Finance & accounting

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• training with a professional body

University

You'll need a foundation degree or degree in a relevant subject like:

• business
• law
• accountancy
• public administration

You'll also need relevant business experience in areas like:pensions or insurance; personnel; accounts and credit control; purchasing; office management

You could get valuable work experience during your studies by doing a placement year or summer internship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree
• 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/

College

You could start by doing a higher national diploma in business management or law. Then you can apply to join a company as a trainee company secretary.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national certificate or higher national diploma

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice for higher education courses in college|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You may be able to become a company secretary by doing a Governance Officer Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

You might also get into this type of work by completing a Solicitor Level 7 Non-Degree Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree 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

Other routes

You can take professional qualifications offered by The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland to become a company secretary.

You'll begin by doing the Chartered Secretaries Qualifying Scheme, which starts at foundation level. You can join at a more advanced level if you already have a relevant qualification, for example in law.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• To be the secretary of a public limited company (PLC), you'll need to meet the requirements of the Companies Act 2006. You can get more information about this from the The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland to:get professional recognition; find training opportunities; make industry contacts

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a company secretary from The Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland.

View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could become a company's chief executive or managing director.

You could also work freelance as a consultant or a part-time company secretary for several smaller businesses.