2020-04-01
Production Training Scheme 2020
The Channel 4 Production Training Scheme is for entry level talent who want to break into the media industry and are passionate about making television programmes. The paid scheme will take you to an independent production company for 12 months working as either a Researcher or a Production Coordinator. We'll have 16 places on the scheme, with opportunities available across the UK.
You can find out more about the scheme here.
Applications will open in Spring 2020, please enter your email address below to find out when they do.
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Investigative Journalism MA
Investigative Journalism MA
Investigative Journalism MA
This course will equip you with the specialist skills and knowledge for a successful career in investigative video journalism.
Investigative Journalism MA with De Montfort University
This course is the result of a unique collaboration between Channel 4 and DMU. It will equip you with the specialist skills and knowledge for a successful career in investigative video journalism.
Designed by industry experts, the course addresses skills such as in-depth research, handling complex data, understanding financial information, and working undercover. After a thorough grounding in media law, regulation and ethics, you will receive tuition in various investigative techniques, including using the Freedom of Information Act, data journalism and financial journalism.
You will also be taught how to use specialist camera equipment, and how to plan, shoot and edit your own material with a view to making industry-standard, broadcast-quality journalistic films. This is supplemented by a survey of the academic study of journalism, all of which is intended to help you flourish as a practitioner.
The connection with Channel 4 helps the course tutors identify potential work experience placements, and professional mentors for students.
Recent graduates have gone to work as directors, presenters, reporters and researchers with national and international news and current affairs broadcasters, including the BBC and Channel 4.
Key features
- Study for an MA that has been endorsed by and developed in collaboration with Channel 4. This means that you will receive industry-standard teaching from expert academics and professional journalists.
- Specialise by studying a course that is solely aimed at producing investigative video journalists.
- Experience a wide range of teaching styles and environments, from traditional lectures and seminars to intensive skills workshops, news days and studio work.
- Choose to independently produce a piece of investigative journalism suitable for broadcast by one of the mainstream outlets as part of your final semester project.
- Benefit from our academics’ extensive experience as journalists, filmmakers, media consultants and producers to develop the skills you need to launch your career.
- Study on a course that is suitable for both established professionals and graduates wanting to break into the field.
Louisa Compton, Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4 and Visiting Professor in Media Discourse at DMU, said:
“Channel 4 is committed to training the next generation of investigative journalists. Our current Investigative Journalism Training Scheme provides training in investigative skills to working television journalists with more experience.This collaboration with DMU takes our commitment a stage further providing a very high quality MA with teaching provided by professionals who are themselves television journalists of the highest calibre. It’s vital for the future of investigative television journalism that we train up a new generation and widen the pool of talent to include people from diverse backgrounds. Quite a number of people have general television making skills, but lack the sort of specialist knowledge required.”
Applications for the 2022 MA course are now closed. Please follow us at @Channel4Skills for updates.
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2019-09-27
4Screenwriting
Applications for our 4Screenwriting programme are now open until 27th September. Click below to apply.
2019-06-21
Paras Production Training Scheme
As part of our commitment to recruiting and promoting disabled talent in television, Channel 4 is launching the Paras Production Training Scheme. Sixteen people will be given the opportunity to work for an independent production company during 2019-20 for 12 months, starting their television careers with Channel 4. This programme is aimed at disabled people, as disabled people are currently underrepresented in the media industry and this is something we want to change.
Applications are now OPEN. Click here to apply now.
Applications for Content Creatives 2022 are opening soon!
Support & Advice
Support & Advice
Support & Advice
Competition within the Media Industry is fierce - so preparation is everything. Know what you want to do. Understand what your strengths are. Decide what really appeals to you. This will give you the focus that you need if you’re going to stand out from the crowd.
Answering these questions is a great place to start:
The Media Industry offers an endless range of opportunities. There are all the obvious roles such as Marketing, PR, Art & Design, Writing, and Production.
But there are heaps of other things that you can do. Roles within departments that keep any organisation functioning, like Finance, HR and Legal.
There are some more specialist roles up for grabs too, in areas that take on a different flavour within the Media Industry, like Engineering, Systems and Tech.
