What GCSEs Do You Need to Become a Journalist?

There are almost as many ways into journalism as there are types of journalism. However, lots of journalists enter journalism via university, and all journalists need a similar set of diverse skills. Having been both a journalist and a careers adviser, I’ve worked with lots of wannabe and young journalists over the years. 

So whether you want to write for newspapers or magazines, get into broadcast journalism on TV or radio, or become a podcaster, I’ll explain what GCSEs you need to become a journalist and what skills and other qualifications employers look for.

Core GCSEs for journalism

The good news is that journalists don’t need specific GCSEs, so if your school doesn’t offer GCSE Media Studies, it’s no problem! However, you will typically need a minimum of five GCSEs (at Grade 4 or above) to be accepted onto any journalism course, either at university or college. Even if you don’t go the uni or college route, most employers will ask for the same grade requirements too, so my biggest piece of advice is whatever GCSEs you are sitting, do as well as you possibly can. The better you do, the more options you’ll have.

Some GCSE subjects will help you more than others to develop the skills you’ll need to show as a journalist, so it’s a good idea to work hard in the following subjects:

English Language

Not only does GCSE English Language ask students to analyse both fiction and non-fiction texts, but you also have to think about the audience, form and purpose of a piece of writing, a crucial aspect of journalism. There is also the writing element of the course, which can help develop your ability to convey information clearly and precisely, as well as to write for a specific audience and with a specific intention.

English Literature

Analytical skills are also crucial for any journalist, and you can develop these as part of your GCSE in English Literature. You’ll need to be able to interrogate and evaluate text or speech all the time. GCSE English Literature can also help you with learning how to write and structure coherent pieces of writing, while also improving your proofreading skills.

Maths

It may seem odd, but having a good grade in GCSE Maths can be brilliant too. Depending on what type of journalism you end up doing, you may be required to decode and analyse data. A good grounding in Maths can also help hone your attention to detail, a crucial aspect of journalism.

Optional GCSEs for aspiring journalists

Remember that no GCSE is required to study journalism, but the following optional GCSEs can also help develop some useful transferable skills.

History

GCSE History will help you develop the key skills of research and evaluating sources: being able to spot misinformation and bias is more important than ever.

Media Studies

Taking Media Studies is a great way to begin to understand the media industry, and to develop pre-production and production skills. It can be particularly useful if you wanted to become a broadcast journalist.

Computer Science

Lots of journalism is now digital, so having a good technical grounding can be really helpful in navigating the increasingly online nature of journalism. A Computer Science GCSE will also help you develop your ability to handle data and problem-solve.

Photography

Taking Photography, or even Art, GCSE can help you understand the value and power of images in storytelling. 

Don’t worry if your school doesn’t offer these GCSEs — you can always develop these skills in your own time, or as part of later study.

How to choose your GCSEs

My main piece of advice here is not to worry about which GCSEs to choose for a career in journalism! It’s much more important that you choose GCSEs you think you will do well in and enjoy studying: remember, the better you do in your GCSEs, the more options you’ll have.

Beyond GCSEs – what’s next?

If you’re thinking of entering journalism via university, then choosing the most appropriate A Levels is very important. 

There are two main options for studying journalism at university: doing it as an undergraduate course or taking the postgraduate journalism route. An undergraduate course is usually a three-year course from 18, and to study a one-year postgraduate course, you’ll need to have completed another degree course first. Both pathways are equally valid, although the postgraduate route is more expensive. 

If you do want to pursue journalism as an undergraduate, here are (according to UCAS) some recommended A Levels that universities may look for:

• A Level English Language

• A Level English Literature

• A Level History

• A Level Media Studies

Of course, you do not need to go to university (or even study A Levels) to become a journalist. Other routes include college or distance-learning courses, like the Certificate in Foundation Journalism. You could also consider completing an apprenticeship or directly applying for a junior role at a newspaper, magazine or online news platform.

Work experience can help 

For a career in journalism, your work experience is probably more important than choosing specific GCSEs or A Levels. You need to show your commitment to, and a passion for, journalism in your free time. 

Arguably the best way to do this is by completing work experience, internships or writing to employers asking whether you can shadow professional journalists on the job. When I was 15, I worked for a week at my local paper as part of the school’s work experience programme, and I learned the fundamentals of how a newspaper worked and developed my own writing: they even published my first ever story!

Another tip is to build up a portfolio of your own work. Write your own blog; create your own podcasts or videos; compile your own photo essays; or volunteer to work on the school newspaper or magazine. And if your school doesn’t have one, set one up! 

Frequently asked questions

What grades do you need to get into journalism?

This will depend completely on which route you take to become a journalist, but a minimum of five GCSEs (Grades 4–9), including English Language, will enable you to study journalism at college, apply for an apprenticeship or go on to study relevant A Levels.

How hard is it to become a journalist?

Journalism is a highly competitive career. You may need to do lots of unpaid work (such as writing your own blog, or volunteering) to stand out in this field, but the rewards can be great. It’s fast-paced and often incredibly interesting work, and having a career in journalism means that you’ll never stop learning.

According to the National Careers Service, the salary range is from £24,000 to £45,000. 

Can I still become a journalist if I don’t choose these GCSE options?

Of course! Remember, there are no specific GCSE requirements to become a journalist. It’s better to focus on doing as well as you can in your exams and showing a commitment to journalism outside the classroom.

Kickstart your career with Save My Exams

To get the very best exam results or stand out from the crowd on a CV, check out our brilliant revision resources, which will help set you up for the best career in journalism. 

With revision notes, topic questions, past papers and flashcards, get started on your GCSE revision today.

Sources 

National Careers Service journalism overview

UCAS journalism degree information

National Council for the Training of Journalists apprenticeships

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