How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- training schemes run by broadcasters and 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
- creative media arts
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
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College
You could do a college qualification to learn some of the practical skills needed to use editing equipment and software.
Courses include:
- creative media production
- film and television production
- digital media
- art and design
- 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
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Apprenticeship
You can apply for a place on an apprenticeship with a production company. Apprenticeships include:
- Production Assistant - Screen and Audio Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Post Production Technical Operator Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
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Work
You could get into this career by starting as a production runner or editing assistant with a post production company and work your way up.
Employers will look for personal qualities, like patience, creativity and the ability to organise your time.
Volunteering
Getting hands-on experience is a great way to improve your skills and make contacts with people who work in the industry. Not all jobs are advertised, so your contacts could help you learn about opportunities for paid work.
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
- editing clips and videos on social media platforms
- working on entries for short film festivals
You can also 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 schemes that broadcasters and film bodies offer, for example:
You could also take short courses in video editing run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.
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Career tips
Skills in common video editing software will be useful when looking for work.
As you get more experience, you could make a showreel or online profile of productions you've worked on to demonstrate your skills to employers.
Further information
You can find out more about careers in editing from ScreenSkills.