BBC Work Experience – Broadcast Journalism Training Council FAQs – Application Guide

How can I apply?

Although the BBC has a long standing agreement with BJTC, nobody is guaranteed a placement by default. Applications need to be submitted online and applicants will be considered on the merit of those only. BBC placements are highly competitive; therefore, you need to ensure that your application is of high standard to increase your chances to be placed at your desired area.

When should I apply?

You are encouraged to apply well in advance to avoid disappointment. Here is a guide as to what dates we are working to:

Placement Applications must be received by May Monday 3rd March 2014 June Friday 4th April 2014 July Monday 2nd June 2014 nd August Monday 2 June 2014 nd September Monday 2 June 2014

* Please note that the Christmas/Easter period is highly sought after and as most departments operate with a skeleton staff, placements are fewer in number. Please make sure you include at least another period when you are available.

Where can I apply?

Please find below a list of placements that we have set up in the past. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is given as a guide; therefore if your preferred choice is not listed here, we will endeavour to find a placement in that area.

Radio Berkshire Radio Lincolnshire Radio West-Midlands Radio Bristol Radio Manchester Birmingham Radio Cambridge Radio Merseyside Radio Wales Radio Tees Radio Newcastle Radio Wales News Radio Cornwall Radio Norfolk Radio Wiltshire Radio Coventry & Warwick Radio Northampton Radio World Service Radio Cumbria Radio Nottingham Radio York Radio Derby Radio Oxford Radio 4 – London Radio Essex Radio Sheffield Radio 4 – Manchester Radio Gloucestershire Radio Shropshire Radio Guernsey Radio Stoke Television Placements* Radio Hereford & Radio Suffolk Midlands Today Worcester Radio Sussex & Surrey Watchdog/Consumer Radio Humberside Radio Somerset programmes Radio Jersey Radio Beds, Herts & *(TV places are extremely Radio Kent Bucks limited) Radio Lancashire Radio Swindon Radio Leicester

Where not to apply

The departments below are unable to offer placements

BBC 2

BBC 3 BBC 4 Breakfast News, Salford CBBC, Salford The One Show, Salford South West Newsroom/Inside Out

All requests are sent at the same time, they are not sent as 1st 2nd or 3rd choices, and therefore all 3 should be of an equal weight. You should not number your choices as you can appreciate that no Editor would like to be your second or third pick.

We have noticed that students often select the same dates and departments with their fellows, which is understandable as everyone likes a friendly face. However, most departments (especially regional radio stations) cannot cope with more than 1-2 students at any given time; therefore, students coming from the same university are encouraged to select more varied choices from each other.

What is a good application?

You should select placements where your true interests and skills lie. Your choices should not be purely out of geographical convenience.

You should research your chosen departments and check the departments’ websites before submission to help with your critique. You should submit up to date information and confirm prior to choosing an area that the programme will be in production during their placement dates. Remember, the person reading your application will not know you and will potentially be looking at several other applicants at the same time, so make sure you stand out!

Here is an example of a poor answer:

Please explain your reasons for selecting each of your 3 placement options, detailing for each one why you would like a placement within these areas. You may want to offer a programme idea, critique of a recent show or demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the programme/show.

I would be happy to work at the BBC World News Service, BBC Breakfast, the business news services, or any of the broadcast television output the BBC produces. I think the BBC does an incredible job being an impartial news service, and the content is the best in the English-speaking world. I’m an xxxxxxxxxxx who does my best to catch the BBC world news even when I'm at home, and it BBC World Service would be a real honour to be a part of the news service with such an My desire to complete a placement with the BBC World Service is born iconic organization. I want to work in television, and have more than a out of my fervent interest in world affairs. I consistently focus my year's experience in newsrooms. I would love to put that experience attention on news from around the globe, which I track by listening to to use at the BBC on a placement here. programmes on the World Service, most notably ‘Focus on Africa’ ‘Newshour’ and ‘Analysis’. I aspire to be a foreign correspondent and a placement with the World Service will educate me on the different . . . and below is an example of a good answer: Can facets of international reportage as well as supplementing my you see the difference? understanding of foreign affairs. I believe that a placement with the BBC World Service will be engaging and challenging and will allow me to operate in a dynamic environment.

(…)

My interest in the production of programmes at the World Service is What happens if my choices/dates are not born out my interest in international affairs with news production. An available? idea I have been drafting for a potential show for television or radio broadcast is a series of documentaries critically evaluating the United Nations (UN). The show could use case studies to highlight its failings We will endeavour to place you at your preferred choice at your such as the massacre at Srebrenica and how Dutch forces failed to act, preferred dates; however in some instances it is simply not the inaction in the Rwandan genocide and the deepening crises in possible. In this case, we will contact you for alternative dates Darfur and most of Sub-Saharan Africa. and if those are not available either, we will ask you to select Another example in recent news that could be used as a pertinent case study is the decision by the UN to reduce its operating presence in other choices. That is why it is so important to put in a good Kabul in the aftermath of several attacks on its personnel.

I am enrolled on a BJTC accredited course. This course offers modules in media law and ethics, voice coaching, short-hand, radio, TV and online news production and practical newsgathering assignments. These skills will be invaluable in the newsroom and so augment my application for this placement.

application well in advance so that we can deal with any unforeseen circumstances.

If you have any further questions, please contact your Tutor in the first instance. If you have any questions regarding your application, do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Work Experience Team member quoting BJTC at mailto:recruitment@bbc.co.uk

Good luck with your application! BBC Work Experience Team