampton in Northampton.
What You'll Do
- Play a key role in creating trusted, high-quality news content for BBC audiences.
- Develop your storytelling expertise through hands-on experience researching, writing, and producing stories on current affairs, business, sport, culture, and politics.
- Learn from experienced journalists, contribute to important public stories, collaborate with expert teams, and develop your career at the BBC.
- Study for your industry-recognised apprenticeship qualification, including weekly virtual webinars and in-person bootcamps at PA Media Academy in London.
- Cover modules such as Media Law, Advanced Newsgathering, Advanced Storytelling, and Advanced Audience.
Qualification
You will work towards a Level 6 apprenticeship and the industry-recognised NCTJ National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ), assessed through two exams and a logbook of work.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this apprenticeship, you must:
- Be 18 years old or over by September 2027.
- Have lived in the UK continuously for the last three years prior to the apprenticeship start.
- Be legally eligible to work full-time in the UK for the entire duration.
- Not currently be enrolled in another apprenticeship.
- Not already hold a qualification in the same subject area at the same or a higher level.
- Not have previously completed any elements of the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ).
- Have achieved English GCSE at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
- Candidates under 19 at the start must also have achieved Maths GCSE at Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent). If not, you'll need to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 before the end of the apprenticeship.
Skills and Experience
We are looking for passion and enthusiasm for delivering world-class content. We value potential and transferable strengths over formal qualifications. Desired attributes include:
- Strong journalistic skills and a passion for storytelling.
- Active interest in sports news.
- Fascination with people, communities, and global issues.
- Fresh, creative ideas for engaging audiences.
- Motivation, adaptability, and resilience.
Previous experience through community or student media, blogs, vlogs, podcasts, or social media content creation is welcomed.
What We Offer
- A starting salary of £26,000.
- 24 months of on-the-job training and development.
- Support towards a Level 6 Journalism Apprenticeship and NQJ qualification.
- Opportunities for career development, employability training, and networking.
- Relocation financial support may be available, subject to eligibility criteria.
How to Apply
Click ‘Apply Now’ to create a candidate profile and answer a few questions. No CV or cover letter is needed. You’ll need to live within a commutable distance of Northampton.