Applications to join the Cambridge Per Capita Media (PCM) team as an editor or staff writer for Lent 2026 are open!
Join Per Capita – Cambridge University’s newest, independent student publication!
Per Capita Media (PCM) is Cambridge University’s newest independent student publication – and we’re doing student journalism differently.
Run by students, for students, our reach extends beyond Cambridge. Our editors and writers come from across the UK, including Oxford, London, Birmingham and Bristol, and we welcome contributions from secondary and sixth-form students. We believe student journalism and free expression should not be confined to the university landscape.
At PCM, we care about the issues that matter to young people today: politics, culture, creativity and the stories that shape our communities. We spotlight the experiences of emerging creatives and students making a difference both locally and nationally.
There are many ways to get involved:
- Write Features and Analysis for our newspaper sections.
- Contribute to our magazine, led by students at the University of Arts London
- Take on non-writing roles, including Publicity and Events as well as our annual Outreach programme
- Sixth-form and secondary school students can also contribute to Dialogue, our student outreach programme.
Whether you are an aspiring journalist, commentator or simply eager to try something new, PCM offers a platform to be part of a national conversation.
Open Roles for Lent 2026:
- Deputy Editor
- Interviews, Investigations and Features Editor
- Publicity Officer
- Graphic Designers
- Dialogue Section Editors: Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Science and Technology, Law
- Radio Show Contributors
- Staff Writers
For University Students: Editor Applications
Please download the Word application form for the section(s) you would like to apply for, complete it, and save your answers as a single PDF document before submitting. To submit your application, please email your completed application to Rares Cocilnau (rc997@cam.ac.uk), Charlie Windle (cw878@cam.ac.uk) and Anusha Salhan (aas228@cam.ac.uk).
Your application should include:
- Personal Information: Full Name, University, Your University Email, College (if applicable) & CRSID (Cambridge University ONLY)
- Section Editor Position(s): Deputy Editor, Politics, Interviews/Investigations & Features, Culture Editor or Social Media Manager.
- For all positions: (including Staff Writer) TWO article ideas which you will be able to produce within Michaelmas 2025.
- Answer the section-specific questions found below and on the application forms.
Note: Writers will be expected to produce a minimum of TWO articles per term. Roles will be until the end of the 2025-26 academic year on a rolling basis – this means you will automatically be able to stay on in your role in Lent and Easter Term, unless you decide you do not wish to continue your role (e.g., for academic or personal reasons).
We will then be in touch to arrange a brief interview about the role(s).
Applications are rolling and will remain open until positions are filled, so get your applications in as soon as you can! We look forward to reviewing your applications!
Staff Writers
Staff Writers are the backbone of PCM’s output. They contribute articles to our politics, culture and features sections, writing at least two pieces per term. This role is open to students of all experience levels and is a great way to build your portfolio, develop your voice and join national conversations on the issues that matter to young people.
Interviews, Features and Investigations Editors
PCM wants more Interviews, Features and Investigations, connected to both our Politics and Culture output. We are hoping to recruit new positions for these roles to produce consistent output (~ one a fortnight) around the following themes:
- Interviews with authors, writers, academics, journalists and creatives aligned or complementary to the themes that the Politics and Culture Editors will be focussed on.
- Features of creatives, writers, student activists, with the focus on highlighting interesting stories beyond Cambridge.
- Investigations – working on longer-term projects involving Freedom of Information (FOI) requests with the Politics Editors.
Deputy Editor [Cambridge University Only]
We are looking for Deputy Editors to support the Executive Committee with their roles. Responsibilities include:
- Weekly Meetings with Section Editors (Politics, Culture, Investigations/Interviews/Features)
- Regular communication throughout the week with the Social Media Manager and posting on Social Media in a supporting manner.
- Attending Weekly Editor Meetings
- Organising Social Events
- Supporting the promotion of the publication in Cambridge and beyond (in other universities and through rolling programs like Dialogue)
Publicity Officer
PCM’s social media presence is central to our growth and visibility. Our Publicity Officer will create posts and short-form content across platforms, and design campaigns that promote both our journalism and our wider student events while handling an account with over 50,000 monthly views. They will also have significant creative control over the publicity of our events.
Dialogue Section Editors
Access and Outreach is at the heart of Per Capita Media’s vision. Dialogue section editors will work with a team of sub-editors to help students on the scheme produce articles to a publishable standard. We have openings for:
Social Sciences (Economics, Politics, Sociology, Anthropology) | Arts and Humanities | Science and Technology | Law
Head of Graphic Design
PCM is always looking for talented graphic designers to work with our publicity team on events, physical and digital media design.
Radio Contributors
Radio Contributors will have a substantial role in working on our weekly radio show, with the opportunity to host and plan shows collaboratively.
Secondary School & Sixth Form Students
As a student currently studying for GCSEs or A-Levels (or equivalents), you can apply to join DIALOGUE, our publication’s journalism scheme.
You will be able to contribute reviews and opinion pieces to the publication, alongside mentoring sessions to allow you to conduct investigations and write news and culture pieces independently.
Please email editor@per-capita.co.uk to register your interest, with the following information:
- Your Name, Age, Year Group (Year 10 – 13)TWO review or opinion articles ideas you would be interested to write for the publication.