The News team plays a critical role in Cambridge, responding quickly to current events and investigating the big issues circulating around the university. Our coverage can inform and entertain readers, highlighting a range of different topics. But our reporting also holds key institutions to account, making this role an incredibly important one

As a news correspondent, you’ll be at the heart of Varsity’s busiest section. You’ll learn how to write engaging news articles, conduct interviews, and fact check information. You’ll cover exclusive stories, join a team of committed reports to work on breaking news coverage as well as in depth reports.

No experience is required – only a passion for, and commitment to, reporting on news in Cambridge.

To apply: Please detail two leads (a nugget of gossip or idea) that you could pursue as stories (max 150 words). Secondly, we would like you to re-write a headline for this article: https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/20189. Finally, please include a statement about yourself and your suitability for the role detailing your interests, college, subject, any relevant experience (though none is required) and examples of skills you think the news team would benefit from (max 300 words).

Features looks at Cambridge through a human lens, exploring the topics facing the city and university with a people first approach. Features humanise the news, interviewing students impacted by university policy or secretive members of an exclusive society for example. Features allow for more creativity,depth and exploration than traditional news. This term we want to publish these human interest stories, as well as first person features that explore how students experience Cambridge.

To apply as a Features writer, please answer the following, if you could be a fly on the wall somewhere in the University, where would it be and why? (max 250 words). What groups/issues in Cambridge have thus far been under represented in our reporting? (max 250 words). Finally, choose a news piece from the past term and pitch an idea for a feature in response to the article (max 300 words).

Comment is where conversations happen. This is a dynamic section, platforming a variety of views across the university. We’re looking to reflect a range of opinions, from pieces that are more serious in tone about politics or culture, to the best satirical and whimsical hot takes in Cambridge.

As a staff writer you’ll produce articles regularly on an array of topics commissioned by your editors or from your own pool of ideas. Unlike columnists who might focus on one issue or theme during the term, staff writers should be ready to respond to breaking news and have their finger on the pulse of local and wider news.

To apply as a staff writer: please detail two article ideas in response to news in Cambridge in the past term (max 400 words). Go through the last term of content, please pick which is your favourite and least favourite comment piece and detail why (max 250 words). Finally, please answer the following question, what do you think makes an excellent Comment piece? (max 250 words).

Columnists will produce articles fortnightly in line with their concept for the column. Examples of past Comment columns have included ‘A fresh-ers perspective’, ‘Counterpoint’ and ‘Globetrotter’. To apply as a columnist, please outline your idea for a potential column and explain some ideas for each article (500 words max). Please answer the following question, in your view,what keeps readers interested in work by columnists? (max 250 words).

Interview writers will be responsible for regular long-form articles on a notable figure in or outside of Cambridge. They will scope out potential figures to interview and come up with fresh, interesting questions. In the past, Varsity has interviewed figures from Robert De Niro, Wolf Alice, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratfcliffe to local businesses, projects and notable students.

To apply to be an interview writer, please answer the following questions: choose a student, society or project in Cambridge you’d like to interview and why (max 250 words). What is your favourite interview Varsity has done in the past year? ( max 250 words). Detail three questions you would ask the British Prime Minister (max 100 words).

Whether reporting the latest scientific developments, interviewing the trials and tribulations of scientific student societies, or interviewing underrepresented industry experts, the Science section aims to deliver interesting content that is accessible to all readers. In this role, you will delve deeper into fields in which you are interested as well as current issues of the day, ranging from tech to business, writing it all up in a thought-provoking and fun style.

To apply as a science writer, please answer the following questions: detail a student society or project you could interview as a science writer (max 300 words). Please detail two ideas for potential science articles (max 400 words). How do we make sure science is not just read by STEM students? (max 200 words).

Sport is a central component of life at Cambridge for many but this section is designed for everyone, not just sportsmen and women. You can provide a variety of articles ranging from informative match reports to entertaining sports news events in or out of Cambridge. You will also have the chance to go beyond this and work with our section editors to come up with sport analyses, investigations and comment pieces.

To apply as a Sports Writer, please answer the following questions: outline two ideas for potential articles (max 300 words). Choose your favourite article from the past term, why do you like it? (max 250 words.) What areas of sport in Cambridge interest you? (max 250 words)

We’re looking to recruit writers across Vulture’s broad spectrum. Often, writers will express a desire to write for a particular section, but this term, we’ll also be opening applications for general in-house writers who can write flexibly across Vulture’s six sections. This will allow you to commit to the paper, but not a section, allowing your writing to be idea-led and in some cases, more free. If this sounds like the right thing for you, send us an application!

To apply as a general Vulture writer, please briefly discuss the ‘culture scene’ in Cambridge and Varsity’s place in it (max 200 words), outline two potential articles for the magazine (max 400 words), and tell us your favourite place in Cambridge to get your culture fix and why you love it (max 200 words).

You’ll be in charge of writing up blind dates, reflecting on your experiences within the tumultuous world of Cambridge, and recommending to readers the best study spots, restaurants, and other areas of interest—it’s up to you what you spotlight! Have an idea for a hot new column? Let us know your ideas—whether you fancy yourself a food critic or an agony aunt, or have a fresh take on what Lifestyle can achieve, we want to hear from you!

To apply as a Lifestyle writer, tell us what makes Lifestyle the most fun section of the magazine (300 words max), propose two ideas for recurring columns in the section (400 words max) and discuss what the main differences between content in Lifestyle and content in Features should be (200 words max).

