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Journalism Graduate Schemes in the UK

Graduate schemes at the BBC, Reuters, Guardian, FT, Sky News, and Reach offer structured routes into the industry. They are competitive, but preparation makes the difference. Here is what each scheme involves and how to apply successfully.

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What journalism graduate schemes offer

Journalism graduate schemes are structured training programmes — typically lasting 12 to 24 months — that combine on-the-job experience at a major outlet with formal training, often including NCTJ or BJTC qualifications. They are designed to take candidates with a strong foundation and turn them into fully functioning journalists ready to operate independently at the end of the programme.

The attraction is obvious: direct entry into a major newsroom, structured training, a salary from day one, and a network of cohort peers and senior journalists that persists throughout a career. The challenge is equally clear: competition is fierce, and the application process is rigorous. Most major schemes receive far more applications than they can accommodate.

Major UK journalism graduate schemes

BBC News Trainee Scheme

18 months~£27,000London + regional

The BBC's flagship journalism training programme. Placements across BBC News, regional, and specialist outlets. Includes formal NCTJ training. Applications typically open September. Competition: several thousand applications for ~15 places.

BBC Journalism Apprenticeship

18–24 months~£24,000Various BBC locations

Level 6 apprenticeship. Work at a BBC unit while completing NCTJ Diploma off-the-job. Open to those without degrees. More places than the trainee scheme, still competitive. Applications: October cycle.

BBC Production Trainee Scheme

18 months~£27,000London + Salford

Broadcast production focus rather than editorial journalism. Placements across BBC radio and TV programmes. Applications typically run alongside the News Trainee Scheme.

Reuters Graduate Programme

12 monthsCompetitiveLondon (Canary Wharf)

Reuters recruits graduates into its global news operations. UK intake is small and competition is intense. Rotation across different desks and regions. Strong text and wire journalism skills valued.

Guardian / Guardian Foundation

VariableAbove NUJ minimumLondon (Kings Cross)

The Guardian has run various trainee and apprenticeship schemes. Check careers.theguardian.com for current openings. The Guardian Foundation also runs journalism training programmes for diverse backgrounds.

FT / Financial Times

12–18 monthsCompetitiveLondon

The FT recruits journalists with demonstrated financial or business interest. Writing tests are rigorous. Often targets candidates with economics, law, or related backgrounds alongside journalism training.

Reach plc Trainee Schemes

18–24 months£20,000–£24,000Across UK

Reach is the UK's largest commercial publisher (Manchester Evening News, Mirror, regional titles). Runs traineeships across regional titles, often with NCTJ training. More places than national schemes; a strong route into regional and then national journalism.

Sky News

VariableAbove NUJ minimumOsterley, West London

Sky News runs work experience programmes and occasionally formal trainee intake. BJTC qualification valued. Check Sky's careers site for current openings.

How to make a scheme application stand out

  • 1Have published clips — even from student, hyperlocal, or trade publications. Selectors want evidence you have done it.
  • 2Know the outlet inside out: read everything, know the editors, understand who the audience is and how it is served.
  • 3Prepare a strong ideas list tailored specifically to that outlet for the interview stage.
  • 4Demonstrate range: news, features, digital, multimedia — showing breadth matters more than depth at this stage.
  • 5Be clear about your beat interest — undirected enthusiasm is less persuasive than a clear direction.
  • 6Show diversity of experience: non-traditional backgrounds, languages, specialist knowledge, community connections.

Red flags in graduate scheme applications

  • A personal statement that is generic and could apply to any outlet.
  • No evidence of any published or self-initiated journalism work.
  • Applying without knowing even the basics of the outlet's editorial identity.
  • Not checking the application deadline — the majority of schemes have hard cut-offs and do not accept late entries.
  • A portfolio of clips that are all the same format (all op-eds, all features) with no news stories.
  • Approaching the written test as if it were an essay rather than a piece of professional journalism.

Graduate scheme application checklist

  • Set calendar reminders for scheme opening dates (typically September–November).
  • Have a portfolio of at least 5–8 published or polished clips ready before applications open.
  • Research each scheme thoroughly — structure, selection criteria, what previous trainees have said.
  • Draft a tailored personal statement for each scheme, not a generic version.
  • Practice written tests: press release rewrites, news intros, spot-the-legal-issue exercises.
  • Prepare 10 original story ideas for each outlet you apply to.
  • Check eligibility requirements — some schemes have degree requirements, some do not.
  • Apply to multiple schemes: the BBC, Reuters, Reach, and a regional scheme simultaneously.

Prepare for your graduate scheme application

Use our NCTJ readiness quiz to test your media law knowledge before interview, and our pitch email generator to practise constructing a story pitch.

NCTJ Readiness QuizJournalism Tools

Common mistakes in graduate scheme applications

  • Applying to every scheme with the same application without tailoring it.
  • Missing opening dates — set reminders for September and October each year.
  • Under-investing in the personal statement — it is the first filter.
  • Not preparing for the rigorous written test component of BBC and Guardian processes.
  • Treating a rejection as final — schemes are run annually and re-application is common and often successful.
  • Not seeking feedback after rejection — many schemes will provide some, and it is invaluable.
  • Failing to build clips and experience in the gap year after an unsuccessful application.

Related guides

Newsroom Interview Questions
What to expect in the interview stages of major scheme applications.
Portfolio Examples
Build the clip file that strengthens your scheme application.
Broadcast Journalism Career
BBC and Sky News schemes require broadcast-specific preparation.
First 100 Days as a Reporter
What to expect when you start your graduate scheme.

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Primary sources

Frequently asked questions

When do journalism graduate schemes open for applications?
Most major schemes open in September or October for a cohort starting the following year. The BBC News Trainee Scheme, BBC Journalism Apprenticeship, and most national newspaper schemes follow this cycle. Reuters and the Guardian have occasionally varied their timelines. Check each employer's careers page directly in late August for that year's opening dates. Missing the application window means waiting a full year — set calendar reminders.
How competitive are journalism graduate schemes?
Extremely competitive. The BBC News Trainee Scheme typically receives thousands of applications for fewer than 20 places. The Guardian and FT trainee schemes are similar. Reach plc schemes recruit more broadly but are still competitive regionally. The competition is not just from recent graduates — career changers, experienced freelancers, and journalists from smaller outlets all apply. The strongest applications have published clips, clear beat knowledge, and a demonstrable understanding of the target outlet.
Do I need a journalism degree to apply for graduate schemes?
Most graduate schemes welcome applicants from any degree discipline. The BBC, Reuters, and Guardian specifically seek candidates from diverse academic backgrounds. What matters is evidence that you can do journalism: published clips, media law knowledge, understanding of editorial standards, and a portfolio of work. An NCTJ qualification is not always required at point of application, but many schemes include it as part of the training programme.
What do journalism graduate scheme selectors look for?
Selectors consistently cite: genuine curiosity and news hunger; published evidence that you can write; understanding of the outlet's editorial identity and audience; an original and well-informed ideas list; media law awareness; and resilience under interview and written test conditions. Diversity of background and experience is increasingly a stated priority, as is demonstrated understanding of digital journalism, data, and multimedia. Candidates who have produced journalism across multiple formats have an advantage.
What pay do journalism graduate schemes offer?
Pay varies significantly. The BBC's trainee schemes pay above NUJ minimum rates and include a training allowance — expect around £25,000–£30,000 during training in London. National newspaper schemes are broadly similar. Reach plc regional traineeships may pay less, in the £20,000–£24,000 range. The Reuters Graduate Programme is typically well-paid and competitive internationally. All major scheme salaries are above the NUJ minimum for trainees, though London living costs are a significant factor.