Media

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• training schemes run by broadcasters
• specialist courses run by private training providers

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate course in:

• film and television studies
• media production
• film and media

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

For more information

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

College

A college qualification could help you to get practical skills like using editing equipment and software. The most useful courses include work placements and the chance to build contacts in the industry. Courses include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production
• T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production
• Level 4 Higher National Certificate or Diploma in Creative Media Production

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 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
• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma

For more information

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

Apprenticeship

You can get started in this job through the following advanced apprenticeships:

• Broadcast production assistant
• Post production technical operator

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

Employers often value technical skills and personal qualities, like patience and creativity, more than formal qualifications. It's common to move into video editing in film or TV by starting off as a production runner and working your way up.

Volunteering and work experience

Experience is highly valued and can give you a taste of what it's like to work in the industry. It can also help you to get practical skills. Getting experience is also a great way to make contacts with people who already work in the industry. Not all jobs are advertised, so your contacts could help you find paid work later on.

You could get relevant experience from:

• editing student or community film productions
• working for an editing equipment hire company
• creating and editing films for charities
• work experience as a runner in an editing facilities company

You can search for film and TV companies to approach for experience through media business listing services like PACT and The Knowledge.

Other routes

You may be able to get training through one of the entry level training schemes that broadcasters and film bodies offer, for example:

• BBC trainee scheme
• Channel 4 training scheme
• ITV Careers
• BFI

You could also take short courses in video editing run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.

More information

Career tips

As you get experience, you could make a 'showreel' DVD or online profile of productions you've worked on to demonstrate your skills to employers when looking for work.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in editing from ScreenSkills.

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Once established, you might use an agent to find work and negotiate your fees.

You could set up your own company.

You can find out more about careers in editing from ScreenSkills.