Press sub-editor : Entry requirements

This is an area of work where maturity is often appreciated. Commonly, people move into sub-editing roles having first gained experience as a reporter.

A degree is not a formal requirement, but it can be difficult to get into the profession without a relevant degree or postgraduate course and/or a vocational qualification. Graduates from a wide range of backgrounds can gain entry on to training courses, but relevant degree subjects include:

• English;
• journalism;
• media studies.

However, any degree that develops excellent written communication skills and analytical skills will be an advantage. For later career development, for example on a specialist magazine, your degree subject may be relevant: a science or engineering subject for a technical journal; politics, history or economics for a current affairs magazine or newspapers, etc.

Entry with an HND only is possible, but the reality is that the competitive nature of this industry means graduates and postgraduates are in a far stronger position than those with an HND or other equivalent qualification. Pre-entry experience is crucial, for example via a work-based placement or through voluntary experience with a local paper or student media. The boom in internet publications offers another way to get your work published and develop a portfolio.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)  is respected in the industry and accredits many degree and postgraduate pre-entry courses, so it is worth checking the accreditation status of any course you are considering when making your application.

NCTJ runs the only training courses in the UK specifically for sub-editors. These are a fast-track certificate in sub-editing and a part-time diploma in sub-editing, at The Journalist Works in Brighton. Students will usually need a minimum of two A-levels and most have degrees; but these courses also attract gap-year students or mature applicants without formal qualifications. There are also several accredited newspaper courses which offer an additional certificate in sub-editing.

For many jobs, and certainly to be considered by any of the relevant recruitment agencies, competency with QuarkXPress or InDesign is essential. Having basic Photoshop skills is also an advantage.

As with all roles in journalism, competition is fierce. Selection procedures for courses and for jobs as sub-editors often involve copy-subbing exercises, so it is useful to practise this skill by summarising reports, cutting lengthy articles or simply trying to rewrite something in a more communicative way.

For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.