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TV presenter

TV show host
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Performing arts and media
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Career outlook for TV presenter

Average UK salary

£58,240

Currently employed in Scotland

2,000

"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would introduce and host TV programmes, interview people and report on issues and events.

You would be the public face of TV. You could work on national or regional television, or satellite and cable channels.

You could work on all kinds of live or recorded programmes, such as:

  • News and current affairs
  • Sport
  • Music shows
  • Talk shows
  • Children's entertainment
  • Game shows
  • Special interest programmes such as travel or history

You would engage with the audience and keep their interest throughout the programme. Your tasks would depend on the type of show, but typically you would:

  • Meet with the production team to go through the running order
  • Be briefed by researchers, or prepare your own scripts, links and interview questions
  • Rehearse
  • Present, which may include reading from an autocue, interviewing guests and working with studio audiences
  • React to instructions given to you through an earpiece by the director or floor manager
  • Go through several 'takes' if needed

In live broadcasts you would usually follow a script. There may be times when you would have to improvise, for example during an interview.

Working conditions

Hours

Your hours would depend on the filming schedule of the programme you were working on. They may be long and irregular, and include early morning, late night or weekend working.

Environment

You might work in air-conditioned TV studios, or outdoors on outside broadcasts, which can take place in all situations and weather conditions.

Travel

You may work on programmes filmed abroad or far from your home.

UK employment status

Full-time

18%

Part-time

12%

Self employed

71%

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  • Positive attitude
  • Reflecting
  • Cooperating
  • Networking
  • Reading
  • Verbal communication
  • Creative
  • Attention to detail
  • Self esteem
  • Recalling

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

There are no set qualifications required to enter this role but some presenting jobs require a degree (SCFQ level 9/10) in journalism or specialist subjects like sciences. 

Many TV presenters have qualifications in areas like drama, journalism or media studies. 

You can enter some relevant National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF 2-6) with no formal qualifications but most courses ask for National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).

You can enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) with National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.

To enter a degree (SCQF level 9/10) usually requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of three Highers or a relevant HNC/HND.

To enter a postgraduate course (SCQF level 11) you will usually require an honours degree in a relevant subject.

The most useful qualifications include practical skills and work placements.

You could still get into TV presenting without a degree if you have the right kind of skills and personality. Competitions for jobs is very strong so you will also need determination, persistence and the ability to network and promote yourself.

Useful subjects

  • English (required by many courses)
  • Maths (required by many courses)
  • Media studies
  • Social studies
  • Drama

Helpful to have

Qualifications and experience that show understanding of the industry such as Skills for Work Creative Industries (SCFQ level 5) and experience in presenting or performing.

You should try to get as much experience as possible of presenting, to develop an understanding of the way the industry works and to start building up a network of contacts.