Junior Journalist Apprenticeship - Level 5 - Southampton

Location: Southampton, UK

Contract Type: Fixed-Term Apprenticeship, Full-time for 24 months

Salary: £22,950

Overview

Join us as an apprentice at the BBC to kick-start your career in a role you’ll love. You’ll learn on-the-job, developing your knowledge and skills while working towards your apprenticeship qualification with one of our learning providers.

Why join this scheme?

The Junior Journalist Apprenticeship is ideal for curious individuals passionate about telling stories. It offers gold standard journalism training with the world’s biggest public service broadcaster. You’ll gain hands-on experience while working towards both the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism and a Level 5 apprenticeship qualification.

Key Responsibilities and Impact

• Work alongside news and current affairs teams to develop your journalistic skills creating and delivering quality content for the BBC
• Get involved with newsroom activities, such as sourcing and securing contributors or guests, writing briefs for your team, or shooting and editing films
• Find and create stories for diverse audiences by coming up with ideas, carrying out in-depth research, and assisting with interviews
• Learn from and work with experts at the world’s largest public service broadcaster

You’ll study for an industry-recognised apprenticeship qualification, following the Level 5 Journalist Apprenticeship standard (curriculum) and working towards the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, assessed through exams and coursework.

Your Skills and Eligibility

We’re interested in your passion for the BBC and your ability to deliver world-class content and operational excellence. We’re not focused on formal qualifications; we look for potential and transferable strengths.

If you can bring some of these skills and experiences, we’d love to hear from you:

• Intensely curious about people and current events
• Creative ideas and imaginative storytelling
• Passionate about producing content in news and current affairs across TV, audio, online and social media
• Excited by writing
• Flexible, motivated and adaptable to the fast-paced newsroom

This scheme is aimed at non-graduates. If you have a degree or the NCTJ diploma in Journalism and wish to train as a journalist at the BBC, consider the Level 6 Journalist Apprenticeship instead.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the apprenticeship, you must:

• Be 18 years old or over by September 2026
• Have lived in the UK continuously for the last 3 years prior to the start
• Be legally eligible to work full-time in the UK for the duration
• Not be enrolled in another apprenticeship program

To apply, you must also:

• Not have completed or be studying for the NCTJ diploma or a journalism qualification at the same level or higher
• Have English GCSE Grade 4/C or above (or equivalent)

For candidates under 19 at 8 September 2026: you must have Maths and English GCSE at Grade 4/C or above or equivalent. If not achieved by the start, you will need to achieve Functional Skills Level 2 before completing the apprenticeship.

Ready to Apply?

Click ‘Apply Now’. You’ll create a candidate profile and answer a few questions—no CV or cover letter needed. If eligible, you’ll be guided through the next steps.

This is a fixed-term apprenticeship; the contract lasts for the duration of the scheme. On completion, you’ll be supported with career development and related opportunities.

You’ll need to live within a commutable distance of the role. Relocation support may be offered to a limited number of apprentices, subject to eligibility.

Disclaimer

This job description outlines the essential characteristics and principal accountabilities. It is not a complete description of all duties. Like all BBC roles, you will need to meet required qualifications and the training provider’s requirements for your scheme. Employment screening checks will be conducted if an offer is made (references, eligibility to work, safeguarding and other checks as applicable). An offer is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

Info for Applicants

Find out more about the BBC and opportunities through sections on Life at BBC, and Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. The BBC is committed to an inclusive environment and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.