Sales & marketing

You can get into this job through:

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

University

You could get into advertising with any degree subject.

However, for this role some employers may prefer subjects like:

• advertising and marketing
• statistics or operational research
• communication and media studies
• business or management

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 do an advertising apprenticeship like an assistant buyer higher apprenticeship or an advertising media executive advanced apprenticeship.

With experience these may give you some of the skills, knowledge and industry contacts you need to move into advertising media buying roles.

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 in a junior position like office assistant in a small advertising agency and work your way up through training and promotion.

Volunteering and work experience

You'll find it useful to get experience before you apply for roles. It will help you understand the industry and make contacts.

You could try:

• work experience
• internships
• temporary employment

You could get in touch with agencies directly to ask about placements, or contact companies through social media channels like LinkedIn.

Other routes

You could study the Foundation Certificate offered by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising.

To apply, you must have less than one year of experience in an advertising, marketing or communications role.

More information

Career tips

Employers will usually be interested in your personal qualities, like creativity, quick thinking and business sense, as well as your formal qualifications.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in advertising from the IPA and Discover Creative Careers.

View all vacancies in this region

You can choose to specialise in buying radio, online or TV adverts.

With experience, you could eventually become a:media planner; account planner; account executive

You can find out more about a career in advertising from the IPA.