Radio broadcast assistant
Radio broadcast assistants help make sure that live and recorded radio programmes run smoothly.
Salary range: £18,000 to £29,000
How to become a radio broadcast assistant
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.
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
More information
- equivalent entry requirements
- student finance for fees and living costs
- university courses and entry requirements
College
You can do a college course, for example:
- Level 2 Certificate in Radio
- Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media 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
More information
Apprenticeship
You can get into this career through a broadcast production assistant advanced apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
More information
Volunteering and experience
Competition for jobs is strong. Employers will expect you to have practical experience and able to 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:
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.
Further information
You can find out more about about careers in radio from The Pips and BBC Careers.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You’ll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
- the ability to work well with others
- broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be flexible and open to change
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- knowledge of media production and communication
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
What you’ll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- researching programmes
- booking guests, preparing contracts and arranging payment
- booking studio time and equipment
- typing scripts
- producing programme logs and running orders
- keeping track of costs
- updating the programme or station’s website, blog or social media
- archiving programme material
- arranging and sending out competition prizes
Working environment
You could work at a recording studio or in an office.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could become a radio producer, music programmer or a technical studio manager.
You could move into television research or production.