Media researcher

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• training with a professional body

University

It's common for new researchers to have a degree in any subject, although it may be useful to do a degree in a relevant subject like:

• broadcasting and media
• English
• history
• journalism
• politics

Entry requirements:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge, useful for this role. Relevant subjects include:

• Level 2 Diploma in Creative Media
• Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production
• Level 3 Diploma In Creative Media Production and Technology
• T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production

Entry requirements:

• 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

Apprenticeship

You can work towards this role by starting with an advanced apprenticeship as a broadcast production assistant.

Entry requirements:

Work

You could start as an administrator, runner or production assistant in TV and work your way up.

Volunteering

To get contacts and experience you could:

• work on radio programmes, or student film or TV productions
• help out on local newspapers, student publications, hospital or community radio, film archives or picture libraries

DirectApplication

You can apply directly to employers if you've got some of the relevant skills and knowledge needed for this role.

Work experience, contacts and the right skills are highly valued and it could be possible to enter without a degree.

You could also move into programme research if you've worked in journalism or had a research job in a non-media field, like social or political research.

OtherRoutes

You could do research training courses through a professional body like BECTU, the broadcast union. These are open to new starters as well as existing staff looking to progress.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• knowledge of English language
• analytical thinking skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• customer service skills
• ambition and a desire to succeed
• persistence and determination
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to read English
• the ability to sell products and services
• maths knowledge
• thinking and reasoning skills
• business management skills
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• active listening skills
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

Media researchers support producers by finding information, people and places for television or radio programmes.

On a typical day you could:

• discuss programme ideas and research needs with producers
• find and check information
• search media libraries and archives
• write briefs for presenters, brief scriptwriters and check copyright
• find studio audiences and programme contributors
• look for locations
• research and write content for websites and social media

Location : You could work in an office or at a TV studio.
Environment : Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Salary:

Starter : £16,000
Experienced : £40,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

Career Path:

With experience, you could supervise a research team on larger productions.

You could also move into an assistant producer role, or get into writing or directing.