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Video editor apprenticeships

Creative and media

Video editor apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • training schemes run by broadcasters 
  • specialist courses run by private training providers


    • University

    You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate course in:

    • film and television studies 
    • media production 
    • film and media
    You'll usually need 1 or 2 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma. You'll need 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree.

    College
    A college qualification could help you to get practical skills like using editing equipment and software. The most useful courses include work placements and the chance to build contacts in the industry. Courses include: 

    • Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production 
    • Level 4 Higher National Certificate or Diploma in Creative Media Production
    You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a Level 3 course. You'll need 1 or 2 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma.

    Apprenticeship
    You can get started in this job through:

    • Level 3 Broadcast production assistant apprenticeship 
    • Level 4 Post production technical operator apprenticeship
    You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for a Level 3 apprenticeship.

    Work
    Employers often value technical skills and personal qualities, like patience and creativity, more than formal qualifications. It's common to move into video editing in film or TV by starting off as a production runner and working your way up.

    Volunteering

    Experience is highly valued and can give you a taste of what it's like to work in the industry. It can also help you to get practical skills. Getting experience is also a great way to make contacts with people who already work in the industry. Not all jobs are advertised, so your contacts could help you find paid work later on. 

    You could get relevant experience from:

    • editing student or community film productions
    • working for an editing equipment hire company 
    • creating and editing films for charities 
    • work experience as a runner in an editing facilities company 
    Other Routes
    You may be able to get training through one of the new entrant training schemes that broadcasters and film bodies offer, for example: 

    • BBC trainee scheme 
    • Channel 4 training scheme
    • ITV Careers 
    • BFI 
    You could also take short courses in video editing run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers. As you get experience, you could make a 'showreel' DVD or online profile of productions you've worked on to demonstrate your skills to employers when looking for work.

    Video editor apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need: 

    • to be thorough and pay attention to detail 
    • knowledge of media production and communication 
    • the ability to work well with others 
    • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software 
    • to be flexible and open to change 
    • the ability to use your initiative 
    • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure 
    • excellent verbal communication skills 
    • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

    Video editor apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    In your day-to-day duties you might: 

    • agree a finished 'look' for the final footage 
    • transfer film or video footage 
    • use editing software 
    • keep a clear idea of the storyline 
    • create a 'rough cut' 
    • digitally improve picture quality 
    • create DVDs or format footage to view online
    Working environment
    You could work at a TV studio or at a film studio.

    Career path and progression - Video editor apprenticeships

    Once established, you might use an agent to find work and negotiate your fees. You could set up your own company.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    Paid Training

    Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!

    Range of career opportunities

    There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction, or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!

    Earn & learn

    As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday, and sick pay.

    Great career prospects

    Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!

    Learn on the job

    There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job – whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables, or building engines!

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