Magazine journalist

As a magazine journalist, you'll research and write news articles and features for a variety of publications, such as:

• consumer titles that cover both general interest and specialist topics
• customer magazines found in shops, supermarkets, etc
• trade publications, also known as business-to-business (B2B) magazines, which are read in the corporate world.

These titles will usually be printed, but many magazines are also published online. As such, knowledge of search engine optimisation (SEO) is an additional and useful skill, as well as having strong writing prowess.

In addition to writing, magazine journalists may also get involved in the production of the publication, taking on sub-editing and designing. For those entering the profession at graduate level, job titles include staff writer, graduate writer, and journalism trainee.

There are thousands of titles in the UK and while there are plenty of opportunities, competition can be fierce.

Jobs can change based on the area of work you specialise in. You might want to write about news, politics, arts and entertainment, sports, or science. Some writers also cover stories about things happening in the country or their town, as well as produce lifestyle pieces or stories about people's lives.

Responsibilities

As a magazine journalist, you'll need to:

• create ideas for upcoming articles and features that will captivate the magazine's audience
• research subjects and stories
• write and edit news items and features in the publication's house style
• ensure work is well written, accurate, and submitted to deadline
• follow industry and ethical standards and guidelines
• conduct interviews, either in person or remotely
• attend seminars, conferences, and fairs (some magazine publishers hold exhibitions and events to allow advertisers to meet their readership)
• source images to accompany written pieces
• meet with colleagues to plan the content of an upcoming issue
• keep up to date with trends and developments related to the magazine's subject matter.

Freelance journalists spend time networking and building up relationships with publications and staff. Self-employed writers also need to negotiate their own rates, bookkeep, and be self-motivated. You'll need to consistently pitch ideas to interested publications to constantly secure new work.

On smaller magazines, the role of a journalist might include all these activities plus administrative work. It may also involve an element of sub-editing, proofing your own or other writers' copy, as well as some design work.

Most publications have an online presence and you may cover the same topics for the website. You'll need to adapt your style for online writing as there are some differences to traditional, print journalism, such as adding clickable links to web articles.

Salary

• At entry level, typical starting salaries for magazine journalists in the UK are in the region of £20,000.
• With experience, your salary is often negotiable and senior staff, including senior writers, sub-editors, or feature editors, can earn between £22,000 and £35,000, depending on the publication.
• If you work on a major publication or become editor-in-chief of a magazine, your salary can average £42,000 but can be as high as £76,000.

Many graduates work in minimum wage internships and jobs to gain experience before securing a paid position.

Freelance fees vary significantly according to your experience and ability. For example, 1,000 words in a prestigious magazine may pay up to £1,300, while some may pay a few hundred for around 700 words.

For a comprehensive guide to freelance rates, how to negotiate, and what costs to consider, see the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Salary levels depend mainly on the location, size, and popularity of the magazine. Salaries in London and the South East are generally higher and opportunities more plentiful.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

Magazine journalism is not a typical 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, job. Copy deadlines may mean irregular and unsocial hours, including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. While hours are between 37 and 42 per week, this is variable.

Part-time work and career breaks are possible. It's also worth noting that more have become freelancers over the years, accounting for about 28% of UK journalists, as of 2025.

What to expect

• With much of magazine journalism now being outsourced, freelancing has become more common and the majority of articles are written by non-permanent staff. Many make successful careers as freelance journalists, contributing pieces to a variety of publications.
• The work provides the opportunity to meet a range of people beyond your own circle of colleagues, but long hours, tight deadlines, and writing for the public domain can be stressful.
• Travel within the working day is often necessary, and you may occasionally need to be away from home overnight.
• Overseas work is not uncommon, especially if you're working for a travel or international trade magazine.
• Many magazine journalists will have started out at local newspapers and have a solid background in news writing. However, some move straight into specialist writing, depending on their degree, e.g. engineering, science, or computing.

Qualifications

Although not strictly necessary, most new magazine journalists have formal qualifications. However, entry without a degree or HND is possible, as experience and determination count for a lot in the industry.

Numerous universities offer undergraduate journalism or media degrees, and there are postgraduate opportunities, as well. Many of these courses are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). It's possible to take NCTJ courses and qualifications at colleges and via distance learning.

While these are not essential, they'll give you a good grounding in writing, interviewing, sub-editing, design and layout, shorthand, and media law. Over 80% of qualified journalists are NCTJ-trained.

If you're undertaking a journalism qualification, it's a good idea to join the NUJ as a student member. Look for other journalistic organisations, such as Women in Journalism, that have membership for students, as this will provide great networking opportunities and resources about possible job vacancies.

Entry into journalism is very competitive, with many people applying for every vacancy. The industry is growing, but the number of training vacancies is not increasing proportionately. This is because much of the growth is in small publishers, who don't run training schemes.

