Paul McClean graduate trainee programme

Closing date for applications: The deadline for applications is 23:59(GMT) on 8 January 2026

Salary: Starting £31,000*

The FT’s Paul McClean graduate trainee programme, now open for applications, recruits and trains entry-level journalists for a long-term career at one of the world’s leading, and most respected, news organisations.

The scheme is named after Paul McClean, a gifted journalist who produced groundbreaking work during his two years as an FT trainee. Sadly, Paul passed away in September 2017.

We are looking for talented, driven reporters like Paul who want to develop an FT career in financial journalism and global affairs; people who are curious about the world, strongly committed to serious journalism and who enjoy the thrill of nailing a good story.

Alumni of this highly-competitive scheme - now in its 40th year - are well represented in senior staff of the FT and other news organisations around the world.

Applicants must demonstrate they can cope with the pressure of working in a fast-paced news organisation with assignments abroad. You should be a self-starter committed to unstintingly high standards, have a keen interest in business and global affairs, an international mindset and sharp reporting instincts. Strong writing ability is vital. You should be excited about getting scoops and telling stories across all formats.

Fluent spoken and written English is essential; data journalism skills and languages are an advantage, as is the ability to understand different cultures.

The Paul McClean graduate trainee programme is not an internship or fellowship: it is a full-time contract as a trainee Financial Times journalist.

Successful applicants to the three-year programme will join us in September 2026. They will first receive eight weeks of in-house training, then spend four six-month stints on different news desks, including one overseas posting.The trainee will spend the third year in their first dedicated job, achieved through a competitive process. Mentoring, feedback and further training are provided throughout and progress is dependent on good performance.

Graduate trainees join the FT on a one-year contract, extended for up to a further year at the discretion of the company. Successful trainees are encouraged to apply for staff positions that become available towards the end of their second year of the three-year scheme.

* The salary is £31,000, in the first-year, rising to £35,000 in the second year and £39,000 in the final, third year on appointment to the first job in a competitive application process. In addition, the trainee will receive a one-off £750 welcome payment on joining. These terms are subject to good performance throughout.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please include in your application that you found this role through Creative Access.