Applications to join Varsity’s editorial team in Lent 2024 are now open.
Varsity has been at the centre of Cambridge student life since 1947. Our reporters revealed the discovery of DNA in 1953, showed evidence of Cambridge academics messaging students on dating apps in 2022, and even successfully ran a campaign to save Gardies in the early noughties.
As one of only three completely independent student newspapers in the UK we are in the unique position of providing independent, established, and trusted reporting without any outside influence, allowing us to hold our institutions to account. Whether it’s a drinking soc controversy or a divestment scandal, the next big scoop could be yours.
Varsity is much more than just news though. Whether you’re passionate about photography, music, theatre, sport or just have opinions you want to share - there is a place for you in the team in Lent.
We’re very proud of the collaborative environment of the newspaper. From fortnightly pub socials to our unique office home, Varsity is the perfect place to make new friends while developing your writing and editing skills. The best part of Varsity is the opportunity to play a key part in a larger project alongside like minded people.
Most importantly, we’re a training paper. You do not need journalistic experience to apply, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
The Lent team will be responsible for producing online content throughout the holidays and during term time until the start of Easter term, as well as physical content in the fortnightly print edition.
The Editors-in-Chief of Varsity next term will be Michael Hennessey (mlh64) and Daniel Hilton (dh671). Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the application process or what it’s like to work at 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.
Which other positions you would be willing to consider, if you are not offered your desired role(s).
Your other extracurricular commitments in Lent term.
Please see the information below for specific details on how to apply for each role. Applications must be submitted as a Word document to applications@varsity.co.uk by midday on Tuesday 12th December.
Please note that applications for writer positions and for the visual team will follow in due course.
Leadership team
The Deputy and Vulture editors each oversee a number of sections within the Varsity team.
If you wish to apply for these roles, please provide:
A critique and vision for your chosen side of the paper. What ideas do you have for next term? Reference to specific sections is encouraged. (500 words max)
Details of any experience you have for the role, especially in regard to journalism, leadership, and management. (300 words max)
Three ideas for content across your side of the paper. Feel free to include photos of previous setting you’ve liked in Varsity or elsewhere. (300 words max)
Deputy Editor
Overseeing the day-to-day running of the newspaper sections, the primary responsibility of the Deputy Editors in Lent will be to ensure the regular output of high-quality content and the production of our fortnightly print editions. As a line manager to various section editors, it will be the Deputy Editor’s responsibility to ensure filing day deadlines are met and content is fact-checked. Applicants should be committed individuals with excellent time management and organisational skills. Experience within Varsity and a working knowledge of Adobe InDesign will be important for this role. We are looking to recruit two Deputy Editors.
Vulture Editor
Vulture Editors will oversee the content and day-to-day running of the magazine while ensuring that content produced is of wide interest. The primary responsibility of the Vulture Editors in Lent will be to ensure the regular output of high-quality content and the production of our fortnightly print editions. As a line manager to various section editors, it will be the Vulture Editor’s responsibility to ensure filing day deadlines are met and high quality content is produced. Applicants should be committed individuals with excellent time management skills and an interest in Cambridge’s creative scene. Experience within Varsity and working knowledge of Adobe InDesign will be important for this role. We are looking to recruit two Vulture Editors.
Feel free to include or link to any samples of your work, although this is not a requirement. Shortlisted candidates for these roles may be invited for a short online interview next week.
Section editors
Do you want to help shape one of Varsity’s sections and work closely with a range of contributors? Our section editors have the unique opportunity to push discussion and platform different conversations and perspectives. Section editors will commission, select and edit content, while also having the opportunity to write pieces themselves. Section editors will also set Varsity’s physical copy, for which they will receive training from members of the leadership team.
If you wish to apply for a role as a section editor, please provide:
A vision statement and critique of the section over the past few terms. Detail what has been done well and what needs improvement, both in print and online. (300 words max)
Critique one article from the section. Why didn’t it work? (200 words max)
Detail any experience you may have for the role, especially in regard to journalism, editing, leadership, and management. (200 words max)
Propose three ideas for content in your section. (A pitch for each of 100 words max)
Roles available (Newspaper)
News Editor
News is the beating heart of Varsity and the paper’s biggest section. It’s dynamic and fast-paced, responsible for covering Cambridge and its institutions in an accurate and timely manner. News editors need to be dedicated, proactive, and, vitally, have a keen eye to spot a good story. All news editors will be expected to lead the weekly news meeting at the Varsity office in order to discuss stories and that week’s news agenda.