Entry into popular consumer magazines is particularly fierce, but openings with specialist technical and scientific journals, or trade and business magazines, may be easier to find.

The NUJ's Journalism Diversity Fund awards bursaries to people from diverse backgrounds who need help funding their NCTJ journalism training.

The George Viner Memorial Fund - named after the former NUJ member who established the NCTJ - has been established to help those who want to take industry-recognised pre-entry courses but lack the money to do so. Applicants will need to demonstrate a genuine commitment to journalism and the potential to be successful.

To get started, search postgraduate courses in magazine journalism.

Skills

You'll need to show:

• excellent writing skills and a good eye for detail
• a proactive approach to investigation and research
• determination, persistence, and flexibility
• strong interpersonal skills
• a demonstrable interest in the subject of the magazine
• IT skills and familiarity with commonly used software, such as HTML, Photoshop, Java, WordPress, QuarkXPress, and InDesign
• for online journalism, you’ll need an understanding of search engine optimisation and the ways in which people find articles on sites like Google.

You may also consider learning shorthand. Although you might not need it for all magazine employment, it's invaluable for accurate and speedy note-taking, as well as proving your commitment and dedication to journalism.

Work experience

Pre-entry experience, either paid or unpaid, is essential. It will give you first-hand knowledge of the industry and demonstrate to employers your ability to thrive in a pressured environment.

Very few structured work experience or training schemes exist. Contact magazines directly, showing an enthusiasm for their subject matter, and ask if they have a scheme or if they can offer you some experience.

Get involved in student newspapers, magazines, radio stations, internal television circuits, or even start your own blog. All of this can help develop your writing style and interviewing techniques.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

There is a huge variety of magazines in the UK, ranging from 'glossies' to specialist journals to hard sciences.

Many of the large multi-title publishing houses are based in London and have international offices. These include:

• Condé Nast (GQ, Glamour, Wired)
• EMAP (Record Collector, Cyclist)
• Haymarket Publishing Ltd (WhatCar, AutoCar)
• Hearst Magazines UK (Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Digital Spy)
• Newsquest Media Group (Living Magazine, Life)

Graduates should also look to local magazines and lifestyle publications, either independently owned or overseen by larger companies. Don't discount local and national newspapers, either, as many produce at least one magazine.

There’s also the free, consumer sector publications available to readers on public transport, as well as in supermarkets and DIY shops. Check each periodical to see who publishes them.

Many large corporations, such as the BBC, oil companies, and big banks, produce their own in-house magazines. Professional organisations, clubs, and membership associations, including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the National Trust, also have their own publications.

Business-to-business (B2B) magazines and trade journals are also a good place to hone your writing skills and develop a specialist area. There is a title to suit almost every topic, so whether you would like to write about restaurants in Manchester or the adhesive industry, there will be an outlet for you.

Many opportunities are not advertised and speculative applications are a common way of securing a job. Where there is no central recruiting point, you should apply directly to the editor of the magazine or journal.

For a comprehensive list of all newspapers and magazines in the UK, see media.info. You can also build up your own list of contacts by using sites such as LinkedIn, which has become more important than ever in forming new connections, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and looking for work opportunities.

If you're considering freelancing, make sure you target the right magazines for your article. Call or email editors directly with an idea and be on the look-out for events or stories with a local interest.

You may also be able to persuade your local newspaper to publish your work. Even reviewing products, such as theatre or films, can add to your portfolio. For information and to advertise your services online, see Journalism UK.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Hold the Front Page
• Journalism.co.uk
• Journo Resources
• NCTJ jobs board

You can also find vacancies in the local and national press.

Professional development

Trainees with big publishing houses receive structured training in:

• reporting
• writing
• proofreading
• sub-editing
• layout and design
• production
• law for journalists.

Smaller organisations that recruit directly may not be able to provide such opportunities.

Courses run by the NCTJ, throughout the country and online, are well recognised in the industry. The NCTJ accredits courses at numerous colleges and universities across the UK. The focus remains on newspaper journalism, but there are multimedia courses reflecting industry and societal changes in recent years.

Career prospects

There's no fixed career path in magazine journalism. You may progress from staff writer to sub-editor, section head, and chief editor, or you may move across into marketing, television journalism, or public relations (PR).

Freelancing is a realistic option, allowing more flexible working patterns and sometimes greater control over your own work. It's essential that you make contacts in the industry; editors are more likely to give work to someone they can trust. It’s also vital to be open about the work you take on.

Commercial awareness is essential for progression. As a freelancer, you have to be able to sell your work or, if you work for a magazine, you need to have ideas about how to increase your readership.

Journalism is a fast-moving and ever-changing career where it pays to keep abreast of new developments in media and communications. Try to stay informed about new trends and any specialist subject matter you write about.

Training in technical skills, such as HTML, JavaScript, and web design, is also useful. A number of colleges and private training providers offer short and part-time courses in these subjects.