World Desk Fellow

About us

The Financial Times is one of the world’s leading news organisations, globally recognised for its authority, integrity and accuracy, with a mission to deliver quality information and services worldwide.

At the FT, curiosity thrives and ambitious thinking is rewarded. Here, you’re given the chance to reach millions, create work that matters and deliver impartial journalism in a polarised world.

In our warm, collaborative culture, you’ll connect with a diverse community of experts who support your growth, career aspirations and wellbeing.

Your future at the FT will be filled with opportunities that challenge and inspire you. With no fixed path, you’ll discover new skills and forge a career that can take you anywhere.

Build a newsworthy career at the FT.

Our commitment to inclusion and fairness

We believe everyone should have a fair opportunity to contribute, succeed, and reach their full potential. That means ensuring everyone is heard, respected, and valued, while identifying and removing barriers that may get in the way. Our commitment is to be an employer role model, grounded in inclusion and fairness for all.

We want every application to receive fair and thoughtful consideration; therefore, all applications are reviewed by a member of our recruitment team, not by AI.

The Financial Times has an exciting opportunity for aspiring Black foreign correspondents.

Are you keen to report on the world at this time of tumult? Are you excited by international news and do you want a hand in interpreting and explaining it to a global audience? Are you tempted by the idea of a wide-ranging career in journalism reporting on dramatic events from across the globe? If so, then our new six-month World Desk fellowship would suit you well.   

The FT’s global, award-winning editorial team represents the gold standard in journalism, seeking depth, originality and balance that differentiates the FT from the pack and engages subscribers.

The Fellowship is a six-month, paid fellowship in the heart of the FT’s London newsroom. You will join the World News Desk, where a dozen-strong team of accomplished journalists commission and edit our global coverage.   

You will work with the editors to help deliver ground-breaking coverage. You will also work closely with our London-based regional editors, the Africa Editor, Europe Editor, Latin America Editor and Middle East Editor, helping them with their coverage.

You will support the global network of correspondents with research and ideas for how to complement their stories with the right data and visual elements. You will be encouraged to write your own stories and will have mentoring from senior FT editors, in particular the foreign editor, in how to conceive and craft an “FT story”.

What You Will Learn 

You will be part of a team of experienced journalists covering the world, and there may also be opportunities for short-term stints on other editorial desks. You will learn the timeless arts of writing clear crisp copy and reporting on complex and sensitive stories. 

You will also gain insight into the essential skills of cutting-edge digital journalism and story-telling. The overarching ambition of the fellowship is to help to equip you one day to be a foreign correspondent, hopefully for the FT.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will:

• Display a keen interest in international affairs
• Want to pursue a career in journalism covering global news
• Be capable of keeping a cool head under deadline pressure
• Care deeply about writing accurately and objectively

Some experience in journalism is preferable but not essential. Career change applications are also welcome.

This opportunity is designed for Black candidates to help to address historical under-representation in the media, and to support greater diversity.

How to apply

All applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom.

Please upload three documents:

• CV
• A Cover Letter detailing what you will bring to the role and why you think you are suitable
• An unpublished article on an international story (600 words max)

The deadline for applications is 8pm on Sunday 15th November 2026.

Further information

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview and to take a short writing test. The successful applicant will join the World News Desk and report to the FT’s Foreign Editor, Alec Russell.  

This 6-month fellowship is for 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, starting in Spring 2027.

The fellow will receive a monthly bursary of £2,500.

The use of AI

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. This is why FT editorial staff do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. 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 test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role. 

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email [email protected] and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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