The Observer Journalism School

Applications are open for this year’s the Observer Journalism school, a week-long programme where students will take part in discussions and assignments led by The Oberserver’s editors and journalists. The course is designed to give you practical skills, insider insight, and a behind-the-scenes look at the newsroom in action.

serves. The Observer Journalism School is an intensive, practical training experience where students will have the opportunity to pitch and write stories, take part in editorial meetings and see how Observer journalism works. Wherever possible, each student will be assigned a mentor based on their interests, such as sports, podcasts, or other areas.

Eligibility

The Observer is looking for someone with:

• A genuine interest in journalism and storytelling, with a curiosity for how stories are developed
• An eagerness to learn and motivation to gain practical experience and develop newsroom skills
• Willingness to engage actively in discussions, workshops, and assignments
• Applicants should be over 18 at the time of the programme
• No formal journalism training is required, but some knowledge or informal experience of journalism would be helpful. This could be demonstrated through student publications, local or community news, personal blogs, or other relevant projects.
• It welcomes applications from anyone who believes this programme could help them access opportunities they might not otherwise have, and it is especially keen to support those who have not previously had the chance to gain professional experience in journalism. what matters most are your answers to the application questions.

Thematics

Topics students may explore during The Observer Journalism School include:

• What makes the news
• How to find a story
• How to tell stories in different formats (audio, video, print)
• How to conduct an interview and run an investigation
• How to write a reviewHow to design the news
• The business model of news

Addtional details 

• The programme will run for one week from Monday 15th June to Saturday 20th June
• The programme days will begin at 9.00am and finish between 5.00pm and 6.00pm. On the Saturday, hours may vary slightly depending on the print schedule, with a later start of around 10.30–11.00am and the option to stay until the paper goes to print at approximately 6.00–7.00pm.
• Breakfast and lunch will be provided and a £15 stipend is offered for dinner
• Accommodation is available for successful applicants joining the programme from outside of London

How to apply 

Interested applicants may apply by creating an account on this platform. The last date to apply is Sunday 26th April 2026 at 5.00pm. 

For more information, please visit this page.