Abu Dhabi, UAE – June 3, 2025 – The National, the Middle East’s leading English-language news organisation, has officially opened applications for its 2025–26 Graduate Programme, reaffirming its commitment to developing the next generation of media professionals.
This year, two graduates will be selected to join a bespoke four-month training programme, tailored to their individual interests and skills. The programme provides real-world newsroom experience across multiple departments and aims to transition successful participants into full-time roles at The National.
Participants will rotate through at least two core areas of the newsroom, such as News, Business, Sports, Lifestyle, Arts, Opinion, Multimedia, Social Media, and Design. Each graduate will be paired with a dedicated mentor, and regular assessments with senior editors will track progress and offer valuable feedback.
Laura Koot, Managing Editor at The National, said: “This programme is a key pillar of our long-term strategy to invest in journalistic talent and sustain excellence in our newsroom. We are committed to equipping emerging professionals with the skills, standards, and editorial rigour that define The National. We are proud that last year’s cohort resulted in two full-time hires — clear proof of the programme’s value as a pipeline for future newsroom leaders.”
Throughout the programme, participants will document their journey on The National’s blog, offering insights for future applicants and a chance to reflect on their development.
Application Process
Applications are open now until June 30. Successful candidates will be notified on July 25, ahead of the programme beginning in September 2025.
Submission documents must be emailed to: GraduateProgramme@thenationalnews.com and include:
- CV
- Cover letter
- Passport copy
- Three work samples (could be from published work, school assignments, or personal projects)
- Three story/project ideas for The National (with simple outlines, interviewee suggestions, and the news hook –reason to do the story now)
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Graduated from a UAE university within the past two years
- Strong spoken and written English skills
- Availability to work flexible shifts in The National’s Abu Dhabi newsroom