Overview
Apprentice Journalist - The Times and The Sunday Times
Start Date: January 2026
Location: London
The Times and The Sunday Times are looking for aspiring journalists to join the 2026 apprenticeship scheme. This is an opportunity to work at Britain’s most trusted quality newspapers, as part of an award-winning team.
Successful candidates will receive formal training with PA media and on-the-job training at The Times and The Sunday Times. The two-year scheme is based in London and we are looking for candidates with originality, talent, commitment and a love of journalism.
Your role
Gaining skills in newspaper production, reporting and digital journalism. You will learn everything we can teach you about how to create content, tell stories, attract, grow and capture an audience.
You will complete an NCTJ course with our partner PA Media and receive on the job training, mentoring and guidance from our award-winning journalists. At the end of the programme you will graduate with a qualification in journalism and have two years experience working in a national newsroom.
What we’re looking for from you
- You are passionate about journalism and creating the best content. You do not need to have any previous formal journalism training or a degree.
- You have a strong interest in current affairs, politics and culture
- You turn new and imaginative ideas into reality that will resonate with a more diverse audience
- Tenacity in telling a story
- You can make the complex simple
- Unflappable and reliable under pressure
Application Process
Please upload:
- A cover letter that explains why you want to join The Times and The Sunday Times (Max. 500 words)
- Your CV
- Your answers to the 3 questions below (no more than 300 words per question)
- Give us an example of a story you have covered / or would like to cover - and how you could expand the story on social media.
- How would you describe The Times and The Sunday Times and how would you get your friends to read them?
- Which journalist do you admire the most and why?
About News UK and Life at News
We are News UK: One of the leading media businesses in the UK and Ireland. Our newsbrands include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Sun on Sunday and The TLS. Our national broadcast brands include talkSPORT, Times Radio, Talk and Virgin Radio UK, and we have market-leading local radio stations across Ireland. Our brands provide news, analysis, opinion and entertainment to almost 40 million people each month across print, digital, audio and video.
Life at News: Driven by passion, guided by principles and acting with purpose. We represent, reflect and reach the nation, telling the stories that matter. We inform our audiences so that they can make decisions based on trusted information.
We strive to maximise and encourage every individual\'s potential and ensure everyone feels valued. Our Diversity Strategy focuses on attracting talent from a wider, more representative pool, developing equity programmes to drive better representation in leadership, and ensuring diversity in our workforce as well as the journalism we produce. We also have 13 employee-led networks and groups that support our strategy.
Benefits
Some of our benefits include:
- Maternity leave up to 18 weeks full basic salary; paternity leave up to 2 weeks
- Training available, plus full LinkedIn Learning access
- Private medical insurance including coverage for pre-existing conditions
- Discounted gym memberships, free ClassPass at Home, weekly virtual yoga classes
- Bikes for Work and Electric Car schemes
- Up to 60% discount on Harper Collins books
- Access to exclusive events with brands such as talkSPORT, Virgin Radio UK & The Times
- Wellbeing benefits such as EAP, physio/massage and counselling
- Pension scheme with employer contributions of up to 5%
- 30 days holiday, plus bank holidays and up to 4 volunteering days per year
We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to perform at their best when applying for a role. If you would like to receive information in a different format or need any adjustments to support your application, please contact us at careers@news.co.uk.
Seniority level
- Entry level
Employment type
- Contract
Job function
- Writing/Editing
Industries
- Newspaper Publishing and Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
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StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Journalist
✨Get Involved in Local Journalism
Join local journalism groups or community events to meet industry folks and make connections. Try volunteering for community newspapers or online platforms – it's a great way to get your foot in the door and show your commitment to the craft.
✨Showcase Your Work Online
Create a personal website or a blog to showcase your best articles, videos, or multimedia projects. This not only highlights your skills but also demonstrates your passion for journalism and helps establish your personal brand in the media landscape.
✨Stay Updated on the Industry Trends
Follow industry leaders on social media and stay updated on the latest trends in journalism. Engage with them by sharing your thoughts or asking questions – you never know when an informative tweet might catch the eye of a recruiter or journalist at The Times!
✨Explore Internships for Full-Time Opportunities
Don’t shy away from internships, even if you’re looking for full-time roles. Many journalism companies, like The Times, often hire from their intern pool, so using these as stepping stones can really pay off. Keep an eye on their career page for any openings!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Writing Skills:In journalism and media, your ability to write well is essential, so make sure your CV and cover letter reflect that. Include diverse writing samples, whether they’re articles, blog posts, or reports, that showcase your style and versatility. We want to see your voice and ability to engage an audience from the get-go!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've interned at a media outlet or contributed to any publications—whether student-run or professional—don't keep it a secret! We love seeing real-world experience, so clearly detail your responsibilities and achievements. Quantify your impact where possible, like mentioning audience growth or story reach.
Tailor Your Application for The Times:When applying for the Apprentice Journalist role at The Times, really dig into what makes their content stand out. Reference their tone, style, or any recent articles that resonated with you in your cover letter. This shows we you’re not just sending out generic applications—you’re genuinely interested in what we do!
Prepare for a Portfolio Spotlight:Since you're applying for a full-time role, you're likely expected to have a portfolio ready to go. Make sure to curate a selection of your best work that aligns with what The Times produces. Provide a link to your online portfolio in your CV and be prepared to discuss your favourite pieces in interviews—this is your chance to shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Times
✨Show Off Your Writing Skills
Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best writing samples. This is crucial in journalism as hiring managers want to see your voice and style. Make sure to include a variety of pieces, like news articles, features, and opinion pieces, showing your versatility.
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you approach storytelling. You might be asked to outline a story you reported on, your process for gathering information, and how you engage your audience. Practice telling a couple of your best stories concisely and compellingly.
✨Know the Current Media Landscape
Be prepared to discuss industry trends and how they affect journalism today. Familiarise yourself with key developments in media, and have opinions ready for discussions about digital versus traditional platforms, as well as ethical considerations in reporting.
✨Convey Your Passion and Drive
As you’re applying for a full-time role, they’ll want to know about your long-term commitment to journalism. Share your aspirations for future projects, any internships or freelance work, and how you see yourself growing within The Times. Show that you’re not just looking for a job, but a career in journalism.
