Junior Journalist Apprenticeship Level 5 Belfast

BBC; Belfast; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public service broadcaster in Belfast offers a fixed-term Junior Journalist Apprenticeship for 24 months. This apprenticeship allows you to learn and develop your journalism skills while working on real content across media platforms. Responsibilities include working with news teams, creating stories, and gaining industry qualifications like the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. Ideal for passionate individuals eager to start a career in journalism, with potential for relocation support if necessary.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 by September 2026.
• Have lived in the UK for the last 3 years.
• Legally eligible to work full-time in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Develop journalistic skills for quality content.
• Participate in news activities and interviews.
• Conduct thorough research for diverse audiences.

Skills

Curiosity about people

Creative storytelling

Passion for news content

Writing excitement

Adaptability in fast-paced environments

Education

GCSE English at Grade 4/C or above

Tools

Final Cut Pro

HTML5

SEO

Job description

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

Location : Belfast - Broadcasting House

Salary : 22950

COULD A BBC APPRENTICESHIP BE THE NEXT ROLE FOR YOU

Join us as an apprentice at the BBC to give yourself the opportunity to kick‑start your career in a job youll love. Were committed to your skills and talent development. Youll learn on-the-job developing your knowledge and skills in an area that interests you 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. If youre a recent school leaver or are about to finish school and university isnt for you this program offers gold standard journalism training with the worlds biggest public service broadcaster.

Youll gain hands on experience while working towards both the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism and a Level 5 apprenticeship qualification setting you up for a future in the industry.

To find out more about the schemes we offer you can register to join one of our webinars here.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT

As a Junior Journalist Apprentice this is brilliant opportunity to learn grow and contribute you will :

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

Youll study for an industry recognised apprenticeship qualification learning both on and off the job. This means as an apprentice (JRA26) you will follow the Level 5 Journalist Apprenticeship standard (curriculum) and work towards an industry recognised qualification the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. This is assessed through exams and course work.

For more information on this apprenticeship standard please visit this link. More information about the NCTJ Diploma can be found via this link.

YOUR SKILLS AND ELIGIBILITY

Were interested in your passion for working at the BBC and your enthusiasm for delivering world-class content and operational excellence to our audiences. Were 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.

If you can bring some of these skills and experiences along with transferable strengths wed love to hear from you and encourage you to apply :

• Intensely curious about people and about what is going on in the world
• Brimming with creative ideas and imaginative ways to tell stories
• Passionate about producing content in news and current affairs across TV audio online and social media
• Excited by writing
• Flexible motivated and have an adaptable approach to the fast pace of a newsroom.

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 6 Journalist Apprenticeship instead.

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 2026
• Have lived in the UK continuously for the last 3 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 whether with the BBC or another organisation.

To apply for this scheme you must also :

• Not have completed or be studying for the NCTJ diploma or a journalism qualification at the same level or higher
• Have achieved English GCSE at Grade 4 / C or above; or National 5 (Scotland) at C or Functional Skills Level 2; or equivalent qualification.

For candidates under the age of 19 years at 8th September 2026: To complete the apprenticeship you 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 when you take your end-point assessment.

READY TO APPLY

Dont leave yourself wondering what if this could be your chance to be part of something exciting. See yourself thriving in this role Just click Apply Now!

Youll create a candidate profile and answer a few questions - no CV or cover letter needed.

If youre eligible well guide you through the next steps of the process and what to expect.

This is a fixed-term apprenticeship - your contract lasts for the duration of the scheme. Once completed youll be supported with career development employability training and networking opportunities to help you take your next step - whether thats at the BBC or elsewhere in the industry.

Youll need to live within a commutable distance of where this role is based. Interested in a different location Check out our other adverts - but please only apply to one.

The BBC recognises that some people who are applying for a BBC Apprenticeship Scheme may need to relocate to a new location for the role and this might not be possible due to your personal financial constraints. Relocation support is offered to a limited number of apprentices each year and would be considered for this position subject to meeting the relocation support qualifying criteria. Further details will be shared with applicants during the recruitment process. Details on the wider support available at the BBC can be found here.

Required Experience :

Junior IC

Key Skills

Filming,HTML5,Interviewing,AP Style,Research Experience,Ftp,Journalism,SEO,Final Cut Pro,Video production,Photo Editing,Writing Skills

Employment Type : Trainee

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1