Medical

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• volunteering

University

You could do a higher national diploma or degree in radio or media production.

This will help you to learn about the broadcasting industry and develop the skills you'll need for this job.

Other courses like science or politics would be useful if you want to work on specialist radio productions.

Degree courses that include practical broadcasting experience through industry placements or internships may give you an advantage. You could also volunteer to work on your university radio station during your degree.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• student finance for fees and living costs
• university courses and entry requirements

College

You can do a college course that may give you some of the skills and knowledge needed for this role. Courses include:

• Level 2 Certificate in Radio
• Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology
• Level 3 Diploma in Sound Production
• T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to T levels
• funding advice
• search for courses

Apprenticeship

You can get into this career through a broadcast production assistant advanced apprenticeship.

For more information

• guide to apprenticeships

Volunteering and work experience

Competition for jobs is strong. Employers will expect you to have practical experience and show you have a real enthusiasm for radio broadcasting.

You could get useful experience through:

• community, hospital or student radio
• work placements

You can get a list of radio stations from:

• Community Media Association
• RadioCentre
• Hospital Broadcasting Association

You can also apply for a BBC work experience placement.

More information

Career tips

It's a good idea to develop a portfolio of your work on CD, MP3 or social media, so you can showcase your skills to potential employers.

For news-based and factual radio, you may have an advantage with a background in journalism or media research.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Radio Academy for networking and keeping up to date on current issues in radio broadcasting.

Further information

You can find out more about about careers in radio from The Pips and BBC Careers.

With experience, you could become a radio producer, presenter, music programmer or a technical studio manager.

You could move into television research or production.