Senior News Editor: The Senior News Editors will lead a team of four Deputy News Editors and around fifteen news correspondents. They are responsible for shaping the news agenda, deciding what should (and should not) be covered and, crucially, how it should be covered – it’s a big responsibility. Senior News Editors must equally commit to training correspondents and other members of the Varsity team in news writing according to the in-house style. We are looking to recruit two Senior News Editors.
Deputy News Editor: The role of Deputy News Editor is the perfect intermediary position for someone who wants to both write and edit. They will play an important mentoring role to the newer additions of the team, but will also investigate their own leads to produce original and exciting copy. We are looking to recruit four Deputy News Editors.
Investigations Lead: The Investigations Lead must have a nose for the untold story and a drive to work independently, tackling in-depth projects with the aim of uncovering important issues and holding Cambridge institutions to account. The Investigations Lead will attend weekly news meetings but will focus solely on commissioning (and writing) at least one longer-form investigative stories for each print edition.
Features Editor
The Features section is a space for articles that investigate Cambridge’s current community and history from a fresh perspective. These articles should contain information that readers wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere, whether that means investigating MI6 recruitment, Cambridge’s secret societies, or the failures of the collegiate system. Most importantly though, they're outward looking. We’re looking for someone with a clear understanding of what makes Cambridge unique and an eye for interesting perspectives on issues often under-discussed or marginalised. Features Editors must be motivated individuals who are comfortable helping writers chase leads and build a story. They will be responsible for the production of pieces with a historical or archival focus as well as present-day human interest stories for our print editions, in addition to regular online content. We are looking to recruit two Features Editors and one Archival Features Editor - please indicate which is your preferred position on your application.
Comment Editor
Comment is one of Varsity’s most popular sections. We want a Comment team who are enthralled by discussions of Cambridge’s key issues and understand the importance of seeking new perspectives and the development of clear, opinion-led tone. Comment Editors will lead a team of columnists and staff writers and will be responsible for generating ideas, commissioning articles, and editing copy. They should not be afraid to challenge consensus: not all students see things the same way, so editors need to lead a balanced and diverse range of opinions. We are looking to recruit three Comment Editors.
Interviews Editor
Our Interviews Editors get the chance to meet fascinating and high-profile people from all walks of life. They should understand the Cambridge landscape and be able to discover new voices within our community as well as independently seek out well-known names to interview. They must be willing to repeatedly chase potential interviewees, search for new forms of contact, and be persistent in their requests. We want someone who understands how to draw out an interesting story from a person or transcript. We are looking to recruit two Interviews Editors.
Science Editor
With such an innovative scientific community at our fingertips, Cambridge represents a wealth of opportunity for our Science editors. Science editors should look to report on new research and scientific exhibits in Cambridge, as well as features that highlight student-relevant tidbits in an informative, engaging way while also leaving room to insert humour into their copy. Editing the section provides a welcome creative escape, relating new stories or complicated problems in an accessible and engaging way. We are looking to recruit two Science editors.
Sport Editor
Sport is one of our busiest and most vibrant sections, and its editors are in a prime position to shape discussions around sport in Cambridge. Sport editors must be prepared to provide quick coverage on match reports, covering a wide and varied range of sports at different levels across the university. They also have the opportunity to interview the sporting stars of Cambridge and write exciting features on the sports world. They will lead a team of correspondents and staff writers, pushing for diversified and exciting content for the section. We are looking to recruit three Sport Editors.
Roles available (Vulture)
Arts Editor
Arts Editors have the luxury - and the responsibility - of engaging directly with the vibrant Cambridge arts scene. Whether reviewing the newest Cambridge exhibits or zines, interviewing up-and-coming creatives, or debating the best and worst of Cambridge architecture, the editors of this section must be able to write about Cambridge’s arts scene in an accessible and down-to-earth manner that can be enjoyed by all. Arts Editors must be willing to immerse themselves in Cambridge’s artistic spaces, and be thoughtful about how Varsity can build upon our examination and support of them. We are looking to recruit two Arts Editors.
