Varsity is Cambridge University’s only independent student newspaper, and now is your chance to be a part of it. With weekly print editions as well as round-the-clock online coverage, Michaelmas term represents a fantastic opportunity to get involved and contribute to the paper, whether that be in News or Fashion, Comment or Arts.

Varsity sets the debate in Cambridge: it’s read by students, fellows, staff, and people outside the University (there’s a Varsity stand in Heffers, you know). With hundreds of thousands of readers online, this is your chance to be part of the team that make it happen.

It can sound trite, but Varsity is only as good as the people who work for it, so we’re looking for a talented team to carry on the fantastic work that has been done in the past few years. There’s a whole range of positions available across the paper, and no prior experience is necessary.

By joining Varsity, you’d be following in some fine footsteps. Everyone from Jeremy Paxman to Suzy Menkes, Zadie Smith to Tony Wilson has been involved with the paper, and who could possibly say what their time at Varsity did for their future careers.

Being part of the team also offers the chance of develop some really important skills. Among other things, being an editor involves coming up with imaginative commissions, an awareness of what our audience are interested in, and designing the spreads for the weekly print edition.

But perhaps most importantly, being an editor for Varsity is plain good fun. This goes beyond the actual job itself, though one would hope that you’d enjoy your role: the social aspect of being on the team should not be overlooked! With regular socials, working for Varsity represents a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and do something collaborative. 

If you have any questions about any of the roles, then do get in touch with the current section editors who will be happy to answer any queries. They can be found here, or email editor@varsity.co.uk. Best of luck with your application!

How do I join?

To apply to edit a section (details below), email applications@varsity.co.uk by 6pm, Thursday 6th July 2017.

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 Michaelmas 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 (though this is not compulsory).  

If you are applying for the position of Deputy Editor, Magazine Editor or Deputy Magazine Editor, please provide:

• A 1,000-word critique and vision statement for the area you wish to oversee (News, Comment, Investigations, Interviews, Science and Sport for Deputy Editor; Features, Culture, Film and TV, Music, Fashion, Theatre for Magazine Editor). This should include how you would adapt your approach, and those of the editors below you, for a predominantly online term. 1,000 words maximum.
• A critique of an article from one of the sections you propose to edit. 350 words maximum.
• How you would incorporate multimedia (photography and video) into the section. 500 words maximum
• Choose three articles from the section, and provide three alternative headlines and sub-headings.

If you are applying to be Online Editor, please provide:

• An explanation of what experience you have for the role, why you think you would be suitable, and why you want to do it. Please give a particular example to demonstrate why we should rely on you for this important role. 500 words maximum.
• An overall critique of Varsity's online presence. This should include details of what we are doing well, and what needs to be changed. 500 words maximum.

If you are applying to be a section editor or deputy section editor, please provide:

• A critique of the section from the past couple of terms. This should largely focus on the content of the section, though if you have any particular ideas for appearance and design then please include them. 500 words maximum.
• A critique of an article from the section from the past couple of terms. 200 words maximum.
• Five ideas for content in the section, bearing in mind that articles in Michaelmas must be particularly attractive to freshers.
• Choose three articles from the section, and provide three alternative headlines.

If you are applying to be an Interviews Editor: All of the above, and:

• Choose three dream interviewees and explain your choices. 300 words maximum.
• Explain how you would ensure you interview a diverse range of people.

If you are applying to be Violet Editor:

• All of the above, with a particular emphasis on how you would continue to develop Violet's identity, explaining how you see its role within Varsity.

If you are applying to be a Subeditor:

• A critique of an article from any section from the past couple of terms, with particular attention to the detailed improvements a subeditor could make. 200 words maximum.
• Explain what experience you have for the role, why you think you would be suitable, and why you want to do it. Please give a particular example to demonstrate why we should rely on you for this important role.
• Choose three articles from three different sections, and provide three alternative headlines and sub-headings.

If you are applying to be a Social Media Editor:

• Explain what experience you have for the role, why you think you would be suitable, and why you want to do it. Please give a particular example to demonstrate why we should rely on you for this important role.
• Choose five articles from five different sections, and write separate Facebook posts and tweets for each. You can find examples of these on our Facebook and Twitter accounts but please feel free to adapt our current style as you see fit.
• Three ideas for Instagram.

The positions:

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 and Deputy Magazine Editor

The Magazine Editor oversees Features, Arts, Fashion, Theatre, Music and Film & TV. 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

The Online Editor takes overall responsibility for Varsity's online presence. They are responsible for the content and appearance of the website and online articles, as well as our various social media channels. They should have an awareness of what performs well online (an enthusiasm for digging through Google Analytics would be helpful here), and be proactive in suggesting changes. They will liaise with the Deputy and Magazine Editors to ensure that quality content is going online, rather than being an after-thought compared to the weekly print edition.

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 also hire the Senior News Correspondents.

• 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 Editors are crucial to Varsity’s role in holding our institutions, societies and students to account. 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 and not put off when a lead or potential story doesn’t come to fruition.

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. 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 and Technology 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 and Technology 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. This section often involves doing much of the writing yourself, though it doesn't have to.

Features Editor

Features is a broad section, with lots of scope for creativity from its Editors. Often it gives a new perspective on life in Cambridge, or presents differing views on the same topic. Features Editors are responsible for coming up with ideas, commissioning writers and editing copy, as well as laying out the page.  This section also offers the chance to be really creative with page designs and lay-outs. Past features include accounts of going weeks without social media, the experience of coming out in an all-boys school in Northern Ireland, and what it's like to always be mistaken for a tourist.

Arts Editor

Previously called Culture, the Arts section is where Varsity readers turn to find out all the things to do and see in the area. Arts Editors are responsible for coming up with ideas for pieces, commissioning writers and editing copy, as well as laying out the page. The Arts section will now include comprehensive listings of what's on, which it will be the specific task of the Deputy Arts Editor to compile. Examples of previous pieces include reviews of exhibitions, both student-run and not, a take on whether Tristram Hunt is the right person to take the V&A forward and a spread on spoken word poetry. It similarly offers a lot of scope for making the section 'your own', to use a clichéd phrase.

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.

Film & TV Editor

Our Film & TV Editor should have their eyes constantly glued on the screen, whether that's the big one or the small one. They are responsible for commissioning reviews and recaps of films and TV shows, but also for helping to produce some really thoughtful and original reflections on the medium. Oh, and you get to choose some of the most out-there films on Netflix for our semi-legendary 'Unknown Displeasures' series.

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. 

Violet Editor

Varsity's blog, Violet, only launched at the beginning of Lent term but it's already got people talking. Our blog editor has to have an eye for the content that works best there: light-hearted but not trivial, insightful without stepping on the toes of other sections. They should think carefully about how best to develop Violet's identity, and make it distinct from the rest of the paper.

Social Media Editor

Do you get big #numbers on your tweets? Are you Insta-famous? Then this might just be the role for you: Varsity’s Social Media Editor is responsible for ensuring that all our articles get the reach and appreciation they deserve online. Facebook and Twitter are used to publish articles, while Instagram is used to raise awareness of Varsity’s activities, showing pictures of the team at work, for example. Social Media editors 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-Editors

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, and are on hand throughout the week to proof-read articles for online. 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.

Applications for Senior News Correspondents, Violet News, Sports Reporters, Video and Photography editors and Columnists will open later in the Summer.

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