Journalist Apprenticeship - Level 6 - BBC South West News - Plymouth

Join the BBC as an apprentice to kick-start your career in journalism. You will learn on-the-job, developing your knowledge and skills while working towards a Level 6 apprenticeship qualification with a learning provider.

Why Join This Scheme?

The BBC Level 6 Journalist Apprenticeship offers emerging journalists the opportunity to advance their skills through industry-leading training and hands-on experience. You will work with industry experts, contribute to trusted journalism, and work towards a Level 6 apprenticeship and the industry-recognised NCTJ National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ).

Your Key Responsibilities and Impact

As a Journalist apprentice, you will:

• Play a key role in creating trusted, high-quality news content for BBC audiences.
• Grow your storytelling expertise through hands-on experience researching, writing, and producing stories on subjects ranging from current affairs and business to sport, culture, and politics.
• Learn from experienced journalists, contribute to stories that matter to the public, collaborate with expert teams, and develop your career at the BBC.

You will study for your industry-recognised apprenticeship qualification, learning both on and off the job. This involves weekly virtual webinars and in-person bootcamps at PA Media Academy in London. You’ll cover modules such as: Media Law, Advanced Newsgathering, Advanced Storytelling, and Advanced Audience, and work towards the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ). The NQJ is assessed through two exams and a logbook of work.

Your Skills and Eligibility

We are interested in your passion for working at the BBC and your enthusiasm for delivering world-class content. We look for potential and offer the opportunity to apply your transferable strengths and experience.

We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate:

• Strong journalistic skills and a passion for storytelling.
• Active following of sports news across a range of platforms.
• A fascination with people, communities, and the issues shaping the world.
• Fresh, creative ideas for engaging and reaching new audiences.
• Motivation, adaptability, and resilience in a fast-paced environment.

This scheme is aimed at people already demonstrating journalistic potential, perhaps through experience with a community or student newspaper, radio station, blog, vlog, podcast, or social media content creation.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for an apprenticeship at the BBC, you must:

• Be 18 years old or over by the time the apprenticeship begins in September 2027.
• Have lived in the UK continuously for the last three years prior to the start of the apprenticeship.
• Be legally eligible to work full-time in the UK for the entire duration of the apprenticeship.
• Not currently be enrolled in another apprenticeship programme.
• Not already hold a qualification in the same subject area at the same or a higher level than this apprenticeship.

To apply for this scheme, you must also:

• Not have previously completed any elements of the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ).
• Have achieved English GCSE at Grade 4/C or above; or National 5 (Scotland) at C or Functional Skills Level 2; or equivalent qualification.

Candidates under the age of 19 at the start of the apprenticeship must have achieved Maths and English GCSE at Grade 4/C or above or National 5 (Scotland) at C or Functional Skills Level 2 or equivalent qualification. If you have not achieved these qualifications by the start of your apprenticeship, you will be required to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 before the end of your apprenticeship.

How to Apply

Click ‘Apply Now’. You’ll create a candidate profile and answer a few questions – no CV or cover letter needed. If you're eligible, we’ll guide you through the next steps.

You’ll need to live within a commutable distance of Plymouth. Relocation financial support is available for this role, subject to meeting financial eligibility criteria.

This is a fixed-term apprenticeship for 24 months. Once completed, you will be supported with career development, employability training, and networking opportunities.