Sales & marketing

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• applying directly
• a graduate training scheme

University

Companies recruit from a range of degree subjects. You may have an advantage with a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:

• business management
• digital marketing
• business enterprise
• retail management

It's important to get experience during your degree through work shadowing, internships or year in industry placements. Your university careers service can help you to find opportunities.

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/

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, for example:

• Digital Marketer
• Express Delivery Manager
• Retail Leadership

These degree apprenticeships can take between 3 and 4 years to complete. They combine on-the-job training with time spent with a learning provider.

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 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 working as an assistant in a retail buying or marketing department. You could then become an e-commerce manager through training and promotion.

Direct application

You can apply for e-commerce manager jobs directly if you've got experience and qualifications in:

• digital marketing
• social media management
• business and project management
• web analytics and search engine optimisation (SEO)

Other routes

You can apply for a graduate training scheme with an e-commerce company if you have a degree.

If successful, you'll spend time in different departments, learning about:

• digital marketing
• product development processes
• brand management
• leadership

More information

Career tips

When you work might differ depending on the location of your clients, for example if they're based overseas.

Further information

You can find out more about working in e-commerce from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

View all vacancies in this region

With experience, you could:move into senior management roles like sales director or chief executive; set up your own online business; work as an e-commerce consultant; specialise in a particular area of e-commerce, for example business to business (B2B) or direct to customer (D2C)