Film & TV Editor
Film & TV Editors must be compelled by both the Cambridge film and television scene and the broader cultural moment. Editors will be responsible for producing timely reviews in relation to both these areas, whether that means the latest student film screening or the newest Netflix show. Editors must be strict with the content that is reviewed in the section, able to discern which films will and will not garner the interest of the average Cambridge student. Working closely with members of the Cambridge film scene, they will also be expected to produce interviews and features that provide new insights into these spaces. We are looking to recruit two Film & TV Editors.
Music Editor
Music Editors need to be not only passionate about music, but engaged in the rich and exciting Cambridge music scene. They will be responsible for producing regular reviews of student bands, music nights, and concerts. They must also interview and feature prominent players in the Cambridge music scene, engaging with bands and societies in creative and innovative ways. Beyond this, they will need to produce content which explores music more generally, in the form of features, playlists and album reviews. We are looking to recruit two Music Editors, who will need to be able to platform and discuss all genres.
Fashion Editor
We are looking for two Fashion Editors with an eye for style. The Fashion section must aim to be accessible, personal and relevant to students. We're looking for individuals who are compelled by the vast range of fashion visible within Cambridge and have a good eye for design. Beyond writing and editing creative and topical articles, Fashion Editors will be responsible for photoshoots for print editions. This involves creating a concept, finding models, and liaising with the Visual editor to organise the shoot. From style guides to creative investigations, this role lets you set the standard for the Cambridge fashion scene.
Theatre Editor
The Theatre Editors will commission reviews as well as behind-the-scenes features and commentary exploring Cambridge's rich theatre scene. Next term, we’re eager to broaden the section’s focus beyond reviews, although these will remain important, seeking to highlight in particular the creative work students undertake to bring productions to life. This is a demanding role due to the large output of the section and the time-critical nature of reviews. We are especially looking for individuals who understand the Cambridge theatre scene well, are extremely organised and able to take great initiative in reaching out to shows (e.g. to review, or interview).
Lifestyle Editor
The Lifestyle section should be fun, down-to-earth, and relatable to all students at Cambridge. Editors must be quick, up-to-date with Cambridge events, and have a knack for sparking amusing conversations with our readership. From Agony Aunts to reviews, satire to personal columns, how-tos to please don’ts, Lifestyle is a diverse and engaging section. We are looking to recruit two Lifestyle editors.
Other roles
We are also looking to hire roles within Varsity’s production team. Click the drop-box below to see what’s required of each role, and what we need from you in your application.
Keen to contribute to the paper but not in an editorial role? Applications for reporters, writers, columnists, videographers, photographers, and illustrators will open shortly. In the meantime, to hear about upcoming opportunities in sections you’re interested in, follow our socials and join the relevant Facebook groups for interested writers.
Sub-editors
Know your less from your fewer? Have an eye for commas, apostrophes, capital letters and spelling? Our team of sub-editors are the key to ensuring that Varsity maintains its reputation for clear and professional journalism. They ensure that all pieces conform to Varsity’s house style and flag up any content that may be unsuitable for publishing. Sub-editors come into the office to sub our print editions before we send off our pages – it’s fast-paced and a great chance to get involved with the heart of the paper.
We are looking to recruit a number of sub-editors as well as a Chief sub-editor who will manage the team to ensure content is reviewed in a timely fashion.
Applications for Sub-editor must include a critique of an article from any section from the past couple of terms, with particular attention to the detailed improvements which a sub-editor could make with reference to the Varsity style guide (300 words maximum).
The Varsity style guide can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uVaJvJOxUQDiCc1NZxwGed9dwD8M6ln3/edit
Archivists
Starting all the way back in 1931, Varsity has a rich history. Whether a Varsity lover or dedicated historian, our archives - which contain issues dating back to 1947 - offer many interesting insights and well-known names. As well as digitalising past print editions in the office to ensure our legacy is preserved and accessible, the Archivists will be responsible for producing the ‘Vintage Varsity’ column in our print editions. The column reflects on past Varsity stories in a humorous or reflective way. The Archivists should also be able to act as a point of guidance or assistance for other section editors looking to produce features with a historical or archival focus. We are looking to hire two individuals for this role.
To apply for this position, please provide three ideas for a 'Vintage Varsity' column with reference to stories from our online archives (see 'Paper Edition' on the website footer below). (300 words max)
We’re always open to pitches, on any issue or theme which may interest you, so please drop us an email with your ideas!
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!