DW Traineeship 2028: Paid Journalism Training in Germany

The DW Traineeship 2028 is open for applications: an 18-month paid journalism programme starting on 3 January 2028 in Bonn and Berlin. Apply by 17 November 2026 at 12:00 noon CET (UTC+1). DW welcomes international applicants who meet its qualifications and German-English language requirements.

Official sources checked: 21 October 2026. This is salaried professional training, with a competitive application process.

DW Traineeship 2028 paid journalism training in Germany — ScholarshipHubNow illustration: Berlin and newsroom training.

DW Traineeship 2028 at a glance

Host	Deutsche Welle / DW Akademie
Location	Bonn and Berlin, Germany, with international placements
Duration	18 months, January 2028–June 2029
Application deadline	17 November 2026, 12:00 CET
Training	TV, radio and digital journalism
Places	12, according to DW’s FAQ

Salary and financial planning

DW’s official pay page gives the following monthly amounts before tax:

Period	Gross monthly salary
Months 1–6	€2,196
Months 7–12	€2,374
Months 13–18	€2,473

Our interpretation: these figures describe gross salary, not the amount available after deductions. Before accepting, request current contract terms and build a realistic budget for rent, insurance, commuting and initial relocation. Do not treat a salaried traineeship as a promise that every personal expense will be reimbursed. The programme is full-time; do not build your budget around unrestricted outside work.

Eligibility: language ability is central

The official requirements specify strong English and German: generally C1/C2 English and B1/B2 German for the relevant international/English-speaking route; proficient German speakers need excellent English. Certificates are not mandatory at the online application stage, but language ability is assessed. There is no age limit.

Applicants need a completed university/college degree, apprenticeship or journalism-school qualification before starting. Candidates still completing their qualification can supply certification later, before the traineeship begins. DW welcomes career changers and values creativity, curiosity and teamwork. Its requirements page states a preference for extensive expertise in journalistic applications of AI.

Applicant-fit guidance: this may suit a scientist, lawyer, economist or technology specialist who can show how their expertise helps them ask better reporting questions. Subject knowledge alone is not enough: demonstrate how you would verify a claim, identify a relevant source and explain a complicated issue clearly to a public audience. Assess your German honestly before investing substantial time in the application.

Documents and mandatory tasks

The current document checklist asks for:

A German or English motivation letter, maximum 700 words, using Arial 10 and 1.5 spacing, with date and signature.
A current Europass CV and a second CV in a format of your choice.
Degree or training certificates and up to three work samples.
Passport and residence-permit copies for non-EU citizens currently living in an EU country.
The completed questionnaire and short self-recorded application video.

Language evidence, internship certificates, employment references and a recommendation letter are listed as optional if available. Follow the checklist’s formatting instructions and the task brief provided after registration.

Work-sample uncertainty: the checklist allows published or unpublished work, while the requirements page asks for published/broadcast samples. Use your own published work where possible; if submitting unpublished material, clarify this difference with DW. Do not assume that another person’s production can be presented as your work.

How to apply

Open the official vacancy. Confirm that it is the 2028 traineeship and follow its Apply Now link.
Register early. DW recommends Google Chrome. Enter an email address you can monitor and check the spam folder.
Read the registration email. It provides the application-task instructions.
Complete and upload all components. Registration alone does not complete the application.
Check submission before the deadline. Use the applicant profile rather than emailing documents or video links.

The online application instructions confirm that the portal closes at noon on 17 November 2026, with no deadline extension. That is 14:00 Türkiye time, calculated from the stated UTC+1 deadline. Allow time for video production, upload and a final completeness check.

Selection and practical preparation

DW describes a three-stage process. The initial application includes qualifications, samples and creative responses. Around 50–60 candidates progress to an online assessment centre, followed by a final round for approximately 20. Assessment exercises test creativity, teamwork and language skills; DW management makes the final decision. Consult the official selection guide for details.

Our preparation advice: select work samples that show different strengths rather than three versions of the same story. For each one, be able to explain your editorial decision, verification method and personal contribution. If you use AI in reporting, show how you check outputs, protect sources and retain editorial responsibility. A list of tools is less persuasive than a clear example of a problem you solved.

For the video, answer the actual brief. Test sound and lighting, speak clearly and leave time to export and review the final file. For written tasks, practise identifying the central fact and distinguishing evidence from commentary. These are editorial suggestions, not an additional official assessment rubric.

FAQs

Is this an English-only opportunity?

No. Both German and English ability matter; review the route-specific levels before applying.

Must I have a journalism degree?

No. Other degrees and qualifying training routes are accepted, subject to the official requirements.

Can I apply while finishing my qualification?

The requirements page permits this if certification is supplied before the traineeship begins.

Is salary paid net or gross?

The published amounts are before tax. Confirm your expected deductions and contract terms.

Does completing the programme guarantee a permanent job?

The vacancy describes a prospect of continuing work, not a guaranteed permanent appointment.

Apply now and explore alternatives

Apply Now — official DW Traineeship 2028 vacancy

For other professional-development routes, compare our guides to EIT traineeships, Yale World Fellows and DAAD master’s scholarships. These serve different career stages, so compare eligibility and objectives first.