Sales & marketing

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• a graduate training scheme
• specialist courses run by professional bodies
• an internship

University

The type of subjects you can study depends on whether you're interested in quantitative or qualitative research. Quantitative research involves collecting numbers and facts. Qualitative research is about gathering impressions, opinions and views.

For quantitative market research work, you may find it useful to get a degree in:

• maths
• statistics
• business
• management
• economics

For qualitative jobs, you may find it helpful to have a degree in:

• psychology
• sociology
• geography
• social sciences
• anthropology

Degrees in English or marketing are usually useful. A science or engineering subject may help for some specialist industrial jobs.

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/

College

You could do a college course which would teach you some of the skills you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Marketing
• Level 4 Diploma in Professional Marketing

Entry requirements

You'll usually 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 Market Research Executive Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship, or a Social Researcher Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

These can take from 1 year and 6 months to 3 years and 6 months to complete.

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
• higher and degree apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You could work as a market research assistant or interviewer without a degree. You’ll still need to be very good at:

• communicating
• numbers
• IT programmes

You could also start as a research assistant in an agency and get promoted to executive or account manager as your experience grows. You’ll usually be expected to take further qualifications.

Other routes

You could get your first job as a market research executive through a graduate training scheme. Some larger employers run training schemes for new recruits.

You could also do specialist courses through professional bodies, like The Market Research Society.

You may be able to get a paid internship with a company where you're given a project to complete. This will allow you to develop your skills and show an employer what you’re able to do.

More information

Career tips

Being able to speak different languages could be an advantage for international work.

Whatever your qualifications, you’ll find it useful to have experience in:marketing; sales or advertising; interviewing for market research

Further information

You can find out more about market research careers from The Market Research Society.

View all vacancies in this region

You could move into people or project management, or become a self-employed market research consultant.

You could also work in advertising or marketing promotions.