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You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• specialist courses run by professional bodies

University

To become an advertising account planner, you could do a degree in:

• advertising and marketing
• statistics
• communication and media studies
• business or management
• psychology

With your degree you can apply for graduate schemes in advertising companies.

Work experience during university

Employers value work experience so it's important to get as much as you can during your studies.

Your university careers service can help you find work experience, internship and placement opportunities.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing an advertising and media executive advanced apprenticeship.

If you also get some advertising experience, you can apply for jobs as an account planner.

Entry requirements

There are no set entry requirements but it may help you to get in if you have:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You might be able to start in a junior position at a small advertising agency in a position like admin assistant.

You can then work your way up as your experience in advertising grows.

Volunteering and work experience

Experience will help you understand advertising and allow you to meet new people who may help you find paid work.

You could try:

• work experience
• internships
• temporary jobs

You could contact agencies directly to ask about volunteering opportunities. You could also make contacts on social media channels like LinkedIn.

Other routes

You could take the advertising Foundation Certificate to get some of the skills you need to get a paid job in advertising.

The course is offered by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising and is open to anyone with less than one year of experience in an advertising, marketing or communications role.

More information

Career tips

Some companies may expect you to start as a trainee advertising account executive or advertising account manager and move into account planning when you have experience.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the APG to find training opportunities and make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about careers in advertising from the APG, the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) and Discover Creative Careers.

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With experience you could:become a senior account planner; manage a team; get a specialist research job; work as a freelance planning consultant; set up your own agency

Professional and industry bodies: You could join the APG for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

You can find out more about careers in advertising from the IPA and the APG.