TV presenter apprenticeships - where to start
You can get into this job through
a university coursean apprenticeshipworking towards this rolevolunteeringspecialist subject knowledge
University
Many people get a degree before becoming a TV presenter. Relevant subjects include:
- media production
- drama or performing arts
- journalism or broadcast journalism
- media or communications studies
If you want to work as a presenter for a specialist programme, you may need a science, history or economics degree. You'll usually need 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree.
Apprenticeship
You could do a higher apprenticeship as a broadcast production assistant or junior content producer in broadcasting as a first step towards working in the TV industry. Most people following this route have 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths.
Work
Presenters often move into TV from other media jobs like journalism and research, or from presenting on radio or online.
Volunteering
You could get presenting experience through:
community media
hospital radio
commercial radio
student radio
Broadcasters like the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 offer work experience placements, insight and talent days, which can help you get into the industry.
Other Routes
If you have detailed knowledge of a subject like sport, gardening, food or science, you might find work as an expert contributor, presenting or co-presenting programmes with an experienced professional. Some broadcasters hold competitions to find new presenters.
You'll usually need a showreel, with clips of yourself on camera, to give to broadcasters, producers or media recruitment agencies.
You will need to audition and/or take a screen test
Competition is strong, so you'll need determination, persistence and the ability to promote yourself.
Jobs are not always advertised, so you need to make industry contacts to find out who is hiring.
TV presenter apprenticeships - what it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of media production and communication
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- active listening skills
- the ability to use your initiative
- to be flexible and open to change
- concentration skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
TV presenter apprenticeships - what you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your daily tasks would depend on the type of show you present, but you may:
- meet with the production team to go through the running order
- be briefed by researchers, or prepare your own scripts, links and interview questions
- rehearse
- present, which may include reading from an autocue, interviewing guests and working with studio audiences
- react to instructions given to you through an earpiece by the director or floor manager
- go through several 'takes' if necessary
Working environment
You could work at a TV studio.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Career path and progression - TV presenter apprenticeships
With an established TV career, you could branch out into radio work, acting or writing for newspapers and magazines.
With experience, you could also choose to move into other areas within the media industry like production.