Media and creative apprenticeships are about much more than presenting or acting. Most of the work happens behind the scenes: researching and producing content, running the tech that records and broadcasts it, and managing the business side.
The BBC shows just how wide that is. It splits its apprenticeships into business, digital technology and data, engineering and operations, journalism, and production.
Worth knowing
Creative employers can have different rules on who can apply. The BBC, for example, says you need to be 18 or over and to have lived in the UK for the three years before you start. Always check the rules for the exact scheme you’re interested in.
Beyond the BBC
Sky runs apprenticeships from Level 2 customer roles to a Level 5 journalism apprenticeship at Sky News and a five-year CIMA finance route, and it publishes its pay: £27,010 for most of its 2026 programmes. Channel 4 runs Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships over 12 to 24 months through its 4Skills programme, aimed at people from underrepresented groups.
Types of work and careers
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Production
Helping develop, organise and make programmes and content across TV, audio and digital.
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Journalism
Researching, writing and producing news and factual content.
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Engineering and operations
The technical work that gets content recorded, broadcast and streamed.
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Digital technology and data
Building the apps, websites and data systems audiences use.
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Business support
Finance, marketing and other roles that keep a media organisation running.
Compare Media and creative apprenticeships
A quick side-by-side of what each employer publishes. Pick a level to see what each employer offers at that level, and open a profile for the full details and sources.
All employers
| Employer | Levels | Length | Pay | Entry requirements | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBC | Up to 12–36 months | £24,650–£26,000 | Set per scheme; you must be 18 or over | Not published | |
| Channel 4 | 12–24 months (Levels 2–3) | Not published | Not published | Offices including London and Manchester | |
| Sky | 15 months to 5 years | £26,428–£29,060 | From 2 GCSEs (Level 2) to 3 A levels (finance) | Mostly Osterley, west London; customer roles in Cardiff and Glasgow |
Intermediate apprenticeships (Level 2)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBC | 1 programme Level 2 (Foundation Apprenticeships) | Up to 12 months | £24,650–£26,000 | Set per scheme; you must be 18 or over |
| Channel 4 | 1 programme Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships | 12–24 months | Not published | Not published |
| Sky | 1 programme Customer Sales Apprenticeship | 15 months | £26,428–£29,060 | From 2 GCSEs (Level 2) to 3 A levels (finance) |
Advanced apprenticeships (Level 3)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBC | 1 programme Level 3 (Advanced) and Level 4 (Higher) apprenticeships | Up to 25 months | £24,650–£26,000 | Set per scheme; you must be 18 or over |
| Channel 4 | 1 programme Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships | 12–24 months | Not published | Not published |
| Sky | 1 programme Digital Marketing Apprenticeship | 2 years | £27,010 | From 2 GCSEs (Level 2) to 3 A levels (finance) |
Higher apprenticeships (Levels 4–5)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBC | 2 programmes Level 3 (Advanced) and Level 4 (Higher) apprenticeships; Level 5 (Higher) apprenticeships | Up to 25 months; Up to 24 months | £24,650–£26,000 | Set per scheme; you must be 18 or over |
| Channel 4 | 1 programme Higher-level apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Sky | 2 programmes Sky News Journalism Apprenticeship; Finance Apprenticeship | 2 years; 5 years | £27,010 | From 2 GCSEs (Level 2) to 3 A levels (finance) |
Degree apprenticeships (Levels 6–7)
| Employer | Programmes at this level | Length | Pay | Entry requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBC | 1 programme Level 6 (Degree and degree-level) apprenticeships | Up to 36 months | £24,650–£26,000 | Set per scheme; you must be 18 or over |
| Channel 4 | 1 programme Higher-level apprenticeships | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Sky | 1 programme Finance Apprenticeship | 5 years | £27,010 | From 2 GCSEs (Level 2) to 3 A levels (finance) |
Key figures
- BBC apprentice salary range, depending on scheme
- £24,650–£26,000
- Source: BBC Careers (opens in a new tab)
Summary
- Most media and creative apprenticeships are behind the scenes, in production, journalism, tech and business roles.
- The BBC takes on around 200 apprentices a year, from Level 2 to Level 6.
- The rules on who can apply can be stricter than usual: the BBC only takes people aged 18 or over.
Employers we profile in this industry
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BBC
The UK's public service broadcaster takes on around 200 apprentices a year in production, journalism, engineering, tech and data, and business, from Level 2 to Level 6, paying £24,650 to £26,000.
Industry: Media and creative, Digital and technology -
Channel 4
The publicly owned UK broadcaster. Through its 4Skills programme it runs Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships over 12 to 24 months, aimed at people from underrepresented groups, plus a small number of higher-level apprenticeships from Level 4 to 7.
Industry: Media and creative -
Sky
The TV, broadband and mobile company behind Sky News and Sky TV. Its apprenticeships run from Level 2 customer roles to a five-year Level 7 finance route, with published pay of £26,428 to £29,060 for its 2026 intake.
Industry: Media and creative
Sources and review
Last reviewed . Details can change after this date, so check the official source before you rely on them.