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Media researcher

Alternative titles for this job include

Media researchers support producers by finding stories, information, people and locations for television and radio programmes.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 45 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

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

You can do a degree at university before applying for researcher jobs. Most subjects are acceptable, although some programme makers may look for expertise in a particular subject, depending on the show.

Subjects include:

  • film, TV and media studies
  • journalism
  • history
  • politics
  • English and modern languages
  • science
  • broadcast production

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this role. 

Courses include:

  • creative digital media
  • creative media production and technology
  • T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Broadcast Production Assistant Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

You would learn a wide range of skills on this apprenticeship. On completion, you could concentrate on the research side of programme production.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

More Information

Work

You could start as an administrator, runner or production assistant with a TV company and take on research duties, with the support of your employer.

Volunteering

Making contacts in the industry is a good way to find opportunities and work placements to develop your research skills. You could:

  • work on radio programmes, or student film or TV productions
  • produce content for local newspapers, student publications and podcasts
  • help out on hospital or community radio shows
  • volunteer with film archives and image libraries

Direct Application

You can apply directly to employers if you've got relevant skills and knowledge needed for this job. Work experience, contacts and good research skills are highly valued.

You could also move into programme research if you've worked in journalism, or had a research job in a non-media field, such as social or political fact-finding and analysis.

Other Routes

You could take a training course through a professional body, like BECTU, the broadcast union, or ScreenSkills. These are open to new starters as well as existing staff looking to progress.

More Information

Career tips

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

Being able to solve a problem creatively can be very useful. It'll also be helpful if you have knowledge of current affairs and the media.

Some understanding of how artificial intelligence content creation tools work may be helpful in certain roles. While specialist subject knowledge may be needed for specific programmes and documentaries.

Further information

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

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • knowledge of English language
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • customer service skills
  • excellent written communication skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • persistence and determination
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a media researcher, you could:

  • discuss programme ideas and research needs with producers
  • search media libraries and archives for information
  • check details, facts and figures for accuracy
  • write briefing notes for presenters and check copyright issues
  • find studio audiences, guests and programme contributors
  • search for potential programme locations
  • research and write 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 and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

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.

Working as a freelance researcher is another option.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a media researcher right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Digital Media Production

  • Provider: HULL COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Hull

Media Production - Level 3

  • Provider: MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE
  • Start date: 08 September 2025
  • Location: Milton Keynes

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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