Broadcast engineer

You'll need a degree to apply for a graduate training scheme. Useful subjects include:

• broadcast engineering
• broadcast technology
• electronics
• physics
• computer science

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

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

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You may be able to find a trainee position in broadcast engineering after doing a T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production .

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
• search for courses|/find-a-course

You could apply to a company to do an apprenticeship, such as a:

• Broadcast and Media Systems Technical Operator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Broadcast and Media Systems Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 3 years and combine on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

• 2 or more A levels, or equivalent, including maths and science, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start work as a production assistant and apply for a place on an engineer training scheme once you have some experience.

Another option is to begin as a broadcast technician, for example after an apprenticeship, and do further training on the job to become an engineer.

You'll find it useful to get practical experience using broadcasting equipment as there is a lot of competition for places on training schemes.

You could get experience through:

• student film and TV productions
• community or hospital radio
• work placements with a broadcaster

If you already work for a broadcast company in a different role, you might be able to start an engineering training scheme with the company you work for, like the BBC's degree apprenticeship .

Further Information

You can find out more about working in broadcasting from:

• BBC Careers
• Channel 4 Careers
• ITV Careers
• Sky Careers

You can also get information about working in broadcast media from ScreenSkills .

As a broadcast engineer, you could:

• set up and test studio equipment
• install multimedia hardware, software and digital broadcast technology
• operate links between studios and outside broadcast (OB) units
• edit programmes live as they’re being transmitted or recorded
• respond to technical issues and fix them
• service and maintain equipment

You could work at a TV studio, at a film studio or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.