Become part of one of the world’s most highly-regarded student newspapers. Varsity contributors have gone on to become journalists, politicians, comedians, poets, film directors and business leaders.

We are the paper of Paxman and Plath, of David Mitchell and Zadie Smith. Our writing sets the agenda for discussion within Cambridge, and is read by teachers as well as students.

Plus, you get free stash.

Why Varsity?

• We’re the most widely-read paper in the University – from college masters to matriculants, Varsity is the most influential Cambridge newspaper.
• We print – we’re Cambridge’s only weekly print paper, which means you get to produce something you can cherish forever, while developing your skills.
• Top stash — members of next term’s team will get free mugs, and you can get our totally fetch jumpers (in loads of colours). #wow

Varsity produces 9,000 prints copies a week, and gets hundreds of thousands of hits online – all while maintaining a reputation for quality and reliability.

How do I join?

To apply to edit a section (details below), email applications@varsity.co.uk by 5pm, Monday 28th November 2016.

Please include:

• Your full name, subject, college and whether you are in your final year.
• Which role you would like to apply for.
• Details of any academic commitments you have in Lent term.
• Commitments to societies/activities other than Varsity during the term.
• Details of any experience you have for the role, including any prior experience you have with Adobe InDesign or Photoshop.

If you are applying to edit a section, please provide:

• A critique of the section/area you wish to edit, detailing your ideas for changes in content, design and style (500 words). If you are applying for Video Editor, this should be in the form of a proposal for the term.
• A critique of an article in the section from this term (200 words – not needed for Sub- and Social Media Editors).
• Five ideas for content in the section.
• Links to previous work, if applying for Photography or Video Editor.

If you would like to apply for the position of Deputy Editor, Online Editor or Magazine Editor, please provide:

• A 1,000-word critique and vision statement for the area you wish to oversee (News, Comment, Investigations, Interview, Science and Sport for Deputy Editor; Features, Culture, Reviews, Music, Fashion, Theatre for Magazine Editor; Social Media, Web Development and Blog for Online Editor)
• A critique of an article in the area you wish to oversee from this term (200 words – not needed for Online Editor)
• Any prior experience you have with Adobe InDesign or Photoshop.

The positions:

Varsity’s talented, hard-working team is what gives the paper its reputation for quality student journalism, and makes us so popular. As the only weekly student newspaper in Cambridge, there has never been a better time to get involved, and, with the end of term fast approaching, we are now hiring for Lent 2017. We have positions available across all sections of the paper, and there is no experience required – just an eye for detail and a willingness to get stuck in.

We are a great team to be part of, with free stash on offer and lots of socials. There is a real community atmosphere: those with more experience are always willing to help newer members, and sections often work together. And of course, experience at a student paper is highly valued by future employers. Even if you’re not planning on becoming the next Jeremy Paxman, the skills you will hone here – in writing, design and leadership – are transferable to all kinds of careers.

If you have questions about any of the roles below, the current team will be very happy to answer them. Their contact details can be found here. Alternatively, you can contact editor@varsity.co.uk. Get applying, and good luck!

Deputy Editor
The Deputy Editor oversees News, Comment, Interviews, Investigations, Science and Sport. They guide Section Editors where necessary, spot opportunities for collaboration between sections and generally make sure that everything runs smoothly. They are responsible for ensuring that all content is of the highest quality, and is presented in an engaging and attractive way.

Magazine Editor
The Magazine Editor oversees Features, Culture, Fashion, Theatre, Music and Reviews. They guide Section Editors where necessary, spot opportunities for collaboration between sections and generally make sure that everything runs smoothly. They are responsible for ensuring that all content is of the highest quality, and is presented in an engaging and attractive way.

Online Editor
Varsity’s online presence is crucial for reaching our readers, and we are keen to make more and more of this. The Online Editor is responsible for the paper’s social media accounts, upkeep and development of the website and overseeing a new Blog section. They are keen to explore new technologies and eager to make the most of the ones we already use. They are internet- and social media-savvy, and have a clear vision for how best to use these.

