Join Varsity‘s visual team this Lent

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

There has never been a better time to join the visual team at Cambridge's only independent student paperVarsity archive

by Daisy Bates & Calum Murray

Friday January 16 2026, 2:49pm

Applications to join Varsity’s visual team in Lent 2026 have now re-opened. Apply to be a photographer or illustrator 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 Lent team’s primary responsibility will be to produce five print newspapers, to be read throughout the University and beyond. Until then, however, the team will produce high-quality and regular online content for the duration of the Christmas vacation, and the term ahead.

We are looking for a large and talented team of photographers and illustrators who are keen to make the paper more aesthetically engaging, who are willing to make their mark not just on each fortnightly edition, but on Cambridge life.

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, and if relevant, please specify the sections of the paper for which you want to illustrate/photograph
Any other extracurricular commitments in Michaelmas 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 Monday the 26th of January.

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

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 or graphic designer, we’d love to hear from you. To apply, please send us an email detailing any skills and experience you have for the role; alongside this, please send a response, in your preferred style, to the commission: "Student graduating at the Senate House, in their full gown and holding their degree certificate". 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!

The Editors-in-Chief of Varsity in Lent term will be Daisy Bates (db974) and Calum Murray (cm2241). 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.

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!