Join Varsity's writing team this Easter!Varsity archive

by Felix Armstrong & Alice Mainwood

Applications to join Varsity’s writing team in Easter 2024 are now open. Now is the time to take your place at the beating heart of Cambridge’s current discourse and history.

Varsity is the oldest and only independent student newspaper in Cambridge, and one of only three in the UK. We hold institutions to account, representing the interests of students with integrity, ambition, and a creative edge.

This tradition, which began with the paper’s creation in 1947, has seen Varsity break many historical and discourse-shaping stories. In 1953, we reported on Watson and Crick’s discovery of the structure of DNA. In 2021, we revealed the university’s proposed £400m deal with the United Arab Emirates. Just this term, we broke the controversy surrounding “race-realist” fellow Nathan Cofnas.

With contributions from Amol Rajan to Charles III, Sylvia Plath to Jeremy Paxman, and Germaine Greer to J. G. Ballard, you have the opportunity to join an impressive lineage of journalists, writers, and creatives.

Varsity is, however, much more than just news. We have space for your opinions, interviews, and investigations, as well as room for you to express your tastes in fashion, music, or film and TV, and a section devoted to letting students have their say on the latest theatre productions in Cambridge.

Most importantly, we are a training paper. We aim to nurture new talent, offering a working environment that can prepare you for the world of journalism beyond Cambridge, but is primarily social, collaborative, and encouraging.

The Easter team’s primary responsibility will be to produce a glossy 64-page magazine, the Yearbook & Review, at the beginning of June. Until then, however, the team will produce high-quality and regular online content throughout term, and afterwards in the Summer vacation.

The Editors-in-Chief of Varsity in Easter term will be Alice Mainwood (aem224) and Felix Armstrong (fa447). Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the application process or what it’s like to contribute to the paper.

Now is the ideal time to write for Varsity.

Applications must be submitted to applications@varsity.co.uk by midday Wednesday 3rd April.

To apply please tell us:

  • Your full name, subject, year, and college
  • The role (s) you’re applying for
  • Which other roles you would be willing to consider, if you are not offered your desired role (s)
  • Details of any academic and extracurricular commitments you have in Lent
  • Details of any experience or skills that make you suitable for your chosen role (s) (optional, 250 words max)

…and answer the specific questions below for the role you’re applying for.

Newspaper roles

Magazine roles

Arts writer

From poetry to prose, architecture to art, from interviewing creatives to chatting crochet boobs, Arts is a beautifully dynamic and varied section. We’re looking for a team of writers to examine, and contribute to, the lively Arts world in Cambridge, as well as engage in broader cultural debates. Arts writing can involve interviews, reviews, or opinion pieces, or even putting together reading lists throughout the term. If you’re passionate about the art world, then we want you on board.

To write for Arts, please complete the following tasks:

1) Propose two article ideas. These can be features, interviews, opinion pieces, or reviews. (200 words max)

2) Write a 600-word piece about any aspect of Cambridge’s artistic scene that is of particular value to you.

Film & TV writer

If your ideal Saturday night is in front of the TV catching up on your favourite show, or out, making sure you’re the first to see an exciting new release in cinemas, you belong in the Film & TV section. We’re looking for writers to discuss latest releases in film and TV with particular personal relevance to both themselves and our readership. The Film & TV section is also responsible for engaging with the Cambridge visual world, and writers will also need to be able to explore the film scene at University.

To write for Film & TV, please answer the following questions:

1) Propose two interviews/features on any aspect of the Cambridge student film scene. (200 words max)

2) Write a hot-take on any aspect of film and television that you feel passionate about, and which has relevance to our readership. (200 words max)

3) Write a review of the last film that you watched (300 words max)

Music writer

Did your Spotify Wrapped make you feel superior? Are you always dragging your friends along to the latest student gigs? If you’re looking for a place to share your passion for music with like minded students, we’re looking for you to join our team. As a music writer, you will be able to discuss new album releases, interview student bands, examine the Cambridge music scene, and put together playlists.

To write for Music, please complete the following tasks:

1) Which music societies or bands in Cambridge don’t get enough recognition? Why? (300 words max)

2) If you were to contribute one song to Varsity’s Easter term playlist, what would it be and why? (200 words max)

3) Outline two article ideas for the section (200 words max).

Fashion writer

Addicted to charity shopping and want to put your years of experience sifting through bins of ugly jumpers for the perfect find to good use? We’re looking for writers who are able to do just that — pick out trends, tap into what Cambridge fashionistas are discussing, and work on photoshoots which can reflect and inspire both. If you are passionate about slow fashion or the speed of the trend cycle, or have an idea for a column, Fashion is the section for you.

To write for Fashion, please complete the following tasks:

1) Propose three article ideas - these can also include photo-journalism concepts. (400 words max)

2) What is one fashion staple for your Easter tem wardrobe? (200 words max)

Theatre writer

Theatre is an important part of Varsity, producing not just reviews, but also features, interviews, and opinion pieces. If you have spent all your student loan on seeing shows, or speak in techie lingo your friends don’t understand, we want you on our team.

Writers will need to be creative in looking for leads and working with editors on long term projects. You need to be open-minded, thoughtful, and reliable. As a reviewer, you will play an important role in the Cambridge Theatre scene, and you will need to write frankly, and with fluency.

To write and review for Theatre, please answer the following questions:

1) If you could interview anyone connected to the Cambridge theatre scene, who would it be and what would you ask? (200 words max)

2) What do you think is the most underappreciated aspect/role in the formation of student theatre? (200 words max)

3) Write a 300-word review of any show you have seen in Cambridge.




Lifestyle writer

Lifestyle is a vibrant and diverse section, and one of the broadest and most popular in the paper. From restaurant reviews and Agony Aunts, to new experiences and personal reflection, we’re looking for a witty, creative, fun group of writers who can keep Lifestyle up to date with the unique, esoteric, and fast-paced Cambridge way of life.

To write for Lifestyle, please complete the following tasks:

1) Propose three article ideas. (300 words max)

2) What are two experiences you would like to try out and review for the section? (200 words max)

3) What was your weirdest ever experience at Cambridge? (200 words max)

Please note that applications to be a photographer or illustrator are also open. Please find more information here.

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