As one of the most reliable independent sources of information in the university, Varsity is more important than ever in giving students a voice and holding institutions to account.

We’re re-opening applications for some of our most exciting editorial roles for Lent Term. 

Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience in journalism: Varsity is a place to learn, to experiment, and to explore new opportunities. Join the team and you’ll find a supportive environment united by passion and commitment to the paper. We’ll soon also be opening applications for contributors such as columnists and illustrators, and we’re always looking for a diverse and exciting range of writers and editors.

Bring your ideas, your perspective, and your curiosity. Apply to join Varsity today.

Applications

To apply for any position(s), please email your application to applications@varsity.co.uk

Applications for all roles should be received by noon, Sunday 11th April. Let us know as soon as possible at applications@varsity.co.uk if this deadline poses an issue!

Every application must include:

  • Your full name, subject, and college.
  • The role(s) for which you would like to apply.
  • Details of any academic and extracurricular commitments you have in Easter Term.
  • The place you will be living next term (providing the situation is similar to the start of Michaelmas term, e.g. overseas travel restrictions, Covid-scares). Please do not be put off applying if you are an international student, we only need to know to have an idea of how many of the Varsity team will be on-hand to help in Cambridge and how many will be working remotely.
  • Details of any experience you have for the role. No experience is required or expected, and full training will be provided, but, if relevant, you may wish to include any experience in journalism or gained from other extra-curricular activities, and any technical skills (e.g. ability to use Adobe InDesign, Photoshop or video editing software).

Got any questions about the roles or the application process? Pop an email to our Co-Editors, Elizabeth Haigh and Meike Leonard, at applications@varsity.co.uk. 

Section editors

Want to help steer one of Varsity’s sections and work closely with a range of contributors? Our section editors have the unique opportunity to push discussion and platform many different conversations and perspectives. Section editors will commission, select and edit content, while also having the opportunity to write pieces themselves.

We are currently looking for Deputy Sports Editors and Theatre Editors.

If you’d like to apply for either of these roles, please provide:

  • A critique of the section from the past couple of terms, with suggestions of improvements you would seek to implement, if appointed. This should largely focus on content, but if you have any particular ideas for digital presence or print design, please include these (200-400 words).
  • A critique of an article from the section from the past couple of terms (150-300 words).
  • Three developed ideas for content in the section
  • Alternative headlines and subheadings for three recent articles from the section.
  • Details of any experience you have for the role. For example, you may wish to include any intern experiences or other extra-curricular activities. Please also include any technical skills (e.g. ability to use Adobe InDesign, Photoshop or video editing software), particularly when applying to roles where these skills would be important. (200-400 words)

We seek to appoint at least two section editors for every section. Applicants should submit individual applications. 

Sport Editor

Sport is one of Varsity’s busiest and most vibrant sections and the Sport Editor is in a prime position to shape discussions around sport in Cambridge. The Sport Editor is responsible for commissioning match reports, interviews, guides and features every week, covering as wide a range of sports and sporting experiences as possible, across all levels. In the past year, the Sport section has taken a closer, more critical look at the world of Cambridge sport and we’re looking for someone to continue this focus, and platform personal experiences and perspectives on University sport as well as recreational sport. The Sport Editor(s) will hire and manage a team of staff sports writers, pushing for diversified and exciting content for the section.


Theatre Editor

The Theatre Editors will commission reviews for the large Cambridge theatre scene as well as more personal Opinion or Features-style articles exploring students’ experiences with the dramatic arts. Next term, we’re eager to broaden the section’s focus beyond reviews, although these will remain important, seeking to highlight in particular the creative work students undertake to bring productions to life and making use of a range of multimedia content. This is a demanding role due to the large output of the section and the time-critical nature of reviews. We are especially looking for individuals who understand the Cambridge theatre scene well, are extremely organised and able to take great initiative in reaching out to shows (e.g. to review, or interview).

Digital roles

Want to shape the digital side of Varsity? Love podcasting or making videos? Varsity’s digital team is looking for new members to produce the Switchboard podcast and produce exciting video content throughout Easter term. As with all roles, no prior experience is required!


Head of Video

The Video section is heading in a very exciting direction, with increasing output and a growing scope for experimentation. The Head of Video will be responsible for overseeing Varsity’s video output, which will require running and organising the video team to produce high-quality content in a timely manner, and ensuring that team members are well-trained. They will commission content from the rest of the video team, keeping an eye on upcoming opportunities in Cambridge as well as ways to collaborate with other sections. They will ensure that Varsity maintains some running series of videos as well as ensuring that regular video content is produced for Varsity’s social media. If you wish to apply for this role, please provide:

● A critique and vision statement for Varsity’s video content, outlining some ideas for the kind of content you’d like to pursue next term. Include an explanation of how you would make sure video reflects the diversity of Varsity’s textual content. (500 words maximum)

● Two developed ideas for video social media content.

● An explanation of any experience you have for the role, why you think you would be suitable, and why you want to do it (300 words maximum).


Video Team

The video team will be responsible for creating the content which the Head of Video proposes, as well as coming up with their own ideas about exciting video opportunities. We’re looking for people to shoot, edit and present Varsity’s video output. You are welcome to apply to any one or a selection of these roles, and Varsity will be able to provide opportunities to expand and develop your skills. To apply, please provide:

● An explanation of the role you would like to have within the video team, as well as details of any skills, equipment and software you currently have (none required!).

