Are you interested in journalism, media production and international news? The DW Traineeship 2028 in Germany offers aspiring journalists an opportunity to receive professional training and gain practical experience at Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany’s international broadcaster.
The 18-month programme combines journalism training, newsroom placements and practical work across television, radio and digital media. Trainees learn about multimedia storytelling, data journalism and other modern approaches to reporting.
The traineeship will take place in Bonn and Berlin, Germany, with opportunities for placements in DW’s international offices.
Unlike many unpaid internships, this is a paid training programme. The published salary figures range from €2,196 to €2,473 per month before taxes, increasing during the traineeship.
Applications for the 2028 programme are open until November 17, 2026.
DW Traineeship 2028: Overview
DW confirms the 18-month duration, January 2028 start date and November 17, 2026, application deadline on its official recruitment page.
About the DW Traineeship
Deutsche Welle is Germany’s international broadcaster, producing news and other media content for audiences around the world.
Its journalism traineeship is designed to help participants develop the skills needed to work as multimedia reporters and editors.
Instead of relying only on classroom learning, trainees combine professional instruction with practical assignments in DW’s editorial departments.
The programme covers different aspects of modern journalism, including:
Trainees may also have opportunities to work with editorial teams in Germany and DW’s international offices.
Monthly Salary and Financial Benefits
One of the main attractions of the DW Traineeship is that participants receive a salary while developing their journalism skills.
The published salary figures for the 18-month programme are:
💶 Months 1–6: €2,196 per month.
💶 Months 7–12: €2,374 per month.
💶 Months 13–18: €2,473 per month.
These figures are before taxes. The amount you receive after deductions may be lower.
Other Benefits
Participants can also benefit from:
The salary figures above are those provided in the published opportunity announcement. Applicants should confirm the applicable salary and employment conditions in the official recruitment information.
Where Will the Training Take Place?
The traineeship is based in Bonn and Berlin, Germany.
Participants receive training and complete placements with different editorial teams. Depending on the programme arrangements, they may also gain experience in one of DW’s international offices.
DW lists possible placements in locations including Brussels, Washington, Jakarta, Jerusalem, Riga and Delhi. Placements depend on the programme and should not be assumed to be guaranteed for every trainee.
Who Can Apply for the DW Traineeship 2028?
The programme welcomes applicants from different nationalities and professional backgrounds, provided they meet the requirements.
1. Educational Qualifications
Applicants must have completed a university degree, college degree or apprenticeship.
DW is interested in candidates from a range of fields, including:
You do not necessarily need to have studied journalism, but you should demonstrate a genuine interest in working in the media.
2. Language Requirements
The official DW listing describes three main language profiles:
You should read the official language requirements carefully to determine whether your language background qualifies.
Speaking English alone does not automatically satisfy the requirements.
3. Journalism Experience
Initial journalism experience is part of the stated profile.
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their interest and ability through relevant work, practical experience or examples of their output.
Your experience may include reporting, writing, broadcasting, digital media production or other relevant activities.
4. Creativity and Social Media Skills
DW is looking for creative applicants who understand modern media and can develop interesting content for different audiences.
Experience with social media and digital storytelling can strengthen your application.
5. Teamwork and Working Under Pressure
Journalists often work with deadlines and collaborate with editors, reporters, producers and other professionals.
Applicants should be able to work as part of a team and manage tasks within deadlines.
6. Nationality
DW welcomes applicants regardless of nationality or cultural background, subject to the programme’s requirements.
However, being an international applicant does not remove the need to meet the language, education and experience criteria.
Is a Journalism Degree Required?
Not necessarily.
DW accepts candidates with a completed university or college degree or an apprenticeship. It also considers people from other professional backgrounds, including information technology, science, politics, economics and law.
However, applicants should still demonstrate an interest in journalism and meet the programme’s other requirements, including the relevant language profile and initial journalism experience.
Required Application Documents and Tasks
Prepare the following information and materials before starting your application.
