The Guardian Digital Journalist Scheme – Text pathway

Closing date for applications: Thursday 8 October 2026 at 11.59pm

Term: Full-time, 18 month fixed-term contracts

Start date: January 2027

The Digital Journalist Scheme is an exciting new programme that supports the development of journalists who wish to gain skills across text, audio, video, pictures and audience at the Guardian. This programme combines practical experience, structured Guardian-designed journalism training and the completion of an apprenticeship.

Alongside hands-on newsroom experience, you’ll spend at least 20% of your time training. This will include the completion of a content creator apprenticeship, delivered in partnership with a leading training provider, and Guardian-designed training that builds on our journalistic expertise, knowledge and standards.

This is a development opportunity aimed at candidates with at least 2-3 years of experience in either video, audio, pictures, text, social or audience content. Please note: you only need experience in one area, as this role will include significant training.

We will also be pleased to hear from candidates with more experience but please be aware this scheme is not designed for applicants with no experience in at least one of the above specialisms.

If your background is largely within text, copywriting, digital or audience (including social, newsletters, or SEO) apply through this page. If multimedia (video, audio, pictures) are more your strength, please apply via this link instead. We’ll use this information to make sure you’re invited to the assessment centre most relevant to your skills and experience.

About the scheme

You’ll be placed in the heart of the Guardian’s newsroom, balancing hands-on content creation - from initial research to final production - with experience gained across varied editorial departments. By collaborating across different desks and experimenting with a wide range of formats, including audio, video and pictures, you’ll develop the versatility, technical expertise and adaptability required to excel in today’s digital media landscape.

Throughout the programme, you’ll actively engage in masterclasses and mentorship. Through our collaborative culture you’ll build strong cross-team relationships, contributing your unique perspective, and demonstrating the flexibility to adapt across diverse editorial disciplines.

This scheme is focused on finding journalists who are looking to develop multi-platform technical skills across audio, video, pictures, text, and audience engagement. If this sounds like you, we’d love to read your application.

The salary for these positions is £48,000 and the opportunities are offered on 18-month fixed-term contracts.

What you’ll gain

By the end of the programme, participants should have:

• Substantial practical experience within a leading newsroom
• Experience across a number of different editorial desks
• Broader skills across multiple forms of digital journalism
• The confidence to take the initiative and bring new ideas and approaches to life
• A strong network of journalist colleagues and mentors
• Structured feedback and professional development
• A recognised Level 3 content creator apprenticeship qualification
• A clearer understanding of where your strengths and interests lie.

Essential criteria

This scheme is intended for those who have already started building relevant experience, and can demonstrate at least 2-3 years of proven experience in journalism, media or content creation.

That experience could have been gained in many different ways. For example, candidates may have:

• Worked in journalism, publishing, digital media, audio, video or content creation
• Worked for a local or regional publication
• Undertaken freelance journalism or media work
• Contributed to community or independent media
• Developed a portfolio of journalism or content through other routes e.g. Substack.

A degree is not required, and there is no single route into the programme. We are interested in hearing from people committed to building a varied skillset.

To be eligible for the scheme, you must also have a GCSE in Maths and English at grade C/grade 4 or above - or Functional Skills equivalent, Level 2.

Skills and attributes

We're looking for people who can demonstrate:

• A genuine interest in journalism and current affairs
• Proven experience in journalism, media, or content creation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• An instinct for storytelling and curiosity to research information quickly
• Understanding of audience needs and behaviours across platforms
• Comfortable engaging with analytics to take a data-informed approach to decision-making
• Good judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to ethical standards
• Confidence contributing ideas and a strong motivation to succeed
• Commitment to the Guardian's editorial values and purpose.

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter along with your answers to the application questions below as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Do not contact the company directly
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk
• Please note you will receive an update on your application no later than 6 weeks after the closing date

Application questions to answer in your submission:

• Why are you interested in this programme, and why would you be a great applicant for this scheme?
• Please tell us about your experience with written journalism. What have you written, who was it for, and where was it published?

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers.