Join Varsity’s visual team this Easter

Now is the ideal time to have your talents published in Cambridge’s only independent student newspaper

Applications must be submitted to applications@varsity.co.uk by midday Thursday 10th April VARSITY ARCHIVE

by Anuk Weerawardana & Sophie Ennis

Monday March 31 2025, 5:00am

Applications to join Varsity’s visual team in Easter 2025 are now open. Apply to be a photographer or illustrator in order to make your mark on the paper.

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.

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.

Therefore, visuals will have a huge role in Varsity this coming term. We are looking for a large team of photographers and illustrators who are keen to make the paper more aesthetically engaging, who are willing to make their mark on how the website and Yearbook will look and feel.

Now is the ideal time to join Varsity.

How to apply

All applications must include:

Your full name, subject, year, and college.
The role (s) for which you would like to apply.
Any other extracurricular commitments in Easter term

Please see the information below for specific details on how to apply for each role. Applications must be submitted to applications@varsity.co.uk by midday Thursday 10th April.

The Editors-in-Chief of Varsity in Easter term will be Anuk Weerawardana (aw2045) and Sophie Ennis (se484). 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.

Photographers

Our photography team keeps the newspaper looking vibrant with new visual content. As a staff photographer, you will have the chance to pursue creative projects, work on fashion photoshoots, or cover Cambridge events as part of the News team. To apply, please send us an email detailing any skills and experience you have for the role. If available, please also attach a short portfolio of your previous work. If you don’t have experience or a portfolio, that’s fine too — just let us know why you’re interested in the role! Please note that you must have access to a DSLR camera or equivalent. Please indicate whether you would be willing to be assigned specifically to news photography.

Illustrators and Cartoonists

Varsity relies on a strong, dynamic visual presence. As a staff illustrator, you’ll have the chance to be at the forefront this, joining a creative space where you’ll be encouraged to experiment, and creating art that speaks to student perspectives. Whether you are an artist, graphic designer or cartoonist, we’d love to hear from you. To apply, please send us an email detailing any skills and experience you have for the role. If available, please also attach a short portfolio of your previous work. If you don’t have experience or a portfolio, that’s fine too — just let us know why you’re interested in the role!

Puzzle Maker

Enjoy a crossword? Good with wordplay? Fancy a sudoku? We're looking for individuals to design them. This is a fun, low-commitment role. To apply, please send us a short application explaining why you're interested in the role. Please also provide three examples of prompts you would include in a Varsity crossword.

Support Varsity

Varsity is the independent newspaper for the University of Cambridge, established in its current form in 1947. In order to maintain our editorial independence, our print newspaper and news website receives no funding from the University of Cambridge or its constituent Colleges.

We are therefore almost entirely reliant on advertising for funding and we expect to have a tough few months and years ahead.

In spite of this situation, we are going to look at inventive ways to look at serving our readership with digital content and of course in print too!

Therefore we are asking our readers, if they wish, to make a donation from as little as £1, to help with our running costs. Many thanks, we hope you can help!