News
News is Varsity’s biggest section, in terms of both staff and output. Members of the News team are interested in what’s going on in and around Cambridge, have a nose for the stories which are important to our readers and are prepared to cover news as it breaks. It’s an exciting and fast-paced section. Everyone in the team pulls their weight, writing pieces, attending events and sniffing out news.

• Senior News Editor 
  The Senior News Editors are in charge of a team of Deputy News Editors, Senior News Correspondents and correspondents who contribute on an ad hoc basis. They are responsible for commissioning writers and editing copy, as well as designing the layouts of all the News pages in print. They hire the Senior News Correspondents. Expected to make key decisions about which stories make it into the paper, our Senior News Editors have a great deal of responsibility.

• Deputy News Editor 
  The Deputy News Editors assist the Senior News Editors in finding stories, editing copy and implementing the layouts they have designed. They are equally prepared to write and edit, and they play an important mentoring role for newer correspondents.

Investigations Editor
The Investigations Editor is crucial to Varsity’s role in holding our institutions, societies and students to account. Supported by a Deputy Investigations Editor, they work on in-depth projects to uncover things that our readers should know. They have a nose for the untold story and the drive to work independently. They are not fazed by a spreadsheet of data.

Comment
Comment is one of Varsity’s most popular sections. Members of the Comment team know what makes a great opinion piece and have the nous to make sure they get that from their writers.

• Senior Comment Editor
  The Senior Comment Editor is in charge of a team of Deputy Comment Editors. They are responsible for coming up with ideas for pieces, commissioning writers and editing copy, as well as laying out the page. They hire the section’s columnists. Expected to make key decisions about which pieces make it into the paper, and often dealing with sensitive topics, our Senior Comment Editor has a great deal of responsibility.

• Deputy Comment Editor
  The Deputy Comment Editors assist the Senior Comment Editor in commissioning pieces and editing copy. They are always on the lookout for opportunities for a good Comment piece, taking inspiration from Cambridge life, current affairs and popular culture. They also supervise the section’s columnists.

Science Editor
There is arguably no better place than Cambridge to be a student Science Editor. They are responsible for coming up with ideas for pieces, commissioning writers and editing copy, as well as laying out the page. The focus is on all the latest developments in science and technology, but how these are covered is flexible – features, interviews and columns all have a place. The Science Editor also collaborates with the News section to report on science-based news.

Interviews Editor
Our Interviews Editors get the chance to meet some fascinating, and most often famous, people – it’s not for the easily starstruck! They keep up-to-date with events in Cambridge and are proactive in seeking out opportunities to interview interesting people. They have an instinct for who Varsity’s readers want to know more about, and know the right questions to ask.

Features Editor
Features is a broad section, with lots of scope for creativity from its Editors. Pieces tend to be longer in print, with shorter pieces online, but this is not a rule. Features Editors are responsible for coming up with ideas, commissioning writers and editing copy, as well as laying out the page. Past features include a personal account of life in an interracial relationship, a spread on Black History Month and a collection of experiences of coming out in Cambridge.

Culture Editor
The Culture section is where Varsity readers turn to find out all the things to do and see in the area. Culture Editors are responsible for coming up with ideas for pieces, commissioning writers and editing copy, as well as laying out the page. Past features include an interview with the management at the Cambridge Junction, a piece on fiction and Donald Trump and a spread on local churches.

Fashion Editor
Varsity’s Fashion Editor is on top of the latest trends, has an eye for a photoshoot and knows where all the best fashion and beauty buys can be found. They are responsible for shoots – that means creating concepts, sourcing models and recruiting a photographer if necessary – as well as commissioning and editing articles. Design is a key part of this role, both in terms of visual content and page layout.

Theatre Editor
Being a Theatre Editor is about commissioning reviews, previews and cast interviews for Cambridge plays and comedy gigs, as well as editing copy and laying out the page. With theatre playing such an important part of student life in Cambridge, this is a demanding, but rewarding, role. Theatre Editors are plugged into the Cambridge theatre scene, and know what makes a great review. Most reviews should go up on Tuesday nights or Wednesday mornings, so applicants should ideally have time available in their work schedules to accommodate this.

