If you're interested in joining us, please fill in the appropriate form and send it to applications@varsity.co.uk. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. You are welcome to apply as part of a team for editorial positions (e.g. three people applied as a team for the joint position of Fashion Editor in Lent 2010).
No prior knowledge of software such as Adobe InDesign is needed, although you may find it helpful to have previous experience with such programs. All section editors are taught how to use the relevant software. Prior experience at Varsity is not necessary for any position.
News: Editor, Deputy Editor, Senior Reporters
Digital Editor
VarsiTV Editor
Comment Editor
Magazine Editor
Features Editor
Fashion Editor
Arts Editor
Reviews Editor
Section Critic (Theatre, Film, Music, Visual Arts, Literary)
Application Form for the Editor
The deadline for receiving editor applications is 5pm on Monday April 29, 2012.
Interviews will take place shortly afterwards.
Application Form for Section Editor and Critic
The deadline for receiving section editor and critic applications is 5pm on Monday May 27, 2012.
N.B. All of the application forms are in pdf format. If you cannot view pdf files, you can download a pdf reader for free from the Adobe website.
Not interested in applying for an editorial position, but still keen to contribute? Click here.
These job descriptions describe the typical positions that were available in Lent 2010, and may be subject to change or redefining by the new Editor. Look through recent issues of Varsity for a close idea of what jobs have been available. Job titles are printed on the bottom of the editorial page.
As Editor, you will have overall responsibility for all content in the paper as well as online. All section editors report to you. Your role involves everything from assisting with copy-editing and sub-editing, designing page layouts, chairing editorial meetings, and generally making sure that each issue of Varsity is accurate, informative and entertaining. Please note that previous experience at Varsity is preferred.
As Digital Editor, you are in charge of all online content. You will help section editors upload their print content onto the website, and ensure that the website is kept up to date. You will also manage the blogs section by commissioning blog content and editing blog copy. This may also include supplementing blog content with appropriate pictures, mp3s and videos. You are also in charge of the Varsity Twitter account. Basic knowledge of HTML, Adobe Photoshop and web formatting is preferred. It is also helpful if you have some prior knowledge of using Wordpress.
As News Editor, your responsibilities will include copy-editing, sourcing news stories, laying out and managing a team of 10-15 reporters. Deputy News Editors assist the Editor in his or her role. Both News and Deputy News Editors also contribute news stories to the section. Senior reporters will be assigned news stories to cover and will write up the headline stories of the week.
As Comment Editor, you will source opinion pieces for the main comments page, the Underrated/Overrated column, Not-Sci and The Essay. Underrated/Overrated takes the format of a column that examines either underrated or overrated figures, Not-Sci is a column that looks at science-related issues, and The Essay is an extended comment piece written by an academic or a public figure. You will edit copy as well as lay out pages according to a pre-set format.
As Magazine Editor, you will oversee the production of each Magazine section (including Features, Arts, Reviews, Theatre and Fashion), making sure that each section is up to standard. Each section editor will report directly to you. You will also be responsible for deciding on and sourcing the content of some of the magazine, particularly columns such as Hot or Not, Street Profile and OurTube.
As Features Editor, you will source feature spreads and interviews, as well as edit the copy and design the Features pages. Feature spreads are usually (but not always) Cambridge-focused. Past features have included spreads on Cambridge ghost stories for a special Halloween issue, a creative writing spread and a thrifty living spread for students on a budget.
As Arts Editor, you will source arts-related features and interviews, commission Arts comment pieces, edit copy and design the Arts pages. Past spreads have included an overview of independent and specialist Cambridge bookshops, a feature on forgeries in art, and a feature examining art under dictatorships.
As Fashion Editor, you will create weekly on-trend and artistic two-page fashion editorials. You will be in charge of styling and photographing photoshoots, as well as sourcing models. Please note that photographers, stylists or models outside of Varsity can be brought in. If you wish, you can also source or contribute a column to the spread, though this must fit into the two-page fashion spread. You will also be responsible for contributing or sourcing weekly content to our Fashion blogs.
As Reviews and Listings Editor, you will be in charge of sourcing reviews for TV, film, music, art exhibitions and literary events or books. Where necessary, you will also commission photography to accompany the reviews (e.g. gig photos). You edit copy, lay reviews on the page and manage a team of 5 – 8 section critics who will contribute reviews. You are also in charge of writing or commissioning the listings page, which is a quick overview of upcoming events in Cambridge. Please note that this role does not include theatre reviews.
As Theatre Editor, you commission reviews and theatre photography for Cambridge plays and comedy gigs, as well as editing copy and laying reviews out on the page. You will also write or commission columns for the Theatre pages, like View from the Groundlings, which is an overview of upcoming Cambridge drama. You are also in charge of uploading up-to-the-minute reviews to the website as and when they come in. This is usually uploaded on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning so ideally you will have time available in your work schedule on these days.
Positions are available for:
Theatre
Film
Music
Visual Arts
Literary
On average, Varsity has seven to eight theatre critics, one to two film critics, three to four music critics, and one visual arts and one literary critic.
Each Critic is expected to contribute at least one review to their relevant section per week. Please note that theatre critics are expected to attend opening night performances and have reviews ready for the night itself or the morning after. The same applies for music critics who are attending a gig or musical performance.
As Sports Editor, you will decide on and source content each week. This usually includes various match results as well as features or columns. You will also source photography from sports photographers.
Sign up to mailing lists for the section that you’re interested in. Editors who need contributors for opinion pieces, news stories or features will send an email out.
Varsity News
Varsity Arts
Varsity Reviews
Varsity Comment
Varsity Fashion
Varsity
Features
Varsity Sports
If you want to be a reviewer, please apply to be a critic. One-off reviews are generally not published in the print issue, although they are sometimes published online.
If you’ve got a good idea for a weekly column, please email magazine@varsity.co.uk. Past columns have included 7 Deadly Sins (which examined a new sin every week), a sex column, and a column that explored little-known Cambridge societies.
If you’re interested in contributing to online content, join the Features mailing list. The Digital Editor will email out a list of blogs that require content. If you also have an idea for a blog and can commit to blogging a minimum of once a week, please email digital@varsity.co.uk
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