Documents and Information to Prepare
The precise requirements may depend on the application instructions. Do not assume that every document on a third-party checklist is compulsory.
Mandatory Questionnaire and Video Application
After registering through the DW recruitment portal, applicants receive a confirmation email containing a link to further application tasks.
According to DW, these include:
Both tasks are mandatory for a valid application. They must be completed and uploaded to your application profile before the deadline.
Do not leave these tasks until the last day. Preparing a suitable video can take time.
How to Apply for the DW Traineeship 2028
Follow these steps to submit your application.
Step 1: Visit the Official DW Recruitment Page
Open the official DW Traineeship 2028 vacancy page and read the complete job description.
Check the education, language and experience requirements before proceeding.
Step 2: Prepare Your Application Materials
Prepare your CV, motivation letter, education or training certificates and work samples.
Choose examples of your work that demonstrate your writing, reporting, research, broadcasting or digital media skills.
Step 3: Register Through the Online Portal
Use the official recruitment page to access the application portal during the application period.
DW states that applications must be submitted online. Documents sent by email will not be processed.
Step 4: Complete the Online Application
Enter the requested information and upload your documents as instructed.
Make sure your details are accurate and that your work samples can be opened and reviewed.
Step 5: Complete the Questionnaire
After registering, check your confirmation email for the questionnaire and any further application instructions.
Complete the questionnaire carefully.
Step 6: Prepare and Upload Your Video Application
Follow DW’s instructions for the video task. Make sure you complete and upload it before the deadline.
Submitting the initial form without completing the required tasks may leave your application incomplete.
Step 7: Submit Everything Before the Deadline
Check your application profile to confirm that all required materials and tasks have been submitted.
The deadline is November 17, 2026, at 12 noon German time.
Do not wait until the final hours, because incomplete applications will not be considered.
What Is the Application Deadline?
The official deadline for the DW Traineeship 2028 is:
November 17, 2026, at 12 noon German time.
The application period began on October 13, 2026.
DW states that the application link is available only during the specified application period. Applicants should complete the full application process, including the questionnaire and video task, before the closing time.
Official Application Link
Apply through the official Deutsche Welle recruitment website:
DW Traineeship 2028 – Official Application Page
https://jobs.dw.com/Vacancies/2753/Description/2
Read the full vacancy description and follow the instructions in the online portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the DW Traineeship 2028 paid?
Yes. DW describes it as a paid journalism traineeship. The published salary figures range from €2,196 to €2,473 per month before taxes.
2. Can applicants from Ghana apply?
DW welcomes applicants regardless of nationality, subject to the programme requirements. Applicants from Ghana should carefully check the language, education and journalism experience criteria before applying.
3. Do I need a journalism degree?
No specific journalism degree is stated as compulsory. DW accepts applicants with a completed university or college degree or an apprenticeship, including those from other professional fields. Initial journalism experience is part of the stated profile.
4. Is German required?
Yes, the official listing specifies good German alongside English for the relevant language profiles. The exact language combination depends on whether you are a native speaker of a DW programme language, English or German.
5. Can I apply if I have no journalism experience?
DW lists initial journalism experience among its requirements or desired profile. Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate relevant experience and provide examples of their work.
6. Does DW guarantee a permanent job after the traineeship?
No. DW describes career prospects after completion, but the traineeship does not guarantee a permanent employment contract.
7. What is the deadline?
The deadline is November 17, 2026, at 12 noon German time.
8. Do I need to submit a video?
Yes. DW requires applicants to complete a questionnaire and a video application after registering. These tasks must be uploaded before the deadline for the application to be valid.
Final Thoughts
The DW Traineeship 2028 is an opportunity for aspiring journalists and professionals from other fields to gain paid, practical experience in international media.
The programme offers an 18-month training period, a monthly salary and exposure to television, radio and digital journalism. However, applicants should pay close attention to the language requirements and prepare relevant work samples before applying.
If you are interested, start preparing your application early and make sure you complete every required task.
Application deadline: November 17, 2026, at 12 noon German time.
