Using torque magnetometry (TM), SQUID and TEM we have investigated a series of thin (50 to 80 nm) amorphous Tb0.28Fe0.72 films. A different influence on the magnetic anisotropy by field annealing at 323 to 873 K with magnetic field either perpendicular or parallel to the sample surface is found. The pair‐ordering mechanism is believed to be the source of perpendicular anisotropy in amorphous Fe–Tb films which corresponds to results from measurements of pair distribution functions (pdfs) by in‐situ‐TEM experiments. Unidirectional anisotropy was found in the sample plane which corresponds to the orientation of the external magnetic field during the annealing process. The magnetic (TM) and structural (TEM) results obtained suggest that the unidirectional anisotropy is due to the tilt of the easy axis from the film normal as a consequence of dual magnetron sputtering.