Music Editor
The Music Editor is passionate about music, but most of all knows how this can be translated to page. They are responsible for commissioning pieces – primarily reviews, but some features, too – editing copy and laying out the page. They are also in charge of the Varsity Spotify playlist, which is updated every week.

Reviews Editor
Reviews Editors are responsible for commissioning reviews of all the latest in TV, film, art, literature and anything else of interest to Varsity readers. They are drawn to popular culture and know what makes a great review. They are responsible for building up a reliable team of good critics, as well as editing copy and laying out the page. A Reviews Editor knows that timing is key to a thriving section, and makes the most of every opportunity to get local reviews. Please note: this role does not cover music or theatre.

Sports Editor
With so much sport going on in Cambridge every week, it is no surprise that this is a busy section. The Sports Editor, assisted by the Deputy Sports Editors, is responsible for commissioning match reports, interviews and features every week, covering as wide a range of sports as possible, across all levels. They also source photographs and lay out their pages. Sports Reporters are on hand to attend matches, and are eager to write about a large number of different sports.

Blog Editor
This is a new position, as Varsity sets about creating a brand new blog section for its website. As such, this is a fantastic opportunity to get involved from inception and really shape the role. We are eager to hear applicants’ own ideas, but we envisage that the blog should be a place for shorter, snappier, more light-hearted pieces, incorporating news, comment and features. The Blog Editor would be responsible for writing and commissioning content, and editing copy.

Photography Editor
Our original photographs are particularly crucial to our News coverage, but are important in every section of the paper. The Photography Editor is responsible for recruiting a reliable network of great photographers to call upon, as well as taking photographs themselves. They collaborate with Section Editors, and also commission standalone photo stories and features.

Video Editor
Video is something we are keen to explore a lot further at Varsity. The Video Editor is responsible for recruiting a reliable team of great videographers, as well as devising new and original ideas for videos. They should be a self-starter, keen to get working on projects independently and enthusiastic about fully exploiting the visual medium. They should come brimming with ideas for features, and should be prepared to collaborate with Section Editors to extend Varsity’s output beyond the page. There is a great deal of scope for creativity here, and we are very keen to hear applicants’ own ideas, whatever those may be.

Arts Editor
Our Arts Editor is responsible for sourcing all the original artwork which is so important to making Varsity look good. They are ideally already plugged into the Cambridge art scene, and they have an excellent sense of organisation to be able to keep on top of a growing network of contributors. They not only have a good eye for design, but can think creatively about how a piece should best be visually represented.

Social Media Editor
Supervised by the Online Editor, Varsity’s Social Media Editor is responsible for ensuring that all our articles get the reach and appreciation they deserve online. They know all about Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, have lots of ideas on how to make most effective use of these, and are keen to explore new platforms. As the workplace becomes increasingly reliant on social media, this is a fantastic opportunity to get a headstart.

Sub-Editor
Know your less from your fewer? Have an eye for commas, apostrophes, capital letters and spelling? Our team of Sub-Editors is key to ensuring that Varsity maintains its reputation for clear and professional journalism.

• Chief Sub-Editor
  The Chief Sub-Editor manages a team of Sub-Editors. They are on hand throughout the week to proof-read articles for online, and on Wednesdays and Thursdays for print. They ensure that all pieces conform to Varsity's house style, and are also responsible for compiling and updating a style guide.

• Sub-Editor
  The Sub-Editors proof-read articles for print and online, and ensure that they all conform to Varsity's house style.

Production Editor
At Varsity, we pride ourselves on an well-designed paper. We are therefore looking to create a new team of dedicated Production staff to ensure that everything looks as professional and consistent as it should, and to assist Section Editors with page layouts. A Production Editor has a keen (bordering on obsessive) eye for detail and design, and should ideally be already have some familiarity with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. We’ll train you up, so you don’t need to be an expert already, but we’d love to see examples of any experience you have already.

Don’t hesitate – do something amazing with your time at Cambridge, and apply today!