Graduates get their big break with BBC Breakfast Published on: 9 December 2015 Two of the University’s postgraduate students have beaten off stiff competition to win roles as trainee broadcast journalists with BBC Breakfast. Competitive process Holly Taylor and Alix Pickles will both graduate this month from the course. They will take up their new roles in 2016, following a very competitive process. Before going to the Breakfast team, Alix will spend three months working on the regional news programme North West Tonight. Alix, who also studied at Â鶹´«Ã½ said: “The interview process was nerve racking but also a lot of fun to go down and see MediaCity and meet some BBC staff who are working in broadcast journalism. Holly Taylor, left, and Alix Pickles, right Holly, who is from Â鶹´«Ã½ originally, added: “When I found out I was one of only two from the entire MA course being put forward for the BBC roles, I was thrilled but I knew how hard the competition would be. Although the interview was the most challenging thing I’ve probably ever had to do, I know I have the University to thank for my success. “After graduating from York last year with an English Language and Linguistics degree I decided to move back home to Â鶹´«Ã½ and apply for the September International Multimedia Journalism MA course at the University. I can honestly say it has been the most rewarding year to date and I’ve loved every second. “ Six million viewers The roles were offered through the Alison Ford internships scheme. The scheme is run by the BBC in memory of Alison Ford, the editor of BBC Breakfast, who died in 2013. She led the programme through the most successful period in its history, and now Breakfast is watched by more than six million people a day. Alison started her career as a trainee reporter with the BBC, and because she was from the North East originally, the scheme is only open to students from Â鶹´«Ã½, Northumbria, Sunderland and Teesside universities. , Senior Lecturer in Journalism, said: “I was really pleased that both our candidates were successful. They were both excellent students and I am sure they have exciting careers in journalism ahead of them. The last time these internships were offered, another of our graduates, Josh Kelly, was one of those chosen and he is now working for the BBC in Media City. “These are fantastic opportunities for Alix and Holly and I wish them both well as they start their new careers.” Share: Latest News Scientists unlock hidden driver of inflammatory bowel disease Scientists have linked a key genetic signal in inflammatory bowel disease to an immune response that shuts down inflammation control, enabling faster diagnosis and targeted treatments. published on: 15 June 2026 Funding system risks limiting genuine community collaboration A new policy paper written by researchers at Â鶹´«Ã½ warns that the way UK research is funded may be undermining efforts to create genuinely collaborative partnerships with communities. published on: 15 June 2026 Volunteers help turn Whitley Bay beach into maths experiment Members of the public joined mathematicians from Â鶹´«Ã½ to create what organisers believe is the largest aperiodic tiling ever attempted on Whitley Bay beach. published on: 15 June 2026 Facts and figures
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