Retail

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• training with a professional body

University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree then apply for a graduate management trainee scheme.

You can apply for graduate trainee schemes with almost any degree. Some employers may prefer you to have a degree in a subject relevant to the sector you want to work in, for example:

• business management
• retail management
• tourism and hospitality
• financial services

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

It may help to complete a Level 3 or Level 4 Diploma in Customer Services.

Entry requirements

You may need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could do a customer service specialist advanced apprenticeship. After finishing, you could take further training to become a manager.

You may be able to do a specific higher or degree apprenticeship for your industry. For example, management apprenticeships are available in:

• marketing
• retail
• hospitality
• passenger transport

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

Work

You could start as a customer service adviser and train on the job to become a team supervisor, team leader then manager.

There are many customer service training courses and your employer would suggest the ones most relevant to the industry you work in.

Other routes

You could choose to do general management qualifications to help you get into this career.

These qualifications are offered by professional bodies such as the Institute of Leadership and Management and the Chartered Management Institute.

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join The Institute of Customer Service to find professional development training.

View all vacancies in this region

You could:move into a more senior position; take on responsibility for customer service across a region; become a customer service director for a whole organisation; work in business development, business finance or compliance