● An explanation of any experience you have of working with video, including a link to any examples (again, no experience is required!).

● Three suggestions for video content you’d like to produce in Lent Term, or ideas for a running series.


Podcast Producer

Switchboard is Varsity’s podcast. Switchboard has become a regular feature of Cambridge life this term and the Podcast Producer(s) should be prepared to maintain the weekly nature of the Podcast. The Podcast Producer(s) will be responsible for overseeing Switchboard's production, from creating concepts, to research, to recording and editing. If they should wish, they will have the opportunity to recruit a Podcast team, which they will lead in the production of the show. They will work closely with the Digital Editor to produce the show, and should be thoughtful about how their content could feature in, or be produced in collaboration with, various sections of the paper itself. No prior experience of audio or broadcast production is required.

To apply, please provide:

● A vision statement for Switchboard, explaining the kind of content you would like to provide and any thoughts on tone, image and branding (500 words maximum).

● A brief outline for a 30 minute show.

● An explanation of any experience you have for the role (none required!), why you think you would be suitable, and why you want to do it.


Additional roles

Passionate about photography, magazine design or social media? Then Varsity has the role for you. We are looking for team members to manage our social media presence, organise photography and contribute to the design of the Varsity Review and Yearbook.


Photography Editor

Our Photography Editor keeps Varsity looking fresh and vibrant with new and original photographic content, and works across the paper from the News and Sport sections to the creative, magazine side of the paper, Vulture. As Photography Editor you will be responsible for commissioning a team of Varsity photographers, as well as running, expanding and providing training to that team. The Photography Editor should have an eye for, and be responsive to, stories and perspectives that can best be explored visually, and be ready to work independently or with other section editors to bring these ideas to fruition. To apply, please provide:

● An explanation of your current involvement with Cambridge’s photography community (200 words maximum).

● A small portfolio of your own work.

● A list of any photography kit you have (it is not necessary to have any as Varsity has some of its own).

If you would just like to be part of Varsity’s photography team, watch out for recruitment later in the holidays, or send an informal email to applications@varsity.co.uk.


Publishing Team

Love adobe photoshop? Got an undying passion for newspaper or magazine design and are a stickler for detail? Then Varsity’s publishing team is perfectly suited for you! We are looking for a small but dedicated team of 3 to 4 individuals to help our section editors and executive team with Varsity’s annual Review and Yearbook. This role will involve coming into the Varsity offices to advise and check over the magazine. The Publishing team are expected to be proficient with Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop. The team will be purely focused on the production side of the paper, enabling them to have a great deal of creative license in brainstorming new, dynamic ideas for Varsity’s Review and Yearbook format. Alongside the executive team, the Publishing team will also be responsible for training new section editors in setting and guiding them throughout the term on how to improve the creativity of their print sections. If you wish to apply for the Publishing Team, please provide:

● A critique and vision statement for Varsity’s print edition, outlining some ideas for how you want to present content (400 words)

● Small portfolio of your work (doesn't have to be from a newspaper)

● An explanation of why you think you would be suitable for the role (250 words maximum)

● If you are applying to be a Senior News Editor, please can you also provide detail of the earliest date you will be able to return to Cambridge.


Marketing and Media Team

Do you have a slight obsession with social media? Do you love a visually pleasing feed, and creating dynamic content that reels in likes? Are you keen to gain top-level experience in media design and publicity? If yes, then this role is made for you. Varsity’s Marketing and Media team will be in charge of designing Varsity and Vulture’s Instagram and Facebook content, as well as ensuring that this dynamic content (posts, stories, Instagram reels) is published regularly. The aim of this team is to increase Varsity’s outreach through dynamic social media, ranging from advertising articles to innovating personable content that will increase our following. It’s a chance to make your social media mark on one of the most widely read student newspapers in the country - don’t miss out! To apply for either role, please provide:

● A critique and vision statement for Varsity's social media, outlining some ideas that you have for Varsity and Vulture's Instagram and Facebook (300 words maximum)

● A small portfolio of your work in design/publicity (if possible)

● Three suggestions for social media content you’d like to produce in Lent Term, or ideas for a running series.

Head of Marketing and Media: The Head of marketing and media works closely with our Digital Editor to develop the design and manage the running of Varsity’s social media. You will be responsible for guiding a small publicity team, and liaising with the Deputy to develop a strategy for increasing Varsity’s social media outreach and popularity. The Head of marketing and media is also responsible for ensuring that social media posts are scheduled regularly, and with the help of the team, must consistently be uploading articles, posts and stories onto our social media accounts.

Deputy of Marketing and Media: The Deputy of marketing and media will be closely assisting the Head in brainstorming and delivering a successful marketing strategy for Varsity’s social media. The Deputy is expected to help organise and design the graphics for the social media, either similar to what the Varsity Instagram account has been experimenting with this term, or creating an alternative visual direction. The Deputy will be working alongside the Head to produce current, vibrant content, including Instagram reels and stories.


Keen to contribute to the paper but not in an editorial role? Applications for reporters, photographers, illustrators and columnists will open shortly. In the meantime, to hear about upcoming opportunities in sections you're interested in, sign up for our section-specific mailing lists and join the relevant Facebook groups for interested writers. We’re always open to pitches, on any issue or theme which may interest you, so please drop us an email with your ideas!

Don't hesitate to apply! We’re excited to receive your application.