The News International Benefaction Scheme was given to Oxford University in 1993 by Rupert Murdoch who graduated from Worcester College with a degree in PPE and a further Master's degree.
As a result, the University welcomes each year the Visiting Professor of Broadcast Media (this year it is Stephen Garrett, who delivered a series of lectures on TV series this Hilary) and has a Professor of Language and Communication. The benefaction has also funded three lectureships and a major research grant. It also includes the placement scheme with the most fancy name imaginable: The Rupert Murdoch Scholarship.
Every year, many Oxford student journalists apply, but only 7-14 spend their time in Wapping offices.
Both Oxford's News International Liaison committee and the Editors of the News International papers judge the entrants.
So what stories wrote last year's participants? Check out the links to find out.
Sian Cox-Brooker, The Sun, News Section
Ellie Buchdahl, The Times
Costas Pitas, The Times
Marta Szczerba, The Sunday Times, Business Section
Others who took part worked in Culture section of The Sunday Times or in the features section of News of the World.
From my own experience, the scheme was what you made of it. As in every kind of journalistic work, you had to show initiative and be incredibly nosy from the very beginning. I was incredibly lucky to meet a couple of journalists' contacts over coffee, do research about Kaupthing for a story, eat a lovely lunch in the Design Museum thanks to a PR company and be a PA to John Waples for a week. And I got three bylines. Furthermore, all interns at the time had a trip to the printers and visited the BSkyB studios, which was a very insightful experience.
The deadline for applications is Friday of 0th week of Trinity Term 2010. To apply fill in this form and attach relevant documents.
Good luck!
