Salary: £21,840
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract
Location: Plymouth
An apprenticeship at the BBC gives you the opportunity to kick-start your career in a job you'll love. We’re the industry leaders in early careers and are committed to your skills and talent development. As one of the world’s most creative and technologically advanced organisations for the last 100 years, an apprenticeship at the BBC means the opportunity to learn from the most respected and experienced professionals in the business.
This Level 5 Journalist Apprenticeship is ideal for curious individuals passionate about telling stories. Whether you're a school leaver or seeking a career change, if university isn't for you, this program provides first-class journalism training with the world’s biggest public service broadcaster.
You'll gain on-the-job experience while working towards the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism and a Level 5 apprenticeship qualification.
What will you be doing on the apprenticeship?
As a Level 5 Journalist Apprentice, you will…
What will you be studying?
The L5 Journalist Apprenticeship combines academic training with practical on-the-job experience. As an apprentice, you will follow the Journalist Apprenticeship standard (curriculum) and work towards an industry recognised qualification, the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. This is assessed through exams and course work.
The NCTJ Diploma modules and assessments are likely to include:
In addition, you also have to complete an End Point Assessment - a work-related project as part of your apprenticeship.
For more information on the apprenticeship standard, see here.
More about the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism can be found here.
Where could the role take you?
On successful completion of your apprenticeship, you will be able to apply for job opportunities inside or outside the BBC such as Journalism Researcher, Journalism Coordinator and Journalist roles.
This scheme starts in September 2025 and you will be on a fixed-term contract, which means your contract is for the duration of the apprenticeship only. The duration of this scheme is 24 months.
We’re interested in your passion for working at the BBC and your enthusiasm for delivering world-class content and operational excellence to our audiences. We look for positive people who live our values and ensure our culture remains inclusive and full of opportunities. We’re not focused on your qualifications; instead, we look for potential and offer you the opportunity to apply your transferable strengths and experience to work in different ways.
Throughout the selection process, we’ll be looking for evidence of how you demonstrate each of the BBC’s values and behaviours. Our values guide everything we do. They define what you can expect from the BBC and what the BBC expects from you.
Great Journalist Apprentices are those who can demonstrate they are:
Don’t worry if you don’t have extensive experience. We’re looking for school-leavers or career changes who show potential rather than previous experience or training.
This scheme is aimed at non-graduates. If you have a degree or the NCTJ diploma in Journalism and want to train as a Journalist at the BBC, we recommend you apply to the Level 7 Journalist Apprenticeship instead.
To be eligible for an apprenticeship at the BBC, you must:
To apply for this scheme, you must also:
During your apprenticeship:
Towards the end of your apprenticeship:
Don’t leave yourself thinking ‘what if?’ — this is your chance to be part of something special. Think you’re the right candidate? Click on ‘Apply Now’!
