Paul McClean Graduate Trainee London

Mesh-AI Limited; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international news organization is seeking applicants for its Graduate Trainee Programme. This three-year program trains entry-level journalists, allowing them to work on various news desks, including international assignments. Applicants should be passionate about journalism, demonstrate strong writing skills, and be committed to high standards. The starting salary is £31,000, increasing over three years, along with additional benefits such as flexible working and medical cover. Apply by 8 January 2026.

Benefits

Generous annual leave allowances

Flexible working, including working from home

Medical cover

Enhanced maternity & paternity packages

Subsidised gym memberships

Giving Back opportunities

Qualifications

• Ability to report on news topics with original reporting.
• Must have the right to work in the UK until October 2029.
• No prior professional journalism experience required.

Responsibilities

• Join the three-year graduate trainee program.
• Work across different news desks including an overseas posting.
• Produce a news story for application that showcases reporting skills.

Skills

Strong writing ability

Keen interest in business and global affairs

Ability to cope with pressure

Education

Final year student or recent graduate

Job description

Overview

The Financial Times’ Paul McClean Graduate Trainee Programme, now open for applications, recruits and trains entry‑level journalists for a long‑term career in one of the world’s leading news organisations.

The scheme is named after Paul McClean, a gifted journalist whose groundbreaking work during two years as an FT trainee won him worldwide acclaim. He tragically passed away in September 2017.

Alumni of this highly‑competitive scheme – now in its 40th year – are well represented in senior staff of the FT and other news organisations around the world.

Program Structure

Successful applicants to the three‑year programme will join us in September 2026. They will first receive eight weeks of in‑house training, then spend four six‑month stints on different news desks, including one overseas posting. The trainee will spend the third year in their first dedicated job, achieved through a competitive process. Mentoring, feedback and further training are provided throughout and progress is dependent on good performance.

Responsibilities & Expectations

Applicants must demonstrate they can cope with the pressure of working in a fast‑paced news organisation with assignments abroad. Candidates should be self‑starters committed to unstintingly high standards, have a keen interest in business and global affairs, an international mindset and sharp reporting instincts. Strong writing ability is vital. Candidates should be excited about getting scoops and telling stories across all formats.

How to apply

All candidates must have the right to work in the United Kingdom from the point of application valid until October 2029.

Please upload three documents:

1. CV. Include dates for all the following items: the name and city of your secondary school; university and subject details; post‑grad education (if any); other qualifications including data journalism skills; student or other journalism experience; languages (include competency level on the CEFR scale).
2. Cover Letter. Tell us about yourself, why you want to be a journalist at the FT and why we should choose you.
3. A news story that you write specifically for this application and which has not been published anywhere. It should contain original reporting on a topic of interest to FT readers. The story must be a news story – not an opinion piece. Story submissions that have been published will be rejected. (500 words max). At the end of the story, please tell us, in no more than 250 words, why you chose this story, how you researched it and how you obtained any quotes.

Eligibility

Applicants in their final year of studies, recent graduates or post‑graduates in any discipline may apply. This scheme is not for professional journalists or anyone who has started training courses with other media organisations.

Compensation

The salary is £31,000 in the first year, rising to £34,000 in the second year and £38,000 in the final year on appointment to the first job in a competitive application process. In addition, the trainee receives a one‑off £750 welcome payment on joining. These terms are subject to good performance throughout.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave allowances
• Flexible working, including working from home
• Medical cover
• Enhanced maternity & paternity packages
• Subsidised gym memberships
• Giving Back opportunities

FT AI Policy

Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. For specific and pre‑approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations. We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their original story, and written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences.

Diversity & Inclusion

The FT is an equal‑opportunity employer seeking to recruit and appoint the best talent regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion or belief. We are committed to providing an inclusive working environment for all.

About the Financial Times

Across the FT Group, our people are united by a mission to deliver world‑class information, news and services to our global audiences. Our global, award‑winning editorial team represents the gold standard in journalism, seeking depth, originality and balance that differentiates us from the pack and engages our subscribers.

Application Deadline & Contact

The deadline for applications is 23:59 (GMT) on 8 January 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in mid‑March 2026. Successful applicants will start on 7 September 2026.

For any questions about eligibility or the application process, please contact [e-mail].