Whether you want to write a column or join the News team, take photos or create video, we’re looking for more people to join the team of Cambridge’s oldest, biggest and only independent student newspaper
Applications for these roles have now closed. If you’d like to write for Varsity, see here for details.
Varsity has been the home of Cambridge’s most talented and most creative students for a long time – 70 years, in fact – and now we are looking to expand our team. We’re looking for people to write and create content for us. Innovation and enthusiasm are a must, but no experience necessary!
More details and how to apply are below. We are recruiting:
• Columnists to write entertaining and engaging series for any section
• Senior News Correspondents to help the News team break the biggest stories which matter to students
• Sport reporters to attend exciting matches and write about them for our readers
• Theatre reviewers to write informed critiques about the best (and worst) student productions
• Violet team (Deputy Editor, staff writers) to help with the running of Varsity’s light-hearted and entertaining blog
• Video journalists (presenters, producers and videographers) to be involved in the expansion of Varsity’s video presence, producing a wide range of creative video content
• Staff photographers to provide the images for breaking News and Sports stories, keeping the paper on the pulse
• Staff illustrators to create artwork to keep our website looking great. Graphic design, illustration, cartoonists all welcome
Columnists
What we really want is to hear from you. If you’d like to write a column for Varsity, pitch it to us. This could be on any topic, for any section – we want you to be creative. As a columnist, you will work closely with your section editor to write articles on a weekly basis for the paper.
We’ve had all kinds of columns in the past – from documenting Cambridge life as a woman of colour, to musings on the nature of language across cultures – the key thing is that the personality of the writer shines through. You don’t need to have a narrow focus with your column’s content: we’re looking for an ability to write with distinctive perspective and style.
We are interested in columnist applications for all parts of the paper. However, some column ideas which we are particularly keen to develop include writing for the Science section, satire for Violet, and a column for our new section, Lifestyle (content for which might include travel, food or things to do in the city). For the Opinion section, we are especially looking to recruit columnists who are unafraid to offer bold takes and prepared to respond to news in Cambridge as it happens. Across all sections, we are keen to see a diverse range of identities, backgrounds and ideas.
To apply: send a pitch (300 words maximum), a sample column (800 words maximum) and ideas for three further columns.
Senior News Correspondents
A great way to get stuck straight in with the busy News section, this role involves attending weekly news meetings, as well as keeping your eyes peeled throughout the week for emerging stories. You will learn how to write a news report, to send requests for comment and to fact-check information – and your stories might even make it to the national papers. You’ll need to be curious (read: a good gossip) and able to stick to deadlines.
To apply: explain why you want to be involved in the News team and give details of any relevant experience (300 words maximum), and provide a critique of a recent News article (300 words maximum).
Sport reporters
Sport reporters attend matches and write up reports. A willingness to embrace all kinds of sport is needed, as well as strong writing skills which enable you to deliver entertaining and informative commentary on matches.
To apply: explain why you want to be involved in the Sport team and give details of any relevant experience (300 words maximum), and provide a critique of a recent article from the Sport section (300 words maximum). Please mention if you have any experience with photography, though this is by no means essential.
Theatre reviewers
Theatre reviewers attend Cambridge’s shows and tell our readers all about them. With the huge array of talent frequenting the stages of Cambridge, there’s no better place to be a reviewer. Theatre reviewers will continue to write for the paper anonymously in Easter Term; if selected, you will be given the opportunity to sign up to review shows, and your name will be listed on our website as one of Varsity’s reviewers. We’re particularly looking for people with experience of being involved in or writing about theatre for this role.
To apply: explain why you want to write Theatre reviews and any relevant experience you have (300 words maximum), and provide a critique of a recent review (300 words maximum).
Violet team
Violet is Varsity’s light-hearted and entertaining blog, a place to cover funny news stories, provide humorous takes on current affairs and tell personal stories. We’re looking to grow the Violet team this term, and need some talented people to take it forward.
Violet Deputy Editor
This role involves supporting the Violet Editor in commissioning and editing content for the section.
To apply: explain why you want to be involved in Violet and any relevant experience you have (200 words maximum), and provide a sense of your vision for the section, including three content ideas (400 words maximum).
Violet staff writers
If you're interested in writing comedic or satirical takes on student life, including responding to the latest news, apply to be a staff writer for Violet. You'll get the opportunity to cover commissions and develop your own content ideas. Unlike columnists, your work will not need to follow a particular thread, allowing for greater scope to explore different styles of storytelling. If you think you can write in a witty, lighthearted and engaging style, we would love to hear from you.
To apply: explain why you want to be involved in Violet (200 words maximum), provide a sample article for the section (600 words maximum), and send us a link to any of your previous writing (none required).
Video journalists
The video team will be responsible for creating Varsity’s video content, as well as coming up with ideas about exciting video opportunities. We’re looking for people to shoot, edit and presentVarsity’s video output. You are welcome to apply to any one or selection of these roles, and Varsity will be able to provide opportunities to expand and develop your skills – no experience required.
To apply: please provide an explanation of the role you would like to have within the video team, as well as details of any skills, equipment and software you currently have (including links to any examples of your work). Please also include two suggestions for video content you would like to develop.
Staff photographers
Varsity needs a team of photographers to keep its website looking fresh and vibrant with new and original photographic content, particularly the News and Sport sections. Being involved as a staff photographer will give you the opportunity to pick up commissions for the paper and share your work with our large readership.
To apply: please provide details of any skills, equipment and experience you have (including a link to your portfolio if possible).
Staff illustrators
Our illustrations ensure Varsity looks stylish and engaging with new and original illustrations, particularly in the Vulture sections. Whether you are an artist, graphics designer or cartoonist, we’d love to hear from you.
To apply: please provide details of any skills and experience you have (including a link to your portfolio if possible).
Applications should be sent to applications@varsity.co.uk by 5pm, Monday 9th April. Please direct any questions to Anna Jennings (Easter Term Editor) at the same address.
Don’t hesitate – do something amazing with your time at Cambridge, and apply today
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!