The Guardian Student Media Awards 2008 have launched.

Now in their 30th year, the awards kick-started the careers of many of the country's most successful journalists including Jonathan Freedland, Emily Barr, Mark Frith, Andrew Rawnsley and photographer Rankin.

The prizes include cash and work experience at the Guardian for all winners. In addition, Sky News is awarding a six-week paid work placement for the winner of the 'Student Broadcaster of the Year' category and NME is awarding a six month internship as NME’s regional blogger to the winner of the 'Student Critic of the Year' award. This winner will oversee regional music related blogging for NME, including attending regional gigs, tours and reviewing music releases.

The judges will also award a special prize to one entrant whose work is deemed to be outstanding. This overall winner will receive a six-week work placement at the Guardian and a £1,650 subsistence allowance for the duration of their placement.

This year's judges are all leading media figures. They include Sky News presenter Dermot Murnaghan, NME editor Conor McNicholas, presenters Kirsty Young and Natasha Kaplinsky, Ekow Eshun, artistic director at ICA, Trevor Phillips, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger.

The categories are:

Student Newspaper of the Year
Student Broadcaster of the Year in association with Sky News
Student Columnist of the Year
Student Critic of the Year in association with NME
Student Diversity Writer of the Year
Student Feature Writer of the Year
Student Magazine of the Year
Student Photographer of the Year
Student Publication of the Year
Student Reporter of the Year
Student Sports Writer of the Year
Student Travel Writer of the Year
Student Website of the Year

The deadline for entries is Friday July 4 and the shortlist will be announced in September. The winners will be revealed at the Guardian Student Media Award Ceremony in the autumn.

For further information and a downloadable application form go to www.media.guardian.co.uk/studentmediaawards

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