Media Researcher

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

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £40,000

Typical Hours

38 to 40 variable

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How To Become a Media Researcher

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

College / 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

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

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 & Technology

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

Apprenticeship

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

Routes into this Career

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

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.

Other Routes

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.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

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

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties might include:

discussing programme ideas and researching needs with producers
finding and checking information
searching media libraries and archives
writing briefs for presenters, or briefing scriptwriters checking copyright
finding studio audiences and programme contributors looking for locations
researching and writing content for websites and social media

Working Environment

You could work in an office or at a TV studio.

Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

You could get contacts and experience by:

working on radio programmes, or student film or TV productions
helping out on local newspapers, student publications, hospital or community radio, film archives or picture libraries

Tips & Information

Career tips

You'll need to get practical experience of media production, and to develop a network of contacts in the industry.

For general areas, knowledge of current affairs and the media, plus evidence of lateral thinking and creative problem solving is useful.

Specialist knowledge and research experience may be needed for specific subjects or documentaries.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a media researcher from ScreenSkills and organisations like:

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.