The Arts team are looking for dedicated writers who will be eager to seek out the latest inspiring exhibitions, detail upcoming arts-scene events, and highlight promising artists, writers, and creators in Cambridge. They should have a keen and creative mindset and look to produce insightful and varied content. From opinion-led reviews to exploratory takes on more niche subjects, we're looking for a diverse set of writers to push the section in the New Year.

To apply for this role, please answer the following: how do you think the Arts section could be used to promote hidden cultural gems in Cambridge? (max 300 words). Outline two ideas for articles in this section (400 words max). And finally, if you could create your own museum in Cambridge, what kind of theme/focus would it have? (200 words max).

Obsessed with Sidgwick fashion? Always have your eyes on the latest trends? Got a lot to say about certain designers, magazines, or certain students’ wardrobes? Your job will be to report on fashion in Cambridge, cover fashion-related events and write about student style and trends in general. Got an idea for a column? Pitch it to us in your application-–the fashion section has tons of space for your personal ideas.

To apply for this role, detail what aspects of Fashion you feel has remained uncovered by Vulture in the past few terms (max 300 words). Outline two ideas for articles in this section (400 words max). Finally, if you could plan and execute a photoshoot for the magazine, what concept would you run with and why? (200 words max).

Fancy yourself an aspiring Film critic? Varsity is the best platform in Cambridge to make your voice heard. We’re looking for writers who are in touch with the latest releases, from independent cinema to Netflix series which capture students’ attention. They should also have an interest in writing about the visual culture of Cambridge and be happy to investigate interesting figures to interview and find hidden gems to discuss in an animated, intriguing way.

To apply for this role, tell us why you think Cambridge students in particular connect so strongly to Film & TV (200 words max). Outline two ideas for articles in this section (400 words max). And finally, if you were creating a Week 5 watchlist, what shows/films would go in it, and why? (200 words max).

We’re looking for passionate music writers to join our team next term. You’ll give your voice to the latest releases, attend and review live music in and around Cambridge, and comment on the latest big concepts dominating the general music scene. As a music writer, you’ll be creative, nuanced, and thoughtful in your writing and reviewing, pursuing your own interests, whilst appealing to what students are currently listening to.

To apply for this role, persuade us why your favourite album is the best album of all time (max 300 words). Outline two ideas for articles in this section (400 words max).Finally, tell us about a musician/band you wish more people knew about in Cambridge (max 100 words).

We’re looking to gather a group of excellent Theatre reviewers. You should be immersed in the Theatre scene at Cambridge and beyond and write with accuracy, firmness, and creativity. Writers will watch performances with an open-mind, judging a multitude of aspects in their review, culminating in high-quality and impactful pieces of work. They will be able to produce work under pressure, often working with a 24 hour turnaround (in exchange for comp tickets), and liaise professionally with both production teams and Varsity’s editorial team. Overall, reviewers will be frank and serious in their reviewing, but also match the tone of each individual production in their assessments.

If you’d like to be a Theatre-specific writer but aren’t keen on the review format, feel free to apply as a Staff writer. We’ll also be looking for people keen to produce interviews or features for the section.

To apply for either role, detail the best play you have ever seen in Cambridge (max 300 words), tell us what qualities you think makes a good reviewer (max 300 words) and finally, if you could put on any show at the ADC, which one would it be, and why?(max 200 words).

Varsity relies on a strong, dynamic visual presence. As a staff illustrator, you’ll have the chance to be at the forefront of a creative space where you’ll be encouraged to experiment, and create art that speaks to student perspectives. This is especially true of our amazing cartoonists who make satirical content to display alongside our Comment pieces in print. Whether you are an artist, graphic designer or cartoonist, we’d love to hear from you. As well as answering the above questions, please

To apply for this role, please send us a portfolio of your work, and answer the following question: how do you judge the current visual presence of the paper (300 words max). Outline three ideas for illustrations or cartoons linked to articles that have been published in print or on the website (300 words max). If you could do a portrait of anyone in the world, who would it be? What style would you go with? (max 200 words).

Our photography and video team keeps the newspaper looking fresh and vibrant with new and original photographic and video content, particularly in the News, Sport, and Vulture sections. As a photographer, you’ll work alongside other photographers to capture key moments in Cambridge, refresh Varsity’s stock images, and have the chance to pursue your own creative projects. You’ll also have the chance to capture breaking-stories and events alongside our News team, and engage with photojournalism—a discipline we’re looking to push further next term.

To apply for this role, please send us a portfolio of your work, and answer the following questions: how important is photojournalism in relation to how students consume news? (max 300 words). And if you could put anyone/anything on the Vulture front cover from Cambridge, what would it be? (max 200 words).

We are looking to recruit a number of sub-editors who will ensure content is sub-edited in a timely and high-quality fashion. They are key to ensuring that Varsity maintains its reputation for clear and professional journalism. They ensure that all pieces conform to our in-house style, and flag any potentially unsuitable or inaccurate content.

To apply, please provide a critique of an article from any section from the past term, with particular attention to the detailed improvements which a sub-editor could make, both in regard to the writing and the subbing (300 words max). Please also detail any experience you have for the role (300 words max).

Interested in helping us format and publish print? Join our team of setters, who will accompany editors in the office in laying out and smoothing over every page. If you’ve got a keen eye for details, have great digital capabilities (knowing your way around InDesign and Photoshop would be incredibly helpful, though not a requirement), and are interested in being part of the print process, this is the role for you.

To apply for this role, please send us a portfolio of your work (and any ideas you have for print) and answer the following: what newspapers have the best and worst setting? (max 300 words). And what’s the weirdest thing you’ve made via Photoshop or another editing software? (max 100 words).