Come with me to visit BBC News in London
15 July 2025
With graduation right around the corner, it would be fair to assume that most students are unwinding after a hectic final semester and celebrating their degree with a well-deserved break.
But for two of our soon-to-be-graduates, the chance to catch a 6am train to London to visit BBC News was too exciting to pass up. Third-year Journalism & Creative Writing student, Danielle Hutchinson shares her experience of going behind the scenes of this global newsroom.
At the beginning of the year, Emma and I were encouraged by our lecturers to apply to be Student Fellows of the John Schofield Trust, a charity partnered with Falmouth University which connects early-career and undergraduate journalists with experienced industry mentors.
I was lucky enough to be paired with BBC Journalist Ros Atkins, who kindly offered to show me around the newsroom in London.
We went behind the scenes of some of the most popular live radio broadcasts in the country, from the Radio 1 Breakfast show to Jeremy Vine on Radio 2, and World at One on Radio 4. It was brilliant to meet the presenters and producers who bring the programmes to life and to witness the editorial discussions that unfold throughout the process.
A highlight for me was rounding off the day with the BBC News at Six. We watched the headlines being rehearsed and then broadcast live from in the studio itself, before heading to the gallery to sit with the director as they monitored the output and cued in each item.
As a student journalist who currently makes all her content with second-hand camera and audio equipment, to see the technical set-up in the studios was just incredible. From cameras, to mixing desks, and autocues, the level of production and technical expertise really cemented the BBC as an aspirational workplace for me.
Fellow Journalism & Creative Writing student, Emma, is mentored by the Executive Editor of BBC Verify, Lindsay McCoy. She joined Ros Atkins to give us an insight into BBC Verify and we were fortunate enough to see the intricate planning process behind their famous explainer videos.
A couple of days earlier, we visited BBC News for a day of masterclasses with the John Schofield Trust. From how to pitch stories, to working with editors and freelancing, the sessions covered everything an aspiring journalist could wish to know about breaking into the industry.
Panellists included leading journalists and editors from the BBC, ITV, and Sky News, who shared how they forged their careers and gave their advice on how to navigate the world of reporting today.
The day was also an opportunity to network with other early-career and student journalists, chat about our experiences and support one another in our endeavours. After exchanging details, the rest of the mentees began their journeys home. Having travelled all the way from Cornwall, we were thrilled to be able to stay in London and coincide the trip with meeting our mentors for an exclusive tour of BBC News.
I created a short video that encapsulated the excitement of our journey, from going over the Tamar to crossing the threshold of the BBC, available over on Instagram
Our thanks go to the John Schofield Trust for arranging the masterclasses and providing our transport to the event. Special thanks go to Ros Atkins for an exemplary tour of the BBC, introducing us to each department and sharing his insights.
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