Media companies are becoming ever more diverse - it's great! They do all kinds of exciting and impressive things. So go online or pick up a newspaper and find out who's doing what. This could help you discover new businesses that you’ve never heard of. Decide what interests you most, what companies are doing it – and how.
Familiarise yourself with the Media Industry, build your knowledge and give yourself the best chance to impress during an interview!
Some of us are practical; some of us our creative. Some of us are logical; others more intuitive. Think about what your strengths are – and play to them. Is it words or pictures? Is it numbers or people? Creating something from scratch or making something work better?
Understanding your own strengths will make it much easier to find the job that's right for you!
What floats your boat? Where do you most like to be? What do you care about most and why? Are you a telly addict or more of a film person? Do you tune into radio or get connected online? Be ready to talk about what you love and why – and how it’s relevant to what you want to do.
There's nothing better than doing a job that you love - so have a think about what that might be!
Once you’ve figured out the 'what' and the 'where', it's time to focus on the 'who'. Who can tell me more? Who is in charge? Who do I need to impress? Who would I most like to work with? Who do I need to call or email? Who can open the door that I most want to go through?
Write. Call. Email. Tell the people that matter why you want to work with them and why they will want to work with you. Figure out what you have to offer and match this to their needs.
Be persistent and courageous. Showing an interest gets results.
Accessibility
As a public service broadcaster, it’s our job at Channel 4 to be here for everyone. This means creating a level playing field for everyone who applies to join us, and, as a Disability Confident Leader, we actively welcome applications from disabled candidates to come to work with us at Channel 4.
We’re working to ensure our application process is right for you as an individual. So, if you do have a condition or impairment and there’s something we can do to make that process more straightforward, please email us at 4Skills@Channel4.co.uk
These are just some of the things we’ve put in place previously for people who have requested some extra support:
- Pre application: A phone call to discuss the opportunity further and ask some extra questions.
- Application: Alternative formats – such as large print or requesting to submit responses via video or audio clips – or a phone call and a 4Skills team member to scribe answers.
- Pre-interview: A pre-interview conversation, digital copies of content before the day.
- Interview/assessment day: BSL interpreters; providing large format materials; extra time to complete tasks; scribes or personal assistants; hearing loops; subtitling on video content; travel adjustments e.g. having a taxi rather using the tube.
- Post-interview: If you’re successful, feedback can be provided in alternative formats.
We’d like to continue this conversation if you start working for us. Are there any reasonable adjustments we can make to create a more conducive environment for you to work in? We’ll provide you with a named contact to chat through any questions or worries you might have, prior to starting your role. Some examples of adjustments we have made are: provision of software, flexible working hours and quiet working spaces.
We can't wait to hear from you, receive your application and maybe for you to start working with us.
Relocation
If you need to relocate in order to take up an opportunity through 4Skills (training schemes and apprenticeships) we can offer you support towards the financial costs of moving. This includes a contribution towards your deposit and first months’ rent, plus visits to your new city to look for accommodation. For more information please contact 4Skills@Channel4.co.uk
2019-03-29
Departmental Work Experience (1 Week) - Applications NOW OPEN
In May 2019, up to 20 individuals will have the opportunity to spend the week with 4Talent and learn about Channel 4 and how we work, as well as develop those vital employability skills to make you job ready!
Please note, you must be 18 years old or over to take part in this opportunity.
Applications close: 29th March 2019
2019-03-01
C4 Employability Work Experience (2 Days) - Applications Closed.
In April 2019, we will be inviting 20 individuals to join us at Channel 4 to take part in 2 days of Work Experience!
You will have the opportunity to learn all about Channel 4, as well as the different departments and what they do.
Applications close: 1st March 2019
2019-04-26
Investigative Journalism Scheme
We are looking for up to 5 applicants who have no experience in the TV industry, but have exceptional and demonstrable experience using their investigative skills to achieve results. The successful applicants will work in one of our partner independent production companies for 6 months.
Individuals will receive on the job training and connect with leading industry professionals.
Applications are now open. See below to apply now.